My friend C showed up this afternoon with red eyes from crying. She had come to ask for $7 to help pay for the end-of-the-year-party cake for her daughter's kindergarten class. It's her responsibility and she just doesn't have the cash (in part because her husband's boss hasn't paid him in months).

We tried to come up with some creative option for work but in the end had to say no. It's our policy not to lend or give money so that we maintain the purity of our relationships. I think I can still say with confidence that I believe in that policy and that it's serving our ministry well, but it was hard tonight to see her anxiety and not "fix" it.

Why do the schools plan these elaborate celebrations anyway? I think this goes back (again) to my theories on Peruvians and their parties, but it makes me mad. I don't see people having fun. I see moms stressed out, kids left out because they can't pay, lots of money wasted on bad cake and silly decorations. My housekeeper's daughter, for example, won't be participating in her own graduation because they can't afford spending a month's salary on it. Which people in Puerto are inventing these crazy party ideas and where are they getting all their money?

"It's not right or wrong; it's just different" is the cross-cultural motto. This kind of different frustrates me.

0 comments