This week’s lecture forced me to think about the inequality that exists, not only between Sierra Leone and the United States, but also between the developed and developing worlds. There is a quote by Aga Khan IV, in which he says,

“There are those... who enter the world in such poverty that they are deprived of both the means and the motivation to improve their lot. Unless these unfortunates can be touched with the spark, which ignites the spirit of individual enterprise and determination, they will only sink back into renewed apathy, degradation and despair. It is for us, who are more fortunate, to provide that spark.”

            The quote above makes me think of the role that “the more fortunate” play in reigniting the fire of hope that the Aga Khan refers to. I think that it is very easy to dump money into a country, without worrying about whether it reaches the population. In my opinion, channeling money, exclusively, is a waste. Instead, money should be invested alongside a conservative effort to build institutions that appropriately channel the money towards the needs of the masses. Building these institutions not only requires money, but also the time and knowledge from professionals in a multitude of fields. These institutions, however, must not “enforce” their view of how the money should be used; instead it should be done in partnership with local individuals and the government of the country.

            I believe the most important institution to invest the money is in education. I think that investing in education then leads to advancements in culture, medicine and technology, all of which contribute positively towards the overall growth in the country for the future.