By Davis Bugg

When was the last time you saw someone who had not only one but two or maybe three jobs? When was the last time you saw people in poverty and had some sort of occupation instead of begging for money at passing cars? What does poverty look like in YOUR world?

People may perceive poverty as not having much money, wealth, or access to certain resources. I think it’s more of a way of judging how people live instead of just how much money or stuff they have. Wealth in the US can be defined as being successful, comfortable, having a lot of freedom, or maybe wearing expensive clothes. But what would wealth look like here in Agora? Someone who might visit such a place might see Agora as poor because they don’t have the same type of modernization that most people do back in the US. Someone who has put some time and interest into learning about the communities might realize that Agora is not considered “poor” or in a state of “poverty.” Agora is a very wealthy place even if it does not have the same modernization that a lot of places do nowadays. The authentic and lasting relationships, physical health of the people, natural resources that they grow themselves, family, and culture defines what I would call true wealth. Instead of becoming stuck in a cycle of consumerism like we are in the West, the people in Agora have exactly what they need to be healthy and happy. There is an amazing abundance of all of the important things that people actually need in life.

Agora is very peaceful and quite beautiful. There’s no other place in the world like it. Everybody seems to love this village they call home and they might just make you feel the same. The people will willingly invite you into their houses for a cup of chai, make you feel like family, and comfort you. It’s really amazing to see and experience because such things aren’t exactly the norm back in the U.S.

In Agora, people have many different jobs, depending on the season or time of day or week. There is not one specific job that they might have. The diversity of work is needed in order to help the community as a whole. People in the village harvest crops, farm, take care of children or family members who are ill, help build houses for other people in the village, welcome tourists and travelers into their homes, run treks, book travel for outsiders, and more.

Some jobs in the village are designated for making money but many are simply necessary for the community to run successfully as a whole. Harvesting crops and farming is a huge thing for the people in Agora.

When walking through the village, I saw a lady whacking an evil plant called “Stinging Nettle” to take care of her piece of land for farming. I decided that I wanted to help, not knowing how humbling it would be. I attempted this task and I would say that I succeeded… to an extent. After my attempt, the lady took the garden tool and easily got rid of the stinging nettle along while wearing flip flops. It was pretty impressive because the stinging nettle really hurts when you touch it. Such work might be considered “unskilled” back home but she clearly had some real skills that I did not have, and her work will have a significant and direct impact on the vitality of her family and community.

Is it possible that some kinds of wealth can come from spending your time and skills doing a variety of tasks that directly support your close-knit community in a beautiful place? Or having authentic and lasting relationships, physical health, a good house that protects you from the elements and a connection to the culture and traditions of your ancestors?

If so, the people of Agora are some of the wealthiest people I’ve met.