Genocide survivors need to be equipped with life skills

The ongoing Genocide commemoration period, has seen various institutions and groups visit vulnerable Genocide survivors, including widows and orphans, and generously donating foodstuff and other essential household items. Since time immemorial, giving is understood to be an act of love and kindness. While it is a laudable act, it is important that those who give bear in mind the old Chinese adage: “Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.”

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

The ongoing Genocide commemoration period, has seen various institutions and groups visit vulnerable Genocide survivors, including widows and orphans, and generously donating foodstuff and other essential household items.
 
Since time immemorial, giving is understood to be an act of love and kindness. While it is a laudable act, it is important that those who give bear in mind the old Chinese adage: "Give me a fish and I eat for a day. Teach me to fish and I eat for a lifetime.”

Indeed, giving the less privileged a day’s meal may save them for that day, but their general livelihood will hardly change, yet the objective should be to sustainably improve their welfare.

Important to note, development experts argue that handouts from the developed world have significantly contributed to Africa’s perpetual dependence on aid.

Therefore, the only way the giving can make a difference in the lives of those benefiting from the generosity is to teach them a skill or two, or provide them with the kind of support that will enable the beneficiaries to stand on their own, and to fend for themselves and their families.
Indeed, they need to be empowered with life-changing and income-generating skills.

There are numerous profitable activities which the vulnerable and the disadvantaged can engage in to transform their lives.That’s the best way to support the needy.

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