The Eye of Faith: How Paul Farmer Taught Me to See Beauty and Hope in the World

Unlike many colleagues who joined Partners In Health (PIH) after reading Mountains Beyond Mountains, I joined after reading one sentence in its mission statement “provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.” It felt like a call I could not resist.??

I was amazed and humbled to join such an amazing organization in the Summer of 2005. A few days in, I was asked to lead one of the first HIV clinics in rural Rwanda, where the number of HIV/TB patients was increasing by hundreds. There I went with the hope that someday I would meet the founders of such a lifesaving movement. A few days later, Paul Farmer showed up. I saw a tall and skinny man getting out of the car. He was hugging all my patients (with a kiss on the cheek, of course). I rushed and said hi and asked if he knew Paul Farmer. He said, “Yes, I know Paul.” Immediately, someone from the same car approached him and said, “Paul!” I realized that it was him, the same person I was talking to. I apologized. Paul knew my name already. He said, “Manzi, I will help you see this patient, but I need you to do me a favor: join me in planting flowers around the clinic afterward.” Of course, I replied.

As he consulted the patient, I realized that he had an unusual prescription. The first item on his prescription was food, then HIV and/or TB drugs, and then having an accompagnateur (a trusted community member trained to accompany and support the patient).?

After our consultation, we planted flowers until everyone was tired. At the end of the day, he looked at me and said, “This is beautiful.” While I could only see the dirt and seeds, Paul was seeing blooming flowers. He could see the invisible. It is what my mother calls having an eye of faith!

A few months later, I realized what Paul was seeing. The garden became the most beautiful I had ever seen in the area. Patients would come and sit while waiting for care. Over the weekend, members of the community would come to use this place to take pictures.

In the same way, I saw flowers blooming, I saw patients recovering from AIDS. I keep photos of them everywhere I go.

Two years later, I got transferred to the Northern part of the country to help initiate PIH programs in Butaro. There was a tiny health center surrounded by mountains. Paul approached me again and said, “This is beautiful.” The same way he said when we were at my first clinic. I asked him what he was talking about. I was seeing the opposite. At that time, it would take us two hours to get to where we could have lunch. It was like an abandoned site. Paul said, “This will be the largest hospital you have ever seen.” Soon after that, the groundbreaking began, and a new hospital emerged as we all witnessed such a transformation in the region. The University of Global Health Equity was also established there.

Paul’s Memory and My Three Lessons From Him

There is something about Paul’s memory. He remembered the names of people at the first encounter. He would call from the airport and ask if Bazilisa, one of PIH’s amazing cooks, would be preparing her delicious soup when he arrives.

He always called us by name, or son, daughter, or friend.

In addition to his sharp memory, I learned three things from Paul: humility, patience, and generosity.

1. Humility

He taught us that we should treat everyone with respect and dignity, regardless of their status or condition. He listened to their stories and needs with compassion and empathy. He did not impose his views or solutions on them but worked with them as partners and allies. Paul taught us humility by being humble himself. He did not seek fame or recognition for his work but rather focused on serving others and advancing the cause of health equity. He did not act like a boss but rather like a colleague and a friend.

2. Patience?

In many ways, Paul taught us patience by being persistent and resilient in the face of challenges and obstacles. He did not give up on his vision or his mission but rather worked hard to overcome them. He did not let frustration or disappointment discourage him but rather used them as motivation to improve.

Paul was realistic and pragmatic in the face of complexity and uncertainty. He did not expect quick or easy results but rather planned for the long term and prepared for the unexpected. He did not ignore or deny the problems but rather acknowledged them and addressed them.

3. Generosity?

Paul helped us to undertand generosity by being generous himself. He gave his time, energy, resources, and skills to those who needed them most.

Unlike so many who fail to embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion, Paul showed generosity by being inclusive and collaborative in his work. He did not exclude or compete with others but rather invited them and cooperated with them. He did not claim or take credit for his work but rather recognized and appreciated the contributions of others.

Paul demonstrated generosity by being optimistic and hopeful in his outlook. He did not see the world as a place of scarcity and despair but rather as a place of abundance and possibility. He did not focus on the gaps and the deficits but rather on the strengths and the assets.

Paul’s humility, patience, and generosity inspired me to become a better person and a better leader. He also inspired many others who followed his example. He inspired the current and future generation of global health leaders who share his vision and values.?