26-36
COMBATTING EXPLOITATION AT THE VILLAGE LEVEL
People in a small village or community often find it
difficult to work toward social change at the national or
international level. Attempts to protest or resist abuses
and injustice originating outside the community can
be frustrating, and sometimes dangerous. The forces
‘outside’ are so large and difficult to combat that one
hardly knows where to begin.
However, within most villages or communities there exist important, sometimes
crushing, forms of exploitation and abuse of those who are poorest or weakest. A
health worker, health committee, or other local group may be able to help people
work together to overcome some of these problems. It often makes sense to
combat injustices in one’s own community before taking on the giant
problems outside. First groups of villagers, then groups of villages, can begin
to help the poor gain more control over their health and their lives. A process of
social evolution (gradual change) begins, which may prepare the way for social
revolution (complete structural change of the whole society).
There are no simple formulas or instructions for overcoming exploitation at the
village level. It is never easy, and rarely without some risk. Each local group must
work out its own plan of action.
In this book we give many examples of ways in which groups of villagers have
joined together to overcome forms of exploitation that have threatened their health
and well-being. Sometimes it is a question of the poor coming together, finding
strength in their numbers, and demanding their rights. Other times it means
helping people gain awareness about the laws of their country. Then they can
organize and demand that the laws no longer be broken at the expense of the
poor.
AN EXAMPLE FROM INDIA*
“In a cluster of 30 tribal villages, many families
had fruit trees mortgaged to money lenders. Years
ago, they had taken small loans for purposes of
subsistence, or for getting their sons or daughters
married. A widow had mortgaged 2 trees for a
loan of 20 rupees 12 years ago. Others had lost
the right to the fruit of 10 or more trees. Instead
of paying interest, these persons had to bring the
fruit of their trees to the doorstep of the money
lender.
“A group of committed young volunteers had come to stay with these people
one year ago. Being very realistic in their approach with people, they were able
to assist them through a process of awakening, learning, planning, and acting,
which enabled them to free themselves from this cruel bondage. This process
of conscientization helped them discover with awe that all these years they had
paid interest in kind to the tune of 100% to 300%!
*Taken from Moving Closer to the Rural Poor, by the Mobile Orientation and Training Team, Indian
Social Institute. Lodi Road, New Delhi 110003 India. www.isidelhi.org.in