[Thanks Tyrone for the link. I will have to formulate my response to both articles.]
The “Paradise Amid Poverty” article indicting the lifestyles of Western NGO workers in Monrovia is a biased portrayal and imperfect analysis of a complex situation.
Firstly, for the record, not all expatriates live in the “paradise”-like described and not all NGOs have huge disposable budgets and shiny new SUVs. I live in a local-style apartment in downtown Monrovia with six Liberian roommates. We don’t have running water and have only sporadic electricity. In addition, the office of Youth Action International (YAI), the NGO where I am currently serving as a volunteer consultant, does not have the luxury of high-speed internet or air-conditioning, or the convenience of private transportation.
Secondly, the so-called profligate lifestyle of European and American expatriates actually helps stimulate the capital city’s economy. Those sushi bars that you so easily critique are employing dozens of local Liberians as cooks, waiters, busboys, and bartenders and are supporting the livelihood of fishermen who otherwise would not have a market for their fish. Expatriate dollars are trickling down into the impoverished local economy and are providing jobs and stimulating business growth.
In addition to the jobs in the burgeoning hospitality industry, NGO community employs hundreds of Liberians as drivers, secretaries, domestic helpers, and security guards, at wages that are very generous by Liberian standards. These otherwise unemployed Liberians can now afford to pay their children’s school fees and can contribute to their households’ rising food expenses.
While most of the jobs offered are low-ranking as the author accurately mentions, few Liberians have the experience or education necessary to fill high-ranking posts. The 13-year civil war all but eradicated the educational system and most of what has been rebuilt so far is laughable in quality. Those Liberians who are educated often choose to go into sectors that are more personally profitable such as business or government rather than non-profit work. However, many NGOs try to fill mid-ranking positions with Liberians so they can gain the experience and knowledge to eventually take over for themselves. And some have already succeeded. For instance, all the YAI country staff are Liberian.
Finally, the foreigners who come to work here are motivated, bright, hard-working individuals. We are taking risks to our personal health and safety to live and work here, far from our families and friends, and distant from the comfort and familiarity of home. We truly care about Liberia and Liberians and the fact that we want to sit back and enjoy some California rolls on a Friday night should not negate that.It is facile to see the slow progress of development in postwar Liberia and point a blaming finger at the Western NGO workers who enjoy a “lavish lifestyle,” but these indictments fail to assess the true impact of the Western presence here in Monrovia.
4 comments:
Thank you for posting "the other side" of the issue. It was a breath of fresh air. I for one, after many years of living in West Africa, grow weary of being criticized for having a nice meal out, typically by a reporter who is only here for two weeks. I applaud the Sister's of Charity for their vow of poverty--but let's face it, most of us are not quite in their league. For those that leave behind the comforts of home to serve those who need it most -- and on a long term basis--is it really a crime to have some sushi in an air conditioned restaurant every now and then? If it is, then I think I need to go home...
As a foreigner who has lived, worked in Liberia for several years (from the war days on), I would say that the situation is very complex, although the writer of the original story did bring out some truths. He did NOT use any statistics in his claims, which may have backed some of his opinions or observations, and was biased in some ways. I find that SOME of today's journalists are not responsible in their writing - they fly in for a few days into a country they have never lived in and write something they feel is about a topic only they have opened....if you get what I mean. (even some that are living there write nonsense....)
Salaries for NGO workers vary greatly from very slim (even volunteer) to decent by western standards. The work can also be very gruelling and hours above and beyond what most people would want to work. It is the salaries for UN staff that are huge (beyond even what I expected), but the UN and some NGOs also pay very good salaries to Liberian staff at management levels. Many NGOs are mostly staffed by Liberians and there are local NGOs also only staffed by Liberians. I think he would also have to look into the yearly fees for all foreigners to live and work in Monrovia - which a VISITING journalist would not pay. Although NGO workers do not pay a work permit fee, all other foreigners are suppose to and everyone pays resident permit, if they are following the rules. ( A visa to enter the country is also high compared to other countries and must be paid each time you enter unless you get a re-entry permit which is also paid yearly and was 150 These fees are high, US dollars and yearly. A good question would be to
find out how much the government is receiving from these fees. Also, what of the amazing amount of Chinese citizens working in the country. Since many of them also do labor jobs, are they not taking jobs from Liberians? There was a time when they were selling cool-aid on the street - this is a job for locals only - no? Are they paying those fees also?
I would also look at the exploitation of Liberians by their own Liberians bosses. This is rampant. Some very wealthy Liberians are known for not even paying their workers or owe workers money for years on end. Some of those very people owe me money for work I performed but I have written it off! This topic is so complex and complicated and the NGO worker also brought up points the writer did not point out because today's journalists are not what they use to be. I have read many articles by western journalists about Liberia that are the same...no real substance and full of their own views, as if they are writing for their own blog.
Living in Liberia is not easy at all and I speak as someone who has not lived as a rich expat ever. I did eat at the first sushi bar once as a treat from a friend and I was excited and happy it existed, even if I could not afford to eat there. That hotel too has a long reputation of having the best restaurants in town and I am talking before Taylor, during Taylor, and after Taylor. The family that owns the hotel are very progressive. I think there are so much more important issues to talk about in Liberia and also stories that are not being written to encourage those positive things that are happening in Liberia and are not part of any expat community. Personally, many of my Liberian friends, educated and not, would be so grateful if I could help them get a job working for a foreigner or foreign organization, mainly because the pay is much better and they are paid on time. This is a reality in Liberia.....one of the many realities.
We could also talk of the huge influx of other Africans into Monrovia - they have swelled the city. Some jobs and businesses that were only done by Liberians before the UN came in are now almost exclusively done or owned by other Africans. The borders are very fluid. These are my observations over the years and the observations of the Liberians I work and LIVE with - but I am not writing a journalistic piece for a major paper - if I was......I would try to back up my observations by facts/stats and quotes from different sectors of society of Liberia - not just one or two people. My 2 cents!
Initially, I was very upset by the author Craig's biased simple glimpse of critique with the lacking of accurate analysis. Thanks to your posts, people will be able to justify the truth. I can’t just get a clue that why the author still wants to express Liberia as a misery land while devaluing the continuous hard work and efforts of international NGOs, UN peace keeping mission, and UN agencies instead of being optimistic and looking beyond the horizon. I have already experienced Liberia for over a year and even during this little period can be seen with huge changes in the infrastructure and people in the country with a lot of developments going on with the support of the UN and the international NGOs. And another fact about the economy is as simple as that more investors and businesses in the country mean more jobs for locals and the country’s income.
Thanks to all who comment on my blog. I appreciate other's thoughts on the levels of complexity in every aspect of life in Liberia. I am sure a national would contribute fascinating thoughts as well.
After reading the comments I was glad I posted the response article. Although I have a very specific view of Liberia (short term, living a good life on a western ship) I don't actually consider myself in the real Liberia or experiencing most parts of it (except beach, market, and restaurants). I am lucky to work alongside several nationals, but they have entered my world, not I theirs.
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