One of my pet theories is that the great majority of people who live comfortable lives in the U.S. try to arrange our lives so that we can remain more or less ignorant of human suffering.Father Mawusi, shown in the photo to the right, does not enjoy that luxury, as he lives in a place, Kpandai, where the needs of his parishioners and the rest of the populace are staggering. Brando and I sat one night over dinner with him and listened to a litany of classrooms without teachers, families without money, women in labor having to travel over a deeply rutted road for thirty miles on the back of a motorcycle or even a bicycle to the nearest health center. "And it's getting worse," he concluded, cradling his head in his hands.
But after a pause he looked up, smiled and said "we are grateful to God" to be able to serve and make some differences. The next day he and Father Richard toured Brando and I around St. Kizito Basic School, where we saw part of that labor, teachers and students hard at work, such as the junior high school class Brando spoke with, to the left. There are many success stories, students who graduate and go on to the neighboring high school and beyond, parents and teachers who make great sacrifices so that their children and students can have better lives.Brando and I were particularly struck by the four kindergarten classrooms, which accommodate over 300 students. Currently there are three teachers, including one volunteer. Father Mawusi is optimistic that they will soon find another. In the larger scheme of things, it's one small need among hundreds or thousands.
I think you are right David. In the face of the immensity of things which should be done--in the name of justice and even as a practical matter, most of us are overwhelmed by the need. And seduced by the call of what is around us. Not looking closely is the only talisman against being drawn inexorably out of our comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteI say this acknowledging my own failure to do more. Thank you for your work and for your writing. Are you at all familiar with the work of Fr. Tom Dooley , an American priest who wrote about caring for the poor and ill in Southeast Asia in the 60s?
Thank you for the thoughtful and supportive posts, David! I shall have to look up Father Dooley. For all the bad press that the Catholic Church gets (and much of it certainly deserved), we all seem to have encountered priests and nuns who truly lead saintly lives.
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