Relief, development and transformation

Last week I attended the Colorado Non-Profits Association conference in Denver. I was glad to attend many useful sessions and learn (and re-learn) things that will be of great use at CoAid. I confess that part of me is reluctant to spend money on conferences, but education and networking is so important and I was able to invite a co-worker who said he learned more in 2 days than he could any other way. It was worth it.

The one phrase from the conference that keeps resonating in my mind is "output vs outcomes". It's easy to count the bags of rice, number of blankets and tarpaulin sheets we handed out during our recent India Flood Relief program (the output), but how did we really affect peoples lives in a meaninful way (the outcome)?

Today I came across this quote by Bryant Myers:

"If poverty is the world trying to tell the poor they are god-forsaken, then transformation is the declaration that they are made in God’s image, that God allowed his son to die for them, and that God has given gifts to the poor so that they can fulfil God’s creation mandate that they too may be fruitful and productive".

CoAid is all about meeting peoples needs in dire situations and helping them create sustainable ways to develop themselves to escape the poverty cycle. This is the relief and development aspect of our work. However, as a Christian organization we must be about helping people find a lasting transformation as well, and this is through introducing people to the person of Jesus Christ. Hopefully, as we continue to work with the people from the villages we helped, we'll be able to share our faith, trust and hope that we have in Christ.

Here's a useful link for you to check out:
http://www.povertyunlocked.com/theology-of-poverty

God bless you!

Steve Neill
President, CoAid