Can you hear our silence?

Last weekend, Ottawa became a Silent City taking part in Free the Children's Vow of Silence.

 We were surprised by Michel Chikwanine, who is a former child soldier from the Congo. What better way to Break the Silence then with someone who was once silenced himself? Very unreal. And of course, Jobin Sam, who made the MOBilizers happen (We wish you safe travels as you head back to India, Jo-bob).

During the day, I had lots of time to think. Thinking about the children that I met this summer, the ones who give me strength, courage, and hope for all the shameless ideas I have... 

Salabwek.

Enelerai.

Motony.

Berna.

this is for you ....

Let's Talk Silence

Last year was the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of a Child, and the first year I took part of the Vow of Silence. I was very stoked about this silent protest, I made a YouTube video, I posted pictures on my Facebook account to blitz my friends with. I thought I was prepared.

Here was an email I sent to one of the coordinators of the event after my day of silence:

    As I was sitting in my lecture today, we were discussing different views of morality. I had formed an opinion. I wanted to state my opinion. But I couldn’t. I was under my vow. After taking a look at the situation, I got it. I understood - this is what it’s about! This is what MILLIONS of children around the world have to deal with day after day. They know education can break the cycle of poverty, they know a better world exists where their voices and opinions can matter. My experience was on a much smaller scale, but I was held back by the tape on my mouth and my promise to myself that I wouldn’t break it. It gave me that extra boost that, hey! I’m on the right track.

This opened my eyes. Our voices are so important and I, and many (most) others, take it for granted when we can speak all day, every day. We can sing along to music. We can text our friends to meet us or update our Twitter statuses. Wow, it was such an experience!

--

November 19th, Ottawa will be a Silent City. It's time that our voices ring clear, that our promises be upheld, that Naomi in Kenya and Ragu in India get the most out of life. 

We Day!

Today was Free the Children's We Day in Toronto! I was a part of a crowd, filled with shameless idealists, 18 000 world changing warriors who are craving change; who want a better world; who want to leave their mark. We were inspired by Marc and Craig Kielburger - the founders, at age 12 Craig started this movement that has grown so much that 650 schools have been built all around the world.
I was in the presence of some of the most inspiring people. Betty Williams, a Nobel peace laureate, was very, very passionate and greatly moved me, especially when she had all 18 000 of us stand up and hug the people around us. Hugs are powerful tools. The cast of The Buried Life came and made a difference; Cherie Blair travelled to Toronto to share with us her vision and hopes, incredible....
Deepak Chopra was very, very encouraging and insightful - his passion radiated through all 18 000 of us.

This year also held a Peace Panel - with Betty Williams, Michel Chikwanine, and Dr. Abuelish...incredible, teared up a few times.

To close the show, K'naan sang Wavin' Flag - while he sang, the entire stadium was rumbling with everyone singing along. I stood against the wall, almost tearing up and thought to myself: this is what it's all about. Everyone wanting FREEDOM. Raising their voices to be heard. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of the day.

I wasn't at this event has a participant, for the past two years I have been attending as a volunteer. I was at the Trips Booth, getting people excited and interested on going to one of the five destinations Free the Children travels to. With 6 of us manning the table, we covered a lot of ground and able to reach a lot of people. I love, love, love spending time with the Free the Children staff, they are the cream of the crop in many aspects, always filled with stories and fascinating experiences that I never tire of hearing. This year, I was with Pratima - who has always been my contact person for going on trips and two new staff members, Jen and Peter - both very welcoming, warm, committed people that I hope I stay in contact with :). It always amazes me that even though we've spent only 7 hours together, we have an instant connection with these people, Jen and Peter have both inspired me so much! So, thank you Peter and Jen - today would not have been the same without you. You're so PHENOMENAL!

