In If You Really Want to Help, Kurt Kandler takes the reader on a global journey to some of the poorest nations of the world, with the lion’s share of the tales and examples taken from Kenya. The book focusses on an approach to helping the poor that prioritizes the dignity of the poor and the sustainability of development that is fostered in countries where community partnerships are made between American donors to Kandler’s organization, 410 Bridge, and the indigenous partners on other side of that bridge. The book challenges Western readers to take a hard look at their attitudes towards the poor and the ways in which we typically send help, and why some of that help may do more harm than good. It lays out clear criteria for sending help that it actually…well…helpful. Kandler is a persuasive writer, and his knowledge about the subject, the people, and the circumstances of poverty is extensive. His wisdom about the underlying causes that perpetuate that poverty is even deeper. He writes passionately and clearly about the subject, and he does not mince words. Parts of the book may make many of us, sitting in the comfort of the Western world with our solutions and entrenched ideas for assistance firmly fixed, decidedly uncomfortable, and with good reason. Other parts of the book are convicting, particularly to readers who are Christ followers. And still other parts are inspiring and uplifting. The book is a little repetitive, with the same points and observations being reiterated more times than may be really necessary, but it’s clear that this repetition comes from a place of true passion about the subject and a desire to drive home the most important points of the book. I would not call the book enjoyable, because its subject is one that is not by its nature enjoyable. However, it is a deep read, and a convicting read, and it will leave an open-minded and introspective reader changed, and in a positive way.

Review of a Copy provided by the author.

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None. (The word “bass-ackward” is used, but not tallied.)

Violence/Gore: Report of a death due to disease; report of war and civil unrest.

Sex/Nudity: None

Mature Subject Matter:

Abject poverty is a major theme of this book. Mentions of: Kidnapping; child soldiering; addiction; human trafficking; polygamy. Reports of: mass murder by governments; epidemic; theft; loss of parents; corruption; bribery; serious illness.

Drugs/Alcohol:

Speculation that a woman drinks alcohol; report of a child sniffing glue; reports of alcoholism; a joke that makes a play on the word “shots” to reference both inoculations and small alcoholic drinks.