“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson   The Butterly Effect is a concept that emerged in the early days of Chaos Theory. It suggests that in a complex system (weather, ecosystems, organizations, etc.), a small change in initial conditions can lead to significant changes or outcomes that are difficult to predict – hence, the idea that a butterfly flapping its wings could hypothetically trigger a tornado a few weeks later. At its core, Chaos Theory studies and seeks to understand complex, dynamic systems. It is also...

  A turning point for African NGOs In recent years, Africa has witnessed a quiet but significant shift in the development landscape. The gradual withdrawal of traditional donors due to shifting geopolitical priorities, domestic pressures in donor countries, or the growing critique of aid dependency, has led to many African civil society organizations confronting a stark reality: donor support is no longer guaranteed. Like many community-based organizations across Africa, the end of this support invites a critical question: what happens when external aid ends? The answer is not always optimistic. For many grassroots initiatives, the withdrawal of donor support means delayed projects, unfulfilled...