AIM’s short-term program has now listed a new book as “essential reading” before people undertake short-term ministry in Africa: “When helping Hurts — How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor … and yourself.” By Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (Publisher:Moody, 2009).
This book takes a good hard look at our motivation and actions in trying to help the poor. While it is written as a direct challenge to the North American church it is appropriate for Australians and others seeking to make a real difference.
The book challenges many things including the poison of paternalism. “Avoid paternalism – Do not do things for people that they can do for themselves.” The book explores paternalism in spiritual things; in knowledge; in labour and managerial skills.
The book throws a direct challenge to those who might try and help by giving money or other resources that may stop or discourage people – the poor – from using their own individual and communal skills and other resources to solve their own problems. Are we robbing local people of God’s blessing by not letting them help each other?
The book is structured with reflection questions and exercises to help readers digest and assimilate their own learnings.
AIM Australian short-termers to Namibia in 2010, Richard and Carolyn Goldney, found the book helped change their lives and outlook.
Carolyn writes: “A great book! I really recommend it to anyone who is interested in supporting missions, missionaries or doing mission work.
“So many of us believe money will solve the poverty cycle. We are learning how some of it is beyond the control of the impoverished but much of it is really tied to world view, self-esteem and broken relationship with God.”
“This book and a conference on transformational development made us have a good, long, hard look at the benefits and issues of short-term mission. We were taught about the importance of going into a community and first finding out about their assets, not their needs!”
This book is available from book stores including: www.bookdepository.com
August 2011
