Let’s go upstream!

Chapter 176

"There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.” - Bishop Desmond Tutu

There are real problems in the world. People need rescuing there is no doubt. Seriously, there are situations where people need to be pulled from the river, of trafficking, drugs, slavery, conflict mining, they will never escape on their own, without outside assistance. This is a necessary action and should be one we do regularly and consistently. Don’t stop!

More effective in many situations, may be to address the situations, contexts, corollaries, causes and things which empower these evil practices and allow them to proliferate. I am often surprised at the answers. These matters are always more complex than you think or wish for them to be. But if you can resolve the challenge at this level, rather than only pulling people out their particular river, there is an exponential effect. The positive results pile up so much faster and more completely. Those who want to change the world at scale, go upstream and find out why they are falling in.  

Unfortunately, most people want to keep pulling folks out of the river, rather than go upstream. I find the same attitude present in relief versus development situations. People are far more willing to contribute to relief than development. But it is development that would prevent the need for relief many times. Going upstream helps address the causes and reasons why we have a disaster on our hands in the first place. Get upstream folks!