I (Monica) have just finished reading this inspiring book called "When Helping Hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor and yourself" by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. It is a curious book to read in this ending season for us in Haiti. It helps rekindle the meaning for us of why one comes to Haiti in the first place. Why are we not just working back in our home country? - though we too seem to be perpetually stuck between where we come from and where we will end up. One of the major premises of the book is that "until we embrace our mutual brokenness (broken systems we live in & broken individuals), our work with the poor is likely to do far more harm than good." Perhaps I should flesh this out a bit, and even suggest that the word 'embrace' seems to paint a picture of acceptance. I would tend to use the word 'engage' when speaking about broken systems and broken processes because it paints a picture of not being OK with the way things are. Here is a key equation that the book highlights:
Material Definition of Poverty + God-complexes of Materially Non-Poor+ Feelings of Inferiority of Materially Poor = Harm to Both Materially Poor and Non-Poor
This equation captures what actually happens when we 'work' in another country and culture. If we have a strictly material definition of poverty and we add our God-complex (the idea that we can save everyone, and indeed the world), we will be surprised that when asked, people who are materially poor often say that they have feelings of inferiority when they receive 'stuff' from us. This = harm to both materially poor and non-poor people. We who are materially non-poor are hurt because all of our giving results in our suffering from 'compassion fatigue' - this phenomenon that comes from giving and giving and giving (often 'stuff') and not seeing a real, measurable or lasting change. Pretty hurtful for all involved.
It is about reconciliation. Poverty alleviation is the ministry of reconciliation: moving people closer to glorifying God by living in right relationship with God, with others, and the rest of creation. Yes, we must struggle to put people and processes before projects and products. And we must move forward in applying appropriate relief and development interventions that do not exacerbate poverty. I am reminded from our studies of a lecture about the golden rule of this work... is to 'do no harm.' I must admit, we have often wondered whether all the International NGOs and short term missions teams should be booted out of the country - primarily because our vision as a whole may be too small, and it is laughable that we should call most of our programming 'sustainable' in the greatest sense of the buzz word. Would it not be better for Haiti to solve its own problems or facilitate its own solutions? Are we doing more harm than good? When every Westerner comes to Haiti handing out old t-shirts, bags of rice, shoes and toys, how can one move away from the materialist perspective of the nature of poverty in Haiti?
If we see Haitians as only being materially poor, then the solution to this is to give them 'stuff.' If we see Haitians as being uneducated, our method is to educate them. If we see Haitians as being poor because they are suffering from their own sin, then we must evangelize them. We must truly understand what we believe is the root of poverty, and actually ask the Haitian people their opinion - varied it will be. Otherwise we as outsiders are doomed to the same conclusions as the thousands before us, who have since saturated Haiti with things that, frankly, it doesn't need or even want.
But this idea of reconciliation continues to nag me. Do we just give up on broken systems and broken individuals? Romans 7:21 says 'when I want to do good, evil is right there with me.' Reconciliation of relationships gives us hope. It's a perspective change, from asking 'how can I fix people' to asking 'how can I assist in empowerment?' People can feel empowered through healthy relationships - through connection with themselves, with God, with others, with the environment around them. Connection, however, is a choice. When I look back at this month and even this year in Haiti I look at those relationships of empowerment and respect. After all this is what development is about. Its a lifelong process. A process of reconciliation. Not a 2 week or 1 year project or product.
Frederick Buechner once said, "The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Hunger is not just material, and neither are lasting interventions. The conclusion of the book?: 'Poverty is rooted in broken relationships, so the solution to poverty is rooted in the power of Jesus' death and resurrection to put all things into right relationship again.'
Fort Jacques
Birthday Festivities
WASH Training
The Hygiene Team
