Richie's letters
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I have returned to work in Cambodia in August 2015. In 1980 I had spent 6 months working with Cambodian Refugees in Thailand. In 1988 and 1989 I spent a few months in Thailand to assist JRS. I returned to work with JRS in Thailand in early 1990 to prepare for JRS’ entry into Cambodia. We then set up base in Cambodia in mid-1990 and then again in 1992. I worked in Afghanistan for two years. After having worked in Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste, I was back in Cambodia.
During these 6.5 years I have worked very closely with the Karuna Battambang Organization, the CARITAS of the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang. We have been assisting rural farmer communities in various ways. In a very special way, we brought them together as a community. Self-Help Groups were formed and are functioning well. Farmers have seen the advantages of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and organic practices about which I have reported regularly. Some of the communities have been assisted to dig ponds. They were supported for the drought and flood situations that they had to face. The children of these communities were also helped in various ways. We started the program for “involving school children in SRI practices” and the infrastructure of a number of schools were improved.
Here are the lessons that I have learnt from my work in these countries:
(1) The poor too have their dignity
One of the important things that the poor everywhere taught me was that they are persons with dignity. They prefer to work…not beg! I had to be careful therefore not to give them a feeling that they have to beg for our charity. I had to learn to treat them with respect and courtesy.
(2) Be credible
The “poor and the marginalized” and “the poorest of the poor” are terms we use often to help us raise the funds we need for our projects! Then many of us may forget the fact that these funds are meant for the poor. We have to be honest and credible. One benefactor told me once: “I had visited the project for which you had requested support. Everything was exactly as you had reported.” Our credibility is at stake and we have to protect it.
(3) Listen to the poor
Sr. Ath, a Cambodian Sister, was one of the first members of JRS to enter Cambodia. In her very simple way she would get the community and the local village leaders together and listen to them. She taught me that we need to take time to listen and listen and listen before offering assistance.
(4) Be simple
When I had mentioned to Fr. Santiago in Herat, Afghanistan, that I would buy a motorcycle for the two of us, his simple answer was “No! We will only use bicycles.” So, I went to the market and bought bicycles for him and for me. When the Afghan workers of CRS saw us with our bicycles they said: “You are one of us!” I am grateful to Fr. Santiago for showing me that those who want to work for and with the poor ought to live simply.
(5) Communicate with your sponsors
Most of the persons who support us in our work for the poor do so sacrificing a lot. So, they have a right to expect that we will keep them fully informed about how we have used their money. It means a lot to them when they see that we have actually done what we have said we would do with their money. I have learnt that frequent communication with our friends and supporters is very important.
(6) Let local leaders emerge
Local leadership is important. I can never forget how Fr. Jorge Serrano had responded to this question posed to one group that he was part of: “What is your plan for the next 5 years?” His answer was just “to disappear!” By this he meant that he would have strengthened the local leaders and would not be needed anymore. I learnt that we need to build up local leadership.
(7) Collaborate
In the many years that I have spent in these countries, I have had the support of many organizations and individuals. I can never forget the close relationship we had with CRS in Afghanistan. Thanks to their encouragement and support we could a lot. We need each other in order to fulfil our common mission. So, collaborate.
(8) Give without counting the cost
When I was in Afghanistan, Mr. Karimi, Director of Herat Technical School, told me that the salary he was receiving then was not enough for petrol for his car or for his cigarettes. But from what he had he provided for the heating in winter and furnished from his own funds the new office which we built for the school. We should have a big heart and give without counting the cost.
(9) Make the movement of “Love” a reality:
The most important thing that I have learnt is that the vast majority of those who work for the poor do not offer their services for monetary gains. They are there to spread the movement that Jesus came to set in motion and the message that He came to spread: “Love one another as I have loved you!”
*Most part of this article was written for the Jesuit Magazine in India “JIVAN”, in September 2016. It was republished and reedited with permission from Br. Noel.
