In Helen Fielding’s great satirical novel about aid workers, Cause Celeb, one of her characters wears a T-shirt set out like a multiple choice questionnaire for relief workers. It reads: (a) Missionary? (b) Mercenary? (c) Misfit? (d) Broken heart?

The missionary’s earnestness can be a sustaining factor but can be damaging when their ideology surfaces. While the mercenary types are often talented and pragmatic, it is morally questionable to exploit human suffering for material gain. Misfits think outside the box but sometimes an inferiority complex or just plain weirdness can get in the way of a successful team. Finally, broken hearts may be willing to take risks and may be less easy to fool, but their “issues” become tiring for others to hear about.

http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/maga...international_aid_worker.shtml