Hard to swallow isn’t it? But before you burn me at the stake, allow me to present my beliefs in the form of a story.
A number of years ago a humanitarian organization went to Africa intending to alleviate pain and suffering. The group came upon a village (in a region I cannot recall) that suffered from an atrocious lack of sanitation services. There was no clean drinking water or sewage disposal. Children played freely in the stream of sewage that ran through the center of the village. Infectious disease claimed the lives of many villagers each month. Clearly, the people of this village needed help.
The humanitarian group, in accordance with their mission, set to rectify the situation. They paid many thousands of dollars to contractors to come to the village and build a modern water purification and waste disposal system. The contractors came, did their work, and within a few weeks the village was given a solution to their problems. The people had clean water, any trace of sewage disappeared, and the rate of disease decreased dramatically.
The humanitarian group commended themselves on a job well done (or so they believed), and left to give charity elsewhere while the villagers lived on happily ever after.
But the story does not end here. For while the humanitarians had given the villagers a great gift, they had not solved their problems.
Several months later, another humanitarian group came upon the village. They had heard about the great gift bestowed by the previous group, and wanted to see the effects of charity first hand. Much to their surprise, they found the village more squalid than ever. Once more children wallowed in sewage. Once more disease plagued the people. As before there was no clean water or sanitation to be found.
But how could this be true? The modern sanitation and water purification systems installed should have lasted for decades. Yet, in only a few months they had fallen into disrepair. The water stations were filthy and misused. A great act of charity had been for nothing!
The humanitarians, puzzled by the situation, sought the chief of the village, and asked him why his people had wasted such a gift. This was his reply.
“How can you blame us? We are simple people who know nothing of modern machinery. The others came and bestowed it upon us, and it was a great relief. But after they left, things began to break down. We do not possess the knowledge to repair these problems, and the result is before you.”
That may be true, said the humanitarians, but what about the water stations? They have clearly been abused. Have you not the common sense to protect your own assets?
At this the chief looked at them cockeyed and replied.
“And what did you expect? These people had been many years without clean water. Then you gave it to them for free in abundance. They took all they could use and more. The people did not work for those water stations. They do not own them, and they could not be persuaded to maintain them.”
The humanitarians were silent. The chief had spoken truth. The great gift alone had not been enough and the reasons could be clearly observed. Perhaps, it is human nature to abuse a gift. The humanitarians returned to their camp and thought long and hard about how they could help the villagers.
The next day the humanitarians returned, determined to rebuild the water and sanitation systems with the following conditions.
- The villagers would have to pay for water and sanitation. Not more than they could afford, but there would be no gift giving this time.
- A group of villagers would work with the contractors to build the system and would be taught how to repair every aspect of it. These villagers would in turn train others so the system would never fall into disrepair.
With these new conditions in place, the water and sanitation systems were stored. This time the people had respect for the systems because they owned them. This time they were able to repair the system when it broke down. To this day the villagers have plenty of clean water and live free of filth and disease.
The above story is grounded firmly in truth, though the details are mine. It was related to me by a college professor who was himself a member of the second group of humanitarians. Though I forget much of what he taught me, I do recall one very important saying.
Never give to the poor.
Help the poor.
Upon this fine statement, I cannot improve.
(13 votes, average: 3.31 out of 5)
Loading ...
John, I think you have covered a lot of aspects of life in this one story.
It reminds me of an advert on TV shown last year and the heading was something like ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life’
Damn right John.. and I am an African.
Benjamin Disraeli once said: “The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own”
We see so much of the donor fatigue from exhausted efforts that come from people believing they are doing good for the poor starving Africans, with the best intentions. But a lack of understanding of how human brains function best (and isn’t that the premise of this site?) causes collapse.
Africans, respond with learned helplessness & victimhood to charity. As we all do oddly enough. [Paradoxical & frustrating, but we human brains don’t always operate logically]. We love healthy challenge and appreciate recognition. Struggling Africans need to have reminders that they too are human: that their skills, talents & products, music and creative endeavors are valuable.
Getting attention for being in a wounded state, only perpetuates the reward cycle within the psyche, to stay a victim.
This is why guys like Peter Gabriel (WOMAD) do more valuable than any charity offering to reviving Africa and offering dignity & beauty to fellow humans, through commerce.
Africa doesn’t need socialism or charity. She needs rebranding, talent scouts and inspiring teachers! By helping others discover what is valuable within them we will regenerate our world, not just Africa.
Excellent comment
Thanks for such great input Max, I really enjoyed reading. It really means a lot that someone who lives in Africa has similar sentiments. I believe this concept applies to the people of every nation.
