Sir, - I spent three months with GOAL in Angola, and will keep my counsel with regard to their current misfortune, but would like to comment on "aid" work in general.
There is an inevitable consequence of the unnatural confluence of two vastly divergent cultures, one perceived as benevolent and the other deprived, and that is the inherent racism, in my opinion, of assuming that our "aid and the manner in which we execute it upon our "hosts", is either beneficial or indeed welcome.
I entertained long debate with my highly intelligent Angolan colleagues, and was left in no doubt that we were seen as trespassers rather than guests. It is a liberty of opinion bordering on arrogance to suppose that however gung-ho our approach, noble our aims, or self-satisfying our naive missionary zeal, "aidwork" is an investment in the culture, well-being and future of a Third-World nation.
There is a romantic notion abroad, immune from prosecution, that believes Western responses to African problems are by nature the most appropriate. I believe it would be brave and wise of us to weigh ourselves anew in this equation. -Yours, etc.,
(Dr) Michael O'Reilly,
Carndonagh, Co Donegal.