THEME : Luo - a community at cross-roads

Subject : Role of CULTURE in socio-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

(Creating support systems for survival)

Contents

1.   The Executive Summary – Why the Concern?

2.   Statement of the problem

3.   Difficulties in Understanding the Nature of this Problem.

4.   The Thriving Community: An outline of the Traits and features inherent in Successful Support Systems

5.   DESPO – A brief Profile

6.   Consultancy, Donations and Advocacy

7.   Contact Person

8.   References and suggested reading

1)  The Executive summary - Why the Concern?

That there is a threat to the economic survival and the well being of our community members is a fact that cannot be over-emphasized. It is also a fact that an effective remedy exists and the community has the ability to change the course of this threatening trend. The members of the community have a responsibility of reversing the unfolding economic tragedy in order to regain lost glory and put themselves back on success track. This initiative is undertaken under the premise that culture provides key factors that create enabling environment for fostering socio-economic activities thereby giving the community a chance to develop and grow.

This exercise will shed light into the way of life that one would observe in a thriving community. What makes one community gravitate towards a disadvantaged economic status often getting stuck without realizing it, while another appears to be more endowed and thriving? Reference is made to the attitudes, behaviour and norms that enable the economically stable community achieve such high productive performance. This exercise is an attempt to give insight through contrast into the practices and way of life in thriving communities. As D.K. Smith in his book Make Haste Slowly puts it ;

“ only through careful study and informed deduction can culture be understood. This is often more easily done by someone who holds different cultural assumptions that make it possible to understand through contrast.’

The positive traits identified from the selected thriving community in this survey and elsewhere are of immense relevance to the proposed transformation process in order to assist the members of the Luo community overcome what appears to be insurmountable and besetting problems.

It is important to note that insights concerning human culture and impact on the economic well being of a community are scattered throughout books, journals, articles, research reports and textbooks. * There are hundreds who need this information, our community include but the inability to reach deep needs of the people frustrate and even break the will to serve.

If they could gain access to what has been learnt by others, many could change their patterns of life. DESPO makes available key relevant points of what has been learnt about culture especially during its year 2000 successful pilot project on the subject of cultural transformation., reviewing contentious aspects of cultural practices and providing a forum at the village level to change the traditional approach. Thanks to the wisdom of the elders of Ulafu, East Alego, Siaya District.

This is but an example of possibilities, where others initially had expected inflexibility and rigidity in matters pertaining to cultural transformation.

The propositions that follow provide a way to approach persistent and much-discussed problems such as the role of culture on development, practices that promote mutual impoverishment, the penetration of resistant cultures to bring about the desired change and achieve economic development at a personal and community level. DESPO aims to create awareness with the eventual outcome to inspire to create positive transformations that enable members to maximise their potential. With the principles provided, long standing difficulties can be resolved and new opportunities grasped. In the same breath, the strategy should prompt a rethink and re-evaluation of how our systems currently runs and provide an indication of how to bridge today’s reality to tomorrow’s vision.

If, as a community, we hope to be of any consequence nationally l and not to be phased out then we need rapid responses to the question of socio-economic development. This is the mission of this undertaking.

2)  Statement of the problem

The role that culture plays in wealth creation and economic development is indisputable. Culture can also impoverish its members. See the last page of this report for a newspaper clip from the Daily Nation newspaper of March 13^th 2003 for an example. The story entails an instance where a cultural practice inflicts real poverty on defenseless orphans. OXFAM GB‘s book CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT *edited by Deborah Eade puts it thus:

‘Cultural identity and traditional practices are acceptable, provided that they do not interfere with economic progress or with the conventional development indicators; and that they do not represent “ a culture of poverty”: that is, behaviours which prevent people from taking advantage of economic development’

Much like a government, a community’s culture does not create wealth; it can only facilitate by providing the required infrastructure and a conducive environment.

In 1999 the Luo Council of Elders at a forum jointly sponsored by UNICEF and Ministry of Health held in Rachuonyo Recommended radical changes in the practices believed to promote poverty and the spread of AIDS in the community’ ( Daily Nation of February 22 1999)

Such sentiments have been shared time and again by a respected Luo leader and elder, Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. For instance, while addressing professionals during the launch of Nyanza Professional Caucus (NPC), he observed,

‘Owing to the Luo Culture which gives more respect to the dead, the community spends colossal amounts of money on the dead (estimated at sh. 1.3 billion per year) leaving the living suffering.’

In the same meeting, he is quoted to have said:

‘The community should discard retrogressive cultural practices such as wife inheritance and belief in witchcraft’ (E. A. Standard July 20 2002).

