It might. Some of the African governments are corrupt, very corrupt and I doubt there is much help to be found in those countries. But again, if one person is spared because of the efforts, it is worth it. Most of the missions work to Africa is focused on AIDS prevention, at least with the groups I know. Mom is a professional photographer and has been on several of the trips to Kenya in particular. I'll see if I can scan a couple to show you the living conditions. But I doubt mom took many negative photos since she always sees what is good. Most of her picture will be of the people She loves the people of Kenya.

Basically take everything you know from living in the U.S. and remove most of the luxuries and you will have what most of the general population has to work with. Most don't have TVs and all too few can barely survive. Education is next to nothing and even the roads in many cases are practically non-existant. The male/female role is pretty much reversed. The women do most of the work and the men sit around and watch (wait thats not that differant).