Post 1

This Ted Talk by Ernesto Sirolli is an excellent example of how paternalism so often accompanies aid to people living in poverty. Although he speaks about aid to those in developing countries, there are parallels to how charitable organizations are operating right here in North America. Ernesto declares "the first principle of aid should be RESPECT." I have worked in the not for profit sector for a number of years I sadly spent many of those years prescribing to people what I thought they needed. We (as in frontline workers) do this in a variety of ways, we make "service plans," and do "goal setting," as well as through our standardized assessment measures. We evaluate our programs by asking people to fit their answers into categories that WE establish. If I could go back and do it over again I would ask people more open ended questions like "did this program work for you?" and use more narratives to evaluate our programs. I guess thats why I wanted to start Self Driven, its my chance to do it right this time, and to feel like I am really, truly, helping someone on their own terms. Ernesto puts it so eloquently, just shut up and listen.