Before you do anything at all, ensure that you understand the difference between relief, rehabilitation, and development. Know which is needed, when. Two minute video:
https://vimeo.com/33174427
As an example I am aiming to use my IT skills to bring development to the island of Haiti in the form of training for internet careers. The islanders are often given food (relief) but experts on the island point out that the biggest need is personal development so that they help themselves climb out of the hole. I’ve spoken with two missionaries to the island who are generally positive about my plan.
If you bring your skills and apply them to rehabilitation when development is needed, you can do more harm than good, no matter your intentions. So ensure you know which to apply, when.
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Before you do anything at all, ensure that you understand the difference between relief, rehabilitation, and development. Know which is needed, when. Two minute video: https://vimeo.com/33174427
As an example I am aiming to use my IT skills to bring development to the island of Haiti in the form of training for internet careers. The islanders are often given food (relief) but experts on the island point out that the biggest need is personal development so that they help themselves climb out of the hole. I’ve spoken with two missionaries to the island who are generally positive about my plan.
If you bring your skills and apply them to rehabilitation when development is needed, you can do more harm than good, no matter your intentions. So ensure you know which to apply, when.