When Charity Destroys Dignity

  One of the interesting books I recently read Glenn J. Schwartz is called When Charity Destroys Dignity; Overcoming Unhealthy Dependency in the Christian Movement.  (published in 2007)

It is a fascinating book that certainly has its critics.  For me, it poses more questions than answers, but raises the issues of helping   churches to be self-reliant.  Schwartz describes the  problem where well meaning churches or other organizations provide compassionate aid and end up producing a dependency on the wealthy west. This is illustrated throughout Africa.  (Schwartz's experience is in South, Eastern and Central Africa.)  This dependency destroys personal dignity and robs people of developing into responsible leaders who experience the joy of giving, creating change and solving their own problems.

His thesis is that giving to the missionary cause, though essential to the expansion of the church, can create unhealthy dependency.

We in the west, have a tendency to solve problems our own way using money and resources that are not sustainable by those we are trying to help.  Sometimes, compassionate response does more harm than good because it does not consider long term sustainability.
Certainly there are times when relief aid is urgently needed (such as a hurricane or earth quake) where  people will die without intervention.  There  is need for compassionate aid.

Consider what happens when we give a grant to someone we consider needy.  " Here is free money to help you.  You are too poor to solve your own problems."  In that process we destroy dignity and responsible hope.  Would it not be much better to provide a small loan with expected repayment.  "Here is a loan, develop a business  or project plan to deal with these issues you face.  We expect repayment so that these funds can be used by others to help them do the same thing."

Whether you agree with Glenn Swartz or not, the book raises some good questions about our response to the poor and how to solve problems without creating unsustainable dependency.

There are lots of references and suggestions for short term mission as well as a plea for significant cross cultural training.  Fortunately there are plenty of good examples to learn from.

Chuck