here I fucking go again...
sigh
Sunday November 16th 2003
So, I’ve decided to start a new business. Sort of. Since it is abuntantly clear that donor money is not going to be something I am good at getting. I can’t deal with all the stupid paperwork, and beurocratic hoops, all for a maybe with huge strings attached. More specifically, the SNV isn’t going to pony up…oh maybe they will. What I do know is that what people have to do to get the money, and what it does to their pysche is degrading… I’ve said this before, but it is formalized begging. So, the idea of starting a marketing business is one that I mentioned to Charly… and no surprise… he is all in favor of it. The idea is to take on clients from wherever, and use the money to subsidize the work for the local NGO’s… but to be honest.. I care less about them. It is going to be more to help the GECEC make some money, get some equipment, train some people, and give the GECEC clients a discount. It also put me in a postion I understand. I have something that other people need and want. Since I don’t have to make money for myself, it frees me to lower the prices. I get to manage myself… which will help me maintain my sanity. The only downside is that I’m not really sticking to the VSO mandate of ‘helping the poorest of the poor’… but to be honest.. I don’t really believe that will be helping anything here.. or pretty much anywhere. Every society rises on its middle class… you don’t get development from the bottom up. OK, bold statement, yes… but am I wrong? Can anyone give me an example of a society that rose from poverty to wealth by supporting the poorest first?