Living in a country of cell phones and internets shops without water and electricity...

March 2, 2010
I’m sure you’ve seen reports of technology reaching into third-world countries, spreading into remote villages and infecting everyone with a need to be connected. When I first arrived here, I was surprised at the number of cell phones I saw attached to people’s ears as they walked and the number of internet shops. However, as time has gone on, I’ve begun to realize that people here value those “frivolous” luxuries which connect them to other people far more than modern “necessities” such as washing machines, dish washers, and even regular electricity. That and the fact that they’re way cheap! For instance, I can use the internet at the local shop (or rather, one of the 4 local shops within a 5 minute walk from our house!) for a mere 5 rupees for 15 minutes. So, essentially, I can stay online for an hour for about 25 cents. Which might explain why when I was in the shop the other day, 5 out of the 8 computers had facebook plastered on their screens. I’m not exaggerating! And cell phones are a few dollars to purchase, and then around 2 rupees per call (or something like that!). None of the kids here at home have cell phones (or are supposed to, but that’s another story probably better not told!), but I have set a few of them up with e-mail accounts. They rather enjoy e-mailing other volunteers who have come through the home, and they love the power of getting and sending mail themselves. Of course, that was partly selfish as I’ll want them to e-mail me when I leave, letting me know how things are going here!

But, back to living in a third world country. There are some inconveniences here, but once you get used to them, you can manage just fine. For instance, most people have 2-3 sets of clothes, and thats it. Instead of filling a closet (which they don’t have here) with 50 outfits (which they won’t wear), they spend their money on the internet a few times a week. Or, instead of a washing machine, they burn 500 extra calories a day washing clothes by hand (eliminating the need for a gym membership) and have a cell phone to talk to their relatives in the village. And their relatives in the village don’t have running water (they burn 1000 extra calories a day lugging water from the kuah 10 minutes away all day long, saving on pipe costs and water bills) but they have cell phones to talk to their friends in the glamorous city.

All this to say, we are a very connected society, regardless of socio-economic status or family background! I’m definitely not negating the fact that these people are poor, because they are. And I’m not saying that cell phones and facebook provide true friendships, but they’re a step closer than worrying about losing 10 pounds at the local gym to win 10 extra shallow glances! Here, we manage with what little we have and we enjoy life anyway! It’s made me realize how many extra things American’s pay for to enrich our lives, when what most of the world is looking for is love. Friendship, marriage, children, and ultimately the love of a Savior. And that’s a lot more fulfilling than a washing machine!