We were able to sit down yesterday with Sylvia Beukes, the National Director for Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries (HPOM), and clarify some of our questions and concerns about what would happen if Social Services were to place the kids under Hope’s Promise and Jenny were to become an HPOM mommy. Some of us get the feeling that if she’s singled out to receive so much aid then she’ll have no connection to the surrounding community and therefore no support network apart from us. When asked about the cultural implications, Sylvia raised a very poignant question, “What has culture done for these kids?” . . . Well they’re still alive. They’re not eating out of dustbins. They have a roof over their head. They’re going to school. It may not be an ideal system from what we’re used to, but it’s what they have. They’re culture is based on survival, not accumulating wealth. If living conditions aren’t up to our standard, we must understand that’s not the point. So I think my ultimate question is beginning to take shape, Is there a way to work within their system rather than replace it with ours? Can we come alongside side them on their road, rather than dragging them down ours? I realize how messy and emotionally charged that question is, but I think it's one we must struggle with. I also realize, I must be ready for the answer to be No.
Thank you for your gracious responses and understanding the value of a question, whether or not I have an answer.
More question...still no answers
posted on 6/21/2008 09:31:00 AM
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3 comments:
Praying about this man, its so hard. Thank you for being so open with your thoughts. We prayed for Jenny during the service yesterday. I'm really getting what you're asking though, how will long term and widespread change occur if we keep taking people out of their environment in order to help, or give them solutions that are so foreign that they'll always have to rely upon outside help from the wealthy.
On the flip side I do get what Sylvia said, and I know in our training we talked about how things are different in other cultures, not wrong, but honestly there are some things wrong with this Namibian culture which have created the awful situations that have gotten our attention to try and help. But there's things wrong in American culture too. When we measure it using God's standards we can keep ourselves from being the arrogant finger pointing Americans that we can so easily become. The problem is sin and a fallen world. You were so right when you said America is not the savior of Africa...They need Jesus."
It's a valid point, and a long-standing question. There are important factors that are very wrong in this culture. For instance, an alcoholic mother who can't take care of her own kids. Or an irresponsible and apathetic father who won't take care of his own kids. But like any culture, they have ways to compensate for their wrongs, like extended family helping take care of those kids. As followers of a God who condemns injustice we must stand up for what is right and just. We can't stand by and watch evil rule, claiming it's just their culture. But I wonder if we can't come alongside those within the culture who are also fighting injustice. Encourage, disciple, equip, and not try to do Jesus' job for Him. It's really an interesting dilemma to work through, and it's been fascinating learning about it first hand. I'm sure an ideal solution doesn't actually exist :) so we must pray for wisdom and discernment when it comes to what's wrong and what's just different, let the Bible determine and not just our cultural prejudices.
I have found your blog quite by accident and have been reading for about an hour. Me and my son are planning our first trip to Africa next fall/winter. We are planning on meeting friends in Kenya; friends we have only known through emails and pictures. Anyway, your insight and questions here really struck me and though I have not been there, I feel Africa is already a part of me and I feel a strong connection to this country and people. I have read many books and am so anxious to go there. Thank you for sharing your pictures and your journey.
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