Today (Dec. 13, 2009) I paid a visit to the shopkeeper from whom I often buy bottled water. A few days before, I had given him an English language learning DVD (for Russian speakers). Not having access to such materials locally, I was able to find the disc’s content on the internet. Yes, I realize the copyright issues involved, but I’ve devised a sound rationale for my actions: My Tajik neighbours are far from wealthy. What they lack in material possessions, many of them make up for with a remarkable thirst for knowledge. However, due to both price and availability, English language learning materials are quite dear to them. If I can access these materials and distribute them to co-workers, friends, shopkeepers, etc. what’s the harm? They would have never been able to afford them in any case – a good quality English language DVD could cost upwards of 2-3 months’ salary.

The shopkeeper had been asking me for months to find him a DVD to help him learn English. I’ve always been impressed by his desire to learn, and his command of several other languages. So, I had promised him that I would find him a DVD as soon as possible. Today, I asked the shopkeeper whether or not the DVD I had given him worked well. He told me that it worked well enough, but that his house lacks consistent electricity. After so many months of promises, and after coming through for him, he was still being held back by circumstances beyond his control.