15 Oct Lessons in Sharing While Living Abroad

It was a Sunday afternoon as I sat outside watching my host brother, Mengela, carve a key chain for me from makalani nut. His schoolmate, Shiluumbu, sat between Mengela and I as we watched him attempt to carve “NAMIBIA” on it.

Shiluumbu, then reached into his front pocket and retrieved a small sweet wrapped in shiny gold paper. The sound of the wrapper crinkling drew all of my and Mengela’s attention away from his carving. Shiluumbu unwrapped the outer gold wrapper next the wax paper, he raised the small, nickel-sized sweet to his lips, bit it in half and offered the remaining half to my host brother.

This small gesture spoke volumes to me.

Why do I tend to share only when I have excess?

I think it’s safe to say, most Western-minded people do as well.

I share food when I have leftovers.

I offer rides when I have a full tank.

I donate when I have a surplus.

I share when it causes no discomfort to me. I am not okay with this. In many ways, this is what is ingrained in many Americans, me included. Sharing is an after-thought and treated as a product of income.

Krystal in her village, using her new sharing practices.

My very first day in Namibia, I heard the phrase, “In Africa, we share.” And it’s true. In Africa, they share from everything they have. In America, we share from everything we have…in excess.

I’ll be honest living on a Peace Corps stipend makes me even more reluctant to share. A monthly stipend of roughly $230 USD only stretches so far between utilities, transport, food, and other necessities. It’s such a small finite amount, and every dollar must be spent intentionally.

Reflecting on this small gesture of humanity has challenged me.

Take Notice of the Actions Around You

To anyone living or serving abroad, I also challenge you to take notice of small acts of kindness. More times than not, they come from the most unlikely of places. Maybe we can all adopt a new way to share in which we may not be natural inclined to. Not out of impulse. Not out of expectation.

Because I am certain, had that sweet been any bigger, Shiluumbu would have bitten off another portion for me.

Krystal Wright is a Peace Corps volunteer in Namibia, where she works as a Health & Outreach Volunteer and blogs at movingwrightalong.com. You can also find her on Instagram.