ReGen Community

Dambisa Moya has written a very interesting book entitled Dead Aid: Why Aid is not working and How there is a Better Way for Africa. The book explores how well the current approach to providing Aid to Africa has worked. Her conclusion is that 'the broadest consequences of the aid model have been ruinous'

(27). When I first read these words, I wondered about our work in the Congo and if it fit into her category of 'ruinous'. I was relieved to learn she is not talking about charity aid but rather government aid which is often not focused on development, but on political objectives. Despite charities escaping her focus, I though it was good to once again assess 'are we making a difference' or are we simply pushing 'Dead 'Aid'?

To make this assessment, we have to ask, are things different? Have we left things in a better state than how we found them? Ralph Reichenbach visited FACTEB in August 2009 and one of the key findings in his report, is that things have improved since 2007. There are more smiles, there are more students being trained, there are new faculty and staff and there are more programs.

While we cannot take all the credit in that improvement - many people have been involved and working very hard - we have been contributing and making a difference. And when I say we, this includes all of the Friends of Boma. As a small community, we have been making a difference. 

So are we participating in Dead Aid?  No, I would say that the ReGen Community is making a difference, step by step.