What is the danger of complacency? We can easily become callous. The more we see of what perturbs us, the more callous we are. Everyday scenes of poverty should serve as reminders of the need but in their repetitiveness, they become more elusive.
That is terribly ironic.
When I took the post at ANF, I worried that my inexperience in Nicaragua (and Latin America in general) would hinder my effectiveness. I am not a Nica. I do not speak Spanish. The culture and history of Nicaragua is not my own. However, upon returning from a trip to Managua, I realized the inexperience that originally concerned me might be my most valuable asset. Unfamiliarity with Nicaragua leaves me unhindered to see the full extent of the poverty.
I am an outsider. My trip to Nicaragua at the end of May was my first time in Managua. Everything I saw was a first—the dusty streets, the steep volcanoes, the expansive lakes, and the poverty. It was moving to see people living in houses constructed from whatever was found scrounging. The ANF staff reminded me that “These are working-class people—they have jobs”.
If this is how working-class people live, how do the unemployed live?
I come from a world with social welfare, low unemployment, and a high standard of living. Of course, not even America is immune to homelessness and poverty. But in no way does it compare to what I saw in Nicaragua, both in scale and level. I have no callous to the poverty in Nicaragua. I did not grow up around rampant underemployment. What I witnessed was raw; this was my first impression. Through inexperience, I sensed a need greater than I have ever seen before.
Coming into contact with the poverty in Nicaragua made clear why ANF exists. While I saw tremendous need, I also saw a response. Children were in schools sponsored by ANF. A waiting room to a clinic and pharmacy supported by ANF was full with patients awaiting care and medication. Makeshift housing areas were giving way to ANF housing projects. I saw ANF providing answers to a country with seemingly countless questions.
After my first month of working here, it is clear that this foundation does much to improve lives in Nicaragua. It is equally apparent that there is always much more to do.
I am not callous to the poverty in Nicaragua. My initial trip thus served as an inspiration to bring change. From an outsider’s view, this is a country that needs support.
For positive changes to come, we cannot become callous to the need.
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2 comments:
Benedict - thanks for sharing your experiences. You raise some excellent points...and there is definitely a lot of work to be done.
I have been working in impoverished Nicaragua for 5 and 1/2 years in the rural area North west of Chinandega. I have attempted to make contact several times about medical equipment that I have access to but as a small organization Circle of Empowerment,(www.circleofempowerment.net) am unable to get these things shipped. The hospital I worked at for 25 years (Columbia Saint Mary's-Milwaulee) is building a new hospital and again I may have access to usefull medical equipment that would be of benifit to the Nicaraguan poor. Presently I have 40 patient lifts (sitting to standing and Hoyer type) Are you interested in getting them to Nicaragua?
Thank you for your work with my beloved people
Margaret Boren
Director of Circle of Empowerment
megger007@trabes.net
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