Wants vs. Needs

On Monday, we opened the Zawadi Shop for the first time.  Finally!  We only opened it for 30 minutes, so about 15 children got to come in.  We are trying to figure out the best way to serve 90+ children’s needs while still maintaining order (the shop is not very big…not nearly large enough to hold that many little bodies). 

That thirty minutes was one of the best and worst experiences I have had in Kenya thus far.

The children had only been earning points for one week, so naturally they didn’t have very many.  Definitely not enough to buy their essential items and a toy.  I was so nervous.  After all, what child would choose to spend their hard-earned points on a bar of soap over a new stuffed animal?  In fact, there has been a lot of discussion around this very point.  If we don’t distribute these items (i.e. soap, toothpaste), how will there be any guarantee that the kids have them?  And with the  widespread occurrence of scabies, this is a very real health concern.

I shouldn’t have worried.

Joseph was the first boy to walk through the store.  He walked straight to the “school supplies” section, picked out a brand new BIC pen, paid his points, and walked out with the biggest grin on his little face.  I teared up.  Of course.  When was the last time I was that excited about or as appreciative of a pen? 

Dennis was the second boy to come in the shop.  He walked in, eyes wide at the brand new store before him.  He immediately picked up a deck of cards, worth 50 points.  He turned them over in his hand, studying them closely.  Then he hesitated.  “Points?  How many I have?” he asked in his broken English.  “You have 50,” we told him.  He looked back down at the  deck of cards, slowly returned them to their place on the shelf, and walked away.  He picked up a bar of soap and a ruler, and he quickly left the shop.  It was as if he couldn’t stand to look anymore.  My heart was broken.

Not one child bought a toy or a book that day.  Not a single one.  The most popular item sold was soap.  I was both proud of them and extremely sad for them.  And here I was, doubting their ability of self-control…

Of course they know how important it is for them to buy soap. 

Of course the know that a new pen offers the ability to take better notes at school, which leads to a better future. 

These kids know what they need.  And they definitely know the difference between wants and needs. 

I am so thankful for these children and their simple ability to teach me life-changing lessons day after day.

With gratitude,

-br

He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.  Proverbs 5:23