Empowering destitute people towards transforming communities

3.3A model of possible causes for destitution

Differentiating between internal and external “causes” (or aspects) of destitution is a challenge, because sometimes it is difficult to determine whether an issue is internal or external: the criterion then used is “where does it mostly function?” It is also difficult to determine what comes first, because most often one cause leads to another, and so on, in a spiral, or chain reaction. Not knowing what came first necessitates a holistic approach that addresses the whole system of issues associated with destitution.
Both those issues that function internally from the “inside-out” (where factors operating inside an individual impact on her or his outside situation), as well as those issues that function externally, from the “outside-in” (where factors functioning from outside the person affect that person on the inside), work together dynamically in a system. In order to really help the destitute, we must direct our efforts at the system promoting the problem of destitution, meaning we must follow a holistic systems approach.
W
“Inside”

• 
  Causes and issues of destitution that function mostly from” Inside” a person to promote destitution interact dynamically with external causes
  

e can illustrate this “system” as follows:

“Outside” Causes and issues of destitution that functions mostly from “Outside” a person to promote destitution These issues interact dynamically with internal issues Outside

The “Inside – Outside” system approach developed here postulates a dynamic interaction between the different causes and factors contributing to destitution. Using the different theories explored already in this chapter, causes are pinpointed and categorized. The following table should make this clearer:

Inside-out		Outside
Physical Problems Substance abuse and addictions Poor physical health and illness Mental illness Physical handicaps		Cultural Problems Racism, racial discrimination and racial prejudices (Apartheid) Public apathy Gender inequality
Emotional Problems Negative childhood experiences or dysfunctional family experiences Abuse and domestic violence Trauma Overwhelming negative feelings Lack of belonging Continued rejection by people and systems (leading to distrust and self-ostracization)		Institutional Problems Failure of the State Lack of appropriate social services and assistance Difficulty accessing systems of help
Personal Development Problems Lack of education, knowledge and skills Lack of access to knowledge and information Lack of meaning and identity Lack of access to culture (including cultural values) Wrong worldview Generational carry-over of “culture of poverty” tendencies Adaptation to life on the streets		Problems of Global Society Operating worldwide Poverty Dysfunctional economic ethos leading to famine and hunger Disasters Urbanization
Spiritual Problems Spiritual poverty (dysfunctional and broken relationships with God, each other, the community and creation) Personal sin and spiritual blindness		Micro-Societal Problems Operating locally, in SA context Poverty in SA Lack of affordable housing Lack of employment Urban redevelopment policies and displacement Failure of the State Violence and crime Fertility rates, mortality rates Illegal immigration

4Exploring the “inside-out” issues

“A family is none the less poor for having arrived at that state of its own accord. Similarly, the fact that an individual could with modest and reasonable effort escape from poverty has nothing to do with whether he[sic] is currently poor.” ⁴
The statement is ambiguous, yet demonstrates clearly the ambivalent fact that on the one hand we face the physical reality of people who are poor, and become destitute (whether because of internal factors such as their own wrong choices, mistakes etc., or owing to external factors outside of their control), while on the other hand we simultaneously experience the reality of people who stay poor, even though they can escape their situation, maybe because they are unwilling to make choices towards positive change, or because they have not been empowered enough (with knowledge, life skills etc.) to change and escape the poverty trap, or because of personal irresponsibility.
A closer look at the variety of causal factors involved should promote a better understanding of the often ambiguous realities faced by helpers engaging the destitute.