More harm than good.

I just saw a (ridiculous) statistic that said something like "1.25 billion women don't have access to a toilet during their period", the intent of this statistic was to make women who DO have access to a toilet during their period, feel bad for these 1.25 billion women who don't and give money to build toilets for these poor, poor women living in squalor.

Not only was this statistic likely incorrect (there was no reference), but it was also very misleading. You see, this way of thinking, this "oh no, there are people in this world who don't have everything that makes ME comfortable, I have to do something" way of thinking is dangerous. This danger absolutely does not apply just to this silly statistic I mentioned. 

Just because having access to a toilet that flushes while you're on your period makes YOU comfortable, doesn't mean that people in other parts of the world NEED toilets. Just because shoes make YOUR feet comfortable, doesn't mean other people in the world NEED shoes. Just because your kids enjoy having lots of toys, doesn't mean other people in the world NEED (Americanized) toys. We in these developed countries seem to think that everything we have is what people in developing countries NEED, when they DONT. In fact, providing toilets, shoes, toys, etc to these "poor" people can be detrimental to that developing country's/village's economy, it can take away from the culture in that county or village; when gifts to build Americanized crap in developing countries are given to people, it can cause those people to do nothing for themselves and simply rely on the gifts which in turn, takes away all self worth.

My point is, when you're thinking about giving money to those "poor African kids" (etc), when you're planning a mission trip at youth group, STOP and think- do these people really need what we're bringing them, or are we doing more harm than good? 

What do you think? How can we (we as in people in developed countries) ACTUALLY help people in developing countries? Do people in developing countries really need our help? What are some organizations that you feel are really doing a good job of helping others? What organizations do you feel are doing more harm than good?