just read: The Blue Sweater

The Blue Sweater: bridging the gap between rich and poor in an interconnected world

This book was recommended to me by a friend when visiting North Carolina. It is packed full of interesting travel stories to far-away places. It is written by a women who is making a difference in the world. The author has a particular vision for how to help the poor - through the marketplace. Some of the most exciting development projects I've been a part of involved links to market value chains. This concept is all the rage now, a hot topic, and an up and coming trend. Jacqueline is one of it's prominent proponents.

Like everything this method has it's limitations. For highly functioning individuals living in poverty it is offering a hand-up to improve their circumstances, it is investing in promising entrepreneurs that are otherwise overlooked. All of this is good. It is not the final solution. Loans to poor people, no matter how patient or generous the lender, sometimes just succeeds in putting poor people in debt which further complicates their circumstances. Through this book it is apparent that Jacqueline has been around and is aware of the complications in any effort to improve the circumstances of those who are vulnerable and often oppressed in this world.

Her stories made me want to jump back in to my former life of adventure. I wanted to be on an airplane going to a far away land, doing work that was engaging the most vulnerable....but alas that is not my current reality. So, instead I was grateful that I had seen many of these places and that I knew firsthand the circumstances she describes.

It also left me with two pressing thoughts in regard to my own nation:

1. The poor in America are, also, often overlooked when it comes to business ventures. I know many who live in the ghetto who have entrepreneurial spirits, but cannot access capital or professional networks. What would happen if we approached difficult areas in America with a similar strategy? What if we invested in the same way in our vulnerable populations - focusing on their promise rather than creating dependence in our efforts to do good?
2. How can we bridge the great divide between rich and poor in America? I am not talking about redistribution of wealth. I am talking about relationships, connections, interactions. There is one thing I have noticed often since returning to my homeland. Rich people run in circles of like minded folks of similar social standing...and are more interested in climbing upward than reaching downward for friendships. They might give generously of their resources, or be involved through volunteer work on the board of directors of a charitable organization or at a soup kitchen from time to time. But, do they truly know someone struggling with poverty? are they walking beside them? do they have them over for dinner and celebrate occasions like holidays and birthdays with people from a much lower class? The answer is - unlikely. There is a chasm between rich and poor, a relational divide. That is unfortunate. That is not how it should be. Our aim for diversity should not be limited to racial diversity, but also diversity across social class. That is an extraordinary challenge, but one worth pursuing.

When I look at the person I was before my experience overseas, I see pride and arrogance. I came from humble circumstances. I worked hard to earn an education. I caught some lucky breaks professionally. I had individuals cheering me on to make it possible and through professional references was able to advance to roles beyond my beginnings. This was not of my own making, it was by the grace of God.

From my lofty position (which in comparison really isn't that high), I thought I had nothing in common with those still struggling in the muck of poverty. I would volunteer with organizations doing good work, I volunteered avidly. I would give of what financial resources I had. However, I would say, "We cannot be friends as I have nothing in common with people in those circumstances." I segregated myself. It was wrong. I don't want to be that person. I have to fight my nature and reach across the lines of class, intentionally, with the purpose of building friendship instead of looking for a charity case.

My inspiration for this effort is scripture:

"The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be - and experience - a blessing..."  Luke 14:12-14

This is a principle worth putting in to practice. I am sure I am going to make mistakes along the way, but I will make the effort. When I fall back in to old patterns or total mess up, I will push through. It is the right thing to do. It is a good way to be. It is the life I am called to live.

just Sheri, working on building diverse connections