Opportunity

I first visited El Salvador in July, 1972. I was visiting my close friend John Kukankos in the Peace Corps for about two weeks. Of the many events occurring during my visit, I vividly remember in one of the discussions on the country that John told me; “I am getting more out of this than I am giving.” I thought of these words many times over the years. It raised questions for me of how people are best helped or if in any altruistic behavior one is rewarded somehow. Do any of us give without receiving something in return? The speculation on this are endless.

 

On my return, I entered the University of Chicago, completed my Ph.D. in Human Development and then worked as a full time researcher on a longitudinal study of psychotic and mood disorders for 15 years. I also completed a clinical internship and became a licensed clinical psychologist. I am currently a Professor of Psychology at Adler University where I have taught doctoral graduate students for the past 25 years.

 

In summer, 2003, 31 years after visiting El Salvador, John and I had some resources and time, and we wanted to get involved in some type of philanthropy. I thought John in particular wanted to reconnect with Salvadoran culture. John wrote the Peace Corps Director in El Salvador and he set up meetings with six groups to see if there was a good fit for us. We chose to work with two of the non-profits we met that week and we are still working with them 14 years later.

 

A major issue in social justice activities involves the question of what is the most effective way to help others. As I have learned over the years, interventions have the potential to be deleterious as well as helpful. The 8th century Jewish philosopher, Maimonides, who struggled with questions of giving, wrote of 8 levels of charity or philanthropy. At the highest level was giving in a way that helped people help themselves. Did it empower them to achievements where they eventually did not need the benefactor?

 

One of the people I first met in El Salvador in 2003 who helped me with this question was Mike Jenkins. One of the great things about living for things larger than the self is that you meet wonderful people along the way. Mike is a wonderful person and he has become a close friend over the years. In our first meeting in 2003 Mike said that he never engages in a community activism unless there is a buy-in by people of the community to support the project. The community has to be invested in the project with planning, time and resources. In this way interventions are more likely to empower rather than devalue individuals. The assumption is that the people the community know best how to improve their lives. If truly committed to their project, they are more likely to be motivated, energized and dedicated to success. Maimonides, I think, would approve.

 

I have seen projects, such as the micro-lending programs (starting by Mohammad Yunos in Bangladesh) and habitat for humanity, fit this criteria. I have been amazed how small loans in micro-credit projects can have such a major impact on a poor family. Similarly with Habitat for humanity, people must own the land and put sweat equity into the building of the house. This process more likely ensures commitment to the home, the pride of ownership and connection to the community.

 

Among several projects we observed, John and I eventually committed to a scholarship program for poor adolescents and young adults who would otherwise be unable to afford their education. We thought we could not go wrong with such an investment. Investing in human capital reaps benefits not only for the individual but for their family and community, and continues to give for generations to come through the achievement of the individual.

 

The scholarship program was set up for taking responsibility on the part of the students. First, students are selected for their good grades. Second, they must maintain good grades to continue to receive the scholarship. We emphasize that the scholarship is not a gift but rather they have earned an award that they have worked to obtain and maintain. It sets up a different psychological relationship. We are partners in the enterprise rather than a distant, powerful, authority doling out remittances to those less powerful. It feels right.

 

Most important to the success of the program are our in-country partners and friends, the Rivera family: Beto, Anna, Marisol and Natalya. They regularly and selflessly meet with the students for consultation, training, and wisely monitoring their progress in school. As  Our lives have been greatly enriched by the goodness of the Rivera family including their parents who we initially worked with for several years, Umberto and Fatima Rivera.

 

Maimonides, raised another point about giving or social activism in his hierarchy of charitable giving. He maintained a higher form of helping meant the benefactor was not known to those he helped or did not know who she helped. Anonymity characterized his higher levels of charity. For Maimonides, giving for quid-pro-quo where there must be a return of fame or fortune defines a less authentic charity or helping relationship.

 

However, after being involved in the El Salvador scholarship program for some time, I think Maimonides largely got it wrong. There are other more subtle psychological benefits in any helping relationship apart from fame and fortune. Helping relationships are rarely one way in nature. Although there are always power differentials, and gains from giving may involve selfish motivations or aggrandizement, those who help may benefit in many less obvious or unconscious ways. In dialogue, both those more powerful and those less powerful may be transformed and learn from the other.

 

I found El Salvador to be a naturally beautiful country and I found the culture and people to be joyous and welcoming. Families warmly invite us to be part of their extended family. The people are hard-working, generous in their support of each other and grateful.

Most importantly, I have learned much from the students that we have sponsored over the years. I have been transformed in many ways by knowing them. I found the students motivated, bright, resilient and generous. They have endured and achieved much despite poverty and a culture of gang violence now endemic in the country. I am grateful to know them. I now better understand what my friend John meant in 1972 when he said “I am getting more out of this than I am giving.”