Name: What happens when an NGO admits failure
Uploaded: 2011-12-11T15:03:39Z
Duration: 12 min 51 s
Description: International aid groups make the same mistakes over and over again. David Damberger analyzes his own engineering failure in India -- and calls for his friends in the development sector to publicly admit, scrutinize and learn from their missteps.

International aid groups make the same mistakes over and over again. David Damberger analyzes his own engineering failure in India -- and calls for his friends in the development sector to publicly admit, scrutinize and learn from their missteps.

What happens when an NGO admits failure

The global aid system often repeats the same errors, building wells and infrastructure that fall into disrepair when maintenance is neglected. In Malawi, 40 percent of water points do not work despite claims of widespread coverage. Real change happens when organizations admit failures openly, learn from them, and shift focus from hardware to sustainable, community-driven solutions. Sharing what goes wrong is essential for lasting impact and honest progress.