Provide skills, not just finished technologies. The current revolution in design for developing countries is the notion
of co-creation, of teaching the skills necessary to create the solution,rather than simply providing the solution. By involving the community
throughout the design process, you can help equip people to innovate and
contribute to the evolution of the product. Furthermore, they acquire
the skills needed to create solutions to a much wider variety of
problems. They are empowered.
In my life I took the step a few years ago from just living life to acknowledging that I can make a difference in the world. So I took the first step and started giving . I have been investing money towards meeting needs or technologies that meet needs. This was a good first step for me; but I have been thinking about sustainable change and realized that sometimes just giving without providing a path towards ongoing change in the those you give to will not lead to empowerment; but reliance. It is good to help someone; but it is better to give someone the skills to help themselves and others.
Personally, I would like to include this idea of co-creation in the skills, technologies, and investments I am already activated in. Instead of just sending money to Uganda to help kids go to school and for curriclum to be provide; I would like to think about creating a way for educators to be trained in curriclum development with the expectation and certification that they can create innovative curriclum solutions for their unique educational challenges and they can train other educators to do the same.
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