Chaos Theory

Confusion. Complex. Conditions near impossible to control or predict. Feel familiar?

These are some of the words and phrases used to describe chaos. Yet in these unprecedented times, we have also witnessed coordination and collaboration at a global scale to the likes that the world has never seen before. With half the world in lockdown, despite the chaos it is clear that uncertainty has brought on some level of clarity which has in turn mobilized action.

The underlying thread of order in the midst of chaos is something that isn’t constrained to just the COVID-19 pandemic. From mathematicians to philosophers, Chaos Theory has been used to explain that in the midst of chaotic and complex systems, there are underlying patterns and order which point to something greater.

On a personal level, I feel that life all too often has me trying to reconcile the unknowns that I experience with the sovereign control of the One I believe has designed a purpose for us here to pursue.

We have now been living in Kenya for just over a year, and in many ways, it has been organized chaos as we got our family set up once again in a new country. Erin and I will be married 10 years in July, and in this time we have lived in 5 different countries! But up until just recently, things were pretty settled with Eli in school and enjoying it, Shaya in happy routines with playgroups, and Erin supporting palliative care initiatives.

The past year for me was quite busy with regards to my ‘new’ role. Due to some of the delays in the recruitment process for the Response Innovation Lab (RIL), and with some government changes to visa process, I inherited an initiative that was almost a year behind schedule and our move to the region as a family took much longer than anticipated. So, the pressure was on to produce on delayed deliverables, and to set up the necessary systems.

The RIL is a relatively new initiative, and it is a global collaborative partnership whose founding members include World Vision, Save the Children, Oxfam, George Washington University and Civic. Very simply, the goal is to identify and promote innovative solutions to challenges that are found in humanitarian contexts. The RIL is not an incubator of these innovative solutions, but rather a broker that seeks to bring people together, pair challenges identified with solutions that have some evidence of success, and support these initiatives so that they can have a positive impact. Currently there are 5 labs globally in Jordan, Iraq, Puerto Rico, Uganda, and I oversee the lab for Somalia.

Taking up this role I knew that I would be working in a challenging environment that has been impacted by conflict and drought, but I was also excited about the tremendous opportunity that lay ahead working with extremely resilient and creative people.

So, for the first year of this role, I spent a lot of time listening and learning, trying to facilitate and support people with new tools and innovative solutions to the challenges they were facing. This required a lot of time forging new relationships and building trust. This was instrumental at laying the foundation which has allowed us to support 12 pilot projects at various stages and sectors (education; health; water; finance; agriculture), in just our first year.

However, I did not factor in a global pandemic. Nor does it seem did most others. Yet in 2020, we have seen the world grind to a halt and whatever priorities that might have been set turned upside down.

With COVID-19 spreading around the world quickly, I had realized it was just a matter of time before a case was confirmed in Somalia (I had assumed it had already entered undetected). So, I reached out to one of my innovation partners to work on developing public health messaging in Somali, and the first video was ready just in time for the first case of COVID-19 to be confirmed in Mogadishu.

This then mobilized many to start a response, but through numerous consultations I realized that resources were limited for others to act quickly. Fortunately, we were in a position to support the development of public health Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material, and so we worked quickly to mobilize a broad range of stakeholders to collaboratively develop materials in the Somali language using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines as the basis. We then made all of the content freely available, and the messages started to spread through social media and through official communication channels at various organizations, from those working in the humanitarian sector, the private sector, academia and the government.

Through this process, I’ve been struck by the fact that it was through our forced isolation, we were able to come together and work to something much bigger than us all. Having a background in industrial design, I have come to recognize the power of co-creation, that is the process by which something is developed with the input of many others who each bring a unique perspective to the table. The end result tends to be something that is better designed to meet the needs of everyone, and this is able to have a lasting positive impact. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to confront the reality that we are all co-dependent, and this will have a lasting impact on how we interact moving forward.

The violent and chaotic destruction left in the wake of the detonation of nuclear weapons have also left a lasting mark that changed the world in some unexpected ways. In an effort to combat forgery in the art world, scientists have realized that the canvases after 1945 (after the first nuclear bomb explosions) contain much higher concentrations of Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and Strontium (Sr) in the paint, because these radioactive fission products were propelled into the atmosphere, absorbed into the soil and then plants, and eventually made its way into the bonding agents for oil paints. Therefore, all oil paintings post-1945 now contain the fingerprint of destructive and chaotic nuclear weapons.[1] Although worrying and tragic, people have now been able to find a ‘silver lining’ in this and have harnessed it for good.

The COVID-19 pandemic will undoubtedly leave its fingerprint on everything we know moving forward. The scale of the tragedy is still unfolding and I’m sure there will be many lessons learned, case studies written, best practices identified, and recommendations made to try and prevent and mitigate a future pandemic. But as the chaos continues to unfold, I am also encouraged to see people unite to protect the vulnerable.

One of the albums I’ve been listening to again is called ‘Chuck’ by the Canadian band, Sum 41. This was written after the band traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as ambassadors to a charity. During this trip, fighting broke out and the band got trapped but were eventually evacuated. Needless to say, this experience was pivotal in expanding the band’s world view, and influential in their songwriting moving forward (and they even named the album after the UN peacekeeper that helped evacuate them). The song ‘No Reason’ has an opening and chorus that are a good reminder that in the midst of destructive chaos, we all still have a responsibility as we are all in this together.

All of us believe
That this is not up to you
The fact of the matter is
That it’s up to me…

How can we fake this anymore (anymore)
Turn our backs away, and choose to just ignore (choose to just ignore)
(Some say) Some say it’s ignorance
It makes me feel some innocence
(Some say) It takes away a part of me
But I won’t let go

Tell me why can’t you see, it’s not the way
When we all fall down, it will be too late
Why is there no reason we can’t change
When we all fall down, who will take the blame
What will it take
(Sum 41, No Reason)

Author and theologian, C.S. Lewis poignantly wrote,

It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased. (C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, and Other Addresses).

So, in the midst of uncertainty, tragedy and destruction, please keep physically safe and socially strong. Be encouraged by the thread of good that is woven into the chaos, and the glimpses of unity that allows us to hope for better things to come. As we are impressed by a lasting fingerprint, let us not be content with “mud pies” moving forward, but pursue the “holiday at the sea”, recognizing that this is a road we cannot travel alone (nor do we need to). Because “when we all fall down, it will be too late”. If not for a global pandemic to realize this world was made for more, “what will it take”?

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8).

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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
In the midst of these unprecedented times, we are also excitedly awaiting the arrival of our third child in August!

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PLEASE BE PRAYING:
1. For the COVID-19 pandemic in Somalia, Kenya (and in whatever country you find yourself). Pray for those supporting the response, especially those who are placing themselves at high risk on the frontlines treating those who are sick. Pray for those who are also struggling to make ends meet, and for those who are struggling with the physical isolation.
2. For a healthy and safe pregnancy for Erin and the baby.
3. For thankfulness for a smooth transition to East Africa, and the ability to make new friends, stay in touch with our growing global community, and for quality time with the many visitors we have had the pleasure of hosting in our new home.

Blessings,
Nishant, Erin, Eli and Shaya (and Baby Das #3)

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[1] How Nuclear Weapons Screwed Art Forgers: https://youtu.be/au18tOjWs2s

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PHOTOS:
Easter long weekend family photo.

The boys are ready to welcome hockey player #3!

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VIDEOS:
For a short case study on one of the projects that we have been supporting, check out this video:

For those who may be inclined, here is the YouTube playlist for the Sum 41 album, Chuck: