Americans working abroad can be criticized for not helping solve problems in their own country. A classic argument I've heard from those who do not support foreign aid is this, "We have veterans, wasting their lives away, homeless on benches, cracked out, drugged up, penniless. We have problems of our own to solve."
Those focusing domestically are probably not criticized nearly as much, but sure enough, they can be. "Why should I donate to this food pantry when children are starving from West Africa to India? How can you advocate for providing excessive comforts to _____ when AIDS, HIV, and Measles are ravaging Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia?"
What do I think about this? What what what.... what can people do. I just flew half way around the world but my heart is still in the fields of my home. What role does a person play in a global community? When you are part of the 1st World, rapidly becoming blind to the simplicity of life, how do you relate to those who have "less" than you?
Domestic -> Subtractive Role. Increase quality of life by subtracting unnecessary elements from society to reintroduce culture and community.
Foreign -> Additive Role. Increase quality of life by contributing technological advances that don't compromise culture, environment, and an established way of life.
And that's all I wrote.
This thought has really blossomed since returning from Africa. In my next blog post, I will extrapolate on where these thoughts have settled. I've had the time to run my thoughts past some trustworthy others and I think I am almost ready to describe my stance on domestic and foreign aid.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Pages from a Journal Mbili (Two)
11 JUN, 2011 8:58 SHED
Yesterday... wow. Yesterday was one of the most exhausting days I have experienced in the most positive of ways! The day began with meetings at the SHED compound with Daniel, one of the translators. Mike, Jeanie (who now goes by Jean because "Genies" are very evil here) and I had to discuss the signage survey. What's wonderful is that more than just business we had a beautiful conversation about his family, particularly his oldest daughter, and also about how he came to be so good at English. Where I get off assuming some sort of difference in the family dynamic and how proud a father could be of this children I don't know. It just struck me, being halfway around the world from my own parents, knowing that somewhere, they might be saying the same about me... you know... it makes you feel loved. Daniel made me miss my parents. Love those folks.
One part of the day that was really nerdy on my part was cataloging examples of Tanzanian construction techniques. I have really enjoyed documenting and diagramming the techniques. It falls in line with my thesis for coming on the trip, unlearning, relearning, figuring out a way to live off the land. I'm excited for future research knowing that it entertains me so much now.
The pique of the day was finally being able to go to the Roche Health Center. I have been looking forward to seeing this building for not only the past 10 weeks, but since the prospect of joining this brigade entered my head. I can only imagine the excitement that Michael Z and Tom Bible experienced, having so much to do with the construction and design of the clinic.
Finally, to be brief so I am not taking up so much time writing this morning, Nate, Natasha, Regina, Matt, and I all walked [tried to walk] to Lake Victoria yesterday. We didn't make it all the way, but we were far from disappointed. We met this incredible young man, name of Alex among many others. We were to refer to him as Alex, but if we came to his house we were supposed to call him something else, they know by a different name at school, and his father, only his father, has permission to you another name. He wants to be a teacher or a driver. In a sad sort of way he told us he might not be able to follow his dreams exactly as planned because of the cost of education. I'm going to pray for this boy... he his a very special person. So is everyone, I suppose, but he has a certain spark.
Yesterday... wow. Yesterday was one of the most exhausting days I have experienced in the most positive of ways! The day began with meetings at the SHED compound with Daniel, one of the translators. Mike, Jeanie (who now goes by Jean because "Genies" are very evil here) and I had to discuss the signage survey. What's wonderful is that more than just business we had a beautiful conversation about his family, particularly his oldest daughter, and also about how he came to be so good at English. Where I get off assuming some sort of difference in the family dynamic and how proud a father could be of this children I don't know. It just struck me, being halfway around the world from my own parents, knowing that somewhere, they might be saying the same about me... you know... it makes you feel loved. Daniel made me miss my parents. Love those folks.
One part of the day that was really nerdy on my part was cataloging examples of Tanzanian construction techniques. I have really enjoyed documenting and diagramming the techniques. It falls in line with my thesis for coming on the trip, unlearning, relearning, figuring out a way to live off the land. I'm excited for future research knowing that it entertains me so much now.
