I don't think a person can have a real understanding of how different 1st world vs. 3rd world situations are until they experience things like you have described here. It would be nice to read more on your observations on what ingenuity comes from this situation. In my experience the people who grew up without the "conveniences" seem to have a leg up when it comes to solving the problems that arise when utilities fail.
I also agree that the communal bonds, when people work together to get by, are priceless and are something I remember and cherish most from village life.