The dusty, litter-filled streets stretched out before me as I walked through La Chureca, Nicaragua. Replete with garbage and stray dogs, the streets hosted few people as they sought shelter from the unrelenting Nicaraguan sun. One-room cinder block homes lined the bleak cross-ways, their cookie-cutter design evidencing their mass-produced nature. La Chureca is a community, of sorts. It is also a work place, as the neighboring acres host one of the biggest trash dumps in Central America. The cinder block homes were also a recent gift (of sorts). They were paid for by the Spanish government, whom I imagine felt a combination of empathy for the Nicaraguan people, and perhaps some generational guilt for how Spanish colonization contributed to their blighted economic conditions.
Through our work with the local church I learned how La Chureca was previously located in the dump, prior to Spain’s show of support. Void of any state-funded safety net, the dump then and now represents the community’s economic engine. Residents pick through the trash in search of anything recyclable, including metal and plastic. Wholesalers periodically visit the dump and pay the workers fractions of pennies on the dollar for the different materials worth, and so their life goes.
I visited La Chureca in June of 2015, and for the past 2 years I have been wrestling with the following inescapable question: How, given all of our advancement as a global society, does poverty of this magnitude still exist on this scale? The answer I have found, at least in-part, is remarkably simple. Our inability to sustainably alleviate poverty is a result of improper diagnosis, and not impotent medicine. Moreover, I believe poverty is too broad a term for what people in these communities experience. Similar to the always fun 5 love languages, poverty is a highly subjective, contextually specific term. Once more, the proper identification of specific poverty types is critical to jump-starting their mitigation.
During the previous 5 months of serving in Central America and Africa I’ve contemplated the different modes in which poverty exists, as well as how they impact people of varying status in different ways. I ask you to consider the following examples, and to ask yourself, if poverty was thought of through this lens, both in developing countries as well as within ourselves, how could we be better prepared to accumulate true wealth?
#1) Material Poverty
The lack of physical goods is the most common definition, especially from a western perspective. And rightfully so, physical possessions are essential to a baseline quality of life. However, physical goods are only a fraction of the equation which leads to a life well lived. Too often we as western “economic developers” perceive physical poverty, and respond accordingly. When in reality, targeted people groups are experiencing brokenness of another form, and are in need of a different antidote. Specifically troubling are the countless examples of charities, NGO’s, and churches who through good intentions give away material goods to poor communities. The unfortunate reality is this often times causes more harm than good. Check out Poverty Inc on Netflix for an extremely insightful analysis of this dynamic.
#2) Poverty of Opportunities
During my travels I’ve had the opportunity to interact with many strategic thinkers who have competitive ideas for how they could launch successful businesses. Often times the issue at hand is not a lack of drive, but rather, of economic opportunity. Recently there have been some exciting innovations in this realm as different microfinance organizations have come up with new and innovative ways to improve people’s access to capital. The Empowerment Action Program (TEAP) is one of our partner organizations that I served alongside in Uganda. It was a blessing to experience first hand how TEAP is cultivating sustainable change through its microfinance program, which is geared specifically towards single moms and other economically vulnerable people groups.
#3) Relational Poverty
Through our time working in various orphanages and social programs I’ve witnessed the way broken relationships can be one of the biggest causes of an impoverished life. Once more, through my own experiences with failed relationships I’ve learned how this reality holds true regardless of one’s culture or economic status. Learning how to healthfully connect with the world around us determines how we experience life. I’ve heard it said that society will often tell us to find the right person, for romantic and platonic relationships alike. However, the more important precursor to finding the right person is to be the right person. In order to accumulate relational wealth by “being the right person,” it’s imperative we avoid rooting our identities in external forces, such as other people, positions, or physical abilities. Rather, we need to first anchor our identity within our Creator. From this starting point we are much better positioned to build genuine, diverse relationships that encourage continued growth. As the old proverb goes, “iron sharpens iron.”
#4) Educational Poverty
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” according to my favorite founding father, Benny Franks. There is, undoubtedbly, a tremendous amount of truth in this retort. Through my experiences I’ve realized how the problem with proliferating education isn’t a matter of recognizing it’s importance, but rather, the time and dedication imparting knowledge requires. Only so much knowledge can be transferred through 1 week, 1 month, or 1 year endeavors. Both domestically and abroad a continued commitment to education is vital, which also attests to why an intact family unit that values education is so essential. What’s additionally beneficial is how advancements in education often have a domino effect within other aspects of society. Knowledge and understanding enable people to better provide for themselves, as well as to challenge society’s inherent power-brokers to allow for greater social mobility and widespread prosperity.
#5) Poverty of Purpose
Here’s the form of poverty that can be the biggest challenge for those growing up in America, as well as other highly developed nations. Personally, I was blessed to experience considerable wealth in the other 4 categories above; including an abundance of possessions, access to most opportunities, loving relationships, and a great education. In spite of these advantages, I did not (and at times still don’t) live my life with purpose. While obtaining a wealth of purpose looks different for everyone, there exists one ingredient that is critical to this endeavor. That ingredient is not ambition, or desire, but rather, a sincere sense of humility. The ability to take a step back and realize, “it’s not about me.” Ryan Holiday in his book Ego in the Enemy presents this in an interesting way. Don’t ask yourself what you want to be, which by it’s nature is internally focused. Rather, ask yourself what do you want to accomplish with your life, as this shifts the perspective towards the world around you. For me, praising God by loving others well is where I find purpose. And while I still fail at this daily, I am encouraged to have a starting point.
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Consider this stat – If you grew up in America in the past 60 years, you have been a part of the 3 riches generations, in the richest country, in the history of the world. And while being a part of this demographic does not ensure a wealth of purpose or relationships, it almost guarantees a wealth of materials, opportunities, and education. Simply put, by living in America over the past half century, we’ve all hit the proverbial lottery.
While most people who win the actual lottery end up going broke, let’s not misplay the hand we’ve been dealt. Starting within ourself, and then overflowing towards others, let’s do more than seek riches, but to be enriched, in all aspects of life. Whether we’ve been given 5 Talents or 1, let’s not bury them in a field out of fear of loss, but venture to invest in life, and to allow others to enjoy in the dividends to come.
