Papuans: not helpless

From the blog of Darrow Miller, who served with Food for the Hungry International from 1981 to 2007, from 1994 to 2007 as its vice president:

"Papuans were totally self-sufficient for thousands of years so it is a difficult task to convince them that they are hopeless and helpless. 

"But in the last decade well-intentioned outsiders have made significant headway. The Papuans, who viewed themselves as “the people”–strong, free, brave and capable–are becoming dependent on government, mission, and aid organizations."