Both these videos talk about the need for capitalism to spread throughout Africa and governments to get out of the way. But one of the biggest problems with monetary foreign aid from countries like the United States or the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is that the money goes straight into the hands of the politicians and many times not into the hands of the people. In the "Aid for Africa" video above Andrew Mwenda explains that his native country of Uganda spends the vast majority of its budget each year on expenses for its government officials. The problem is that much of its income does not come through taxation of its own people, but from foreign aid. Therefore the government officials do not need to defend their legitimacy to their own people because their own people are not necessarily "footing the bill."
Why does this matter for Jacinda and I? Shouldn't I be proclaiming the great benefits of foreign aid in order to get more people to give more money to us and Blessman Ministries?
One big difference is that by giving to small organizations you are not putting money straight into the pockets of foreign governments. Most independent organizations like Blessman Ministries use the vast majority of their resources to actually benefit people "on the ground."
Specifically, one of Blessman Ministries main programs is feeding children who would otherwise have little to no nutritious food on a daily basis. In partnership with Meals from the Heartland Blessman Ministries feeds over 7,000 children at least one nutritious meal every day. Why? Because even though it might be important to establish capitalism in Africa people need food to be able to learn, grow, work, etc.
But here's the bigger "why" for Jacinda and I... over the years Blessman Ministries has grown to include "micro-enterprises" (Check out Doc Blessman's blog here for much more about all the different projects). Blessman Ministries is not simply trying to give stuff away, but more importantly they are trying to give HOPE away. Through developing capitalistic ventures such as a bakery, sewing center, farm, and most importantly a church Blessman Ministries is seeking to bring hope and a future to people in the communities around Mokopane, South Africa.
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| Johanney Chongani and the latest beetrot harvest at BMI |
I believe that this HOPE, hope in the future and hope in Jesus Christ, is freedom. For some it might be freedom from poverty and disease. For others it might be freedom from the horrors and trauma of sexual abuse. But freedom is not simply "from" the past. Freedom is FOR the future! And this is what I believe Blessman Ministries is really doing... offering FREEDOM and HOPE by empowering people with occupational skills, economic mobility, a meal, a pair of eyeglasses, and most importantly the good news of Jesus Christ.
AMEN!
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