I really liked Theroux's book, and I strongly agree with most of the conclusions he drew except for this one. In theory, it's a nice idea, but travellers who put it into practice might be creating the same problems on a smaller scale that Theroux decries.

Ethiopia is a good example of this. I was there in November, and I felt like many Ethiopians viewed me first as walking wallet, there to solve their many, intractable problems and only as fellow human several steps farther down the line. I found Ethiopia really degrading to me as a traveller and a human because it was so difficult (though not impossible) to overcome the perceptions and expectations that many Ethiopians brought to our relationship, based on where I was born and the color of my skin. As a result, it was the first country I've been to (out of almost 40) where I felt like I couldn't bridge the gap between me as a rich westerner, and the very poor people I met there.

Some Ethiopians have taken begging from westerners to an art form. It's so much more sophisticated than the ubiquitous "gimme pen/candy/birr," though there's plenty of that, too. I am still getting emails from very nice people with whom I established a relationship asking me to fund their college educations, something I could do without thinking twice about. But, as good as that would make me feel, I really don't think that sort of giving will do much to solve Ethiopia's -- or Africa's -- problems. Whether it's giving a kid candy or a pen or buying a cow for a villager, too often, the goal of westerners' giving is to make themselves "feel good," rather than make a serious contribution to solving the problem. Unfortunately, I think Theroux's recommendation is a good example of this.

That said, I sure don't know the solution. Ethiopia was one of the most emotionally, physically and mentally challenging countries I've ever been to because the question of "what are you going to do about this desperate place?" confronted me every step I took and there's no good answer.

Aside from reading and learning, as Theroux suggests, I still think that paying a fair price for services rendered when you travel, and making sure your money goes into the pockets of the people who do the work, is the best way to help people in the countries you visit.

I agree with Cquirk to some extent -- but you absolutely need to have discernment about who you give the money to and for what purpose (i.e. the recepient should have a clear objective for investing in themselves, their family and/or their community). But the people that Cquirk mentions are actually panhandlers too (in the post Theroux says "I stopped giving money to panhandlers").

There are plenty of people whom have ideas of how to improve their own lives but lack the capital to implement them.

Highly recommend the book "Ripples from the Zambezi" by Ernesto Sirolli for a 180-degree look at "development". Also, for those interested in this topic take a look at microfinancing/microlending and the whole Grameen Bank phenomena -- now here is a working example of giving money directly to individuals.

It's heartening to see that even some of the most well-known venture capitalists in the world are now seriously paying attention to micro-financing: For instance, see story --http://www.boingboing.net/2004/04/12/big_name_vc_gets_int.html

An individual cannot always go to these places or be expected to decipher properly what can be done, nor should he be expected too.

It is the responsibility of every community to help itself. If for one reason or another it cannot help itself, in the case of war, for example, where huge numbers of people are forced to flee, well this is a group problem, not a question of buying a cow, and so requires the help of a funded organisation.

Begging on an individual scale, is a problem of poverty, poverty again is a collective responsibility, buying a cow may solve one man's problem, but what if there are too many cows and not enough grazing, or no access to vetinary services. Only communities can solve these problems, incentive should arise from necessity.

People in the West have an unquenchionable urge to help. Is this really a condescension, an inherent ethnocentrism: "By giving, I am helping you live like me."

Though help is taken out of necessity, a grudge is harboured at the wealth of the giver.

Help should only be given only at the final edge of chaos, and only from a group of people who know the issues – never from an individual.

i've been reading your blog off and on for a year or so, being led to it mainly by the outside experience but also by the literary aspect. it's good to appreciate history. i find it interesting that Theroux sums up his entire philosophy regarding Africa in those three paragraphs.

and speaking of Theroux, i recently discovered that he is on tour again but i am unable to find any kind of schedule. i went to see him at the U of Chicago back in '98 and have been trying to hear him again ever since.

I'm not sure if that sums up Theroux's entire philosophy about Africa, but he has been an outspoken critic of NGOs since Dark Star Safari came out. He has some interesting comments on his Africa experience in this interview at Peace Corps Writers online.

One way for Westerners to help (bearing in mind the Butterfly Effect) is to consume less, right where they are.

Maybe we could all give some money to some poor chap, I recently tried a new fundraising site www.marblejars.com and I gave to a person that I felt deserving of help. I think that the world would be a better place if everyone would do a little soul searching and pay it forward so to speak. Great article.