Phil343 cultural values , preferences , behaviours , interactions and worldviews , which the community uses for a healthy and successful life ( Ashwood et al ., 2020 , p . 4 ). As obvious from these two definitions , both social and cultural capital are beneficial assets for Kenyan children and deserve protection . However , I will argue the Agape programme contributes to social and cultural capital infringement through its continuous support of orphanages . Exploring the psychological effects of institutionalisation on children is beyond the scope of this essay , but studies show institutionalised children often suffer neglect , abuse and exploitation . Upon exiting the orphanage , young care leavers also disproportionately struggle with homelessness , low self-esteem , communication and forming meaningful relationships in their community ( Ucembe , 2013 , pp . 3-5 ). Therefore , Agape is complicit in damaging Kenyan children ’ s prospects of a balanced life in their local communities by supporting orphanages , which deprive children of their social and cultural capital .
This capital is in turn extracted for volunteers ’ profit , such as CV boosters or personal gratification . Throughout this essay , I will demonstrate the enforcement of Eurocentric values through supporting orphanages and through volunteers ’ self-centred motives . I will expose how these two categories reinforce a colonialist mindset , shifting from material exploitation towards extracting social capital under the veil of humanitarian aid . In what follows , I will first illustrate the exploitative relationship between Europe and Africa in the past and present . I will then focus on two specific ways how the Agape programme upholds this relationship by shifting from material capital extraction to social and cultural .
To establish international volunteering in terms of capital , I will outline Africa ’ s role in Eurocentric capitalism . As argued by Rodney , Africa ’ s underdevelopment was not only a consequence , but a condition of European capitalist development . Human exploitation of natural resources is a common evolutionary
PHILOSOPHY
105