Mission trip to defeated people

If the group is working with people of a lower economic/social class there are some basic attitudes that need to be kept in mind.

• First and foremost, they are not “inferior people,” or to be pitied. For the most part they have not chosen to be in the situation they are in, and it is never helpful to blame them for their situation.
• They may have become overwhelmed and given up, but if given respect and a head start on improving their situation, they'll probably take it from there. But that is not our responsibility and doing what we are asked to do is all we can expect to do.
• Rather than being condescending, we should give the people we're working with respect and appreciation. “Sir” and “Ma'am” can make people used to abuse feel better about themselves and this costs us nothing.