SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Dr. Tesfa G.Gebremedhin

West Virginia University

I have been going to Eritrea many times over the years (so far 12 times) to conduct training workshops on “Management Skills for Effective Leadership” in various private and public institutions. As a matter of fact, I just came back from Eritrea after conducting a two-week training workshop during the holiday season. In view of my frequent trips to Eritrea many of my Eritrean colleagues and friends wonder that what I have been doing is too small to make a significant difference in the lives of the Eritrean people. I believe that my professional service to the country may not show an immediate and dramatic change in the area of management and leadership. I also believe that it may take a long time and patience for the seeds of success to germinate and grow. However, it is important to remember that “little by little a bird builds its own nest” and I am confident that the seeds have already started to germinate and soon enough I will see the fruits of the seeds.

“Small is Beautiful” is the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s scheme began by going back to the village as the foundation to stabilize and enrich its traditional way of life by using its own resources and to keep economic decision making as decentralized as possible at the village level. His philosophy is based on doing things small because small is efficient, creative, enjoyable and enduring. His fundamental approach for change appreciates traditional values and faith, embraces indigenous knowledge and technology with traditional wisdom, honesty and resourcefulness to make things happen in simple and self-respecting ways. Gandhi motivated and encouraged his people to grind their own flour, to bake their own bread, to churn their own milk for their food and to produce and spin their own fiber for their clothes in order to establish and maintain economic sustenance and sustainable development from their own local resources. In Eritrea, “The Donkey Initiative Project” initiated by Dr. Stephanie Christmann of Germany as a means of reducing the domestic workload of poor and single mothers with children, is based on the fundamental principles and applications of Gandhi’s philosophy. The Donkey Initiative is a good example of small, useful and very practical project because it is making a significant difference in the economic and social well-being of many poor women in Eritrea. To augment Gandhi’s way of thinking, Mother Teresa said, “God doesn’t want us to do great things, but small things with love.” Her divine advice is also consistent with the idea that “Small is Beautiful.” It is also important to remember the flip side of the coin is that “Bigger is not always better.”

Today, Eritrea is severely affected by drought, a very devastating natural disaster inflicting human beings and livestock. The government is facing even much greater challenges than it did 12 years ago when the country began its independence with absolutely no financial and material resources. The consequence of drought in Eritrea is adversely affecting the livelihood and well being of many people, particularly those in the rural areas. Drought is also inhibiting the implementation and acceleration of many development schemes of the country. It is roughly estimated that there is a desperate need for about a quarter of a million metric tons of grains to save the lives of the inflicted people. If the necessary help does not arrive on time to the most affected population, there is a high probability that not less than 200,000 people, particularly women and children, will either die soon, or they will be in a very critical and deplorable situation. There is an urgent call for help from the hills and valleys of Eritrea to all Eritreans in Diaspora not only to donate financial and material support, but also to seek for a critical knowledge, or for a new technology that will help to combat drought. Eritrea needs your ideas in science, agriculture, engineering or other fields that will help to prepare itself against such natural disaster in the future.

I think it is important that we stop and think about where we are right now in terms of our services to our country. Knowing where our commitment and dedication stand is vital to getting where we want to be or what kind of services we can render to our country. Some of us may be brilliant, intelligent, and outstanding individuals. But if we are not useful to others, we are doing nothing worthwhile to society. We cannot be a million people, but we can join the million people working very hard in Eritrea. I believe that we all have great diversity in our professional skills and talents to make a difference in the lives of our people and as Martin Luther King said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve” to his/her own people. Since the time is always right to do the right thing, we all can make a difference in the lives of our people because each one of us has the potential and some sphere of influence to make things happen positively.

As indicated earlier “Small is Beautiful.” It is always necessary to start with a small thing that is practical, manageable and useful and in due course of time arising out of our everyday discipline; perseverance and perspective can serve as a flood tide that will influence the whole society. As little successes pave the way to bigger successes, big goals are usually accomplished by achieving a number of smaller ones. It is then important to remember that we can only finish eating an elephant “one bite at a time,” that is to say that small successes always add up to make big successes in life. If I can be of any assistance to you in the field of providing service to Eritrea, I will be willing to share my experience. My email is tgebrem@wvu.edu. However, please, I still do not do politics. Thank you and God/Allah bless you.