Luchando con el pueblo Wichí

In July of 2010 we went on a trip (read journey-project) to Rivadavia Banda Sur, a desert-like region on the western border of the Salta province that is without question one of the poorest places in Salta, if not all of Argentina. The population of Rivadavia Banda Sur is comprised almost exclusively of the indigenous Wichí, a group that has unfortunately suffered the plight of most indigenous peoples: subtle manipulation, overt oppression, and extreme poverty. Since it is so rural, they have been able to conserve most of their cultural traditions--most importantly their language--but their original way of life is becoming increasingly unsustainable. Deforestation and an increasingly violent climate cycle between drought and floods have all but destroyed their ability to maintain a hunter-gatherer existence, and as a result they now depend heavily on state welfare programs. (For more on this situation, read this piece from the BBC)

ADRA in Salta has an intense compassion for the Wichí and their struggle, visiting the region at least two to three times a year to provide much needed food, clothing, and other goods. Within the last year, however, ADRA's leadership has come to recognize that this is not enough. Although it is clear that giving food and clothing is an honorable task in the face of such great need, it is equally clear that doing so is much like placing a band-aid on a gaping wound. In other words, to create a real change, we must search out the source of the problem and begin working there.

Still, in Rivadavia Banda Sur, it's hard to know where to start. The situation is desperate: lack of access to drinking water, malnutrition, shack-like homes, unsanitary disposal of waste, little to no birth control, corroding schools... and the list goes on. But the saddest and most frustrating problem the Wichí are facing is much less apparent and much more dangerous. It is discrimination. To average Argentinian citizens and even some of the very people who supposedly represent and work for this group, the Wichí is dirty, a drunk, and above all, lazy--an indio. Thus, not only is the Wichí poor, he is told and often convinced that he has no choice but to be that way, that his suffering is not the result of his situation but his culture.

Given this gut-wrenching scenario, where DO you start? Something must be done, but what? How?

While we were on that trip back in July, one of the 33 communities we were able to reach had a particularly strong impact on us. It is called La Misión, and is about 1km from the small town of Rivadavia. In La Misión, the school "cafeteria" (photo left) was about 8 bricks in a circle, practically in the open air. When it rains, children go hungry. During vacations, children go hungry. When the government failed to send food, children go hungry. And not just children, because they often share their tiny rations with their family, most of whom are also malnourished. They asked for help, and we decided to respond.

But "doing good" isn't as easy as it sounds. Formulating a solution to a complex problem is itself a complex task. You have to consider all aspects of the problem and all of the potential positive--and negative--outcomes that your idea might generate once in place. But perhaps more important than the actual proposed solution is the attitude and perspective with which you do it. For example, if you believe that poverty is cultural, you would make one of two common mistakes: 1. try to change their culture (ethnocentrism), or 2. create assistance programs that help reduce suffering but do not resolve the root issues (welfare dependence). If you believe that the government is ultimately responsible, you might make different mistakes, like 1. assume that a certain political party could fix everything "if only" they were in power (ideologue) or 2. try to get rid of all government because everything they do is ''bad" (anarchy) or 3. simply believe there is no solution since the government will never be effective (apathy). So what is the "correct perspective"? Obviously that's up for debate, but I think a few aspects are key: respect for local culture, dedication, openness to compromise, and a constant search for balance between bronca and paciencia--anger and patience--when considering how things should.. must.. be different.

Maintaining that perspective as much as possible, and after some tough thinking--and arguing--we came up with the following:

Project name: Cocina Comunidad

Location: Community La Misión, Rivadavia Banda Sur, Salta, Argentina

Beneficiaries: 60 Wichí families 

Duration: 9 meses

Goal: Develop a sustainable system to guarantee food security and an improved quality of life for all community members

Objectives: 

a. Build and equip a communal, ecological kitchen

b. Facilitate the production of vegetables and poultry for consumption by establishing a community garden and chicken coop

c. To introduce basic principles of health and hygiene to the community, especially in younger generations

d. Highlight the ongoing environmental damage that is occurring in the region and teach the community about their part in reversing it by living in harmony with the fragile ecosystem

e. Promote community integration and gender equality by encouraging the establishment of an inclusive Committee on Health and Culture within the community.

As is evident from the title and objectives of the project, our first priority is community. That priority is reflected in a major and unique part of this project that is not described above: our team will be living in the community itself. Whenever we tell people that, they look at us as if we were a little crazy. And maybe it is, but we strongly reject the idea of helping by doing for rather than doing with. No matter how great the  might be, those who would come in and make big changes and then simply leave could not afterwards expect for their idea to have continuity or be sustainable. Change comes not from outsiders providing solutions according to their own criteria but from the integrated efforts of a community dedicated to their own progress. Achieving that requires forming a lasting and genuine relationship with the community.

The project focuses on the problem of malnutrition because we believe it is a stumbling block to development and is elemental in the continuation of the circle of poverty we are trying to break. Without proper nutrition, children cannot perform as well in school. If children are not well educated, as adults they will likely be less productive. If adults are less productive, they cannot provide food for their children. This is not even considering negative health outcomes, which also stunt development and can generate exorbitant costs for the whole family. Furthermore, having a local source of food will increase their economic power by freeing up other money that would be normally spent on expensive fruits and vegetables.

Time will tell if we are successful or not, but I think hope and fate our on our side. People's living conditions all around the world are slowly improving, and the Wichí should not be left out of that process. I am moving to the region this week, and hope to be able to continue updating about the progress we are making and my struggles as director of the project. I want to thank REVO @ Pacific Union College for supporting this project--for believing this kind of change is possible--and for all of those who have helped both me personally and ADRA in general. ¡Hasta luego!