They’re still giving to the poor - they’re just no longer being stupid about it. The village is receiving the infrastructure and the training for less than it costs the humanitarian organization to provide it.
The whole point was to stress the difference between GIVING and HELPING. If you can’t get past the technicality that helping is also a form of giving, you are missing the point entirely.
I don’t think you should give OR help the poor, unless it benefits you. I don’t understand what logical reason someone would have for doing anything that didn’t benefit him or her.
I think you would feel different if you found yourself in unfortunate circumstances. Also, helping the poor can benefit you by improving social conditions i.e. reducing crime.
Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day…
What a nice little story.
There are a few charities that work like this, my favourite being Riders for health who give a motorbike and relevant training to ensure they get many years use out of it.
Next thing for Africa is Free Trade with Europe and the USA. but until we open our borders to their goods, and stop hiding behind protective practices, Africa will remain poor!
Great story… thanks for the reminder. My hope is that we will be better and better at bringing goodness and healing to our world family. Your insight helps us to know how best to do this. Thanks a bunch! Jennifer
John, this one piece of writing has made my day. Last week I was discussing about it with friends and thinking of writing about it and whoa.. you have already written it.
‘Don’t just give, but educate too’. Without education (not just the ‘formal’ school education), people will always be poor in action and thinking. This story confirms my beliefs that even we distribute all the money equally among the people, poverty will still remain. It requires more than donation.
I have worked for many years in social services among the poor and homeless in the United States and can personally attest to the premise of your article. I have come to believe the charitable, “giveaway” mentality is the primary reason why the homeless problem has not gotten better in most US cities. It is far easier for the gov’t and non profit orgs to swoop down upon the masses and essentially air drop goods and services gratis, than it is for them to role up their sleeves and actually TEACH people how to live. The latter is a far more daunting and sacrificial task and perhaps that is why most groups never do it. It will sound coarse and very un-PC, but the absolute truth is : POOR PEOPLE CANNOT HANDLE FREE SHIT. (those who work in this field will know exactly what i mean) This all stems from the false notion that an individuals lack of personal belongings or money is their real “problem”.
Many of the governments and other organizations that deliver aid have no interest in making people self-sufficient because then they would lose control of them and be out of a job.
Their real goal is to convince us that we need to give them money to help other people when in reality its used to line their own pockets and back political agendas that are not self-sustaining.
First, the exploitive governments must be removed instead of supported by the UN. Until then, it doesn’t matter how much aid to send to places like Nigeria or North Korea, the government will just take it.
Mike, I can’t tell you how I honored I am that my article resonated with someone who has personal experience dealing with the poor.
Unless you can provide me with the exact village, and the exact organizations and files providing details, I’ll file this under “Bull-S***”. (I edited out the expletive. No one swears on this site but me.)
All bravest commenters are anonymous.
voice of reason,
does it matter what village or the details? this story illustrates an all too common scenario in humanitarianism, and I believe that John shows the point with his story.
I was in a small fishing town in Mexico that had been given a cannery and processing plant by an NGO. Workers were trained, and after a year the ownership and operations were turned over to the town. However these people do not have the same sense of property as gifters from the NGO had intended - it was the Communities plant, not the companies. When something was needed in the town, it could be taken from the plant. Within a few years half of the corrugated metal siding had been appropriated to make roofs for their shacks. Also, all of a sudden subsistence fisherman had quotas to meet. Soon the cannery was losing money and had to close. Now it sits abandoned, falling apart on the beach. Behind it is a small fishermans market, where the daily catch is brought in and traded for beans, rice and other necessities. The fisherman formed a co-op, and even with the declining fish stock in the region they are making more money and have a better quality of life than ever before.
Good article, stupid title.
I partly agree with you Levi. I made the title a controversial to get people to read. I don’t like it much either, but that’s how the internet works. “Helping the Poor is Different from Giving to the Poor” or something along those lines doesn’t compel people.
“I don’t think you should give OR help the poor, unless it benefits you. I don’t understand what logical reason someone would have for doing anything that didn’t benefit him or her.”
The logical reason is because some have big hearts.
“Many of the governments and other organizations that deliver aid have no interest in making people self-sufficient because then they would lose control of them and be out of a job.
“Their real goal is to convince us that we need to give them money to help other people when in reality its used to line their own pockets and back political agendas that are not self-sustaining.
“First, the exploitive governments must be removed instead of supported by the UN. Until then, it doesn’t matter how much aid to send to places like Nigeria or North Korea, the government will just take it.”
Well, John is talking about humanitarians.
This story is total bullshit.
they are poor because they got kicked out of there land idiots
John,
You are right. It’s the teach a man to fish thing.
