There's often a difference between perception and reality. Sometimes we want to give on our own terms in a way that is comfortable to us, and the type of giving we had conceptualised before we left to give. In fact the giving process is often two-way and sometimes cannot be preplanned.
Our desire to give, and to help can sometimes be turned on its head, for example when we want to give a product but people actually need a service, or where we prepare something in advance to give, and all they want is you, so they can give to you.It's an amazing thing when you really get experience a different culture deeply for the first time. It challenges you and your motivations to the core. This is what I call the Samoa Solution.
As an entrepreneur, I see things differently to many. Someone will see a tree and nature and beauty, and I will see firewood, timber or an Eco-Tourism business, and of course beauty if someone draws my attention to it.
When I first visited Samoa I offered to help a family in the middle of ground zero. I thought that seeing as they wanted a tourism business to their village that I could do them a website and help market it for them. I had a preconception of how my giving should look. It didn't turn out that way because I ended up selling all and relocating here!
The thing is that in the process of doing this, the experience taught me a very valuable personal lesson. I won't go into it here now, but I became a different man as a result. Touched and like an electrician sorting out loose cables, able to connect quite a few loose ends into the power source, so to speak. In coming here, I found a solution to a problem I never knew I had.
I've seen it in many others too. There are Palagi all over this country that have come here, married and stayed. Or come here, stayed and married. It happens both ways.
There are people talking to me about Samoa all the time who too, have been touched in many different areas. I think there is something special about Samoa, in a Christian sense, it is like the nation is founded upon God, and He does weave a little magic into many people's lives here.
My problem is this . . . I see opportunity where no one else does. I see Samoa as a solution to so many other people's situations that I'm either overly-motivated, or too one-eyed or too something, because obviously Samoa is not for everyone.
But that said, let me share a few anonymous stories for you. I know a few people who are unmarried. Divorced, never married or widowed. Now the standard question to a Palagi man here is "Are you married?" or "Where is your wife?" If you are available then the Samoan grapevine swings into action within seconds, and you will have your mate in short order. A solution to some people's single status? In my books - you betcha! (I'm married by the way so this one is not for me!). This is the Samoa Solution. A Palagi partner is a dream come true for many Samoans. It's basically a meal ticket, and an escape from poverty, or certainly perceived as such. Are there any Palagi who would like to find a Samoan husband or bride? I think so. It is quite a surprise for many Palagi to see themselves as the centre of attention. Expecting that when arriving? Not at all, but still the Samoa Solution.
Another one. An acquaintance offered to supply a container load of food when I came over here. "Wait!" I said. When I can find a way for your company to receive value from what we are doing, I'll take your goods. When we have accommodation sorted, we will offer this guy from a large distribution company a cheaper, better conference and accommodation for his executive in return for his donation. This will turn into a business transaction where both people win. Goodwill turned into win/win business. A different kind of transaction. Reality was different to his perception but still what I call the Samoa Solution.
Another acquaintance of mine wanted to pop up and see the place. So he bought himself an airline ticket with the possibility of returning in a week or two if it didn't work out. 6 weeks later and he's sad because he can't stay. He's fallen in love with a certain village and wants to settle. For a guy that's pretty unsettled - perception and reality are different but he's touched. That's the Samoa Solution.
A lot of the volunteers at Habitat for Humanity say that they came here thinking to give - and they did, but went back with such a richness of experience that they felt that they had been given to more than they had given. This is a very common experience in the NFP sector. It's the Samoa Solution again, giving more that we expect, and often in different ways than we expected. I say to all our workers and visitors "Just come and see!" No amount of talking can explain it to you. You just have to be here - then you'll understand". Experience reality so that your perception is better.
One lady has planned to visit and really wants to do things to help. She's prepared this and that - all good, but the people may not want it. They may just want to play volleyball with her. Some volunteers have it all worked out what they want to give and how things are going to be and it's all self-focussed giving - well meaning of course but just a little more wisdom and Samoa will give back to them. Her perception and reality will be clashing head-on when she arrives but I am CERTAIN that she will get a big dose of the Samoa Solution and they will go back a different family as a result.
A little thing - speed. I work hard and fast, but I've learned to slow down - deliberately around here. It doesn't mean that I type slower, it means that I respect the way things are done, so that if the Shipping company won't release the goods until Monday, tough. Just don't do what you want to do on this weekend - do it the next. If people are in your way on the road and drive slower than you're used to - tough, just leave earlier. The Samoa Solution has solved my angry traffic problem. I have no choice but to drive at 40k OR LESS now! I perceived a problem with it coming to live here but reality was different. That Samoa Solution thing again!
There are just so many times that I think throughout the day "Boy, if only XXX was here", or Wow, XXX would love to do or experience [whatever].
A large part of what we are doing with the SWAP programme is connecting the two needs. People want to give. Let's give them an opportunity TO give. I know that they will perceive it to be one thing, and no matter how hard I try their reality will be different but they will be touched nonetheless. This is the Samoa Solution in action.
It's all around me. It's deep and it's very real. Some tap into it. Others don't, but I call it the Samoa Solution no matter - available to all.
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