If you have been self-aware for any of the last few years of your college life, then you probably know that “social activism” is cool. That mentality is all well and good, but vegan Toms aren’t the long-term solution that is needed — real aid is.
Foreign aid is great. But, depending on the governmental structure of a given state, aid might not even make it to the people who need it. A popular example of this is North Korea. Or pick your favorite sub-Saharan African nation and chances are it’s the same picture, at least as far as aid is concerned.
Aid is often skimmed off by corruption in the political system, and money intended for the general population doesn’t always make it to people who need it most (your Toms might make it though). Sometimes this does stimulate a “trickle down” type of growth, but never a long sustained improvement.
A newly popularized form of aid is the micro loan. Micro loans give money directly to local people as capital to promote a sustainable lifestyle. For example, if you were able to weave baskets and sell them at market for a profit, but didn’t have the capital to buy the supplies to begin with, then you are still out of luck. This is where microfinance comes in, providing the overhead to start your venture. Instead of giving someone a fish (or some Toms) and feeding them for a day, the aim is to teach them to fish and be full for a lifetime. Micro loans kick start business in the developing world.
MyFight, a non-profit that aims to “use microfinance to unfurl the potential of those cocooned in poverty,” is coming to Moscow. Its mission is to fight slavery, poverty and oppression worldwide. But don’t take my word for it, MyFight will be at the Nuart Theatre at 8 p.m. Monday. Whether you go or not, find a way to contribute more than a pair of Toms to help end poverty — it’s worth the effort.
Eric Czirr can be reached at [email protected]