in a recent mail exchange with Ben, it striked me that many would assume that a developing community lacks knowledge, or at least some form of it. This is a rather curious belief all things considered since most have been doing pretty well until the West/North start messing up with "the South".
So, maybe there is a lack of knowledge to matters that concern what we have been doing whilst they were living their life, but to presume that they lack knowledge is rather patronizing.
This should inform us when we approach problem solving in the developing world. First we should not assume that only us have the answer to the needs of a developing community. Second we may consider first how the local knowledge would answer the problem. Third the local solution should be favored against a foreign intervention.
Obviously there is room for flexibility, but this raises a surprising question: What can we give that is of use to a local community? And do we give it best?