Why should I bother?

Question

There's a conference this weekend about international development, specifically development in Africa. I've been waiting for this conference for over two months. There's a speaker who I've wanted to see and there should be some interesting workshops.

But lately I'm starting to feel like... what's the point? I'm not changing anything! All my volunteering, conferences, researching, letters, petitions, donating, etc is doing nothing for these people in Africa. Why do I even bother? They're still starving, still suffering from AIDS, still losing their parents, still without clean water...

I feel hopeless. Is it even worth my time to go? I want to give up! I want to live my life like everyone else, ignorant to what's going on. It would be so much easier. As they say, ignorance is bliss.

Please, any advice, opinions, experiences... would be really appreciated. I guess I'm just feeling really down the past while about all of this. Thank you!

Answer 1

So you have lost your passion? You want to be a quitter....that's sad. Perhaps the club or volunteering you are doing is not in the right place if you don't feel you are making a difference.

Contact the place you volunteer and ask them for their measured results. Find out how much of your donation actually gets to those in need versus paying for administrative costs and the like.  

Perhaps it's who you're giving to that is the problem.

I am not saying that you'll solve Africa's issues overnight if you join with someone else, but you have to feel you are making a difference and not just completing an exercise in futility.

Answer 2

All the conferences, workshops, letter writing, researching, breakout sessions are fine but I would like to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and go the people you are trying to help---it will change your life.  Come to South Africa (we have a mission group going July 3-12, 2008) to work with the people in Soweto living in the squatter camps outside Johannesburg.  These people have no electricity, no running water, live in tin shacks with dirt floors and struggle to feed their children everyday.  

People are still starving because they need the knowledge on how to help themselves.  The main diet staple in the squatter camp is Pap (pop) which is ground corn meal, made into thick mashed potato-type of consistency.  This has little nutrition but fills up the stomach so they don't feel hungry.  We teach them how to plant gardens, to provide vitamin enriched vegetables to supplement their diet to fight off the ravages of AIDS and other illnesses.

We address many of your concerns on a one on one basis.  We use the "sandwich method", one bite at a time, one person at a time---otherwise the situation is overwhelming.  We are making a difference in people's lives in Soweto.  Each time we return, we see gardens that have been expanded and replanted, children have grown taller and healthier and the people have renewed hope for their future.

Spending a week in the squatter camps will re-ignite your spirit and passion for helping the poor in Africa.  You will gain clarity and understand that all the discussions and conferences about helping the people in Africa--doesn't make a difference as much as when you stop and talk with someone in the squatter camp, shake their hand and call them friend---they will remember you forever and wait for you to return.  You will give them hope for a better tomorrow just knowing that someone from half way around the world cares about them and they can put a face to that someone.

Answer 3

I don't know if you should go to the conference since I don't know if you are personally doing anything to help these people by showing up....you can, however, meet other people who come and who are actually making a difference....networking.....

As for why it should matter...b/c it matters to so few...and if it matters at all to you, you need and should do something about that. 26,000 children die each day due to starvation and lack of clean water....that matters--it should matter to more people....maybe that is your cause....that more people should know the issue and how to help....that more people should take an active role in the world around them....

I hope you will find a way that is more proactive...so that you literally see the difference you are making....it is very rewarding, though difficult, work.

<<international volunteer

Answer 4

There's a quote from Ghandi that sums this up: "A house does not collapse if a single brick is removed, but everyone realizes that from the day the brick came off, the house has certainly begun to get weakened. While it is difficult for the first brick to get loose, it is not so for the second brick to fall away or get removed. Every reform in the world has been initiated by the efforts of one man" -as an individual you cannot solve all the worlds problems but you can certainly help. I'd advise you to look up www.justfortheloveofit.org even if you don't believe in thing itself I consistently feel inspired by the people that just want to help others.

Answer 5

If you can better the life of even just one person than it's more than worth it.  The fact is there will always be poverty, and despair in this world.  Making things better for people to the best of our abilities is what we can do.  Keep doing what you do, that one life (or likely more) will be all the better for it,and you.  Don't lose hope.  Don't give up.

Answer 6

I think you should go to the conference if for no other reason but because you've been looking forward to it.  If you don't go you may regret it later.  

As for feeling that way, well here's what I do:  I spent some time working with medical staff in El Salvador.  Though it was an amazing experience, I realized the same thing you have.  Namely, that though we were helping some, it wasn't enough to really radically change anything permanently.

Now days, I have not been working on international issues.  I leave that to people who are stronger than I am.  Besides, I think to really change things permanently around the world we would need a mass movement and government backing.  Honestly, I don't think things will change until there is a major crisis.  So, now I work with people in my community.  I can't help everyone but I CAN make a difference in one person's life.  It isn't saving the world of course, but it's doing something as opposed to giving up on it all.

Answer 7

dunno