Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits: An Anthology [ペーパーバック]

The book "Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits", edited
by Kenyan author Rasna Warah is overall a
compelling and thought-provoking read.
It has certainly piqued my interest in Africa's future.
Rasna has modestly admitted that the book is not
about presciptions about how Africa should develop,
which would be presumptuous. Rather, the book provides
a candid snapshot of the status-quo within Africa,
which is very different from the hackneyed models
that most oustiders have.

Overall, this is a scholarly book, well researched,
and meticulously laid out.
It exposes the real truth behind many of the superficial
articles that are reported around the world, even in
leading newspapers like the New York Times.
For instance, a recent article in the New York Times
discussed the work of Jeffrey Sachs. Though interesting,
it was devoid of depth. For instance, nowhere did the
article mention why a certain village in Sauri was
picked as a model development project.
When we read Chapter 1 of Rasna's book, we find out why,
and understand the variables at play.

Essentially, the aid organizations prefer working with
villages that have a long history of receiving aid.
This chapter exposes the cozy relationship that exists between
agronomists, economists, UN workers and donor organizations.
New ideas come and go with little organizational memory
or post-mortem analysis.
The chapter provides a look at political intrigue
and ways in which donor agencies are not told the truth
about how their projects are faring.
It is replete with caustic detail such as "... Rieko arrived
dressed in pristine white jeans and a black straw sun
hat." Key questions about the long-term sustainability
of aid projects are brought up. For instance, what
happens when the attentional spotlight on "model" villages
such as Sauri moves away.

Here is a brief summary of a few of the chapters
in the book.

In Chapter 2 we learn of the ways in which
aid organizations have affected the fabric of African
society by distorting even the arts and entertainment
circles. This is resulting in the death of
individual theater groups.

Chapter 3 describes the ongoing conflict between
the Maasai on the one hand and white settlers and the
government on the other.

Chapter 5 offers a look at the lavish lifestyle
of NGO workers, many of whom have paltry qualifications.
Whereas masters level graduates from Nairobi university
live in slums and sell fruit on the roadside to earn a living.
This chapter also reveals how NGOS speak for the different
tribes, rather than the tribes speaking for themselves.

Chapter 6 examines the opulent life of UN workers,
and exposes the paradox of holding poverty-reduction
workshops in posh hotels. Such organizations thrive on
the perpetuation of poverty.

Chapter 11 shows how complex the donor-recipient
relationship can be. Especially when the relationship
drags on forever, in which case hatred and resentment builds
up on both sides. A cynical, though accurate
description of this situation reads "our governments
attend global begging shops looking for development aid."
There is a growing realization that doing something
organically and slowly is better than participating in
meteoric aid-funded projects.
What is ultimately required is a sense of self-determination,
clear thinking and hard work.

Chapter 12 points out the inconvenient truth that
Western countries regard the supply of arms to African
countries as "aid". Cogent arguments are provided to
show that the expectation that aid leads to growth
is a fallacy. This chapter provides an in-depth look
at the aid industry workers, and factors that
guarantee its continuity.

Chapter 13 takes a hard look at the wealth-creating
juggernauts in the world that have left increasing poverty
in their wake.

The book ends with a cautionary note that Kenya should
tread through the aid jungle and not repeat the mistakes
of the past.

Rasna shows through the book that the best
model for the future of Africa is self-determination,
exemplified by the principle of live and let live.

A gem waiting to be discovered! This book gives a breath of fresh air from the usual stale narratives about Africa.