In The Constellation, we describe the SALT/CLCP process as a series of steps moving in sequence. With the first step, the community comes together in response to a specific challenge. The community then works to define a shared dream around that challenge.
In ‘Waste Time’, we see something more complicated process unfold. Kees is transformed by an early morning walk in the mangrove area of the island of Saparua. He comes across a large hole filled to overflowing with waste plastic. He sees a future where the seas around the island are full of plastic, where the food is poisoned. He sits there for 2 hours thinking about the future of the local children. He then decides to do something about it. That is the start.
Kees worked to convince others to do something about this problem. He had his dream and he worked to build a community around that dream. We hear from Ferdinanda Maail who has taken ownership of the challenge: “If we don’t act, who else will? We have to do it, we have to clean it up. We cannot expect an outsider to clean up our environment.” She shares Kees’ dream.
The Reverend Esty Sunarco-Leatemia has also taken ownership of the challenge, but she has expanded the dream dramatically. She sees the possibility that the war on plastic can be used to resolve the conflict that has being going on between congregations of Haria and Porto for nearly 100 years!
Ince Pauno then takes this abstract idea and converts it into a practicality. The people from Porto could help to clean Haria village and then the people from Haria could go and help Porto clean up their village. She thinks that this could be a very nice bridge for reconciliation.
And then Ince Pauno captures the essence of this expansive, concise and clear dream.
“I hope that within the next 20 years Saparua will truly be a Green Island free of social problems and free of waste problems.”
What Saparua tells us is that the dream of the community evolves and changes. Clarity often needs time and patience.
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