I couldn’t agree more.
Thanks for the post John. I think it alludes to some extremely important credos about the exacerbation of crises in Africa and other third world nations. Though others have critisized your article’s validity, I choose to look at it from both sides, and I was touched by the article either way.
Wonderful post! I was formulating lot of points to attack when I saw the title at reddit , but then after reading the post, I gave up. Good article.
I know a similar saying…
Give a man a fire
and he will be warm for the rest of the night.
Set a man on fire
and he will be warm for the rest of his life.
Oh, yeah, it’s true. I know a college professor whose sister was one of the villagers.
My arse. If you don’t have the facts to back it up it’s a pile of bulls***(no one swears on this site but me).
[…] UPDATE: Re-reading this article I think I under-represented the problem of how incredibly ineffective (insofar as going backwards) a ‘gift giving’ system is (which is what charity usually amounts to). The world just wasn’t meant to work this way. Fortunately, I just found an article that explains the problem with a use case: The story of the free waterpump. Note by the way, that the next village down the road is getting jealous… 2 Responses to ‘Charity - stop it. now.’ […]
Who cares if it’s true or not? There is a lesson to be shared and that’s all that matters. Go back to calling every video fake on YouTube.
The problem I have with this story is that is obviously has retold and retold (note the lack of any specific details of date and place). In retelling this story all the details have been stripped and the “lesson” is quite distilled. Too black/white. Unfortunately, the real world is complicated.
Now take the story I heard on PRI (see URL at the bottom of my comment). Now the story is similar to yours — a project to give the poorest what the don’t have failed (in this case it was housing, not a water plant). At first glance, this article seems like a concrete example of the story you told. But look closer:
-They planned a self-sustaining community
-Many residents were taught new skills
-The poor were given ownership of their houses
And contrary to what your story would predict — it failed.
My point isn’t to disagree to your admittedly controversial title, but to disagree with the notion with the simple “teach a man to fish” solution.
http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/6709
(I’d add that even though this project was not a success, we can benefit from examining the shortcomings.)
Because of stories like this one, the concepts of capacity building and local ownership are the two pillars of humanitarian assistance today.
Fine article, John.
A good example of the Tragedy of the Commons
and something few want to admit to, preferring to
live with that ‘warm and fuzzy’ feeling.
Wow, some anonymous group did something somewhere so I should *never* give *anything* to the poor. I heard that someone once bought a lemon, so we should never buy cars. Oh, and didn’t someone get sick from food? Ok, never eat either.
Or, just maybe, the lesson from this unreferenced event is to give the right things. Maybe that will make us smatter.
Believe in Charity
==================
The best charity is not giving, but not taking more than fair profits.
We see many of the richest people giving charity, but instead what they should do is sell their products/services at fair price, so that they don’t accumulate unnecessary wealth.
Stupid title. Racist/elitest undertones to story. Story not particularly interesting. *Of course* if you give technology to people not trained to maintain it, it might fail. *Of course* if you provide training for maintainers this is less likely.
I doubt the truth of the story, but if true, the first charity organisation simply acted stupidly.
The idea that we should help instead of give may be a good one, but resides in a realm of idealism ignoring the realistic forces of greed, power, and self-gain in the world. Do you really think that Europe, America, China will REALLY, SERIOUSLY conjure up and discover a real, true desire to teach Africa and other countries how to be self-sufficient when so many of its raw materials come from these regions? They would be shooting themselves in the economic foot. From diamonds to lumber, Africa and other 3rd world regions are being raped blind. I don’t mean to be a breathing bag of negativity here, but i do consider myself a realist and i do believe that “helping” just isn’t going to be realistically done by those who CAN help (or in many cases, SHOULD help, due to Europe’s terrible history in Africa). Prime Example: Did you know that America, of all the G8 countries, helped the least in African Aid to help build those wells, etc. - the Netherlands were the biggest donor of aid, funds, and volunteer help - that’s right, the Netherlands. Look it up. My point is, We have to give AND help those who are in need because many who have the most in power, funds, and ability won’t do either. I’m all about self-empowerment - but is the rest of the world? Thoughts? Thanks for listening.
As many of those above have said, everything cannot be looked in black and white. There are always shades of gray in the real life. So, regardless of whether the story is true or not, it is rather harsh to belittle the utility of aid in the form of direct giving. For every such incident , I am sure someone can look up or cook up a counter incident that would disprove your claim.
