Can Things Really Change in Jamaica? Absolutely!

Kurt Lewin’s theory about the way change occurs is simple, but genius.  Lewin states that change takes place in three phases.  These are: (1) unfreezing; (2) changing; and (3) refreezing.   The idea is this.  We get used to doing things a certain way so that they become habits that are ingrained.  For there to be change, we must “unfreeze” or unlearn unhelpful or harmful behaviors.  Then there is a period when things are not comfortable and our world is all out of place as we begin to go against what seems normal and commit to acting differently.  This is the confusing middle period of “change”.  Finally, with “refreezing”, the new behaviors we have learned become ingrained and these are now our new way of doing things.

We talk about social change and sometimes it is easy for us to forget that change is not easy and neither is it comfortable, even when we are changing to do things in a better way.  Until we get rid of old habits we cannot begin to take on new ones.    For example, our tendency to make commitments and not follow through undermines trust.  We find it hard to trust each other and without trust, we cannot build the kinds of collaborative relationships that are needed for social change.

After so many decades of learning to behave in certain harmful ways in Jamaica, getting rid of these old behaviors is not going to be easy.  But, this must happen before we can enter the period of change and new learning.  Then finally, there must be refreezing as the new behaviors become a habit.  This must happen in Jamaica for us to establish new and positive ways of thinking and behaving.

I wonder, what are some of the behaviors that we, as Jamaicans, need to put off or unfreeze before we will begin to see real transformation?

Our Dogged Commitment

Over the years, as we have engaged with individuals and organizations in Jamaica we have made two general observations:

First, there is a desperate need for funding in very small as well as in very large nonprofit organizations and public agencies.  Several individuals have approached us to help them raise funds on behalf of their organizations, and we have worked with several amazing and passionate individuals.  However, in some cases we have been sorely disappointed with the level of faithfulness we have encountered, especially as it relates to people just doing the things they have committed to do.

Second, we have also noticed that there is a dire lack of coordination, collaboration, and strategy in nonprofit community development engagement.  This sometimes presents itself as competition for recognition in communities where the priority should be to help those in need.

In the midst of all of this, we have confronted the faces of so many with mind-boggling needs who are filled with a sense of hopelessness.  This has caused us to pause and to evaluate how we should proceed.  We believe that we must insist that nonprofit organizations operate with a level of excellence and in a business-like manner if we are to be fair to the donors we are asking to help fund the projects they want to undertake.  In addition, we believe that the time has come for a more strategic approach to confronting the need for change in Jamaica.  There is, for sure, some value in providing funds for one-off projects.  However, Jalawelo is committed to engaging in ways that will produce outcomes that are sustainable.  Decades of history have demonstrated that one-time endeavors have not produced the long-term results we need to see change in Jamaica.

Below are two critical components of our 5-point social engagement approach.

Collaboration

We are committed to investing in communities where healthy collaborative initiatives can be developed between nonprofit organizations working in the community.  It is true that each organization must commit to its own mission.  However, history and research have demonstrated that there is a need for a systems-wide approach to thinking about structural problems if we are to have a lasting impact on our communities.  We want to encourage relationships between nonprofit organizations, community residents, and donors.  Collaboration is not about working together on a one-time initiative or providing help and support on an as-needed basis.  Collaboration has been defined as “a durable relationship that brings previously separate organizations into a new structure with a commitment to a commonly defined mission, structure, or planning effort” (Perrault et al., 2011).

Faithful Communities

Our mission is to invest in faithful communities where residents and local grassroots community leaders understand that much of the responsibility for change rests within the community itself.  When we think about helping those in need too often we envision a one-way flow of resources from those who are able to give to those who are in need.  We send barrels, remittances, and engage in short-term missions trips.  History has again proven that this is not the path to long-term sustainable change.  Beneficiaries must also be helped to be accountable for the change they desire to see in their own communities.

We believe that, as Jamaicans, we can start a fresh wind, light a new fire that demonstrates what happens when a people come together with the force of their weight against structural problems in their own homeland.

We can see change, one community at a time.

Perrault, E., McClelland, R., Austin C. and Sieppert, J., ‘Working Together in Collaborations: Successful Process Factors for Community Collaboration’, 2011, Administration in Social Work, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 282-298.

Entrepreneurship — Hype or Help?

The lack of access to real opportunities is an ongoing problem that many of our Jamaican youth have to confront on a daily basis. Too many today appear hopeless and desperately in need of direction and support. They live in situations that are extremely difficult and oftentimes end up making decisions that are harmful to themselves and to society.

Still, it is always interesting to listen to individuals speak emphatically about what needs to be done in order to transform the complex systems that perpetuate seemingly intractable social, economic, and spiritual problems in Jamaica and across our globe. The truth is, no one really seems to have a definitive answer. And even if some genius has found a solution, this person has clearly not figured out how to implement it in a way that will permanently solve our woes. Maybe it is time for our pundits to stop being so sure that they know the correct answers and to humbly adopt a posture that is open to new learning.

