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Post date: Apr 26, 2009 5:26:51 PM
26 April (Sunday - Evening) - Ugandan Friends and Debates
Pictures from Kibiri Elementary are posted, enjoy :o)
Oh – so much to share and so little time. Where to begin? Perhaps a letter to the editor is a good place to start – or maybe with a discussion of the debating among my Ugandan and American friends here. Woo-hoo there’s been some passionate discussions about Men and Woman, Westerners and Ugandans, Emotional Intelligence, Saving Money for Children’s College Education, NGO Harm vs Help, and even Black Magic. I’m sure each of you would have enjoyed the lively, colorful and intelligent conversation at the table.
I can easily find myself with my Ugandan friends as with my closest friends in Colorado. They are certainly very independent and open minded thinkers. It brought me to the question of how did these Ugandans came to be such independent and critical thinkers. Of course you won’t be surprised to know that the large majority of the population in Uganda is not literate, and that public schools are very limited in educational resources and basically follow strict British guidelines that teach children to ingest and regurgitate information. How did these young Ugandan friends of mine become so passionately independent and open minded thinkers? Well --- the people that I rub elbows with nearly every evening at LaFontaine were educated in private and international schools here in Uganda, and in some cases Kenya, that rival the best private schools in The States. Certainly they seem to be better than the public schools in The States. In the case of International Schools here in Uganda - I think it would be difficult to find such an enriching experience anywhere in The States. I'll leave it at that. I feel well matched with my friends here and very blessed to know them and learn from them and their experiences.
Now for letters -- um letter - to the editor. Thank you Heather for sharing your opinions. Little did you know I would put you on the podium :o)
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Hi Kevin,
I honestly hadn't thought about all the implications of giving beanie babies. There was one thing you wrote on your blog which was really deep and good about it. But there's a big part of me that believes that generosity is a learned trait. And therefore, if someone has the inclination to give, they should be allowed to give freely. People (family) have been very generous with me and I am generous because of that. People who are selfish have selfish children. So from that perspective, I think the world would be better off if more people were giving.
I whole heartily agree that empowering people is very important. I support an org called Women for Women. My sponsored sis in the DRC receives training and such so she gets the tools and resources to care/work for her family. My sis changes every year so no one becomes dependant upon the aid.
But I think that people can be empowered and receive gifts also. Isn't that the best of both worlds. Also, I guess I don't see giving beanie babies as an act of charity but an act of kindness. They don't need them...but if it puts a smile on their face and makes them feel good, it seems like a good thing.
Maybe I'd feel differently if I read the book [White Man's Burden] ...I don't know.
Love,
Heather
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Thanks again Heather for sharing and writing.
Oh I agree - giving is a beautiful thing. I try to rememeber to be so grateful for those in need that allow me to experience the joy of giving. I actually don't think that gernerosity is a learned trait per se - I think it is an experienced gift. Once we realize how much giving really serves oursleves through serving others, and once we realize that we're really all connected, I think we begin to come upon a whole new perception of giving.
Oh and I totally agree with the little girl at the end of the GCPP video that says we simply need to feed people. There's enough food to feed everyone in the world but something like 75% of the population is hungry. (Someone please correct me on the right percentage - but I'm close.) We can perform amazing feats of science and technology -- I think we can figure out how to feed everyone. And, when our stomachs are all full - - - - - let me just love you and believe in you for the amazing creation of the Universe that you are.
Namaste,
Kevin
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