How do you bring freedom and democracy to underdeveloped nations? Sweat shops, loan sharking, and round the clock bombardment. Social ventures finish what the 101st Aiborne starts. It is all one system; nothing new about it. Sweat shops and loan sharks are no more philanthropic than a Marine with a flame thrower is diplomatic.
As a former officer in the US Army Civil Affairs now the founder of the world's first philanthropic travel company; I can assure you that Philanthropic Travel is a much more effective strategy to win hearts and minds and keep the peace than anything the Pentagon could ever devise.
A little girl was walking along the sea shore after high tide, and tossing the starfish back into the water. As she was walking she passed a man, who said: "What are you doing?! You do realize that it is impossible to save all those starfish don't you?" In response she leaned down and picked up a starfish laying at their feet and tossed it back into the waves. "I saved that one."
David Chamberlain
Posted by: Philanthropic Travel | January 03, 2007 at 08:59 PM