Entrepreneurship is the new kid on the block.  Many are touting the value of entrepreneurial training for at-risk youth.  Interestingly, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2011)  makes a distinction between necessity- and opportunity-based entrepreneurship.  We find this distinction very helpful when looking at Jamaica.  Necessity entrepreneurs are forced into starting a new business because of unemployment and other economic lacks, whereas opportunity-based entrepreneurs make an independent choice to start a new business to pursue what they deem to be a specific and worthwhile business opportunity.  "Entrepreneurs in developing countries face a different set of circumstances that their counterparts in developed countries"  (Lingelbach, de la Vina, & Asel, 2005).  We must, therefore, be careful about the way we make sense of pre-existing models.

At Jalawelo, we want to learn and to keep learning about how we can engage strategically with those in need. We try to become familiar with what has been written, and, yes, we listen to pundits too. But, we listen particularly closely to the individuals who need our help. It may just be that the stories these individuals tell can give us a window into their reality and provide us with the insight we need to begin chipping away at the pain and frustration they are experiencing.

References:

Global Entrepreneurial Monitor: 2011 Jamaica Report

Lingelbach, D. de La Vina, L.  Asel, P. (2005). UTSA College of Business Center for Global Entrepreneurship Working Paper

Disagreements and Debate: A Good Thing?

Some folks are just not afraid to publicly express their opinions.  They have just not adopted the art of “political correctness”, and that may just sometimes be a good thing.  Our willingness to openly express different opinions on a wide range of issues should allow us to come to terms with competing world views and hopefully this will help us to understand each other and create a better society.

In reality, we all live in relationship with each other and our individual ideas and perspectives stem from a complex interaction of our desires, interests, and behaviors.  We live in a world where there is ambiguity, incomplete information, and where people compete and cooperate as they struggle to find a balance between their own interests and the public interest.

In her book, Policy Paradox, Deborah Stone points out, for example, that citizens want good schools and clean air, but they also want to lower taxes and to maintain their right to drive an SUV.  The reality is that we cannot have it all.  There are ideals, like free speech, that we desire, yet this ideal is understood very differently by various individuals or groups of people.  Liberty is also highly valued in a democratic society, nonetheless, there are trade-offs related to this ideal.  For example, in order for society to be orderly and safe, laws and regulations must be put in place to curtail individual liberties.

Attempts to implement public policy around stated ideals will bring individuals’ values, beliefs, and hidden assumptions to light.   We all want these 'ideals', but our rigorous and honest debate reveals that we have different understandings of what these ideals should like.  Similarly, we all see problems in our society, but these problems are often defined in multiple ways and for just as many purposes by different people.  We should not be surprised or discouraged by the struggle that comes from the freedom we have to openly express our views.

Deborah Stone contends that there are few cold hard facts in the process of making and implementing policy.  She argues that the political struggle over ideas and meaning is not necessarily negative and may, indeed, help us to better understand each other.  She also reminds us that the way in which individuals reason and make sense of the world is impacted by their values and their unique perspectives.  At the end of the day, despite the complexity and the paradoxes involved in pursuing societal ideals, individuals live in community where relationships do matter.

The Bible reminds us that the greatest of all virtues is love.  As we debate, disagree, and become contentious concerning our unique and biased perspectives, let us always remember that though we may express ideas that we believe come from the angels in heaven, without love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Dirty Feet

I have been thinking about the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.  This story came to mind some time ago as I stood in a dusty field with thousands of other fun-loving Jamaicans taking in some of our talented Christian reggae artists at the Fun in the Son concert.  Some parts of Jamaica had not had rain for months and the time was hot and the ground was dry and dusty.  This did not bode well for many of us women who like to wear sandals and flip flops.  By the end of the night I was ready to sit and have my feet washed.

Jesus spent much of his time walking around just to have special encounters with people who had been marginalized and who were in need.  I was prepared to stand to the point of fatigue and tolerate the discomfort of dirty dusty feet in exchange for the pleasure of listening to amazing Christian reggae music.  Would I have been as quick to tolerate the heat and the dust in exchange for the pleasure of serving the most vulnerable among us?  There are some verses in the Bible that I find particularly haunting: Isaiah 3:13-15.  “The Lord stands up to plead, and stands to judge the people.  The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders of His people and His princes. For you have eaten up the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.  What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?”

If we avoid the tendency to over-quote our favorite verses that bring us special comfort and take the time to do even a casual read of the Bible, it becomes crystal clear that God stands on the side of the poor.  The truth is that our consumerism and our pre-occupation with ourselves and the people we prioritize fly in the face of a Christ who came from heaven, gave up all, and walked this dry dusty earth to have special encounters with those in need.  So many of our “good deeds” to help the hurting and vulnerable take place from the comfort of our air-conditioned homes and offices – with clean well-shod feet.  We have all seen the hurt, brokenness and despair of individuals whose lives had been crushed because of the selfish and egotistical actions of those with power and authority. We have heard the faint whisper of their cries, and cries like these are going up to heaven from all across the world.  Yes, cries from discarded and forgotten people who were created in the image of God, just like you and me.  And, as I try to cast blame on those in authority, I am humbled when I consider my own habits, actions, and prejudices that help to perpetuate the damning condition these people face every day.

