Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits: An Anthology

The book "Missionaries, Mercenaries and Misfits", edited by Kenyan author Rasna Warah is overall a compelling and thought-provoking read. It has certainly piqued my interest in Africa's future. Rasna has modestly admitted that the book is not about presciptions about how Africa should develop, which would be presumptuous. Rather, the book provides a candid snapshot of the status-quo within Africa, which is very different from the hackneyed models that most oustiders have. Overall, this is a scholarly book, well researched, and meticulously laid out. It exposes the real truth behind many of the superficial articles that are reported around the world, even in leading newspapers like the New York Times. For instance, a recent article in the New York Times discussed the work of Jeffrey Sachs. Though interesting, it was devoid of depth. For instance, nowhere did the article mention why a certain village in Sauri was picked as a model development project. When we read Chapter 1 of Rasna's book, we find out why, and understand the variables at play. Essentially, the aid organizations prefer working with villages that have a long history of receiving aid. This chapter exposes the cozy relationship that exists between agronomists, economists, UN workers and donor organizations. New ideas come and go with little organizational memory or post-mortem analysis. The chapter provides a look at political intrigue and ways in which donor agencies are not told the truth about how their projects are faring. It is replete with caustic detail such as "... Rieko arrived dressed in pristine white jeans and a black straw sun hat." Key questions about the long-term sustainability of aid projects are brought up. For instance, what happens when the attentional spotlight on "model" villages such as Sauri moves away. Here is a brief summary of a few of the chapters in the book. In Chapter 2 we learn of the ways in which aid organizations have affected the fabric of African society by distorting even the arts and entertainment circles. This is resulting in the death of individual theater groups. Chapter 3 describes the ongoing conflict between the Maasai on the one hand and white settlers and the government on the other. Chapter 5 offers a look at the lavish lifestyle of NGO workers, many of whom have paltry qualifications. Whereas masters level graduates from Nairobi university live in slums and sell fruit on the roadside to earn a living. This chapter also reveals how NGOS speak for the different tribes, rather than the tribes speaking for themselves. Chapter 6 examines the opulent life of UN workers, and exposes the paradox of holding poverty-reduction workshops in posh hotels. Such organizations thrive on the perpetuation of poverty. Chapter 11 shows how complex the donor-recipient relationship can be. Especially when the relationship drags on forever, in which case hatred and resentment builds up on both sides. A cynical, though accurate description of t

A gem waiting to be discovered! This book gives a breath of fresh air from the usual stale narratives about Africa.