In all of life it seems that if we don't learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. When you finally get to the person that a problem effects most, you most likely can find a solution. Over the last week Donna has been meeting with the women of the village to get them to come up with a solution to the water problem. After all in this culture, the women are the ones who must haul the water, cook, wash clothes and children, and clean! So when the pump broke, it really didn't effect the men as much, other than a little nagging from their wives. Finally, the women formed a village water committee and are now working together to come up with a solution. If we've learned anything, it's to involve the people you are trying to help from the very beginning. In our culture we have a way that works, but most often it is not practical in their culture. So let them set up the system that works for them, and give them advice when asked. It's much easier to solve their problems for them, but then they become dependent upon you to solve the problem every time something goes wrong. I know this sounds familiar, but we are learning along with them and hopefully are becoming better servants in spite of our mistakes!
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