Apparently what appears to remain is the will to initiate the process of cultural transformation to carry the spirit and consensus to an implementation stage. We need courage to proceed if we are to succeed in making good these noble and visionary initiatives. These are intended to enable the community regain its lost glory by ridding it of self-destructive practices. If we fail to take immediate corrective action to stop the current situation that continues, like a bush fire, to undermine our integrity and existence.

3) Difficulties in Understanding the Nature of this Problem.

According to renown researchers Grunlan & Mayers in their book Cultural Anthropology:

‘the study of culture is ‘humans in the real world’. It neither has the precise tools of measurement that the natural sciences have nor engages in laboratory experimentation. For this reason, predictions of the natural sciences seem neat and precise, while the predictions of culture are usually in gross terms’ (pp 35)

·        In this respect think objectively in order to clearly visualize and understand a situation; thus come to terms with the present and past status.

·        Interpret new situations and use this knowledge to propose solutions to emerging problems.

This survey therefore presupposes our individual ability to use our logistic aptitude and bravery as proponents of change. ‘Brave’ in the sense that we need to be courageous to break out of the old patterns, adopt to changes around us and be driven only by the desire to restore lost glory:

4)  The Thriving Community: An Outline of its Traits & Features

It is the view of the writer that an outline of the traits and features inherent in successful support systems is part and parcel of this discussion, in order to assist in the mission of transformation of our own values. It also presents a chance to sample the basics.

It will be helpful to start by identifying a few general principles and traits of a development oriented and cohesive ethnic group.

These will be the traits against which any community can use to measure its strengths in a cultural audit, to identify areas that can benefit from a cultural transformation process to address a perceived shortcoming.

Thriving ethnic groups will posses and value community unity, hard work and honesty. A culture that enables its members to face the tremendous challenges in the ever-changing, uncertain and demanding world to excel. Suffice it to say that only so much can be said in a report this size, however, we provide the main highlights below:-

·        Promotes and is supportive of savings and investment initiatives because investments offer employment opportunities and economic growth

·        Where safeguarding and sustenance of individual’s wealth and savings is promoted by the group. By avoiding excesses in cultural ceremonies and rituals etc.

·        Where hard work is a virtue, as it produces wealth.

·        Promotes mentor- support arrangements. Where a mentor is someone honestly and selflessly willing to guide the other achieve success.

·        Where mutual respect and trust amongst its members is a virtue, with high degree of networking possibilities. Let’s remember that business is about trust.

·        Members are primarily oriented towards group goals and secondarily towards each other and the achievement of individual desires.

·        Ability to deploy ‘co-operative’ strategies within their group and be aggressively ‘competitive’ when interacting with those outside their group.

·        Devotion to work and welfare of society (group) is exemplary and praiseworthy.

·        The existence of a convention, representing a social reminder to the effect that there are two distinct modes of activity and that each must have its appropriate time. The time for amusement/ socialization/story telling, usually in the evenings or on special occasions and daytime is dedicated for productive work.

·        The ability to have the above traits incorporated or inherent within the cultural practices, attitudes and norms, while the culture of the group remains essentially dynamic.

·        And above all, the ability to ensure that the defined roles of individuals are not left to the discretion of these individuals to implement but made mandatory through communal loyalty undertakings or oaths.

There is room for you to try some Hands-on basics on the theme.

Studies have shown that much can be discovered about a problem and its root cause through the simple process of asking the correct questions. Let’s remember we are just analysing a situation NOT pointing fingers. These are some of the questions we should be asking ourselves: -

·        Do we ever think of Plan B, such that should current source of income come to an abrupt end or employment suddenly terminated for whatever reason our lives would still go on uninterrupted? Start small but think big. You need this for your retirement and of course to support your family, just in case!

·         

·        Do we understand the powerful benefits of networking in businesses and others circles? How about our roles in creating trust and making the linkages and network boost our productivity and resource potential?

·        Where and how do we spend our hard-earned incomes?

·        What are the priority expenditure areas that can ensure future livelihood sustenance?

·        Since giving fish to an able-bodied hungry person is tantamount to giving handouts and by extension encouraging dependency syndrome; wouldn’t we rather teach him/her how to fish and make a request to pass on the philosophy to others?

This is perhaps the number one cause of our financial troubles. Let’s not create permanent dependants. Let’s bail them out by creating employment opportunities or by assisting them start small projects to enable them sustain themselves. Make sure you indicate that you will not entertain future requests for handouts should they ground the project. You do not create support systems by giving handouts. In actual fact you will eventually spend so much on these, so much that you will be unable to afford to provide for your own future upkeep or even a Plan B!

