Solidarity with the Third World poses a risk: that its practical application in the field of adventurers trick is to escape the demands of work and social First. In Africa, Official solidarity white donors tend to travel in Toyota Land Cruiser. And, Small, eg, one of the poorest countries, NGOs spring up like mushrooms. At the entrance of each village are read cartels that advertise the virtues of this or that organization. On the outskirts of Bamako meeting a notice of a development project of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, as if Chavez did not have its own needy from those who deal.
Much of western money stays in the pockets of African oligarchies. In many of these impoverished countries, medicines and medical materials donated by governments and nonprofit entities must meet import taxes as if they were luxury items. After plundering bureaucracy, other share of the funds is for salaries and logistical costs, mostly foreign staff. Cooperating professionals, whether European, Japanese and American, tend to charge expatriate salaries and are housed in the best hotels.
In Africa, Official solidarity white donors tend to travel in Toyota Land Cruiser.
The qualified foreign workers is very expensive in Africa. Especially if it's true professionals with a real commitment to stay. The well-intentioned and generous volunteers who go to work for free et amore often lack adequate preparation for the work that really needed. And while some men, as with cataract surgery ophthalmologists to Africans during their vacation, stay on the ground is too short to reach their altruistic effort to transform reality.
RIDERS FOR HEALTH
En la British NGO Riders for Health, (www.riders.org), Founded by former motorcycle racer Randy Mamola, white adventurers have no room for that as customers of some of the motorcycle trips through Africa to organize from time to time to raise funds. And the bikes are the very essence of Riders for Health. They originated, its reason for existence and its mode of operation. For they are not toys but tools to bring assistance to where others can not, and doing so as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Transport is the great unfinished business of solidarity. Of no use to discover a vaccine against AIDS if we do not reach those in need. Most of Africa's population lives in isolated rural communities. Between them and the distribution centers, there are hundreds or thousands of miles of desert, jungle, mountain scrub forest. During the rainy season, unpaved tracks become muddy that neither able to overcome 4X4. The light enduro bikes can do this job better than any other vehicle and also for less money.
The equation is simple. With the cost of a great road car, you can buy ten small Honda 200 cubic centimeters of very simple maintenance. Riders for Health works in that line so needy countries such as Gambia, Ghana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania o Zimbabwe.
LESOTHO
Lesotho, independent nation since 1968, is located within the territory of the great Republic of South Africa. Known as the Roof of Africa on their mountainous terrain, most of the population living in inaccessible communities actually. Riders for Health have here a project with more than two hundred bikes. So far it has funded the Elton John Foundation, but they say that money will end soon and do not know whether to continue.
The Ministry of Health has an office Maseru Mahali Hlas, National Responsible Riders. She herself was once driving. They prefer to hire women as pilots because they have very few accidents. Bikes do not use the improper purposes, not displayed and lead to much more cautious. A rugged bike supposed to work left to be done and we must add one more expense, the repair.
The drivers travel in groups of three. Never go alone. These pilots have access to the most remote villages and most remote villages with a shipment of medicines, and information on AIDS vaccines, Sexuality and Health. As reiterated time and again, education is an essential part of their work. Advise mothers, the village chiefs and lower health care. They also collect data to use in the development of health policies.
Indigenous women is often the best solution to the serious problems facing the continent.
Once implemented, Motorists are revealed as great. Show great courage and extraordinary skill. But no display, only effective. This is also a team. They lead, Riders for Health provides bikes, is responsible for its maintenance and driver training, while the Ministry of Health set guidelines and general lines of action, but mostly supported his performance and gives them official authority to conduct inspections in shops and health centers.
In Africa, indigenous women is often the best solution to the serious problems facing the continent. While not a few men are given to indolence and dipsomania, African women are working, sensible and thrifty. They are the ones who care for families that include very broad ascending, descendants and collateral. They are the ones that really make it work communities. It is they who always manage to capitalize on microcredit. Now they are the ones who fly these motorcycles that have come to brighten the future of their land punished.
