Greg with a family in Thika, Kenya

In the last post I said that toys for children was definitely something you should bring to Africa because they are in such scarce supply. The point of gifts is not merely a matter of maximizing the utility of the receiver - rather it is, as we have all experienced during the holiday season, to expose the receiver to something they might not otherwise be able to enjoy. Gifts are a personal reflection of those that give. (more)

Opinion

Handmade fleece pillowcases given to kids in Kenya (photo: Boyznberry)

I happened to notice a blog post by an aid worker in Ethiopia that recommended that you NOT bring gifts for kids when you visit him. Rather, he suggests, you should make a donation to Save the Children or another charity working there. I think I understand where he’s coming from. He likely realizes that resources are extremely scarce, for instance the space in your luggage is quite limited, yet the social challenges we face in Africa are tremendous. This makes people want to economize, optimize, and maximize! People want to squeeze out every last drop of value and see that every last bit of space is purposeful. However, I cannot agree that someone traveling to Africa, or Ethiopia, shouldn’t bring gifts for children. In fact, I would think that would be one of the most important things. (more)

Opinion

Some have called for a Green Revolution in Africa. For instance. And another instance. I often wonder what exactly are they thinking? What do they mean by green? If it’s a clever ploy to get people excited interested in agriculture in Africa then I’m quite for that. If it’s to place some uniform bar of environmental restrictions on individuals, companies, and countries in Africa — it would meet fair bit of skepticism from me. (more)

Opinion