The title of this book, 'Buy This Land', is quite a simple yet fitting introduction to the inspiring story of Chi-Dooh Li (nicknamed 'Skip'). It immediately brought to mind the song by Woody Guthrie 'This Land is Your Land' and after just finishing reading the book, I have discovered that this initial association has proved to be an apt one.
Skip was born in India, moved to China but left with his family when the Chinese Communist Revolution began and followed his father who took up various diplomatic posts in Asia, Australia and South America. By the time he moved to the U.S.A. he was already very well-travelled and could speak Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and English. With such a mix of experiences behind him it was obviously difficult for him to answer the question by a Pan American Airways agent who asks him 'What are you, really?', which is referred to in the introduction to the book.
Despite helping Chinese Cambodian refugees gain asylum to the United States, it was being present at a sermon delivered by Juan Carlos that was to really change his life and lay the foundations for the new way of thinking that Skip was to base his thoughts on, which was to radically change his life and the lives of others.
From this moment on, he dedicated himself to aiding those living in impoverished conditions by setting up Agros. The concept of Agros is a simple but powerful one - help farmers to buy and use land effectively in order to encourage self-suffiency. From their troubled beginnings in Guatemala, Agros has since helped establish 42 villages in five different countries and has helped over 24,000 people. What is interesting is that Agros doesn't give handouts but gives people the means and encouragement to work towards a better future and to literally reap the rewards from their hard work and belief. They do so by purchasing land directly from landowners and then offer it back to impoverished families at rates that are realistic for those who have very little.
What made this book a very enjoyable and humbling read is not only the fact the Skip's story is a fascinating one. He does not boast about his achievements or attempt to glorify himself in any way. There is immense gratitude on the part of the author towards his wife and all those who have helped him. Another refreshing element I experienced in the reading of the book is that the organisation does not discriminate against those with different religious beliefs unlike some aid organisations. The fact that he is a religious man and there are many biblical references in the book does not lead to preaching to the reader or any recipients of aid in any way. He simply gives examples of the the way in which his faith helps to inspire him to help others who have less.
The most inspiring thing about this book is that, despite admitting that he had led a comfortable life practicing law, he decided to use his position and knowledge to help other people less fortunate than him. What is very pleasing to know is that the end of the book clearly states that his work with helping poverty-stricken landless people is far from finished and his belief that 'this land was made for you and me' is as strong as ever.
http://www.buythislandbook.com/
http://www.woodyguthrie.org/Lyrics/This_Land.htm
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