“Imagine”

Someone commented that the way these people are living is similar to the song ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon.  It's a great song and a beautiful concept, but it's not human nature and the people here are human.  It's not the possessions that make people crazy; it's the crazy people managing their possessions.  You can have an old plastic jug, tattered clothing, and not much else, but still want other people's things, still protect your things, etc.  The people here have been very appreciative of all donations and items; that is not an issue.  And it's a reciprocal culture, so they are quick to find a gift of some sort in return.  We have gotten a gorgeous wood carving walking stick with a 3D snake on it, a woven fan, a woven basket, green beans, and a HUGE yam.  But while the people are sharing, getting by with very little, not starving despite being wiped out, not complaining of lack of shelter, food, fresh water, clothing, there are stories of jealousy and anger also.  People are people.  "Imagine there's no hunger."  These people are very resourceful and definitely to be appreciated for their skills in this area.  They have grown their root crops and no one is starving, which is so wonderful to see.  There may still be hunger as there are long lines for rice and meat food aid.  I think it's also a rare food that most of these villagers never get access to, and it's nice to have the variety for them, so they are hungry for it.  And the variety is probably good to develop a well-rounded nutrition for them as they have a very repetitive diet.  The food aid goes out like a communistic society - exact same for every man, woman, and child, even an infant gets the same rations.  You must sign for it and collect ALL of it in one trip.  You cannot carry out your rice, and then come back for your cans.  They don't want people randomly returning asking for things they didn't yet receive.  The people are definitely happy for it, but it's quite a commitment.  They walk for hours sometimes since the trucks can't make it to the villages, then wait for hours for the trucks to arrive, everyone to check in so they know how much to distribute, then distribute it to everyone, then walk home for hours with heavy sacks.  Is this the dream of the song?  It's the practical side for sure.  Those who can, help those in need.  It would be sad indeed if this disaster now left the people dying of starvation.  But that does not appear to be the case.  Hopefully the crops will be back in full force soon and the food aid will no longer be "needed".  Of course bananas, pineapples, and other things take a year to grow.  Mangos, limes, and other trees take years.  So variety will be a long time coming for them.  But does "imagine no hunger" mean feeding them until they have a full variety?  And when do we now make people dependent?  Fascinating to consider to me.  How do you "help" without making things worse for a society in general?   Decreasing their motivation to rebuild on their own?  Replant on their own?  Work for a living, etc.?

Apparently a man was told the food aid was coming a different day, so he was upset after walking for hours and getting nothing.  He reportedly was lighting the hillside on fire his whole walk home.  Reports from people who have been here for a while and are more insiders indicate a decent level of jealousy amongst villages or families.  If one receives and the other does not, etc.  This is partly why all donations go to the chief, and then the chief decides who needs it more or who deserves it, or whom he likes better?  After all, he's human too with a nature of his own.  We have been quite impressed though with the chiefs in general.  They appear to be looking out for the community, not selfishly employed.

But I believe that human nature is the same whether you have a lot or a little of material possessions.  If you are middle class, do you covet the upper class, or do you not want to work that hard and worry that much about "stuff"?  If you are poor, can you not be happy with what you have?  Of course you can.  Let's not blame the possessions for our personal faults.  I don't think you need to "imagine no possessions" to make people the same on a fundamental level. 

"Imagine all the people, living life as one."  As the world travels more and more and it gets easier and easier, I think we'll find it is possible for people to relate to people of completely different cultures and backgrounds.  But I don't think we'll ever find everyone being "the same".  It doesn't make sense.   Some people want to have very little and do very little.  Others are movers and shakers that want to be productive, feel useful, and see that they have accomplished things and left this world a better place for them having been in it.  That's OK too.  

Then there are those with a destructive force.  That's less ideal.  But people are different by nature and I don't think we need to/want to try to make them all the same, take what they chose to produce, change their nature to be like everyone else (unless their destructive, then we need to channel that or isolate it to their own property), remove their spiritual beliefs, etc.  So while it's a great song, aiming at a lovely goal, I think it's completely misguided, inaccurate, and impossible.

Shannon