Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Major

Anthropology

Major Professor

Bertin Louis

Committee Members

Tricia Hepner

Abstract

1.6 million Americans participate in short-term missions (STMs) yearly; and yet faith-based organizations are often spared criticism due to their religious affiliation. However, the lack of cultural sensitivity and generalized assumption of "doing-good" that STMs portray, reinforces a revolving door cycle of dependency that cripples the sustainability of the countries they aim to assist. My research focuses on improving how faith-based humanitarian aid is conducted to decrease long-term dependency on foreign aid, and address the following: Images taken on STMs exploit poverty and promote a vulnerable misrepresentation of Haitian culture that has created a predetermined narrative of how faith-based aid, such as short-term mission, should be conducted, short-term mission projects prevent local job creation and feed into a cycle of imported resources that hinder economic growth, and the increase in short-term-mission trips influence the number of orphanages while promoting a false orphan identity and ignores family preservation alternatives. I provide an alternative method I define as cultural collaboration trips that could better help address humanitarian needs that focuses on pragmatic, long-term solutions rather short-term relief over a long period of time. My goal of this research is to begin the discourse of what I define accountable empathy, where nuances of historical, political, and economic factors are identified and reflected upon within humanitarian projects, and local involvement and assessment is key.

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