So what point do I want to make from all this? I think you are looking too deep in a single incident. Though, personally I belive in the philosophy you are prescribing, I would rather look up at some hard facts and actual reserach before making such claims
Wow what an interesting comment on the idea of giving. Coming from Singapore, I remebered going to Cambodia to do community work. There we were told by the Humanitarian groups not to give money to the poor. If anything we should just give them food. The reason is due to possible syndicates that exploit the begger children and that giving to them would imped the work of the NGOs who are trying to provide a sustainable means of livlihood to the previously war torn country under Pol Pot. The logic of course was so as to prevent the poor from becoming dependent on foreign aid and begging instead of forging a livelihood for themselves.
This is made more pertinent because of foreign exchange rates. Where tourist who seemingly small amounts of money like $2-$5 USD are actually providing them with a heckload of money in a country where Teachers only earn $20 USD a month.
Of course stating a catch all rule of not ever giving to the poor may be a little extreme as there are cases where specific economic, social and political context needs to be considered before applying such a statement broadly. But yet the point is well noted, that wisdom and discernment are key in giving to the poor. Especially to the extreme poor.
One word summary: Capitalsim
http://www.usaid.gov/stories/sudan/ss_sudan_boreholes.html
and
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/features/worldwaterday06.html
Had a long conversation about this topic already, so in short…”Band-Aide effect” clearly does not help rectify the umbrella issue of poverty, it only temnporarily relieves impoverish conditions- as your story makes good point of…I have to say, I was turned off initially from reading the story heading, but I see where you where you were going with it now and can certainly appreciate its seemingly controversial title. It pulled me in!
Look fowward to researching the rest of your site! Well done Johnathon!
Eight Common Reasons we don’t help the poor
1. They don’t deserve it. They got thm selfs into poverty.
2. God’s call to help the poor appiles to another time.
3. We don’t know any people like this.
4. I have my own needs.
5. Any money I give will be wasted, stolen, or spent.
6. I may become a victim myself.
7. I don’t know where to start, I don’t have the time.
Instead of making excuses, ask what can be done to help the poor. Does your church have programs to work in the community group that fight poverty? As one individual you may not be able to accomplish much, join with similar motivated people and watch mountains begin be move.
yes but don’t forget that this poor african have this situation after being robbed during year by the now very rich and high techonlogical humanitarians
Great post.
Just wrote a nice long reply only to be told I left a field empty, and came back to an empty comment box.
A bit late to the debate I see. Having had my conscience truly marked by reading my bible, I just logged on to the web and typed in “give to the poor” and this site came up in the first ten. Horrified by it’s title I decided to see what excuse someone could come up with for not giving to the poor.
Having now read (most of) the posts I conclude all the excuses are made up by hard and selfish hearts, much like my own. Once I have decided where to direct what I “give” to the poor I will need to decide what to give and I am rather uncomfortable because I am recalling the Widow’s mite and know that Jesus commended it because it was significant in comparison to everything she had. How is it when God has blessed me so greatly that I want to hold onto what I have instead of sharing it?
God have mercy on me, a sinner.
This story has all the earmarks of an urban legend. You’re telling me that any group would build water filtration and sewage systems and then just leave without ensuring the infrastructure would be maintained? That’s not the way I’ve seen it done, and I’ve been involved with organizations doing just this in poor communities in Asia. We ALWAYS involve the local people with the construction, educate them on maintenance, and follow up the project to make sure it worked, and that problems are taken care of. I agree, I call BS unless someone gives the name of the village, or the charity, or any source at all.
In response to Ian… you’re so right on the money. What group could possibly spend time and money building structures for needy people, and then not involve the locals in construction, maintenance and upkeep?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/29/world/middleeast/29reconstruct.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Don’t tell an anecdotal story or ever use a provactive title.
People will pointlessly cloud the point and debate over the niggling details, ignoring the fact that the overall lesson of the story is sometimes true, sometimes, false.
Haha, I can’t argue about that one. I’ve been enjoying your comments.
Hi All,
I know I am going against the sentiments of the most of you when I am asking to visit the blog. But if i can’t help them directly I would certainly like them to be helped if two clicks of mine can do it. Yes all I need is two click of mouse to feed a hungry stomach.
Please visit the blog
http://helpthehungry.blogspot.com
It will surely help.
Regards,
Chandan
I do not know if this is an American site, but I do know I lived there for two years and never understood the attitude to poverty or the State benefits system.
The American people’s generousity to those less fortunate was boundless but tainted by the attitude that the poor did this to themselves and could do no better. This article smacks of that attitude.
Americans constantly told me how they envied the British welfare system, with permanent support for the poor and free health care. Those rights were fought for hard and long, over many years and the system remains a harsh, imperfect one. However, at least it’s recognised that poverty is created by neglect and greed and it is our duty to support the poor.
