We’re here to help,” she said, “We promote capacity building in our partner communities.”

He stared at the brochure as she said this. The cover of the brochure showed a smiling African woman in a rural setting, with a mud hut in the background.

It seemed to indicate that although this woman was lacking in many amenities that urban dwellers like myself possessed, she obviously appreciated the work of this non-governmental organisation. Why else would she be smiling on the brochure of an NGO that was being represented by this exuberant young expatriate woman with an American accent.

“We have many programmes that focus on youth and women’s issues at the grassroots level,” she added.

He had met many young people like her in his travels. They all seemed the same — like they were cast from the same mould, much like mass produced plastic factory toys. The same spirit and youthful energy seemed to shine like an aura around her and it was like sitting near a high intensity lamp — one that could blind you as well as illuminate a room.

He didn’t know how many times he had heard a similar pitch before they all began to sound the same. However, now that had he had been let go from his job a few months ago and was looking for another, he had to appear as if this was the place he wanted to be.

It was still tiring going through this process — like climbing out of bed after too little sleep. Some people say that looking for a job is a job in itself, which is what it feels like after a few months of looking. He sighed as he gathered his depleted energy to assess whether he should engage in this conversation after all. Well, here goes, he thought.

“How long has your organisation been in existence?” he asked.

“18 months,” she replied.

“So how are you different from those other organisations at those other booths?”

For a moment, the smile disappeared as if he had violated the standard script of questions and answers. The furrow on her brow indicated some confusion and internal tension on her part.

“Well… we… work directly with local leaders to train them in youth awareness issues. We tailor our training to fit local customs and norms.” The bright smile reappeared.

“You figured this out in 18 months?”

The smile receded and the furrow of doubt creased her brow once again.

“Our model has been vetted by several universities in the US and the UK,” she replied, “We have been awarded several grants because of our concept.”

He just nodded. He wondered how many generations had produced this very conversation to justify some cause or method that would then be replaced by the new method or cause of the day.

His biggest wonder at the moment was to figure out how much salary they could offer someone like him. He still had some questions to ask.

“Sounds interesting. But I am curious to know how you got involved yourself?” he asked.

The smile quickly returned to her face.

“Well, I studied International Development at university and read the executive director’s book on the work being done here in Africa, which was very inspirational and I just had to apply. I was fortunate that I got hired. It has been exciting being at the start of such a dynamic organisation.”

“So it’s been exciting so far. Have you had any challenges?”

The smile disappeared again.

“Umm… as you can imagine, it can be tough starting any new organisation. There have been a few challenges, but you have to expect that when you are trying something new.”

He nodded his head in understanding.

“But we are slowly overcoming them and…”

The rest of her words were drowned out by his own thoughts. He reflected back to another time and another country. A country where he was about this young woman’s age and full of the optimism of youth and the expectation of eternity. Trying to do good, just like her, for another NGO.

He had been part of a programme to bring safe drinking water to a rural village. They thought they had the right model and could do this work like any business cheaper, faster and more effective. The model had been vetted by a prestigious Western university as well.

All the experts they consulted said it should work. They felt confident – maybe a little overconfident — that they would succeed. They felt they were what was needed for that village at that time.

Even with all their careful planning and analysis, they had come up short — like many aid programmes, unfortunately. The water wells they were drilling did not produce the amount of clean water they had planned for and the villagers were the ones to suffer for their miscalculations.

The journey to the nearest water source was still five kilometers away instead of just a few hundred metres. It was devastating to someone as young as himself. He, they, had all failed the villagers.

How could it have gone so wrong? They had asked themselves. They had done all the analysis properly, or so they had thought. But it didn’t matter, since the impact was clear. It was all wrong. He left the job shortly after that and tried to do something else that had less to do with trying to improve the lives of others.

A few years and a few thousand miles of travelling later, he was jobless and at this NGO job fair to see if he could offer his years of experience and wisdom to try again to help people in faraway lands who were less fortunate.

But listening to this young woman and being here brought on a feeling of déjà vu. The surface message had changed, but the deeper ideals remained the same: One group of people thinking they can better the lives of another group. However, he also really needed a job. He tuned back into what the young woman was saying.

“… and that is why I think our model can work and make a difference,” she concluded.

“Thank you,” he said, “I appreciate the detailed explanation. It sounds like an interesting concept.”

“Yes, it is!”

He handed her a copy of his CV for consideration and tried to smile at her as he did so.

“Well, here is my CV and my contact information if there is an opening that suits me.”

“Okay and we will review it and get back to you. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“The pleasure was mine, and thank you.”

He began to move away from her booth and he noticed another person approaching her, a young woman this time. As he pondered where to go next, he overhead the young woman he had been speaking to say to the new arrival:

“Hi, we’re here to help…”