Seeing Fruit

Not often do we get to see the fruit of our labor, especially in aid work. You work hard to do good by the population you are working with, but often your time is never long enough to allow you too see with your own eyes the results and outcomes of the input.

This weekend I have been blessed. 

I am in Bujumbura with two organizations that shared a container I worked on funding and logistics for months in Hong Kong. I liked these organizations, thought the work they were doing was innovative and also liked their attitude of corporation and collaboration with us and between themselves. I even wrote about them in an update. The container was finally cleared from customs in January and they are still distributing items from it. Yesterday, I went with them to Buterere, a slum near the airport where they do much of their work. I always enjoy watching how NGOs that are started and run by local populations work, as it is generally different than their western equivalents. 

I watched as local university volunteers preformed a well received drama promoting health, forgiveness, family planning and the services they offer. We visited several homes in the area who will be receiving goods sent by Crossroads. I listened as people were encouraged to use the intelligence and creativity they have to change the world around them, even though they have limited resources. I was inspired. 

The next day we went out about 30km to a village that was badly affected by the war. I was greeted by a large group of singing, dancing, drumming, hugging people and ushered by them into a church where they had assembled. I was able to tell them about the people in Hong Kong who donated the goods, all the team in Hong Kong who worked on getting that shipment to them, I encouraged them that it is all of our work together that can change the world. 




We need to all do what we can and in amazing ways it can come together like this - like people who worked for many many hours to make this shipment happen on opposite sides of the world coming together under a humble mud church to meet together, talk about solutions to their poverty and struggle to survive. 

Though I left very inspired and sure that the work in Hong Kong is good and changing lives, the trip was not without its disappointments. I did, though, get a unique chance to talk with these local leaders about how they themselves can be creative when faced with difficulties in making rent, transporting goods and people, etc. 

I tried to take the opportunity to encourage, to try to get these community leaders to think outside of the tight box that constrains grassroots organizations who have all the heart and intelligence and drive to work in the most difficult parts of their nations, but lack resources. But everyone has something, we just need to figure out what to do with it. 

Nothing is ever easy. 

Ever.

More thoughts and photos to come.