**Warning** This post has nothing to do with Korea **Warning**
In light of the Invisible Children Kony 2012 campaign, I feel compelled to speak on my views regarding foreign aid in Africa. I know that this the latest blogging trend, but I wanted to explain why I support what I support, and my future view of aid in Africa.
African aid in a nutshell, most people have no idea what they are doing...
(hint: its right under South Sudan, which isn't drawn in yet on the map!)
credit: memebase.com, a personal favorite of mine
First and foremost, I am not an expert in economics or politics in central Africa. Though my undergraduate concentration was International Relations, I am no authority on Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Here is what I am. I am a young adult lucky enough to have gone through 12 years of great public schooling in the US and then obtain two degrees from one of the best universities in the world (GO HEELS). I was also fortunate to have been born into a household where I never knew poverty. I am now teaching English making more than enough money to survive on my own. This isn't to say I didn't have any life struggles, but my situation and upbringing compare very favorably to the other 7 billion people in this world.
Changing the world, one meal at a time.
I consider myself a global citizen, generally aware of what is going on in the world. I also believe that I can make a difference in making the world a better place; I believe it is my DUTY to make this world a better place. This is where Africa comes into play. Africa is often made out to be a charity case that we can just throw money at to resolve. This is the feel good story of the 21st century. However, we must really examine if we are making a difference. After reading up on the Kony 2012 campaign, I can justifiably claim that it is not the best place to spend my money. Many people assume that all nonprofits are inherently trustworthy and make a positive impact. This notion is completely false. Nonprofits should be subject to the most scrutiny. They must consistently check if they are making a difference and find new ways to support their cause. This means being open to suggestions and public scrutiny. It shouldn't be selling a message, it should be showing a message. Let the donors choose.
That being said, here is what I am doing for Africa. As some of you know, I had the privilege of volunteering with World Teach South Africa in 2010. I worked outside of Cape Town in the communities of Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek, and Ocean View. I worked as a secondary school English and History teacher, helped form after-school programs, and built relationships with the youth in the area. To this very day I stay in contact with them. However, it was here that I saw useless aid at work. I saw obsolete US Government text books donated to a South African primary school. At this same school I saw old mac computers shoved in a closet donated without power cords. You can forget there being a person with the technical know-how to set up these computers. This thoughtless aid is just rotting in the classroom because it is not books and computers they need. Though South Africa has been developing rapidly enough to be the S in BRICS, yet their schools are failing. This recent article by the BBC only further carries the notion of failing schools.
Cleaning & organizing the library; note the defunct computers along the walls.
Witnessing ineffective governments and bureaucracies and failed foreign aid, I looked for something else. How can I help this community? Where can I invest my time and resources in.
The kids. Whenever in doubt, the answer is always the children.
I saw how hard the students work to better themselves. I saw how they stick together during tough times. I saw how big their barriers to pursuing higher education are. I saw potential stifled and stunted. Therefore, I chose to spend my time and resources investing in students and their education. The charity that I am a part of now, Open Doors Foundation (ODF), gives scholarships to qualified students in the Masiphumelele and Ocean View communities. This year, we were able to give out seven scholarships to qualified students to help pay for their first university expenses. Having volunteered in South Africa two years ago, I personally knew many of the new ODF Scholars. I know that they have worked hard to get into university and know that they will only strive to work harder to better their lives and their community.
Our 2010 ODF Scholar at work
We also seek to empower youth to change their communities. The 2010 volunteers set up the Masi Man Club, an after school club for the boys who met frequently in the library. We taught them to better their lives and their community by believing in their own power and respecting one another. Though the founders have all left South Africa, the club is still alive and well. In the Masiphumelele Fire of 2011, our boys stepped up to the challenge. We raised funds at their request, and they went to work. They helped rebuild homes and help out their friends affected by the fire. This was the ultimate display of a lasting brotherhood. I couldn't be any more proud of our guys. This group continues strong to this day.
Man Club beach trip (2010)
Official man club shirts (2010)
Man club soccer outing (2010)
Rebuilding the community after the fire (2011)
Working together (2011)
Members of the library iKamva Youth program (2012)
The reason I continue to work with Open Doors Foundation is because I believe in our cause and our effects. I wear Open Doors Foundation on my sleeve and love to share about it. If you would like to join our fundraising campaign, please look here or here. Should you choose to donate to our organization I can tell you which students you will be supporting and why they qualified for our scholarship. Also, almost 100% of all donations received go directly into scholarships or community development. These are things I personally can attest to which other charities may not be able to do. We believe that education breaks barriers and empowers people to change their community. It is not charity, but investment.
Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you are in a situation similar to mine: wanting to make a difference but unsure how. Know that we are the ones fully capable of changing this world, making it a better place for all to live. Our decisions now will reflect the world of tomorrow.
My final message is this: We have the power to make a difference through nonprofits, plenty of great ones that will match up with issues you are passionate about. Just don't support them without being fully educated first.
Thanks for your time & I hope you enjoyed the read,
Anthony Cho
