Toxic Charity #2.1: Problems that can result from helping others:

These problems range from broad sociological issues to simple side effects.

• The biggest issue is simply disabling those one is trying to help. If the recipients get the impression that only wealthy and powerful people, like the group coming in, can do something, then this contributes to their sense of dependence and powerlessness. Different people react in different ways to this sense: some resent it; some will consciously or unconsciously sabotage the project; others will care less and less and try to help themselves less and less. None of this is good and no one benefits from it. It would have been better to stay home.