I’ve read and seen many success stories as a result of charity and they all began by giving something for nothing, backed up by education and continuous support. What does it matter about the few who waste such help, when the rest benefit greatly from the giving?
My father always said never pass a tramp in the street without giving him something, if you have it to give - one day it could be you standing in rags and hungry. I have and will always act upon that advice.
That is why big rich corporations shouldn’t be giving homeless people money, they should be giving them a job.
99 time out of 100 homeless people are homeless because they don’t understand how to spend money wisely. I remember a few months ago a big charity organization gave this homeless guy $10,000. A couple of months later the money was gone and he was homeless again, he obviously doesn’t know what priorities are.
If I ever get filty rich I’ll remember this post, when I want to help the poor I’ll start an organization that teaches them how to budget money instead of givining them money.
[…] out this article entitled “Why You Should Never Give to the Poor.” It exemplifies what happens when you […]
Why help them at all? They’re weak people. Let nature take it’s course and weed out the genetically inferior.
They are only weak because thay are deprived of our help and support, they do not choose this route of life. The story had meaning and if we don’t act upon poverty now it will grow and become a large issue. We should’nt GIVE to the poor we should TEACH and give with strings attached e.g. Instead of giving a homeless man money, you should give him vouchers which can be redeemed for food and utilities only, so he can’t spend it unwisely.
I am fourty one and poor
I raised four children alone for 13 years as a single parent
and then i got sick
and no one cared IT DESTROYED MY WHOLE FAMILY
the bible says give NOT JUDGE
the bible says GIVE to everyone that asks of thee
and from him that would borrow from thee turn not away
NICE STORY sure but its full of holes
they were the stupid ones not to teach them how to look after things
and as far as taking the water for granted
DONT WE DO THAT IN THIS COUNTRY ????????
give me a break
I do everything i can we heat with wood
lights with kerosene
we grow our own meat eggs and a pig once a year
but that does nothing for the teeth that rotted out of my childrens heads
for the teeth that rotted out of my own
the van we could no longer afford to fix
you go ahead and feel superior all you want
but GOD WILL JUDGE You LUKE CHAPTER SIX
there are rich in this world that get everything handed to them on a silver platter
the beef farmers and pork farmers that only work three hours a day
and you think you have the right to judge
I LOST MY WIFE because she thought she could have sex with anyone she wanted
I raised four children alone for thirteen years
and the thing that would have prevented the destruction of my family is simply some money
so heres what the bible says YOU HIPPOCRITES
THE STRENGTH OF THE RICH IS THEIR WEALTH
and the DESTRUCTION OF THE POOR IS THEIR POVERTY
I cant wait till JESUS COMES BACK
and you try to argue with him
try to justify why you had to have a 50 thousand dollar vehicle and 200 thousand dollar house
while you told the single moms and the poor
and the so called lazy that you had a right to all those things
while they had only a right to be judged by you
I am poor I am fourty one and sick
and you can judge me all you want
thats great cause then I KNOW THAT GOD WILL JUDGE YOU
and I WANT HIM TO JUDGE YOU with the same measure you use to judge me
singledad in ontario
Robert Hillman
R R # 2 Monkton Ontario
Canada
N0K1P0
Giving for the sake of feeling good as presented in the scriptures can never get Africa out of Poverty. In Africa there is actually greater happiness in receiving for we got tired of giving in the past!
Okay. So what about humanitarian crises and natural disasters? What about countries that are struggling because of these events’ shaking their economy, even if it is years in the past?
Certainly, the idea of sustainability in charity is good, but when there is an immediate need, it is not only callous but short-sighted. There is a time to step in and intervene, and a time to plan and work out details for the future.
Welfare to single mothers who have one baby right after another to stay on welfare and section 8 housing is just like this story. They do not affriciate what they do not work for.
Charity begans at home.
What about giving hungry people food? I can’t teach the people on the streets how to cook and buy their food if they don’t have money. But I can give them a meal because Jesus told us to give, not out of self-glorification. And I don’t think they would be stupid and not know how to handle free food. It’s pretty obvious - you put it in your mouth and chew…mmmm…nutrition!
The solution then it seems is to invest in the poor, but never to give or to help the poor. Anyone for that matter.
basecally, there was a bad middle man.
find a good middle man if you guys realy care.
but never make the statement that you should not give to the poor.
all you need to do is find a charity which genuinly helps people in need/povety. i think christian aid is a reliable one.
GIVE TO THE POOR.
many of them cannot get out of it, even if they work 5 times harder than we do. we have the ticket to get many people out.