In his famous book RICH DAD POOR DAD, Robert Kiyosaki tells us that one of the reasons the rich get richer (a highly recommended readership), the poor get poorer while the middle class struggles in debt is because the subject of money is taught at home, not in school. So, when do we in our community convey the information about money to children? Do we just ignore this fact and hope they make it in life? Let’s not judge ourselves harshly, perhaps some of this information was not passed on to us in the first place! (See comments under Consultancy below if you need personal assistance with your own efforts.)

Then comes a crucial and perhaps an all-encompassing question. Do we still have true and devoted sons and daughters who may possess a sense of moral duty and courage to protect the community from self-inflicted ruin by actively supporting the necessary changes? The solutions to these challenging questions can only come from within the community.

Our solutions would give members and their future generations a chance to compete effectively at both national and even international levels.

Members must be prepared to pay a price if they expect to excel and stand a chance to lead others.

DESPO – A brief profile

Development Support Programme Organisation (DESPO) is a national NGO. It has been embarking on the task of fact finding and to unravel the mysteries behind the challenges facing our people, for the last 5 years with a lot of success. As mentioned above, some of the surveys involved cultural transformation processes in E. Alego on a pilot basis with remarkable conclusions.

The grassroots transformation process, as a successful case study, was a source of great pride for DESPO. Particularly when on the basis of this, its Director was privileged to be nominated to participate in a US State sponsored programme under the esteemed International Visitor Program (IVP) in February 2002 in the US. This was done on the recommendations of their Cultural Affairs Attaché – Constance C. Jones.

DESPO has spent approximately 4.8m shillings of its own resources on this project for the proposed intervention to come this far. It presently requires financial support from friends and collaborators to undertake a serious awareness exercise and gain the initial support from the community’s Opinion Leaders. We propose to involve a wider community perspective and machinery that will steer and take charge of the initiative, a process that will witness full participation of all stakeholders in the community.

Lets all remember that:

‘WITHOUT A VISION, THE PEOPLE DIE’

John Owegi,

DESPO, Director and Project Co-ordinator

14/4/2003

6)  Consultancy, Donations and Advocacy

Ø       Those wishing to personally experience the financial freedom inherent in the proposed transformations can book for consultations on tel. No. 0733.749219 and join the ranks of satisfied clients, employees, businessmen, retirees, youth and job-seekers who have the proven effectiveness of the strategy. DESPO Director, an accountant and a former bank employee with 25 years of exposure in the sector will take you through the motions. All proceeds from the consultancy, which are adjusted to fit-in with one’s financial ability, will be channeled to meet the proposed community project expenses.

Ø       You do not have to financially support the transformation process; your moral support is sufficient. However for those prepared to sacrifice financially for this noble cause either in person or through friends, all contributions should be remitted to Standard Bank, Nairobi, Langata Rd branch account no.0152033207600, in the name of Development Support Programme Organisation. Your donations will be acknowledged in writing, if you wish. Thanking you for your support.

·         WE URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE & TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS ITS SUCCESS.

·         YOU ARE REQUESTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS INFORMATION THROUGH THE LISTED ADDRESSES BELOW.

·         ANY COMMENTS TO ENRICH THE PROGRAMME SHOULD BE SENT AS WELL.

Feel free to distribute photocopies of this document to our community members.

7)  Contacts Person

Ø      John Owegi,

Director and Project Coordinator

P.O. Box 70396, Code 0400, Nairobi, Kenya

E-mail: despo@nbnet.co.ke

Mobile 0733-749219

Ø      Programme Office,

Siaya KNUT Building, Room No.7

P.O. Box 8, Siaya, Kenya

Tel: (057)321212

8)      References and suggested reading:

*Oxfam GB are development practitioners founded in 1942 and is dedicated to finding lasting

solutions to poverty and suffering around the world.

*Tucker, Vincent (1996) Introduction: A cultural perspective on development.

*Powell, Mike (1995) Culture: Intervention or solidarity?

*Grunlan, Stephen & Mayers, Marvin (1988) Cultural Anthropology

*UNESCO (1995) Our creative Diversity, Report of the World Commission on Culture &

Development.

*World Bank (2000) Culture Counts.

*UNDP (2000) On Overcoming Human Poverty, New York.

*Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

*Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

FURTHER READING/MATERIALS

(1) Focus on a Local Ethnic Group

For COMMENTARY on ONE of the LOCAL ethnic groups, please contact

the project co-ordinator

The culture was picked purely on the basis of convenience and relative proximity in

terms of experience sharing and local relevance.

The few topics selected are quite appropriate for the study and they are

considered core to this survey and research.

(2)     A Cassette/Video Tape by a Ghanaian Pastor (Dr) Mensa Otabil on the subject of Transformation, which articulates, quite clearly, a predicament quite similar to what is being experienced in our community. These are available from KESWICK BOOKSHOP, Bruce House, opposite The Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi.