What to do about a hole in your roof?

      16 December 2010
      Written by wijnandp

       

      Let me illustrate this mentality with a story I heard about a man with a hole in his roof. One day this man woke up to find himself staring at the blue sky through a hole in his roof. “I have to fix this hole before the rainy season starts.” he thought to himself. As the dry season passed every morning the man was reminded that he should fix that hole in his roof before the rains would come. However, it was still dry season for a while so there was no need to hurry. In a way the hole was kind of nice as it gave him some light in his small and dark house. As the dry season passed, the man got more concerned with leading his cattle to a place where they could drink than with fixing the hole in his roof. Then the rainy season started and everything in the man’s house got wet. He thought: “There’s no use in fixing this hole now because al my stuff is wet anyway. I’ll just wait for the dry season and then I will definitely fix it…”
       
      In a similar way to karma in India, as Guus explained in his last blog, the Tanzanians sometimes have the tendency to accept things as they are even if they might have the ability to change them. Working for an organization that aims to develop and improve the poor circumstances under which people often live, this attitude can be quite hindering at times. I encountered a real life example when visiting a school in Shinyanga; one of the driest regions in Tanzania. To deal with the lack of water a rainwater harvesting tank had been installed. This installation transfers the water that falls onto the roof of one of the classrooms to a 30.000 Liter tank through a plastic pipe. Quite simple and effective, that is, if the pipe to transfer the water from the roof to the tank is in place. The pipe was missing, but there was no need to fix it, because the rainy season hadn’t started yet…
       
      These kinds of things can be quite frustrating at times. However, when advice is given on how to improve the situation it is often taken seriously and the situation rapidly improves. This makes up for part of the frustration, but it also emphasizes the need for better education and the promotion of the idea that people have the ability to improve their situation instead of just accepting it. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to change these kinds of attitudes, but I hope that the results that we achieve can show the people that they can actually take control their own situation and improve it.
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      Comments

      Submitted by Marlous on 16 December 2010
      Hello bruv, It is indeed very difficult to change these kinds of attitudes, and most frustrating. I think the only way of going about these things is by setting the example you want to see in others. Cheesy, but Ghandi said it best - Be the change you want to see in the world. No one responds well to lecturing, and people are creatures of habit, so inspiration through exemplary actions may eventually seep through, but there's no guarantees. Also, I think this can be applied to most people in the world, not just Africa, although this attitude might be more culturally ingrained there, it can (unfortunately) be found everywhere. Being an idealist is a tough job dude, but it makes me happy that you are one! xx

      Submitted by Adam Lang on 16 December 2010
      My future brother, I empathise entirely with your situation. Whilst the circumstances are very different the issues that you are coming up against are quite similar to the attitudes and situations I often encounter in my work. Cultural and social change happens slowly, even at the best of times. Dealing with cultures that, historically, have developed along entirely different social circumstances from the ones we are familiar with - such as sub-Saharan or traditionally tribal cultures - lend themselves to this process of change even less. While I genuinely believe that trying to create change is the only way that it can ever happen, it will only ever do so at a generational pace. Something that does not lead to any great deal of immediate job satisfaction. But, all that said, I think you can definitely take comfort (and the moral high ground) from the fact that you are doing great work for a great cause. Don't let it get to you too much. At least you are trying. Most people never do. Plus, you get to develop a tan at Christmas. I on the other hand will simply be developing liver sorosis. Lots of love and I look forward to hearing all about it in the New Year. Adam
      Guus van der Zijden's picture

      Submitted by Guus van der Zijden on 17 December 2010
      It seems like people in difficult circumstances tend to cope better with their situation by simply accepting it; it resembles the life of a martyr, enduring the suffering that is brought upon you. Or maybe previous efforts to change their stars have led to mere disappointment and no improvement whatsoever..... I love to think that, however slowly, attitudes can be changed. The well known saying TIA (This Is Africa) and its Indian equivalent (TII) will at one point, in a few generations, refer to the positive trades of the people! Hope your scuba trip was great and enjoy Christmas in Tanzania, must be lovely. Cheers

      Submitted by Anonymous on 17 December 2010
      Hoi Wynand, Wat een inzichten krijg jij daar allemaal Wynand. Daar kun je de rest van je leven wat mee. Ik ben best wel jaloers op die man met dat gat in zijn dak. Het is heel westers om je druk te maken om de kleinste pietluttigheden (lees materie). Daar zijn wij aan "verslaafd" en dat maakt het leven hier zwaar en stressvol. Dat is de andere kant van de medaille. Die kant van de medaille is net zo ongezond en armoedig als "je nergens druk om maken". De middenweg zou prachtig zijn. Ik denk dat kennis brengen zinvol is en dat is wat jij doet. Aan de andere kant kunnen wij, via jou, heel veel leren van de mensen daar. En dan nog kan er een hele generatie over heen gaan voordat het kwartje, in beide culturen, valt. Ik vind het te gek dat je je verhalen met ons deelt en volg je op de voet. Dank je wel daarvoor. Tot slot: De wereld om ons heen kunnen we niet veranderen, we kunnen alleen onszelf veranderen zodat we met de wereld kunnen omgaan. Je zult zien dat zodra er iets bij jou verandert, je omgeving daar op gaat reageren en met jou mee verandert. Succes! Ik ben trots op jou. Groetjes "tante" Ellen

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