Last week I visited the camp for some general monitoring. I was with some of the team in an area of the camp looking at a small piece of unused land, discussing how we could use it best to provide some shops for this far end of the camp. As usual a little crowd of adults gathered a short distance from us, and kids swarmed around us. A blonde-haired female boss is always a sight to behold in these parts. As we went to return to our car (the camp is so big we have to drive around it), one of the ladies who had been watching us invited us to her tent for chai. It was one of those moments where you have a difficult choice to make. I was on a schedule, as were the staff with me. It was 45 degrees outside. Chai didn't really fit with our plans. But one thing I have learned here is that drinking chai with people is usually a good decision. So I said yes (with a caveat of 'a 5 minute chai please').
There was immediately a flurry of activity as thin mattresses were put down on the tent floor for us to sit on. We went in to the tent, and sat down on the concrete. Many people joined us, and the children flocked around each end of the tent blocking all air flow. The temperature got higher and higher. Water was passed around while the tea was made. Sugar was spooned in to the little glasses, and the tea poured on top. We talked about schooling, how to cope in these circumstances in the heat, how to manage cooking for a family in this weather. We took selfies on each others' phones and laughed at the results.
As I sat in that little tent, with a family who's entire possessions fit in a little corner of the space; I was struck again by their generosity. A mother who struggled to feed her children, used precious sugar and tea to make me a glass of chai. A family who had been displaced from their home spent time welcoming me in to their new house. And as I received their generosity, in a back to front way, I brought them joy.
Being generous looks different to all of us, depending on our circumstances, and on the circumstances of those we are showing generosity to. It can be as simple as giving your time and friendship to those who are lonely. It can be sharing something precious to you with another. It can be financial gifts. I am learning that choosing to be generous brings me joy, even if it seems sacrificial on paper. And accepting other's generosity towards me brings them joy. Basically always say yes to those chai moments, however they present themselves.
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