In Need of Aid 04: Perspective

[NOTE: This blog is actually from a personal Facebook post that I originally shared on Saturday, Dec. 27th, 2025. I am (re)posting this here for my own future reference. For those who are reading this, the first half of the blog is from the original social media posting on my personal Facebook page. I have added a few additional thoughts at the close of the blog under the heading “Perspective.” Again, blogs like these are mainly for my own learning and development, but your feedback, comments, and criticisms are always welcome and valued.]

A few personal notes from some research and study earlier this week (from the Ryszard Kapuściński book “The Shadow of the Sun, pp. 226-227)…

CRUCIAL SECTION on AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT from the PERSPECTIVE OF AFRICANS:

• (1) Disproportionate dependence on developed countries;
• (2) Promote regional development;
• (3) Address insufficient infrastructure [in all forms];
• (4) Minimize costs and reduce the “price” of development;
• (5) Expand educational access and quality;
• (6) Maintain a multidimensional approach;
• (7) New politicians and a new political climate;
• (8) Clear, well-defined vision;
• (9) Avoid ethnic fanatacism;
• (10) Stop Africa’s increasing marginalization; and
• (11) Assume a self-critical stance.

Yep. That’s a lot. A LOT. A pertinent, personal reminder that lasting, long-term change is never easy or simple. The world’s greatest challenges are interwoven and require sophisticated solutions.

PERSPECTIVE: Much of the recent literature regarding development aid highlights the problem of “exclusion,” particularly when and where it involves assistance to those countries more commonly referred to as “developing nations.” In far too many instances, donor countries and organizations seek to enact a plan or program without actively seeking the participation and perspective of the intended beneficiaries. The result is misalignment from the very outset. The donors intend to apply a solution that the recipients have not necessarily requested. No questions about either what is needed or even wanted were ever asked by the donors/partners. Just the arrogant imposition of a proposed and preferred response that seldom addresses the root causes and/or supplies lasting, long-term sustainable answers.

It is within this framework that the 2 brief pages from “The Shadow of the Sun” make such sense to me. Therein, a small group of Africans provides their unique vantage point as lifetime residents on the continent. They share a perspective that highlights the issues from the view of those who live there and will be directly impacted by assistance efforts. In other words… “Here are the things we truly need, the things that would actually be of value to us.” Such is the power of a proper perspective. It minimizes wasted time and effort by aligning assistance efforts with true needs. It works to provide what people actually need as opposed to what we want to give. And in the end, this is the best way forward as we seek to enhance development, economic growth, and end poverty.