Problem solving... solves problems.

11 January 2008

A dramatic thing has happened... I have actually had an idea, and put it into practise.

In Blog 20 December I talked about how the poor stay poor because they are not productive enough to support themselves. While we get the community to this level, I had the idea of the Basic Food Packages. Actually a good idea, as it freed us from the stress of putting something on the plate night after night, and allowed us to create opportunites for growth.

And here I am sitting on one such opportunity, and didn't see it. Now that I have, I can take down that Food Package and concentrate on getting donations for cement, bricks and so on. A truly crucial need.

There are enough people in the community with enough time between them to do all their own construction, landscaping etc. So - I am employing them to do just that. I have received a few donations [see button below!!!!], which gives me the freedom to spend how I best see fit - and I am using them as wages for the community. Thus they can pay for their own food, again in keeping with avoiding like the plague anything that might create the slightest dependency.

Also, they can learn new skills as they go, to be used in future employment. Throw in pride of achievement and an even stronger sense of community - a good recipe, that, I reckon!

So today - right now! - I am taking down the food package page! I am absolutely completely totally not ready to do this, of course - we still haven't got enough traffic or donations to guarantee we can continue building.

But we do have enough for this week, and next. We have started on our first bathroom - more fotos coming on Monday.

I am probably being a tad rash as the Food Donations we received in December saved my butt and literally allowed me to START other things, as well as gain credibility for the project within the community.

But I must follow my own preaching, right? Don't hold onto crutches, ask the universe to deliver and act as if it is already on its way. Commit.

Plus.... we have started on a set of steps up the hill! When Daniel returns with these fotos I am dedicating a special blog just for them. We can only build the first five steps haha - but this serves a dual purpose. Again... [here we go again] ... it is important to START. Even if we only go upwards five steps at a time, at some point we will be laying the LAST five steps... LAYING not 'intending' to lay.

More, it is a community gift, and a very visible one. We started the bathroom in the most needy household, but even so, with every house in need we have to tread carefully to avoid any jealousies or bad feelings. Thus the steps, to be shared and treasured by all.

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