Personally, I don't really feel that dependency is as big as a problem as
we make it out to be sometimes ... at least not as big as the lack of
long-term strategy by those of us offering help. I feel the latter is the true
problem ..solve that and we will have won a considerable amount of the
challenge of the former.
Peopl often don't have a choice (either real or perceived) but depend on
us UNTIL we have drawn up clear plans for the near, medium and long term
future for self-sustenance and having drawn up these plans, walk with them
...hold their hands and take them through the first crucial steps of "self
reliance" ....putting tools, skills & capital. If we are not deliberate
in this, how can we honestly expect them to be self reliant ...and avoid
"dependency" ?
I am fully aware of the trap faced by ministries of getting into projects
like this with no end at sight. I have my fair share of this struggle.
But my "self-searching" has led me to a place to discern between ;
- "do the needs exist for the sake of our ministry"; or
- "do we exist for the sake of the need"
When I put the people in the middle of the project, I am surprised with
the number of "principles" that take the back seat.
My "two cents worth" to our YWAM friends in Ethiopia is, don't start off
with the "finance and project issue" at the centre stage. Have the people
and their needs there. And as you look into these lives think about what
will help them in the long run ...and start investing in that from day
one, i.e. education, training, etc. I am sure the LORD will lead you into
maximising your resources and making your projects strategic.
YWAM Ethiopia is starting up our street children's project in the
capital Addis Ababa. One of the problems we are facing is the chance
of dependency upon the project by the target groups - the street
children.
What I was hoping, was to get some advice from you in the forum with
experience on how to avoid dependency. I have looked into other
projects running here in Addis Ababa and one of the things that is a
weakness that goes again is dependency. Just recently some of the
NGOs operating here have taken the step to fight this weakness. Goal
Ethiopia for instance have put one year limitation one the
participant of the program. However they will not be able to measure
if this will be successful or not before we hope to start our project.
Please will you all contribute with thoughts and experience to give
me other views of this problem.
