Building Community

When I think about community, I think of Bugolobi Flats in the 90s (if you know you know). Sweltering heat; crowds of kids running in all directions, screaming at the top of their lungs. Kids are playing kwepena, dool, tapo (tampo?), and cops and robbers (until the robbers refuse to be cops, of course). Even those who do not want to participate in group games collect stones and play with sticks. All this was happening at the same time. I can hear the noise. Sigh. Such good times! I think of the communal parenting that made us afraid of everyone’s parents because they could all discipline you if you deserved it. I think of the annoying lunch breaks that made me feel like I would never find my friends again if I took a break to refuel (and don’t you dare have lunch at your neighbour’s if you want to continue to draw breath). We celebrated all the pleasant things together and mourned all the sad stuff together. We knew who our neighbours were, and we cared about them.
It is probably nostalgia that makes me regale tales about Bugolobi when speaking about community. However, despite its flaws and my obvious bias, Bugolobi, even in hindsight, is a few tweaks away from perfection. Bugolobi had all the characteristics of a positive community because all (okay, most of) the neighbours took pride in the community, respected, and supported each other regardless of their background or beliefs. Just speak to anyone who lived there and try not to tune them out because of the obviously concentrated Kool-Aid they imbibed. The community also had several ‘whisks’ that reinforced unity, as most children visited the same schools, churches, playgrounds and even mango trees. Since the children hung out together, the parents were forced to at least be civil around each other.
Communities thrive on trust and written or unwritten social contracts. To delve into the organic construction of a successful community, we must look at the family. The virtues and traditions espoused in the family affect how the resultant individuals interact in society. So, how do we create glue in a community? Everyone does not have to be best friends and braid each other’s hair. Still, I believe everyone should practise respect and empathy for their neighbours. I say we build community by normalizing intentional acts of service. Individuals within communities can use their resources (money, time, skills, anything of value) to contribute towards addressing challenges in the community. If your neighbour needs a lawyer, offer them legal advice. If your neighbour needs a doctor, offer them a consultation. If your neighbour’s car breaks down and they cannot get to work, give them a lift. Acts of service have a massive snowball effect, especially when paid forward. And the sum of several actions of service occurring repetitively within a community effectively builds trust, unity, and harmony.
Therefore, I am not preaching anything new. I am merely saying look inwards. Communities must look inwards to the families therein, and likewise, individuals must search themselves. What do YOU have to offer? Take the initiative to champion change within your seemingly small sphere of influence; reach out to your neighbour in need, pick up litter, and watch your world change!