Muesli & dependency

The main “treat” which we ask visitors to bring with them is muesli. Our usual breakfast diet of fruit salad and bread benefits from a little variety and it is certainly not possible to buy muesli in Kamembe. Mostly, we make it last by having small portions and by only eating it every second day.
The last packet we received was about 2 weeks ago and we realised that we have been eating it every morning. We wondered recently if it is a sign that we are adopting a more African approach – “use it today, let tomorrow take care of itself”. Sheena disagreed – we have another friend coming from the UK early in May and our supply can be refreshed then. This of course confirms our enculturation : now we have developed a dependency on the west for muesli-aid and are looking forward to the next consignment brought by a “mzungu”!

This is not simply a story about our breakfast diet, of course. It’s true that at one level we are dependent on western visitors, but only when you look at the material world. As far as I can recall, none of the visitors to the Diocese of Cyangugu in our time here have failed to be impressed with the welcome and hospitality they have received from everyone and many have commented on how much they have gained during their visit. There is indeed a 2-way exchange going on, not simply a 1-way flow of goods and at a personal level it is wrong to too quickly assume that there is dependency. What we have to offer here, however, are different cultural values, life experiences and wisdom gained by people who constantly live close to the edge and who have suffering as a frequent visitor.