The useful and creative human potential available in many small communities tends to remain untapped because there is no vehicle for getting the skills to where they are needed. Lack of public appreciation conveys the idea that it is unimportant to spend time and effort providing benefits to the community. The wisdom, skills and enthusiasm of youth and senior citizens are given few structural outlets, while there is a decline in organizational management and business expertise that commercial expansion requires. Organizational resources are untapped and often there is little knowledge of available training opportunities.
Insufficient use is made of the local resources within developing countries and inadequate encouragement is given to local firms to develop their own indigenous skills. Foreign currency is expended on equipment and services for which support, in terms of maintenance facilities, training and spares, is insufficient.
There is a need for creative effort to retrieve almost-lost skills and to promote cooperative skill pools to expand local service capabilities.