Toxic Charity #4.2: Making charity less toxic:

• Make sure that what is done and left behind is sustainable
  
  • One agency had a policy that we could not bring or leave behind a cement mixer
    
    • They had a couple of stated reasons (but I think there were some unstated reasons having to do with cultural differences)
      
    • They didn't want a machine that worked for awhile and allowed the people to forget how to mix cement on the ground – or become spoiled – and then have the machine break.
      
    • Such devices require maintenance and parts. If these are not provided on a continuing basis they are stuck with a piece of junk
      
    • This policy drove my performance oriented adults crazy. They never got the logic of why they had to do things in an unproductive fashion.
      
  • To use such a device and take it home with you is even worse, emphasizing the difference between rich and poor and makes the people yearn for such devices
    
  • Putting in a water well is, of course, immensely valuable. But you haven't actually provided a well until you have provided training in usage, maintenance and repair and provided funds on a forever basis.