Sustainable Good

Five Good Non-Fiction Books on Africa

1. “Africa: A Biography of the Continent,” by John Reader. A wide-reaching and sweeping look at trends and broader explanations for the way things are, covering history, geography, anthropology, biology and politics. While it is a thick tome (some 700 pages) it manages to be engaging, interesting and easy to read. This would be a good place to start for the interested newcomer to African issues.

2. “Africa Works: Disorder as a Political Instrument,” by Patrick Chabal and Jean-Pascal Daloz. A lucid and theoretically-rich exposition of African politics. Describing how systems of patronage operate within the context of modern states, Chabal and Daloz provide powerful explanations for conflict, corruption and poor economic development. It also introduces English-speakers to the rich seam of francophone research and literature about Africa.

Rocky Mountain Mission Center Hunger Challenge

I just attended a Hunger Challenge in Ft. Collins, CO, USA.  There were over 60 kids, teens, and adults who fasted for 24 hours, learned about poverty, raised awareness in the community, collected cans, donated money, and brainstormed their own solutions to hunger.  It was an inspiring weekend and I am thankful to Dezi Rae Astle and her crew for raising so much money for Outreach International.  Thanks to all of you!

‘Working for Outreach International Not Only Changes the Poor, It Changes You'

McAdamson Nkhoma has an infectious laugh. With twinkling eyes and a big smile, you can count on him to inject a healthy dose of humor into a dull meeting.  But McAdamson is also a deeply serious man who brings wisdom and experience to his job as Outreach International’s country program coordinator in Malawi.

A Christian Response to Poverty

During my recent visit to Outreach International’s programs in Malawi I heard an interesting sermon by Malawian Community of Christ minister Patrick Gausi on Christian responses to social problems. He reflected in particular on Outreach International’s approach to ending poverty, which maintains people’s dignity and seeks sustainable, rather than stop-gap, solutions.

I think his sermon would make a good resource for church groups studying or reflecting on Outreach International’s work, so I have posted a transcription of it below.

-Matthew Bolton

The oldest debate in the world

Last weekend my husband suggested we go see the new Bill Maher movie, Religulous.  I immediately said no -- not because I didn't think parts of it would be really funny.  Anybody making fun of my favorite subject (religion) has a good chance of making me laugh -- but because I knew the jokes would be based on the age old debate: atheism vs. well.... theism. And that gets me riled up.  I'm sick of the debate.  It's stupid.  It's become the worst dichotomy of dichotomies.  I call myself a person of faith but in no way believe in this supreme being/old man in the sky that judges or tells us what to do, which is what the atheists are so much against.  (I feel my blood pressure rising right now.)

Ceremony Highlights Plight of Children in War

Today my wife and I attended a very moving ceremony at St. Mary's school in Aboke, northern Uganda, commemorating the twelfth anniversary of the abduction of 139 girls by rebel troops, many of them younger than their victims.

In an act of incredible bravery, two teachers, John Bosco and Sister Rachelle Fassera, had pursued and tracked down the rebel unit and negotiated the release of 109 girls. However, most of the remaining 30 were forced to become 'wives' for top commanders of the rebel Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).  The parents of the abductees formed a local pressure group, the Concerned Parents Association, to push for the children's release and advocate for peace.

The 'Aboke Girls' are among the over 30,000 children who have been abducted by the LRA since 1986. Since the LRA has had little support among the civilian population, they turned to forced recruitment of children to fill their ranks. According to some estimates, over 80 percent of the LRA's ranks are abductees.

An Inspiring Call to Interfaith Unity and ACTION!

This video consists of clips from some of the most inspiring statements I have heard. They were given at the 9/11 Unity Walk in Washington DC on September 13th. The walk joined about 1,000 people from many different faith traditions. Listen to Christian, Islamic and Hindu leaders encourage us to move toward unity and ACTION!

Gandhi, Tutu, and a 2 Mile Walk

What an incredible experience! Yesterday, I got to walk 2 miles with the daughter of Desmond Tutu (the Archbishop of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner), Arun Gandhi (the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi) and 1,000 other people from a wide range of faiths. We walked in the 9/11 Unity Walk in Washington DC.

We started at a beautiful Jewish synagogue, walked to an equally beautiful Muslim center, and ended at Gandhi Memorial. It was an amazing experience of appreciating our differences for the unique gifts we bring, and realizing our similarities. It was a time of joining together in the smoldering heat, with amazing speakers and all-around inspiration. Tomorrow I will post a video that has clips from the best parts of the day. Until then, enjoy a couple pictures of me, Angie, and Karyn's husband Jeff walking in the crowd sporting our Outreach International shirts, and Arun Gandhi speaking in the shadow of the statue of his grandfather. (PS. I even had a great conversation with one of the other walkers about Outreach International and the difference that we make in communities. As an economics person, he was skeptical about how we planned to really make a large difference, but through some deep conversation seemed to come around...We will see if he replies to this post. :) )