Selected one of the 100 Good Readings in 2009 BookFair by 《讀書好》
The author spent over 10 years working in villages in rural China and pathless part of Asia to help the poor. The experiences made her realize that things aren’t as they are often thought to be.
Poverty does not necessarily associated with uncivilized. Poverty is indeed the result of false perception towards poverty of policy makers.
Everyone agrees that knowledge is the key to end poverty and, thus, we donate money to build schools. Yet, what children in rural area need should be knowledge and experiences in cultivation, which cannot be taught in school. Farm does not need a clerk, and the children who spent childhood in school do not know how to farm. Life is even harder than before when they grow up.
This is one of the many examples from the book, which makes you realize how culture and values shapes you.