Development 101

The Transition

How does Dusty Feet transition from theory to practice?

Each organization develops its own methodology for transitioning from theory to practice. Dusty Feet began the transition with the onset of thought. Before developing our methodology, multiple meetings, designated to develop the transition, were scheduled. Our knowledge of development remained academic. To trump this weakness members of Dusty Feet conducted seven months of research in East Africa; approximately fifty organizations were observed. The observation allowed Dusty Feet to see implementation of theory first hand. After returning to the United States the Dusty Feet team was able to begin the transition, which for our organization is ongoing. We are constantly focused on developing new theories for groundbreaking development. 

For Example: Our research indicated it would be disadvantageous to develop a traditional feeding program.

The Reason: The goal of sustainability would not be reached.

The Problem: If we allocate one hundred dollars per day to purchase food, the total cost each year would exceed $36,000. The organization would need to fundraise this amount each year, plus the additional funds to operate the organization.

A second problem with the traditional method regards donor reliance. People receiving food from the organization will suffer if the organization fails to fundraise $36,000 each year. The work is completely reliant on donors.

The most significant problem for Dusty Feet involves empowerment. If a person receives food each day from an organization, the person is completely reliant on the organization. The person has no hope of reaching great success when everyday he/she relies on the help of someone else. Empowerment cannot be reached. The individual has learned (from the organization) it is not necessary to work to survive; it is only necessary to remain in the same state of poverty.

The end result of the traditional model is perpetuation of the problem, a system of reliance, and zero sustainability.

The Transition

We understood Amartya Sen’s ideals encouraged policy makers to not only focus on alleviating immediate distress, but to also to create methods, which would replace the lost income of the impoverished. Because we want to achieve sustainability, empower individuals and because we understand Sen’s development theory we were able to form a plan. In order to reach our goal we must supplement income. Because we do not want to perpetuate the problem, we must create the income. How do we create income? We create businesses. The business not only provides income, but the businesses provide the excess profit to fund the social programs.

This is the transition: take a theory and create a workable model. A business model is proven and workable. Now we have transitioned and can begin the work.

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