- how the Sumerian Foundation approach is different

One of my colleagues Hew (after who the 'Hew award' is named as one of the smelly trainer prizes :0) forwarded a link to an interesting article in 'Der Spiegel': "For God's Sake, Please Stop the Aid!"

In this article "For God's Sake, Please Stop the Aid!" The Kenyan economics expert James Shikwati talks about the disastrous effects of Western development policy in Africa creating dependence, weakening of the local markets and dampening the spirit of entrepreneurship.

James Shikwati goes quite far in his stand on how all aid should be cut immediately. It seems hard to imagine that would do much good to many of the orphans and children who would not survive if there was no aid at all.

He does however have some very interesting arguments on how the billions of traditional aid has not eliminated poverty in Africa, harms natural trade patterns and may have stood in the way of Africans standing on their own feet.

This is one of the reasons why the Sumerian Foundation aims to help through developing social enterprises, only giving people that little bit of help to set up a business to support themselves, their family and local economy. Businesses that do not succeed because of sympathy but through excellence. Not only does this approach provide self sufficiency without relying on long term donations, it also gives people hope, self esteem and dignity.

As Janet and Tommy found during their recent volunteer trip to Kenya, this is exactly what all the people they met want, a stepping stone through which they can make things happen for themselves using their incredible positive attitude, drive and energy.