I thought coming to Mathare Valley would show me the true meaning of despair, hopelessness, misery, and desolation, but rather I have learned the meaning of resilience, ambition, imagination, perseverance, kindness, brotherhood, and hope. Most Westerners would define Mathare Valley as inhospitable, uninhabitable, unsanitary, filthy, nauseating, and overall repulsive. Initially, I described the scene this way as well. But, my view has changed. I can no longer simply see the negative. The beauty of the people has transformed my previous view. Never have I experienced such kindness. Never have I seen such dedication to excel. Never have I been so blessed as to have the opportunity to learn what it means to truly have hope, to truly have faith. No longer does my drive to assist, in what little ways I can, stem from pitying the deficiencies of their environment, but instead I am now empowered to help by the inspiration instilled in me by their wealth of character.
A paradoxical question is present. Perhaps, it is the amount and degree of negativity present that reflects so brilliantly the positive aspects mentioned above. So, is it beneficial to assist these persons in transforming and molding their lifestyle to a "higher" or "better" level? Would in doing so we diminish the quantity and degree of positive characteristics, i.e. kindness, dedication, faith, hope, etc...? Western civilization has, for some time, possessed this level of a "better" lifestyle, and yet I have never before experienced the measure of positive characteristics as I have here.
There is a dividing line between a life of fulfillment and one of constant struggle. On the struggle side, a person or society is in constant search for the basic necessities of life resulting in no time to be spent as he or she wishes. On the fulfillment side, the basic necessities are easily obtained, in turn creating time to experience relaxation, extend creativity, forge new relationships and strengthen old ones. To put simply, on the fulfillment side, people have time to enjoy themselves. On the fulfillment side, people have the spare time to flourish in varying specialties; they are not constantly consumed with the task of acquiring the basic needs.
Is it wise to help the people of Mathare Valley? The answer depends upon the manner in which one plans to assist. The people I have met in Mathare, particularly the Maji Mazuri Youth Group, already display the characteristics needed to succeed having once crossed into the fulfillment side. Many are below the line, some are balancing on it. The task is to assist them in getting over the line. I have full faith that once across they can take the reigns and drive to success while not allowing their character to be altered.
The Mathare Valley community needs to create a stable, functional infrastructure that provides proper sanitation, good roads for easy commerce, building standards, medical care, food regulations to thwart disease, and additional educational facilities. These are basic necessities in order for a community to prosper and for individuals to lead lives of fulfillment, not by Western standards but by their own. These are the areas where we can help. We do not decide for them the best ways to implement such facilities and policies, but rather we assist them with the resources needed to achieve the goals of such a gradual process. They are quite capable of deciding on their own the proper means of improving their community. If provided the resources, I know they will succeed. As I have said before, I know this because I see it in their smiles. I hear it in the trumpeting of their laughter. I feel it in the warmth of their touch, and most of all I watch it spread through their presence.
It is Mathare Valley, in the midst of this hell, which has shown me the nature of heaven, and for that I owe more than I can give. Perhaps, it is all of you who can remind me that the nature of heaven is present, not only in Mathare, but as well in all the places each of you lives and everywhere you go. I am not asking for your money. I am asking for your ears to listen, your eyes to see, and for your hearts to open. Look at the pictures. Think about what I have said. Try to imagine what their life is like. Begin to list the blessings in your life. Before you know it you will lose count. How great it will be, how splendid a time, when the people of Mathare Valley can lose count with you.