The pique of the day was finally being able to go to the Roche Health Center. I have been looking forward to seeing this building for not only the past 10 weeks, but since the prospect of joining this brigade entered my head. I can only imagine the excitement that Michael Z and Tom Bible experienced, having so much to do with the construction and design of the clinic.
Finally, to be brief so I am not taking up so much time writing this morning, Nate, Natasha, Regina, Matt, and I all walked [tried to walk] to Lake Victoria yesterday. We didn't make it all the way, but we were far from disappointed. We met this incredible young man, name of Alex among many others. We were to refer to him as Alex, but if we came to his house we were supposed to call him something else, they know by a different name at school, and his father, only his father, has permission to you another name. He wants to be a teacher or a driver. In a sad sort of way he told us he might not be able to follow his dreams exactly as planned because of the cost of education. I'm going to pray for this boy... he his a very special person. So is everyone, I suppose, but he has a certain spark.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Pages from a Journal Moja (one)
Pop quiz...
What does TIA mean?
How do you apply TIA?
Would someone be forgiven for not consistently writing their blog when they promised to under TIA rules?
10 JUN 2011 7:20 MOTEL 2000
Who needs an alarm clock here?
Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, wake when the sun comes up (6:45) or when the rooster crows (5:30). Considering it is 'winter' here right now, the days have been very short. It is very beautiful here. I met Robert, the manager of the Motel 2000, and he gave Jim and I a tour of the hotel. There is a great big banquet hall where he said he wants to have a disco! He kept saying "We'll have a disco, that is, if you like to disco." He's in luck, because I love to disco, haha!
I knew Africa -Kenya, Tanzania- had to more than the shanties and huts that the media portrays. It is SO much more and it is SO real! I want to know who built what, how and when. That has a lot to do with a place's realness, or its being 'alive'. Read Christopher Alexander's A Timeless Way of Building.
The place we are staying has a lot of CMU, concrete, stone, wood, metal. How did the supplied get here? I want to think that they built it with their own devices. It looks 'timeless.' I can't really put a date on its construction... but I don't really know the history here. It looks 'alive.'
I recognize my journaling is fairly choppy and lacks a certain quality of flow or story telling. I guess you are going to get an inside view of how my brain thoughts function (that is in direct contrast to my toe thoughts, nose thoughts, and on rare occasions, eyebrow thoughts).
And I still cannot get over all the birds. Bird noises that is. There is one that is purring... I like it.
What does TIA mean?
How do you apply TIA?
Would someone be forgiven for not consistently writing their blog when they promised to under TIA rules?
10 JUN 2011 7:20 MOTEL 2000
Who needs an alarm clock here?
Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, wake when the sun comes up (6:45) or when the rooster crows (5:30). Considering it is 'winter' here right now, the days have been very short. It is very beautiful here. I met Robert, the manager of the Motel 2000, and he gave Jim and I a tour of the hotel. There is a great big banquet hall where he said he wants to have a disco! He kept saying "We'll have a disco, that is, if you like to disco." He's in luck, because I love to disco, haha!
I knew Africa -Kenya, Tanzania- had to more than the shanties and huts that the media portrays. It is SO much more and it is SO real! I want to know who built what, how and when. That has a lot to do with a place's realness, or its being 'alive'. Read Christopher Alexander's A Timeless Way of Building.
The place we are staying has a lot of CMU, concrete, stone, wood, metal. How did the supplied get here? I want to think that they built it with their own devices. It looks 'timeless.' I can't really put a date on its construction... but I don't really know the history here. It looks 'alive.'
I recognize my journaling is fairly choppy and lacks a certain quality of flow or story telling. I guess you are going to get an inside view of how my brain thoughts function (that is in direct contrast to my toe thoughts, nose thoughts, and on rare occasions, eyebrow thoughts).
And I still cannot get over all the birds. Bird noises that is. There is one that is purring... I like it.
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