Poverty and Opportunity

I'm not a social worker, I'm not a global economist, I'm not even extremely adept in my expressive abilities. However, as I sit here tonight in my apartment with the fan and mosquitoes droning, laughing to myself about the patchy electricity, I can't help but think about why we are here, and about the two words that could easily sum our reasoning: Poverty and Opportunity.

Some of the experiences of the last week and weeks have brought proverty very much to my front door.

Experience #1
Last Sunday in Church, the branch president got up immediately after Sacrament Meeting and stated that there had been a cholera outbreak in Mombasa and that several people had already died. He cautioned all of us to take extra precautions in what we ate, drank and in our personal hygiene. As the last cholera breakout in the USA was in about 1911, none of us really had an idea of what it exactly is, how it's spread or how to prevent it. After a quick Google search, we were very much convinced that this was not a disease to be taken lightly. I won't go into the nitty gritties now, but if you're curious, click here. We instantly became champions of Purel and anti-bacterial hand soaps--even going so far as to wash our eating utinsils and food with them.

A couple of days into our cholera paranoia, a few of us were sitting in our third-floor "office," and all of the sudden we could hear some commotion coming from the shanties down below. It started as what sounded like a lot of people talking, which then turned to what sounded like laughing, and then got louder and louder, until we could hear that it was actually people wailing. We didn't know what was going on, so we went downstairs to inquire. We were informed that there must have been a death in those slums, and that the loud wailing was the people mourning that death. We didn't know the cause of death; we didn't even know who had died. But it was disturbing to realize that the ultimate effects of poverty are a daily reality that millions of people live with in this country--and millions more throughout the world. Those who live in villiages and in the slums of the cities don't have access to clean water, and therefore are extremely susceptible to diseases such as cholera. It's something that I've always "known" about, but sometimes it takes experience to "realize." How grateful I am for the progressive society I was born into!

It also made me realize how frivolous some parts of my life are. Does it really matter that my purse doesn't match my outfit? Does it really matter that the car I drive isn't the latest and greatest? Do I really have to feel guilty for not keeping up with the proverbial Jones's? As I rode home on the matatu that night, I watched an older man riding home on his bike. As I watched how he was so intently pedaling the wheels, I was struck by the humanity of these people--and the sheer determination with which they live their simple lives, despite their destitute circumstances. I had to bite my tongue to keep from crying. "Can I see another's lack, and I not share?"

Experience #2
Yesterday, Yehu Microfinance had their annual general meeting. This consisted of several hundred people (mostly women) who are employees, "center chiefs," or members (customers) of the organization. I would guess there were about 500 people there. That's a lot, but the organization has about 5,000 members. So, this was just a sampling.

The purpose of the meeting was to review the previous year (2008) and to get an idea of where the company is headed. Different employees, as well as the CEO, gave stats and pep talks--all of which were in Swahili, none of which I understood. But the speeches were interspersed with traditional dances and "choirs" that were celebrating the organization and what it does. As I watched the simple song and dance, again I had to stifle the sob swelling in my throat as the lives of these people became very real to me. I wanted so badly to be able to talk to them, learn their stories and ask them questions that only Africans can answer. But, I couldn't get past the greetings. However, the returned grins, and out right laughs at our Swahili, were enough to feel a connection. As I was taking pictures of some of the women, I told them that they looked very beautiful. It took me a minute to convey my compliment. When she realized what I said, one of them jumped up and said, "You, too!" And she wrapped her head scarf around my head.



At one point in the program, the CEO invited the Head Office staff and management of all the branches on stage. He was speaking in Swahili and suddenly the words "Aaron" and "Andi" stuck out to us, and we realized we were being summoned to join them. He proceeded to introduce everyone to the crowd. Each person introduced said "Kina Mama, Hi!" Which is to say, "Every Mama...hi!!" Then, the entire crowd would shout back, "Hi!" When it got to me, I just said "Hi!" because I didn't find out until later what the rest of the phrase was. They accepted it, and yelled "Hi!" Then Aaron was introduced. He, wanting to be different, had asked someone next to him how to address the crowd in another way. When Adet (the CEO) introduced him, Aaron shouted his greeting and punched his fists into the air. The crowd errupted into shouts of return greetings and sheer glee with the exchange. It was amazing and absolutely hilarious. I asked him about the motive of his antics later. He said he had just felt such a connection to the people and it seemed like the natural thing to do. These people made us feel, as different as we are, like we are a part of them. I am convinced that there are benefits to poverty. I am also convinced they can come to any of us, if we will let them--without the deprivation. These benefits are humility, gratitude and love. Sometimes in our worldly quests for success, we loose touch with the essential basics of happiness. We could certainly learn a lot from these people.

Experience #3
When Aaron and I first arrived, there were representatives here from an organization called Unitis. They are a consulting group that specializes in support for microfinance banks. They recently partnered with Yehu Microfinance (our bank), and were here doing some consulting and training. Conversations with these brilliant individuals were at once engaging and extremely enlightening. One such was around the topic of the effectiveness of microfinance and microfranchising in bringing people out of poverty. Is it really doing what it aims to do? The debate went back and forth. Not being well-versed in the industry, I kind of hung back and listened to the "experts" talk. As they were speaking about the need for microfinancing, and the need for food aid, and well drilling, and clothes donations, and on and on, the thought came to me about the thing that I feel trumps them all: the need for Gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Ezra Taft Benson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said: “The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature.”

Is there still a physical need that can be met? Absolutely. But I love the concept of an enabling power that the Gospel gives to all men, everywhere. It gives people a reason to change, and helps them to overcome barriers to change in the process. A friend that I have come acquainted with since I've been here doesn't believe in God. We've had several long, interesting conversations on the topic. She doesn't understand why a God who professes to be all-loving would allow His children to suffer so much in this life. I can appreciate her line of thinking. But what she hasn't come to an understanding of, is the all-encompassing miracle of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I am very grateful for the knowledge I have of His justice and mercy. I am grateful for this opportunity I have to gain a different perspective of the blessings that it will afford everyone.

In essence, we all live in the poverty of mortality--just at different levels. We also all have the opportunity through Jesus Christ is to overcome this existence, however dreary it may be. And as we strive to become as He is, He gives us the opportunity to be as He is and lift others out of poverty's vale--whatever that may be. And that is an unspeakable joy for which, today, I am grateful.