Necessities of Life

What does every human need to live?

Food.

Water.

Shelter.

Now, what does every first world country seem to need in order to live?

Internet

Electricity

Phone

Car

Running water

Well built house

For two weeks, I observed communities lacking the American view of life. For another two weeks, I lived that way myself.

These places lacked internet, electricity, cars, running water, and the houses were made out of mud. 

Guess what, though? They were LIVING. At times, more than I daresay us in America, as so many of us are glued to TV and computer screens.

You see, I question our standard of life. 

In the village of Ugunja, where I lived for two weeks, most houses weren't even accessible by car as we walked through the trees. Families lived together, generations on a plot of land, being there for each other. It was common to go visit your neighbor without warning them, or for a visitor to come without beckons. They worked hard, developed relationships with each other, and while food or water may not always be easy to get, they understood the concept of God's provision.

While there, we didn't have water or electricity. Yes, I survived. In fact... those were some of the simplest, most calming weeks of the trip. Our team grew close together, we had conversations with each other. When you don't have the distraction of a phone or TV, conversations happen! 

The lack of the "first world necessities" wasn't because the village was dirt poor. No, they weren't rich... but when a whole community lives this way, I question the need as well. Not only that, but even if they could afford running water, that means pipe lines getting laid all throughout the area, pipe lines that weren't there. This is what they grew up in, most people lived their whole lives here, so they didn't know what they were "missing out on", nor did they have the "staying connected" reasons we do. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for the amenities we have. With it, I can stay in contact with my friends in Germany, Romania, Uganda, and all over the states. I can cross the ocean in a few hours, a trip to Chicago is common. For many in the village, the area they were born may be all they know. A trip to Nairobi, an eight hour bus ride away, isn't a trip taken lightly. 

I don't tell you these things to pity the people I met.

In fact, I tell you these things so we can begin to rid ourselves of the mindset that these people are less than us because they have to travel a kilometer for water. 

I tell you these things so we can stop pitying them, and blaming them for their lives, saying they waste their money and resources, just because google isn't a click away.

I ask that we measure rich and poor by the community around them, and see what the real needs are. In my opinion, these villages don't need the means to plumbing and electricity, as much as they have a need for education. Education for a job, for care of children, proper hygiene, agriculture, and taking care of their land and community. Not for a Western education system, but an education that fits their culture and their world. 

"[The organization] gave me a cow so I could have income and a better life. But I lack the money to feed the cow. Many days, I go hungry so the cow can eat." -a Kenyan villager

I ask to redefine our standards of life, to be thankful for what we have, and to understand a village before we judge or pity the people. I ask us to see what the true needs are, needs exempt from our Western lens. 

I ask us to love them as they are, and not ask them to become like us.