There are many ways, politically correct or otherwise, to say that someone is poor. In Nicaragua, the au courant term is "personas de escasos recursos económicos," or people with little economic resources. One English word that comes to my mind is underprivileged. I think that the people I work with are underprivileged and the kids would qualify as "at risk."

Since I, as a child, and in the present, had many advantages (my basic physical and emotional needs were met, which is a big advantage) does that make me the average Canadian I like to think I am? Or does it mean that I was privileged or over-privileged?

What does it mean to be over-privileged? It means I can plan for the future. It means that when I'm doing a craft activity I don't hog the materials because I've never used them before. It means that I have every reason to dream and believe that they will come true because along the way doors will probably open, not because I deserve it but because of who I am...It means that I eat as much fruit and vegetables as I want, and as much meat too. It means that if everyone lived like me we wouldn't have a world to live in.

Is this development's goal? to give everyone my standard of living? because that is probably impossible. Then to what end do rich countries offer aid? A market for their products? guilt alleviation? Wouldn't it be better for the world if we de-developed ourselves first? If we tried to de-privilege ourselves before trying to give our privileges to others? To think long and hard about the liberties we cherish and whether they actually mean anything to the people we impose them on?

Ah, questions. At least I have the space to reflect and ponder and doubt. At least my job doesn't expect big "developments." While MCC may sound as if its emphasis on relationships bars real (North American style) work, it is much better, on a world wide sclae, to have people transformed by their experience in another country, and who will likely live differently on their return home.

(FYI, I am not mindlessly swallowing MCC propaganda...I really think this emphasis makes MCC different from many, not all, groups, and I think this is a good thing.)