The Lesotho Dream?

So lately, especially with the events of the last week, I have really been thinking on the idea of the American Dream. Everyone here wants to go to America because in America everyone has a car, everyone has a computer, everyone has a house with electricity, running water, and a T.V. After having lived, and I feel truly lived, in Lesotho, there are problems with this dream.
First of all the Basotho, and this is a generalization, and not applicable to all Basotho, but is what I have experienced, and that is Basotho often forget one important step in the American dream, and that is you have to work in order to get what you want. In first world countries’ attempt to help in the relief of poverty, HIV/AIDS, gender inequality, and etc. in Lesotho, they have unfortunately developed a hand out culture, by giving hand outs of money, food, clothing and so forth. Basotho have come to rely on this and sometimes, I think, are just waiting around for someone else to do the work for them. They often don’t realize that someone had to work pretty hard to get that money for them. So, just to give you a day in the life scenario, it is a rare day where I don’t get asked around 5 times for some sort of hand out. Like I said though there a few wonderful exceptions to this rule, I am in the hunt for more.
Another part of the American dream that they often skip over, and this kind of ties into the last one is that Basotho are very (and I mean VERY) apathetic to their current situation. I don’t know if this apathy rises out of the fact that they think if things really do get worse (and at this point I’m not sure if that is possible) some rich country will just give them a lot of money to bail them out (and let’s face it, there are a lot of bail outs going on right now and Lesotho really isn’t on the top of the list for that). At which point, if given money, whoever gets in contact with that money first will skim some off, and as it is passed down to each person who has to deal with it he or she will skim more off, until the bare minimum of money actually reaches where it needs to reach or there will just be no money. And people here are apathetic to this. They know it goes on, but do little if anything about it. Just as they know AIDS is a HUGE risk, but yet have unprotected sex, or don’t get tested, or get tested but don’t get treatment. I don’t know if they just don’t care or if they figure someone will take care of their problem for them, it is a mystery. A favorite excuse of theirs is “My God is a good God” when they are tested on their life tactics. Well guess what, everyone’s God is a good God, and I don’t think they are familiar with the phrase, God helps those who help themselves. This apathy needs to end. I recently heard a statistic from one of the NGO’s here that if the Basotho continue on in their current behaviors (and apathy) the Basotho as a people and a nation will cease to exist by the year 2045. That is 36 years away. And how long have NGO’s been working in this country in attempt to change their ways? I know Peace Corps has been here for over 40. Things are not looking good. They say Lesotho is such a peaceful country, and that the Basotho are so peaceful, but is it really peace or is it just apathy towards their current situation? I don’t know.
Those were two bleak, I mean extremely bleak thoughts, I think a little bit of hope is in order. This past week the income generating group of ladies I have been working with have finally begun to make their product. So if anyone is interested in some genuine Basotho hand crafted aloe cream and jelly, let me know (I’m sorry if I am shamelessly plugging them) and I have been meeting with these ladies since I have been here and rarely see them smile and today, while they were making their product every single one of them was all smiles. I really hope this project pans out. Going off that, the farm assistant I milk the cow with is just full of ideas for things that he could do to make a little extra cash. Because of our current foray into diary foods, I think I might try to make some cheese and yogurt to see if it will work and, I mean how cool would it be to start a cheese making group in Africa of all places? I’m up for the challenge and I think so is Ntate Fusi.
And for the final stretch of hope, Obama’s inauguration. I need to say this first off, whether you are conservative or liberal or lie somewhere in between, the surge of hope Obama’s election has brought to Africa and Lesotho, for that matter is undeniably inspiring. Just by talking to my supervisor, he has told me something along the lines of, “Ausi, Obama’s election means so much, it means that we can become anything, we do not have to accept our situation, but rise above it. And the fact that he is American, he may have African ancestors, but he is American and black and the president. His example brings us such hope.” The fact that Basotho even have something political outside of South Africa or Zimbabwe on their radar is amazing. I mean I don’t know if I can truly express what it means to them, me being white, but I can tell you it means a lot, it just goes to show Africans that their color doesn’t hold them back anymore, that they can be equated with Obama now just gives such indelible hope. And, not to mention the role model Obama will be for these people. One of my fellow volunteers told me that one of her Basotho friends told her “Africa will now have an example of a non-corrupt black president.” Another from here is “If the U.S. can change maybe we can change too.“ Those are both quite powerful, because it is quite what Africa needs. I have faith that he will live up to this expectation. It could work wonders here. For me, while it would be extremely interesting (albeit economically unsatisfying) to be back in the states, I don’t think I would change the perspective I have by living here for anything. To see pure hope like this is really pretty remarkable and I am so thankful for it.
So with all this being said, I think it is time to redefine the American dream, to where people do not have to go to American to realize it. In Lesotho, Basotho need to build the Lesotho dream. They can, opportunity is here, and it has potential if put in the right (a.k.a non-apathetic) hands. They have few if any regulations, for instance if you want to have a business, you don’t have to get registered right away, you don’t have to have your building (or shack) zoned for commercial use, you don’t have to pay taxes right away, and etc. On top of this there are very few services provided here outside of the unending supply of road side shacks that sell fruit, Coke, bread, potato chips and cheesy puffs. All they need is someone to light a fire under their bums. As a result I may begin to tell more folks about this 2045 business, or maybe just let them know they could have extra (or maybe just have) money. We’ll see how it goes.
Well, that will bring this surprisingly idealistic post to an end, I mean, man I need a break from writing it! Have a wonderful day and a great week. Be proud as hell to be an American! Salang hantle!