Charity and The Answer
The non-profits (or NGOs) here in Uganda are doing some amazing things. We are serving and saving a lot of people. But not all of them. In fact, not close.
And this place, Gulu, may be the best they can do. All the big boys are here (UN, Red Cross, AVSI, MSF, and scores of others); it's pretty peaceful now; there's a limited population living discrete, accessible areas. But still we can't reach them all. Again, not even close.
The NGOs are doing amazing things. But they are not The Answer, they will not save the world, or even change it all that much. Why? Because we are only a few people trying to fulfill the responsibilities of millions.
The world won't be changed by millions of people writing a check and going about their lives. It isn't changed by projects and programs. The world is changed when people change. Millions of them. When they care enough to get involved with the people around them. When they see the needs of their neighbors as their responsibility. That will change the world.
And this place, Gulu, may be the best they can do. All the big boys are here (UN, Red Cross, AVSI, MSF, and scores of others); it's pretty peaceful now; there's a limited population living discrete, accessible areas. But still we can't reach them all. Again, not even close.
The NGOs are doing amazing things. But they are not The Answer, they will not save the world, or even change it all that much. Why? Because we are only a few people trying to fulfill the responsibilities of millions.
The world won't be changed by millions of people writing a check and going about their lives. It isn't changed by projects and programs. The world is changed when people change. Millions of them. When they care enough to get involved with the people around them. When they see the needs of their neighbors as their responsibility. That will change the world.
posted by James at 01:19
1 Comments:
Its source is long forgotten, but one day long ago, I read a story that goes something like this: A man was at a beach picking up stranded starfish and throwing them into the sea. A second man came along and asked, "What are you doing?"
"I'm throwing starfish into the sea."
The second man looked around at the littered beach and protested, "But there are so many. So many that need to be saved. What difference can you make among so many?"
The first man bent low, picked up a starfish and flung it far into the water, speaking as he did so, "It will make a difference to this one."
Thank you for your post and its reminder.
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