Booming economy is often welcome, especially in developing nations. But when consumerism crashes head-on with necessary social change, things get … tricky.
It’s no secret, Indian economy is booming, especially in major hubs, like the IT hub Bangalore. 5 years ago there were maybe 1 or 2 malls in this city. Today, there are more malls than I can count.
The rapid expansion and high end development here wows me at every turn. But this development boom comes at a price tag, one that we don’t often see up front. When land starts being developed commercially, residences come up all around to house the demographic these high-end commercial outlets cater to.
On the good side, I love that I can hit a MAC store and Apple store in the same shopping center. But at a closer look, the resulting gentrification is rampant. And it’s all fun and games until you can’t pay the rent. Gentrification doesn’t affect only people, but also grassroots organizations and NPO’s with limited funding.
And here’s where it gets personal.
The RACE organization I work with (Rescue and Care for victims of sexual slavery) is purchasing land to build a permanent home for their mission. Since they started paying on the land, the value has appreciated exceedingly more than expected. This is due to the area becoming a new hotspot for developers. The landowner (not actually RACE yet) stands to make much more selling the land to a developer today. If only he could take the land back and cancel the selling agreement.
But wait! Maybe he can!
This NPO grassroots organization with limited funds is making gradual payments. The next installment of $124,000 is due in 10 days. This time, the organization is $75,000 short. This represents a huge opportunity for Mister Owner.
You see, if this payment is missed then he has stipulated that he would increase the total price of the land in the form of a late payment penalty to an amount that the organization can’t afford. RACE would have to give up the land, and the owner knows this. The organization would not only lose the land, but all the money invested in this land project to date. A very big deal.
I can understand from the neighborhood’s viewpoint, it would be great if more shops were built, bringing jobs or new housing. But why does it seem like consumerism always wins?
It’s frustrating because, I’m a consumer. I’m as much a part of that problem as anyone else.
But some things outweigh my need for convenient places to spend money on things I don’t actually need. One such thing is my need for women and children to NOT be a part of the marketplace of things people conveniently consume.
Human trafficking is one more form of consumerism.
Human trafficking is a booming business.
Brothers, sisters, daughters, mothers and sons are being sold.
But what can we do??
We’ll pray. Tomorrow the RACE org will go to the land and pray.
We’ll call on our friends, family, and associates, anyone who will support us through donations.
And I don’t know what will happen.
Only God knows how this story ends.
I know I’m supposed to say, oh God’s will… and He will make miracles… and things like that.
But honestly, it’s difficult to fight the feeling that consumerism will edge out the victory.
So I’m throwing up my hands.
Not in defeat, but rather in prayer reaching out to God.
Lord Jesus, we have 10 days.
There will be more on my work with the RACE project later. For now, if you feel like there’s value in providing a permanent holistic care center and home for women and children rescued from sexual slavery please donate.
http://www.gofundme.com/rescue-and-care
The Quixotic Way 