In a rich man's world

People say money makes the world go round, and I argue it is no different in development. The myriad of good intentions aside, we have to face the reality that very good, worthwhile projects are left abandoned due to lack of funds, initiatives fail, and people become disheartened all for the simple need of funding. These are the thoughts that have been sparked through the comments posted to my last blog: “A gateway to change”, where people voiced concern over the role of big organisations in comparison to development / empowerment at the local level.

It seems one of the key issues here is that of funding: while grass-root level initiatives are best, they need to get the funds from somewhere. The “inspirational” William Kamkwamba is an example of someone actively seeking funding which will help him and his family in their daily lives and to fund projects such as building windmills to create electricity. The response to Kamkwamba’s blog has been phenomenal, and he has been lucky enough to be one of those voices that does get heard, supported and yes, funded.

One person commented on Kamkwamba’s blog: “it is great to donate money directly to an African family without going through an organisation”. They praised the fact that one can see exactly where the donations have gone, and can have satisfaction in seeing results. I certainly can understand that, but I think we need to realise that Kamkwamba is the exception, not the rule. I say this because not everyone can use the outlet of the Internet due to lack of access and skills, cannot speak the vernacular – English, and for many other reasons which mean millions go unheard and unsupported.

It is so exciting when people like Kamkwamba or those of Nata Village blog about their lives, their needs, their hopes, and most wonderfully, their successes. But most obviously, these blogs are all about getting support – most importantly financial support – for their causes. Money, I say again, makes it all possible.

This is where I think big organisations have the potential to really make a difference: greater established organisations like Development Gateway Foundation have the time and resources and very importantly, the credibility to seek funding for their initiatives. This places organisations in a powerful position – one which many fail to fill properly or in the positive way they should. Yet if larger organisations, with corporate and government funding at hand, are able to filter this money down to the local initiatives that need it, then the process is working for the right reasons and in the most logical, effective manner.

Yes, the idealists out there would like to dream that every individual, community and country in Africa can embrace their own future from the outset. But the reality is they need the funding to do so. Yes, development needs to be from the bottom-up, but people need the tools with which to embrace their future – people like Kamkwamba need the money so they can build their windmills and any other innovative project they may visualise.

So lets not hasten to idealise and ignore the potential which bigger organisations possess to bring funding to the table. The extent to which organisations may succeed or fail to integrate this funding at the necessary grass-roots level may be another discussion entirely.

A website making a difference

There is no denying that developments in ICTs have huge potential to facilitate and encourage development. The digital revolution can be used to the benefit of those needing access to better information and can provide those who traditionally have been voiceless, to have their voices heard. Yet closer inspection on this topic so far has largely led me to develop a rather grim perspective on the use of digital technology in development, because it often seems to have little real effect.

This is why discovering the Nata Village Blog was so exciting. I stumbled upon this blog through reading Christian Kreutz’s discussion of web 2.0 in the context of development. While there are numerous challenges regarding web2.0 for rural development such as connectivity and lack of skills, Kreutz says the Nata Village blog is a positive case study which shows communities can “communicate their messages and interact with a worldwide audience”.

Nata is a small village of 5000 people in Botswana, which has been extremely hard-hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. With over 400 AIDS orphans and nearly 50% of all pregnant women in Nata testing as HIV positive, the village is taking steps to take control of a fate which seems sure to wipe out most of their population.

Through the help of a US Peace Corp in Nata, Melody Jenkins, and Jon Rawlinson, a Canadian television producer and IT specialist, Nata has become one of the first rural villages to establish its own website to raise funds to fight HIV/AIDS. The website is dedicated to the people of Nata who despite enormous losses and challenges still have the courage and determination to fight the ravages of this pandemic.

The site has stories, photographs and videos about Nata Clinic, features about PLWA’s (People Living with AIDS), village life, youth groups, the Kgosi’s (chiefs) and the professionals involved in the fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

As most of the village residents are apparently illiterate, the blog posts are written by Jon Rawlinson & Melody Jenkins, but a camera has been donated to the locals so that they can tell their story through photographs. This is one of the ways in which the site is sustainable and effective – through the local residents’ input. Local residents have said they see the importance for the communities to resuscitate the spirit of self-reliance rather than relying on the government for assistance.

And most importantly, the initiative is having an effect, with funds being donated towards furnishing the clinic, HIV/AIDS education programs, support groups and more.

While the ideal would be a site where residents could play a bigger role in the posting of content, this is still an inspiring example of a locally-run website which is benefiting a rural village, which otherwise would still be struggling to get their story heard or find support for their cause.