Thoughts on Poverty

Towards the end of orientation, we were asked if there was anything else we would like to focus on before we go to our assignments. Many people requested more discussion about how to work in areas of great need with the poor. How do we, as privileged North Americans, relate to, work with, and live amongst the poor? Our orientation coordinator set up a time for us to meet with Paul Myers. He has most recently worked as the executive director for MCC's 10,000 villages store. Both Martin and I found his reflections powerful and helpful. Below are some notes I took during the session.

Learn from the poor today
The poor are hospitable, the poor know how to share with each other, with you, with me.
Some people never get to the point of sharing and receiving their hospitality - so take time to listen
In other words - Drink lots of tea

Challenge to Us: when you get to your assignment, identify 30 different ways in which people make a living - people who make less than $2/day, that is.

We tend to assume poor judgement of poor people.
The primary problem for the church is poverty. The church needs to confront poverty.
The solutions to poverty are found among the poor themselves. This is why we need to TRAIN ourselves to observe and listen and identify how the poor make a living.
Water is also a critical element - water issues are HUGE right now
An entry point to relieving poverty is potable water.

Challenge to Us: be yourself - don't try to be someone else. Accept who you are. Then, and only then, can you begin to share.

Your role is to share your experiences with us (the poor). We (the poor) might accept it, we might reject it, or we might adapt it. Just share your experience.

Recommended book: When the Rivers Run Dry
4 critical points to dealing w/ poverty
1. institutional work
2. education
3. environmental work
4. income generating
Two things prevent the poor from getting out of poverty: they don't have business skills, and they don't have access to credit.
Access to credit should be a human right.
The only way to get out of poverty is to do business.
Recommended website: mechai@pda.org.th

Challenge to Us: you have been successful if you have persuaded 3 people to be passionate about working to eliminate poverty. Work it out together. There are solutions.

"What is our role in the structures that perpetuate poverty?"
(that's a good question!)
Be careful who you dialogue with.
Be careful who your partners are.
Pick on someone your own size - i.e: neighbors, people in your congregation
Think about who you are in that context.
Local people need to do advocacy work in their own community.

Challenge to Us: Share your experience, be realistic about what you can do, and take care of yourself.

The church needs to understand the poor.
The church needs to work with the poor.
Spend your time with the poor.

Challenge to Us: Read the gospels regularly. These are practical stories. These are the stories Jesus told while walking with the poor.

One of the greatest commandments: Love your neighbor as yourself