Thief – One who steals
Rogue – One who makes devious plots for stealing
Brigand – One who makes an enterprise with others for stealing
When we first came to the land before Shabuta had a name, we told everyone involved that we were building on this land for the community. This land was for the good of us all. So the question is asked all across our continent of Africa. The question is asked of the presidents in their western-styled executive offices to the children picking cashew fruit in the village fields: “Why steal from yourself?”
Our project manager with six years tenure disappeared soon after we arrived in January. The assistant was captured, arrested and deported to the capital three months later. Between the two of them we lost property and cash that set our project back thousands of dollars. In spite of this catastrophe, we give thanks for all our blessings. And most important of all, we’re still on course.
Bennu Bird Emerging from Fire and "still on course"
The staff we inherited upon our arrival was part and parcel of the thievery. They were woven into the fabric of the roguish exploitation of the land, for instance. Some destroyed the bamboo grove to make palm wine and we discovered they actually erected a “wine shop” at the intersection of the public road. We have always allowed staff to grow food for themselves and their families, but some grew cash crops and sold them. There were countless rogue schemes going on from “renting” the center for sleeping places to “renting” the land for producing charcoal. So when we moved in, they felt dispossessed. We’re just now seeing the disappearance of the attitude, “this was my land, my place to do with as I wished. You are unwelcome strangers.” This attitude is slowly being displaced with “this is our land”.
And yet, it’s not just a matter of firing the old staff and hiring a new set of people. Of course, the flagrant rogues were fired as soon as we confirmed their guilt. For others there’s no clear proof. In a village community you must take all possible repercussions from decisive actions into account. It takes more time. We just managed to let one old staff person go last week. That went well because we dangled the possibility of contracts coming his way later. There’s one more definite rogue left with two “maybes” still here too. There’s also the fact that since we hadn’t been living at Shabuta in recent years, we’d always counted on our management to select staff. So our selection process, acting as management ourselves, is very slow as we put everyone under the microscope.
Before the war, we never noticed a characteristic that we now see all too often in some people when they enter the center or even the compound. While they are greeting us with a cheerful voice and pleasant smile – their eyes! The eyes are darting over and scanning the entire area as if they are making a mental note of every item which might be of use to them. It is most distressing and discomfiting. For some of them, this mannerism has become a habit. They have no sinister intentions so they may unconsciously ask about something they didn’t see here before. For others, a plan to get those desired items takes shape in their minds – by thievery, roguery, or brigandry. In the old days before the war, I remember people displaying a very relaxed air when entering someone’s place with a sincere greeting in the eyes as well as the voice and the smile. When someone enters in this relaxed way it is such a treat. We all relax and truly enjoy each other.
There is also a small group of people we deal with – thankfully none on our staff – who stop just short of violence to get what they want. In fact, their language, both oral and body can be quite violent. These are the true brigands. They can be the easiest to deal with when we just let security handle them.
Managing a staff of seven to ten people all day, every day but Sunday, is pretty intense for us, even though we had a large enough family for many years: six to nine at various times. But we raised our own children from birth. There’s a big difference when you’re dealing with people other folks raised. We end up involved in the staff’s family “confusions”, their families’ celebrations, illnesses, deaths, and we’re always called upon when they have financial woes (at least one person almost every day). As far as they’re concerned, we could never have a financial woe. After all, we have “inside toilets”. Little do they know!
Thank goodness for friends, supporters, and guardians. Just as the thieves, rogues, and brigands are a sub-species of the hunters and gatherers; the friends, supporters, and guardians are a part of our circle of planters and harvesters. We’re always building this valuable circle and it’s truly growing. We give thanks.
Vai Alphabet Representing "Friends, Supporters, and Guardians"
Question: Why steal from yourself?
Answer: We don’t know who we are.
Question: Figure it out! Who are you?
Answer: I am ________, __________, _____________. (You fill in the blanks.)
