Poverty

How can I effectively help to alleviate poverty? my first thought is through improving healthcare and education, offering job training and microfinancing, and by enforcing laws. However, I need to realize that these are not the only aspects of poverty and that I need to change my perspective and rearrange my priorities in order to alleviate poverty.

Aspects of Poverty

Poverty deals with more than just material things or broken systems such as (finances, healthcare, education, food, sanitation); Poverty is also the result of broken relationships (with God, self, others and the rest of creation). According to this more complete understanding of poverty, we are all in need. When we realize that we are on the same level as everyone else (relationally), maybe then we will stop and begin to truly listen and learn from others. We will begin to see differences as not right and wrong but as a difference of priorities and perspective. Restoring these broken relationships is of primary importance in alleviating poverty.

Priorities

Unfortunately, my priority as a Christian, middle-class American is to solve poverty in an economic or material way. Other cultures do it through relationships. Forming a community is primary in their culture; it supersedes any need. Because without the community, no change can ever be sustained. Before we can talk about healthcare, jobs, and justice, we must first be friends. Before we can effectively work on these issues a community must be formed.

Here is an example from my classroom that helps me understand this concept. The most important thing that needs to happen if I want any learning to take place is to build rapport with my students. It is important to spend class time learning about each other. Especially at the beginning I must form a safe, trusting, and respectful community before we begin learning. And throughout the year we must maintain and build that relationship. There is better student “buy in,” less behavioral problems, more time to learn. Developing a strong community is essential if any learning is to take place.

Perspective

I have a ridiculous belief that I have the solution or the ability to alleviate poverty. When I try to help with all of my ideas, programs, and money I make others feel powerless, worthless, or hopeless. When it is ‘my idea’ it is not ‘their idea.’ I have robbed them of one of their most intrinsic human characteristics, the need to create (the ability to imagine and use our God given gifts and talents to carry out that dream). I am also taking their sense of dignity, pride, and confidence. By acting as if I am superior or have all the answers, I make others feel inferior. However, by allowing others to serve, teach, guide, and care; they develop a sense of self-worth, joy, hope, dignity, and accomplishment.

It is the same in the classroom. The best way for the students in my classroom to learn is when I say nothing and allow them to figure it out. Educators refer to this moment as the ‘Ahha’ moment. It is one of the most rewarding words to hear in a classroom. When I allow students to create a project or to solve a problem by themselves, they feel smart and proud. When they do make these discoveries or get to create something by themselves, I have seen that they become more excited, more interested, and have more confidence in themselves. The sad part is most of the time it is I doing the talking and uncovering the mysteries. When I steal opportunities of achievement and discovery from the students then they become unmotivated and dependent.

Gratitude

"It is hard for me to accept that the best I can do is probably not to give but to receive. By receiving in a true and open way, those who give to me can become aware of their own gifts. After all, we come to recognize our own gifts in the eyes of those who receive them gratefully, Gratitude thus becomes the central virtue of a missionary. And what else is the Eucharistic life than a life of gratitude?" -Gracias by Henry Nouwen