A model cooperative
Reuben, a member of the cooperative team in Kantolomba, has been sick for many months. There was talk off and on of whether he was HIV+, possibly even advanced to AIDS. He was finally diagnosed with severe TB and put on proper medication. During the time he has been too sick to work, the sewing team has been very active and earned significant income for the cooperative.
As the topic of profit-sharing arose, the question was raised of whether Reuben would get a share. The sewing profits go not just to the sewers because it is only the rest of the team doing all of the other necessary work of the cooperative that frees the sewers to be able to sew. But, Reuben had not done any of that work.
“He must get his full share,” Veronica stated resolutely. “That could be any one of us anytime.” And I was reminded of the image we use for Sangha: Canadian geese flying in V formation. Sometimes we have the energy, clarity, enthusiasm, and good health to lead the V, and then when we are tired and need a rest, those we have stewarded along fly forward and take the lead so we may now draft. Reuben is drafting today and very possibly one day he may lead when Veronica needs to draft.
We must each work out our own salvation diligently and we cannot do it alone. It takes a cooperative, it takes a Sangha.
GasshÅ,
Jen