Yesterday I attended the screening of Poverty Inc. and the subsequent Skype Q & A with Mike. This was my first time seeing the documentary, and it really opened my eyes to the damage that too much or continuous aid can have on communities and the families that live there. I was unaware that countries like Haiti were still receiving aid even though its been years since the large earthquake there. They are receiving so much free aid that it is putting local farmers and businessmen out of business. Many families depend on these small businesses to make a living.

The film also portrayed some stories where aid was given, but not in the form of free goods. Instead of simply giving free things, these people helped by creating jobs and finding ways to help people get back on their feet. I think this model is a much better way to give aid because it helps people in a more constructive way. Teaching them a profession and giving them work give the people a chance to earn money for their families and make a better life for themselves. I think as students we could make a difference in countries like Haiti by donating our time to help teach individuals or help them get their own businesses going.

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, I would highly recommend watching it!