Why dont billionairs build stuff in 3rd world countries?

Question

I hear of billionairs trying to help in 3rd world countries, mainly africa. But their approach seems like only helping a handful of people (like oprah winfreys school).

Why dont they build water-pipeline infastructure, or desalinazation plants to convert saltwater into fresh water? or build some type of infastructure to avoid the common problems of starvation, lack of clean water, etc.

It seems to me that even with the weak american dollar its still worth 1000's of times more than the local currency and that money could be used to build stuff?

Answer 1

Several reasons. One is that although these philanthropists may be billionaires, they don't spend or donate billions at a time. They'd soon have no money left if they did that. A typical practice is to just spend the investment returns on some fund they've established. You have in mind very expensive projects.

Also, the projects you mention would not only cost a lot of capital to build, but would have high on-going budgets. Likely the local governments can't afford those budgets, and a philanthropist probably doesn't want to get caught up in some never-ending money pit.

Also, regions aren't poor just due to random luck. There is a reason some country is an impoverished failure. Civil wars, dictators, corrupt governments, tribal fighting, etc. There's no point spending massive amounts on infrastructure when it'll just get blown up or itself be used as a weapon -- philanthropists probably spend money on things that they have some control over, which necessarily means smaller projects that are less threatening to political interests, and that can't be abused to harm masses of people. Imagine if population became wholly dependent on a desalinization/irrigation project and some tinpot genocidal dictator came along and took control of it.

Answer 2

Some do, but very few. And some of the few makes it known. In the word of God it states, "You will be "Blessed to help those in need, but if you do it to be recognized like the theologians did back in the day of Christ, then you already have your blessing." Smartians Purse" run by Franklin Graham, son of The Billy Graham has done so much to install Wells, Schools, Clinic's & etc., All donations are manily from true dedicated Christians. Yes, the money could even be a deduction, but selfish people do not won't to attach themselves in such a dedicated program! Oprah has donated $$$ for years, but never could see the results, this time she took control & we see what has happened!

Answer 3

I'm sure they could but there is one factor besides the will to give that all must consider. How do you save a 3rd world country that has a crooked government that won't save it's own people and hi jack the food and medical supplies that are sent to save those people? How do you stop the warring between the people within that other country when the doctors and help we send are killed for the food and medicines they are with. Or are killed because one tribe doesn't want that Doctor to help his enemies? They have to genuinely want to be saved before anyone can help. It's like the addict having to hit rock bottom before they ask for help up.

Answer 4

AMEN KITTY!!!!! How about we take care of the good ole USA before we start shelling out BILLIONS to third world countries. I hate to sound like s**thead but, we got tons of problems right here. Does Oprah not care about hispanics?? Hey Oprah why don't you help the hispanics right here in the USA first. They might be illegals but, there here now!!! and they need help too! not too mention all the starving, neglected children we have. It should be a law, if you spend $1 in a 3rd world country, then you have to spend $2 here in the USA.

Answer 5

You actually have a good point with your question. I know that during the days of the old Roman Republic and Empire that the wealthier Patrician class members would build Ampetheaters and Aqueducts ect. with their money and in return would be allowed to put their names on them. In return when the poorer classes used the building they had built they were required to hold the person who had built it as their Patron. Also those who were wealthier Patricians would let the Plebians (middle class) come around to their homes (if you lived in the city of Rome) and collect what was referred to as patronage.

Answer 6

This is a good question, and I wish I could provide a complete answer. (I can't.)

I do want to point out, however, that I read a really fascinating article a couple of years back that pointed out the potentially enormous returns that companies could see if they could figure out ways to market much-needed goods and services to under-served economies in the third-world.

Companies spend so much time and resources trying to market their goods/differentiate themselves from competitors, etc in rich markets — you'd think that they'd at least consider establishing a foothold in economies where, true, consumers don't have as much money to spend. But the companies would also not have to spend nearly as much on advertising and promotion to establish their products as market-leaders.

Answer 7

Crazy even that they give money to those countries for it usually does no good anyway. Radical government usually steps in and takes all the donated money for themselves.

The billionaires should focus on their own countries where they can see first hand that their money gets into the right hands.

Answer 8

because they already do, but it is usually for trade value, think of all the big companies that have products produced and built over in the third world, because the minimum wage is pennies rather than dollars so they be come billionaires, and justify themselves by saying we are creating employment, but are not in fact contributing to humanity as a whole

Answer 9

They're too happy being billionaire here rather than worrying about someone elses problem over in Africa. And the ones that do do something mostly do it for the fame

Answer 10

you can't tell people how to spend their money. it would be a good idea to build pipelines and infastructure, but telling people where to spend their money usually decreases the effects and efficencies of charity.