re: Interesting article on poverty in Appalachia

I'll clarify.


I believe choosing to do your good work, any good work is commendable, however tourists often create havoc in local economies by creating psuedo markets and beggar culture rather than instilling the traits and skills needed to be self sustaining.

The governments of these countries are terribly corrupt and true change requires long term investments and commitments not week long camp outs and safaris. When people are starving, have no electricity, undrinkable water, populations ravaged with disease they need more than a feel good myth of there being everlasting life in some ambiguous place in the sky.

They need technology, sustainable living practices, skills to improve their communities, conflict resolution, improved health care and infrastructure.

Gideon bibles will only teach them to accept this life and endure until they can reach a better place in death.


Soooooo help the family down the street, or the homeless guy on the corner, the meth head that is stealing in the neighborhood, or the kid that's being molested and can't escape. Maybe my compassion or lack of it is misguided but I don't understand why ignoring what's under your nose is OK.