The "How Part" of Problem Solving

This Friday on problem solving 101.

I believe that however ideal the world we live in may be, there are always some little challenges that need to be solved. For Malawians, I have now come to understand that we do have this problem of poverty, both at national and individual level and that many who care are in desperation trying to solve the problem.

The whole idea of solving is not bad. Actually it is very good and it stretches people to their limits of physical and mental capabilities. What I have discovered, however, is the fact that people do respond differently to problems and not many of us know how to respond correctly.

I have heard some motivational speakers and entrepreneurship coaches talking about problems as an opportunity for the solver. They say we need to see other people's problems as an opportunity to cash out but most importantly to make a positive difference. Sounds pretty reasonable, but the only problem is that this becomes impractical when you look at the Malawian setting where everybody (including those that sing 'nilibe pulobulemu') is busy sorting out their own issues (or greed) to look at the next person's.

Elsewhere, this whole notion of looking at problems as an opportunity actually works but with our egocentric view of life, that is not going to work here. Our desperation combined with low literacy levels and everything else around it makes it difficult for us to soberly approach problems. In other words, we do get overwhelmed by the challenges against us and begin to make questionable decisions.

The issue of poverty, for example. For some reason someone heard that it can be somehow solved by a ritual involving an albino fingernail or something like that. Now the only thing that a person finds when they look up Malawi online is the story of the killings of people with albinism. Solving a problem but with an implausible idea.

And now comes the government. The leaders have seen that there is an issue in the country. Suggested solutions? Send people to Tanzania and Rwanda. Mwaiona imeneyo? Wonders will never end.

Now, like me, someone is not satisfied about it and he decides to act. Suggested solutions? Naked parade. Izonso nzabhobho.

Why am I pointing out all this? I personally don't see how sending a delegation of people in suits to Tanzania or people marching with their privates in this cold weather will help in stopping the killings. I mean, you guys are smarter than that, aren't you? Come on!

Anyway. Really got too "issue specific" with this, but I have one point to communicate and this is it. Life will never be challenge free but we need to be rational with the way we approach issues. It the end of the day it is not just about the problems we solve but how we solve them. In other words, solving a problem shouldn't create another. I mean, why should someone die because you want an imaginary million from a human part? Would that even qualify to be called success?

Signing out...

You are a Malawian and you don't live in an utopian ball without challenges. These things are with us to stay and and so long as they are here we need to move from these dangerous ways of approaching our problems. We need to be rational, using plausible means that do not infringe other people's rights in our problem solving, otherwise we will be reduced to uncivilized animals with neither souls or planning abilities. Maybe then, we will begin to progress, otherwise the way we are, we will continue to try destroy our world in the name of making it better.

Apikene?