How to Fish?
Teaching people to be self-sufficient is a process, often times, slow and frustrating journey for all involved. People used to poverty or hand out are set in their ways. People doing the teaching think it is simple and easy. Many of the poor have given up. Others want easy way out: dependence, alcoholism, or even prostitution. With out love, understanding, tolerance, and respect, it can be a battle ground, instead of common ground.
In our efforts to teach people livelihood, sometimes, it is not just money that we show, but genuine care and concern. We develop relationships. We show our work, our lives, and our love. As the saying goes, "people don't care how much we know until they know how much we care."
By Sal Arapal
