Empathizing with the poor will help you to understand that what they want most of all is to keep their dignity. That they receive dole outs does not mean they would like to rely on it but are merely forced by circumstances to satisfy their immediate and pressing needs for the moment. If you sit with them and try to listen, what you will hear is their yearning to be given the opportunity to labor or to have stable jobs to sustain themselves and their family's basic needs - food, clothing, education. They are human after all.
Helping the poor has evolved into a social science. It is an effort that is not done haphazardly with mitigating motives. It is done with a heartfelt undertaking. Carefully planned and implemented.
A sustainable project that can be nourished progressively is the key to alleviate their condition. A program that will ensure that their long term need shall be met. Providing them with opportunities to become productive members of society. One step at a time.
No one man or organization nor the government itself can alleviate their condition doing it alone. It must be a communal endeavor where every member has a role even the beneficiary himself, for it is his future that is at stake.
A development partnership or coordination among major players such as government, development organizations and corporations is the other key to poverty alleviation. Everyone must have a stake in the development of the community:
1. The not for profit organizations that specializes on community development each with its own unique programs for the poor - education, skills training, livelihood, counseling, even micro-financing.
2. The government provides the necessary infrastructure and resources, including funding. It may also integrate their own programs to supplement the project.
3. Privately held Corporations to provide for additional funding and sometimes human resources. Responsible corporations have included it in their mission to be active participants in social development. In times of profits, they set aside certain funds to give something back to the community that contributed to their profitability. It is better to spend these hard earned money prudently. Even marketing funds must be spent astutely to achieve a long lasting effect on their consumers - whether for customer retention or for winning new ones. A development project will have more positive impact to the people and their community.
4. The beneficiary to actively participate in the molding of his future. He must understand that the project is not being force-fed but requires a voluntary participation.
There now lies the difference. A dole gives them joy for the moment. Opportunities give them joy for a lifetime.
Note: The author has worked with Gawad Kalinga, an organization that is committed to poverty alleviation through community development.
