[Random Flickr-blogging explained. See also fine contributions from Minstrel Boy, Ben Varkentine, Dionne, Debra, SAP, Karen M, Generik, Maurinsky, Seamus, and Nashtbrutishnshort.]
IMG_8485
Originally uploaded by gospelcommunications.
It's like a visual representation of a certain kind of neo-colonialism: white missionaries, African natives. Well-scrubbed, clean-cut, Up-With-People-candidate white missionaries. Bringing Civilization--or, more specifically, Jesus--to the Dark Continent.
What are they doing there? The group's website says something about AIDS work, but it's maddeningly vague. Is it about easing the suffering of AIDS patients, or about bringing them to Jesus? Is their AIDS education helpful, or is it some kind of abstinence-only homophobic nonsense that undercuts more realistic efforts? Are they, on balance, doing more good than harm?
It's easy to be derisive about something like this. Without knowing the details (and that makes me suspicious right off), I would guess that their efforts are at the very least somewhat misguided. On the other hand: they care. Whatever they believe in, they believe in it enough to make them want to do something for a continent most of the world has written off altogether.
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