What is poverty?

Apwoyo (Hello in Acholi, sounds like a-FOY-yo) everyone!

Chris and I are sitting in a cafe here in Gulu, Northern Uganda. It's called Cafe Larem. Outside the window that I am sitting beside, there are children running down the gravel street and music is playing loudly from a nearby storefront. Our senses are so alive and engaged here. The scenery is majestic... the rich red earth, thatched roof huts, and lively city. We have had the most beautiful 3 days here. The Acholi people are so welcoming and Gulu is absolutely amazing.

We met our partner teachers last night at a formal dinner and party. My teacher's name is Florence, and she is so lovely! She taught me some Acholi dance moves last night- and she has been teaching for over 30 years! I am looking so forward to moving to Anaka on Monday to work with her! Chris met Geoffrey, his partner teacher. He loves him so much as well. The Acholi were so impressed with Chris' dance moves... His C-walk :). lol!

The past few days we have been here have been very busy. We've had orientations on language, culture, Ugandan teaching curriculum, etc. It has been a very enlightening experience to live in community with 30 other teachers from all over the U.S. and Canada. Our conversations have been interesting and encouraging. Yesterday, we had a powerful dialogue about good intentions and the impact of our being here. There was one question that truly stood out in my mind....
"What is poverty?" How do we measure how someone is poor, especially across cultures. During our conversation, an Acholi man named Jude explained to our group how many times western governments measure poverty here in Uganda by the number of families that live in huts. Jude shared that there are many successful Acholi who choose to live in a hut, because for most people it is highly revered and valued in their culture to retain some aspects of their traditional way of life. He then asked a painful question, "What, or who, are you trying to save us from? Ourselves? We are not in need of your way of life. What we do need is essential to all of humanity: education, long term relationships, and economic sustainability."

If, by western material standards, we evaluate the Acholi way of life, many of us would consider them poor. However, their simple way of life is much more rich than many of the affluent people in our American society who are isolated in their big homes- who have become slaves to time, the accumulation of stuff, and profit. Are the countless number of humans that occupy a countless number of huts in a countless number of villages throughout the world really poor? We are not talking about the starving, sick, or the homeless- but those who retain their diverse cultural way of life. Is their lack of electricty, plumbing, television, multiple rooms, or vehicles the appropriate measurement for determining their economic label? Or, does the fact that many of these people know everyone in their village and share life together make them rich in a way many Westerners can't understand? Do the materially poor only become unhappy and aware of their "poverty" when westerners show them what they don't have?

Jude went on... He said that people from the U.S. and other places have beautiful intentions of trying to help, but often times their aid does more harm than good. Often African Governments rely on the aid they know will be coming in from the governments of the world and use that money and loans from the IMF and World Bank to try and build up their economy. This usually helps the IMF, World Bank, and large corporations far more than it helps the actually people of the country. As long as the heads of these governments look to the west instead of their own entrepeneurs and businessman, the plight of the poor shall remain the same. He said that you can walk through the local market and see all kinds of broken computers, old refridgerators, and air-conditioners that were shipped here by people with good intentions, but by people who had no idea what the Acholi actually needed after the war... how can someone use any of those things living in a hut without electricity? We desperately need to have a long term relationship with those we serve, so that we can understand how to help meet their needs in a sustainable way that recognizes their humanity and culture... that is exactly what Invisible Children strives to do. What does this mean? Well, perhaps we should take an objective look at how we think developing nations should develop.... is it inevitable that they conform to hegemonic powers and the western world, or can they prosper and develop according to their own culture in a way that empowers and encourages healthy growth? We believe the latter to be true. And, in a very practical way, Jesus beautifully demonstrated this type of love to the people he interacted with by living in solidarity with those in need and providing for them according to their needs. He did not hand the blind or the leper golden coins or build them a big house... He gave them the healing that they desperately needed to satisfy the spirit and to acknowledge their value as human beings. Moreover, he did the same for all of us. He has known us even before we were in our mother's womb and he knew our direct need- spiritual healing and reconciliation to the Father. So, instead of handing or promising any of us the riches of the world, he offered us healing and freedom- an invitation to be a part of the eternal Kingdom of God. We have much to learn- and our prayer is that Christ would be so in us and love through us that the Acholi would not see us but Him and sense the powerful aroma of His grace. More to come... Love you all.