Unfortunately, I have heard many of these people express a deep distrust of people like me who claim to be God-loving, Christ exalting adherents of the Christian faith.  This is truly heart-breaking and convicting.   I can only think that just maybe when we are able to leave behind our board meetings and our impressive reports on our organizational spending to help the poor (much of which goes into salaries and benefits for the non-poor); maybe when we are willing to leave behind the comfort of our decorated homes and well-stocked refrigerators and learn to walk the dry and dusty road and feel the pain of the poor, maybe then we will become credible to them.  I am challenged as I confront my own life of over-abundance.  Will I be held accountable one day to answer the question: “What [did] you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?”

Author: Donna Gabbadon

Trishna's Story: A Second Chance to Dream

Imagine you are a top student in school. You work hard to get good grades. You focus on your subjects instead of just having fun. Unlike some of your peers, you keep your eyes on what lies ahead. Surely, if you keep up your hard work, your dreams will ultimately come true. You just need to finish school ...

But suddenly, everything stops.

“My mom, she didn’t have the education that she needed. But I do, so I’d want to replace her life with mine.”

Trishna’s world

This is exactly what happened to Trishna, a young woman in Dela Vega City. As a quiet, reserved teenager, making friends was not the easiest thing. Most people her age seemed too busy with the friends they already made to take much notice of her. So she kept to herself and clung to her family.

But when handed these lemons, Trishna resolved to make her own type of lemonade.

As she spent most of her time with family, Trishna poured her energy into being the best and most responsible daughter and sister she could. It wasn’t easy, but she ended up helping her parents care for her 3 younger siblings. While, admittedly, her patience was tested several times, this young girl discovered a genuine love for children. Meanwhile, she also threw herself into the role of ‘top student’ at school. She was constantly driven by the need to make both herself and her parents proud. Eventually, as a way to combine her love for children with her goal of being successful, Trishna began to dream of becoming a nurse.

So things were looking up… She had a goal in life, and she knew she had what it would take to see her dreams come true.

Facing the unexpected

“Not working ... It’s very hard. People talk about you so you kind of feel down and depressed sometimes. But, you know, you just have to [..] brush your shoulders off and try again.”

Fast forward to the year 2017. Trishna had just finished her 10th grade exams. Just one more year was left in her journey to complete high school. But not everything was looking as optimistic as she had hoped at this point in her life. Her mother was no longer employed, and this ultimately took a toll. For a while, Trishna had nervously considered the possibility of them no longer being able to afford upcoming school fees. Despite this, she tried to focus on her work. But, as the school year came to a close, she could no longer ignore the chance of this becoming reality.

Her worst fear was confirmed. Trishna would not be going back to school. Her family simply didn’t have enough money to pay for the expenses associated with her schooling. In that one moment, all of her future plans seemed impossible. She was stuck. To make matters worse, she felt like people began looking down on her for not having a job. She was now in the same box as all those peers she had worked hard not to be like. Others now saw her as just another “lazy, ambition-less youth who can’t get a job”. Unemployed, with zero qualifications and overwhelming boredom, she now spent most of her days at home … praying for some semblance of the life she once dreamed for herself.

But she knew she couldn’t let the story end there.

Can hope survive?

“It was coming down to my birthday. So, yeah, it was like, on my mind all the time. Wondering if I was going to get in or whatever. So, when I got the news, I was like screaming, jumping ...”

After being out of a job for quite some time, Trishna’s story took another turn.

By now, she had moved out of Dela Vega City but still could find no job opportunities. One day, her stepfather told her about an upcoming program back in Dela Vega City called the “Young Adult Circle” (YAC). She heard that the program offered a variety of opportunities, but she got really excited when she heard about the possibility for further academic training. It had been so long since she’d been able to really stimulate her mind and learn new things … which she used to love doing. And, of course, maybe she could use this training to eventually find a job. Maybe, it could even lead her back to chasing her old dream.

She was accepted.

Trishna has now been a YAC member for over 3 months … And an impressive one at that. She has room to grow, but so far she has been one of the top YAC performers . Being in the program has also sparked in her the hope of new friendships. For years, she saw the faces of the current cohort of YAC members around, but never really got to know them, until now.

But, perhaps the most unexpected effect of the YAC, is related to her career. She’s still chasing a career in nursing, but she’s also exploring and being exposed to other career fields.

Second chance

What’s your favourite part of the YAC program?

“The work. You know, you got new things to do. You have to take on the challenge.”

Trishna’s story could have been a lot different.

Her dream could have died at a young age, after leaving of school. But, instead she had parents who supported her entering the YAC program. She had loving community leaders who work with her in the program every single day. She has people like YOU who, without even knowing her, have helped to change her life by supporting our efforts to help Jamaica, one community at a time.

But, most of all she had a strong spirit within her that would not let her lose hope. She always believed in her ability to succeed, and she never lost her drive to work hard ...

She just needed a new opportunity to act on it.