How to help poor? what is the best way in your view?
Yes the summary is a familar proverb!
That old proverb "give a man to fish and he'll eat for a day, teach him to fish and he'll feed himself"
I know, I know. I probably butchered the proverb. But the gist is right.
Yes we may have to feed him today, but that man (the poor) can better prosper if we teach him how to work, and thus provide.
The teaching doesn't have to be some higher education, or complex task but just simple things. Might be how to be responsible, and just be steady. As the first steps. Than to offer some way of further training him.
I know from what our church is doing in the Philippines, it has made a remarkable difference in those peoples lives.
Some of the projects is just as simple as a machine to build concrete construction blocks. The methodology of building those blocks is fairly simple, but it introduces these people to the work ethic. Because the quality is good or far above average, these people are now doing fine. They have been steadily employed for last three+ years. When of our requirements, is that they put some of the monies to mission work (not back to us but to their own people)
Another project is actually right along the line with the proverb. Fishing boats, and for them just simple reliable crafts. Here two men are assigned to a boat. The catch is split three ways, one third for each man, and the remaining third to aid their mission work in their area.
Down on the island of Mindanao, recently we have an orphanage, but are now expanding to help some of the local women by having a house for them. This house will be a place to teach them how to clean, sew, etc. We may not think this is much, but for them it opens up doors to be either on their own or work for someone and get paid a decent wage. They posses a skill, which is in demand, and paid for far better than normal.
So if we want to help the poor here, the same principles can be applied. First let's get them a skill they can use now. and then provide a way they can further improve themself by making it accessible. If they want to learn more, let's provide it, if not "we can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it"
In part also, as pay back these people should lend a hand to help someone else. It is more blessed to give then to receive, those who are givers tend to have more fulfilling lives.
