On the morning of July 5th, I woke up to the pinging sound of several tweets going off on my phone. My first reaction as I rolled out of bed wiping the sleep from my eyes was “what international crisis is happening now?” To my amazement, it was not the international crisis I was expecting but it was a “crisis” nonetheless. The unknown author, Ms. Louise Linton, had caused an international stir by releasing a (self-published) memoir titled In Congo’s Shadow: One Girl’s Perilous Journey to the Heart of Africa. From my own research about this author, she (Ms. Linton) is a Scottish national and an actress who took a “life changing” trip to Zambia (my home nation) several years ago. Thereafter, she wrote a book to document her experience in Africa.
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From the reaction by bloggers and folks in the Twittersphere, her work is being labeled as inaccurate, false, a misrepresentation of Zambia, and a load of B.S. I for one have not read her work but what I am always skeptical of is folks (usually from the western world) going to Africa under the guise of pursuing missionary work when in reality, these foreign nationals are just looking to fulfill a lifelong adventure to an area they perceive as “backward”, “primitive”, “dangerous” and “in need of help.”
This is why this particular situation raises two important questions that I have always wanted to ask these missionary-tourists?
If you haven’t already, I humbly ask that you look up the poverty rates in the United States or examine the literacy rates or the quality of education in some of America’s major cities and small towns.
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1.) Why embark on a journey so far away? I was always taught as a little boy that charity begins at home, and as a proud resident of the United States and citizen of Zambia, it makes absolutely no sense that one would pack their bags and leave their family and friends behind to embark on a quest to save the world when a couple of miles from their own homes lie their fellow countrymen in poverty and despair.
If you haven’t already, I humbly ask that you look up the poverty rates in the United States or examine the literacy rates or the quality of education in some of America’s major cities and small towns. The statistics are shocking. So why the need to cross oceans to “help” those thousands of miles away? It could be that a photo-op is all that these individuals are really after, or is it the opportunity to share a sensationalized story with friends and family at the next country club event or church gathering? It’s a shame that some of these missionary tourists even go as far as publishing memoirs about their journey’s to the so called jungle.
2.) Where does this savior mentality come from? Why do folks in the West feel as though they are the ordained ones to save the world? This biblical verse from the book of Mathew chapter 7, verse 3, might offer some candid advice for our missionary tourist friends; “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye…..You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
This is why I feel that if individuals in the West want to see changes around the world, the West must lead by example. Just look at the unsolved issues of our generation here in the United States. Issues such as income inequality, crumbling roads and bridges, the prison and military industrial complex, failing schools, the student loan crisis, systemic racism, inner city crime, etc. There is no need for missionary tourists trying to save the world, It’s no wonder the world is where it is today.
What really troubles me though are individuals who are exploiting those in need for personal satisfaction and gain.
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It’s by no means that I am implying that folks from the West cannot make an impact in the developing world. What really troubles me though are individuals who are exploiting those in need for personal satisfaction and gain. In this modern world of social media the days of playing on people’s ignorance are long gone, and I admire those who are calling these perpetrators out.
As a Zambian immigrant living in the USA, after spending 18 years of my life in Africa, even I must admit that it would be disingenuous for me to assume that my western education makes me an expert on the challenges being faced at home. So the route I have opted to take is to play the role of highlighting what is positive at home so that those who want to engage in positive economic and educational activity on the continent of Africa can. After all, places like Zambia don’t need handouts; what we need, in my humble opinion, is more economic partnerships that promote local industry, better health and education services, and trade. Free Bibles and bags of rice are wonderful and do help those in dire straits, but what is truly needed in addition to the good book are economic programs that can make developing nations lift their poor out of those dire situations.
As a self-publisher, it took roughly four years to publish my work, and this process involved working with two professional Book Editors, two Reviewers and a test market group to review my work. It’s my sincere hope that all self-publishers around the world take stock of their work and avoid situations like the one Ms. Linton has found herself in. More importantly, it’s my hope that all missionary-tourists understand that charity begins at home.
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Photo: Getty Images
All valid criticisms, but over the years I’ve come to several realizations about MT that skeptics (including myself) often overlook: 1) The “Mission” is not always the sole purpose of Missionary-Tourism. There are people who do genuinely want to see other parts of the world along with mission-ing. 2) There can be value in putting yourself (far) out of your comfort zone. Impoverished parts of the US are likely out of many people’s comfort zones, but the drive home is much shorter. Day-tripping may be slightly less impactful in that regard. 3) Exposure to other cultures is usually beneficial, on… Read more »
@desitjant…. First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to read my article, and please note that I am always humbled by the feedback that I receive. (Thank you). I do agree that there are several organizations that do good work around the globe. However, it’s been my experience that the more work the likes of Doctors Without Borders, the Red Cross, Peace Corps, etc. do in countries like Zambia, the less responsibility falls on the government (in Zambia). It’s like these international NGO’s are subsidizing the responsibility of African leaders. So how effective are the elected officials in… Read more »
I have read the article and I appreciate your observations . Very thoughtful and touches me somewhere. Let us open our eyes wide and see things differently. I sometimes wonder what it really is these tourist missionaries are trying to find in Africa. Is it just adventure or further research into something?
Thanks Sheilah.
This is a very compelling and informative perspective, on what has long been a troubling trend of certain tourists sensationalizing their experiences abroad. Indeed charity begins at home.
Thanks Christopher. I appreciate the support.