Holism - Dignity, Ownership and Lasting Empowerment

by Shanika Musser, Field Staff, Indonesia

Bees and Degrees

A former senior official at a well-known local university recently shared a story with me that made an impression.

He had introduced beekeeping to a group of low-income farmers in rural Indonesia. It seemed like a win-win: the bees would help pollinate crops and produce honey that could be sold for extra income. He provided training, bees and equipment – everything they needed to get started.

Indonesia landscape

But when he returned a few months later, the bees were gone.

The farmers had sold them.

That story is a powerful example of why REI emphasizes holistic training. Even the best development ideas – ones that are technically sound and well-resourced  – can fall flat if the community doesn’t believe in the plan.

Why did the farmers sell their bees?

Maybe the training was insufficient, and they didn’t feel confident managing the hives.

Maybe they weren’t convinced honey would be profitable.

Maybe they just needed the money right away.

Whatever the reason, it highlights a crucial truth: without local ownership, even the best ideas won’t last.

You Can’t Build What You Don’t Understand

A friend of mine in international development often reminds me, “You have to become a master of context.”

Shanika (center right) with fellow graduating classmates

This phrase has stuck with me – because real, lasting change doesn’t come from the outside. It comes from deeply understanding the people, systems and values in a community.

That’s one reason I pursued my master’s degree at Universitas Brawijaya. It was more than just an academic program – it was a gateway into the rhythms and realities of Indonesian life. Through my studies in agro-industrial technology, I learned not only from textbooks but also from Indonesian professors, farmers, students, and professionals. I saw firsthand how central the agro-industrial sector is to the country's economic development.

And yet, as Albert Einstein once said: “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know.” That’s exactly how I felt finishing my degree. It was just the beginning.

Language: The Key to Context

If becoming a “master of context” is the goal, then language is one of the most powerful tools we have.

When I first arrived here, I learned Bahasa Indonesia, the language that most Indonesians speak. But, living in East Java, I've decided to also start learning Javanese — the language of the majority ethnic group in this region. I’ve been taking lessons for a few months now, and it’s opening up a whole new world.

Village children teaching Shanika about the stages of rice growth

When I speak Javanese with friends – even simple phrases – it unlocks something deeper. I begin to glimpse values, humor, and cultural layers I hadn’t noticed before. I’m not just learning grammar; I’m learning how people think.

And that’s critical for development work. Because when we understand how someone sees the world, we can build trust – and when we have trust, we can collaborate.

Relationships First, Always

Development isn't about handing out solutions. It’s about walking with people – and that starts with knowing them.

As Gustavo Gutiérrez once said: “You say you care about the poor? Then tell me, what are their names?”

Poverty is complex. It’s not just material – it’s relational, systemic and often deeply tied to context. That’s why REI takes a holistic approach, seeing people as whole individuals within intricate social and economic systems.

When we immerse ourselves in someone else’s world – when we take the time to truly listen and understand – we gain the insight and trust needed to co-create sustainable solutions.

Too often, low-income communities are left out of decisions that directly affect them. But when we flip that script – when they’re fully involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating development programs – real change becomes possible.

Because people don’t need rescuing. They need relationships.

And when we walk alongside them, not in front of them, we help build something far more powerful than a program – we help build dignity, ownership and lasting empowerment.