“Simply asking people to consider their gifts is the starting point of poverty alleviation.” – When Helping Hurts
We often refer to the book When Helping Hurts, which dives into principles that align closely to our holistic approach to poverty alleviation. The book outlines the idea of Asset-Based Community Development, which addresses poverty from the perspective that God has blessed every individual and community with a host of gifts, skills, and unique resources.
It can be difficult to see these things when we are confronted with the realities of poverty. It is overwhelming to see the struggles that people in rural Nicaragua face and all the things that they lack. But they are uniquely blessed with gifts that others do not have. Gifts like a strong sense of community, perseverance, creativity, tight-knit families and beautiful surrounding landscapes. Ann W. had this powerful realization on her most recent trip to Nicaragua.
Ann’s church is partnered with a rural community, which means they are the community’s largest source of encouragement and relational support. Groups from the church travel to Nicaragua to build relationships with community members and see the progress being made.
Ann has traveled to Nicaragua three times, and with every visit, she’s seen things a bit differently. She shared:
“In only three visits I have come to love this community and these people more than I ever could have imagined…
On the first visit, I was appalled at how people and animals lived. It crushed my heart and all I could feel was sympathy and its cousin, pity.
On my second visit, I was able to find pieces of joy intermingled with the poverty – some color and life.
This time I saw only the positive. Not people to be sorry for, but people to be admired and respected for so many of the things that they DO have.
They truly are rich. It may be a different type of riches than we have, but they are every bit as blessed as we are. God gave them some very specific and beautiful gifts that make life rich for them even though they do not have material things. I developed a deep respect and admiration for the people…
We might be providing land, water, housing, nutrition, medical and dental care, but they are giving us much in return. It may be different, but it is just as meaningful.
I want to convey that while there are very real physical needs in the community, there are also so many strengths and gifts that the people possess and there is so much we can learn from them to become better humans.”
We are grateful that God has blessed the people of rural Nicaragua with gifts that are uniquely their own. As they lean into these gifts, lives are improved, poverty is overcome and communities are truly transformed.
Learn more about Asset-Based Community Development and get your own copy of When Helping Hurts here.
-Ann W. & Christine W.