Back to NGO speak, Mr Feek (it rhymes!) We need a new intervention paradigm. We are doing things because its easier, or logical (whose logic) or because "that is how they are done", not for maximum impact. I cannot tell how frustrated the topic makes me. To make it worse these divisions result in parallel efforts and a waste of energy and train us to approach solutions in this ineffectual manner. I feel like Im running on a treadmill. Breathing hard and going nowhere. I could go on but will stop with this example...

My mother has worked with a number of public health programmes and she tells an amusing story from a village she visited. After a wonderful session with the village leaders an old woman got up and thanked the team warmly but noted.... "each time you people come with a different thing (today malaria, the next immunization etc.) why dont you just talk to yourselves in your office and start coming together next time... wont it be easier for you?"

...polite way of saying, "you guys really arent that smart are you?

Pamela Braide