Words: Question 1
Hi. I had a random idea as I was running the other day. Below find a simple scenario from life here in Kenya. If you have a moment read it; and then comment me your answer. I want to do this for two reasons 1) to see who is reading our new blog and if you enjoy it 2) to see what people think about the situation. If i get good a response to this question, i give y’all another one. Enjoy.
Lets say, in the course of a normal work day you are approached by someone who you have seen around but who you have not spoken with personally, someone who lives in the same community as you do. They ask to talk to you about their problem. So, they come to your home and you sit down with this person and she explains that at present she and her family are struggling with having enough money, even enough money to eat. You see, her husband is currently pursuing a master’s degree and she has recently started an undergraduate degree across town which requires using public transportation everyday. They don’t seem to have enough money to pay their school fees or even, right now, to buy a bit of food to prepare. They have 3 children, it is unknown whether they are in school or not (but probably not since there is no money for school fees).
Do you tell her:
a) ok. let me help you and give her some money, perhaps equivalent to $20-30.
b) I’m sorry, I can’t help you right now…but i will pray for you.
c) alright, here take this money…and here is a bit of food for you now (some flour for making a kenyan staple food, ugali)
d)I can’t help you with money; but here is a bit of food…
e) ok. here is a bit of money, but please pay me back, in a month or two.
f) some combination of a-e
g) <something else, different from the above; tell me about it>
If you want to give me a quick word on your choice, that would be even better. Thanks again.
So, I think giving them some food is super important. Money is hard, because it doesn’t fix the issue. They will be in the same issues next month and it is hard to know for sure that the story is 100% true. I would say prayers and if you could talk to some church people to see if they would be willing to sponsor people for food that could be good. I know it is extra hard considering the economy is bad. I will pray for them when the Lord brings it to my mind.
I would choose the letter ‘f’. I would definitely help out by giving them food and prayer. But if I gave them money I wouldn’t want them to think I would always give them money at the drop of a hat. So I’m not sure whether I would give them some money the first time or not at all. I do think the food and prayer would be the top priorities. I will also pray for them. Thanks!
This is interesting. I’m not sure culturally how to respond to this? My first instinct is to pray with them and to give them food. Just in thinking back to the situation…that was the problem. Not enough money for food. They didn’t mention not having enough money for other items? What is their culture like? How would their culture play into the answer? I look forward to seeing your response.
Ok..so I reread it…other items were mentioned…school fees, etc. What about a scholarship for the parents education? is there any organizations statewide that help with that? For example: in the past, World Concern had their Global Gift Guide where someone could sponsor a gift in their friends name to benefit someone overseas. Is there any such sponsorship they could be connected with..thereby freeing up funds being used for their tuition?
That’s a tough question and I struggle with how the culture could be different from America. But this is my thought; one should not pay for things they can’t afford. Both parents are going to school now – maybe only one should go now and the other one work to help pay for their spouses school and everyday needs. And then they could switch when the first graduates.
But for their immediate needs, I would give them food, if I had the funds I would give them money as a gift and I would offer a budget form from Dave Ramsey’s website (https://www.daveramsey.com/) – I would also offer to help them put their budget together or do a mock budge with them.