With my Mendhi gone, my tan lines fading, and my summer coming to end I can't get the memories, the smells, the sights out of my mind! The smiles, the "Jambos" and the feeling of sweat beading down my back after pick axing at a wall of rock - those are the memories that will be Summer of 2010 - can it get any better than that? Yes, it was world-travelling for me.. I'm so so grateful for the opportunities that I have been able to have; who else can say they've ridden a camel, befriended an Indian prince, flew over the Great Rift Valley, and became a honourary Maasai warrior within the span of 2 months? The future holds so much because of those experiences. As a Core-(MOB) Lead of Ottawa, the first-hand experience will only reignite the fire, give me more energy, and I can tell people about my travels - the important work that ONEXONE, Reach Out with Red Rose, Free the Children all mandate are crucial in the life of those a world away. I have talked, laughed, played, smiled, worked side-by-side those that are benefiting from the generosity. Every conversation, piece of clothing, decision made affects those. Every action has a reaction...

Leading into September, I've vowed to myself not let the memories fade. To talk to Alex, to Skype in with the Kenyan team, to give me the daily reminders of what is important - to keep the bigger picture in perspective. Yes, at times, it will seem like an uphill battle, but if we all stand up for what we believe in, we can be the difference. We can change it. We are the generation that can turn this upside down.

Hello, Jambo, Namaste!

It's been over a month since I've returned from my volunteer-experience of a lifetime in Kenya, and what a month it has been. Since then, I have applied to volunteer at Free the Children's We Day in Toronto! I volunteered last year as well and it was a stadium not just filled with high-profile singers and actors (Hedley, Jonas Brothers, Elie Wiesel, just to name a few), it was the 16 000 youth from all over Ontario who are today's leaders. Learning how one person CAN change the world and realizing their own personal potential and finding their passion in life. It was a long day full of high energy! It was amazing and I'm super excited to be part of the action once again.

On my last night in Kenya, I found out I was going to be a MOB-lead for Ottawa. What a wonderful end to a magnificent trip. Check out the website for more information on how to get involved.
[We are the MOB. We are the MASSES. We are the MOVEMENT.]

At the beginning of July, I travelled with Free the Children to India on the first ever (MOB) trip to build a medical clinic, working along side local community members. Our group of MOBilizers, the most involved, inspiring people involved in their own communities, broke ground in a new community FTC works in, Berna. Three weeks ago I found myself travelling halfway around the world, to a country I had only read about in textbooks or seen in the movies. I was immersed into a culture of a different language, cultural norms, food, and even the side of the road they drive on. I was quickly hit with the heat of the Indian sun, the smell of spices, and the faces of so many people that live on less than $1 a day. It was a devastating and tragic sight from the moment I stepped off the plane. I saw and met what was poverty really was... I also found individuals who took the time to realize we need to help each other. Her name is Who-Who. She is an 8-year old that we met at an internet-cafe who gave a simple bag of chips to a disabled woman who was begging on the street. Who-who has now become one of the greatest memories on the trip to look back on. An 8-year old, with  her huge personality and sass, gives me hope and strength.

Another individual that made a huge impact on me and shaped the trip was a man who was sitting outside of his house on our way back from the build site. When the group was first walking by, he got our attention and started motioning the sign for food. We quickly construed this as him asking for food from us; because of the strict gift-giving policy in place we had to motion through the language boundary that we couldn't. Finding it hard to walk away, we waited for our guide, Ricky, to explain to him that we didn't have any to give. It turns out he was actually offering us food to thank us for helping out his community. This man was offering food to a group, a group of 23 strangers when he and his own family were struggling to make ends meet. His openness and generosity was very eye-opening and deeply touched me.

As Jobin wrote, this was the kind of "poverty that spits in your face and makes a mockery of hope."

Guilt. Love. Frustration. Generosity.

The community of Berna, India and Enelerai, Kenya will always be in the back of my mind when I make decisions whether it is shoes (have you heard of TOMS shoes - check them out!), coffee (fair-trade, please!), and helping someone off a bus. It's the little actions that make a big difference.

I'm back in my reality. I will tell the stories, I will inspire. I won't forget about those I met this summer.

Nakupenda, Kenya

What other way to fight reverse culture shock (quite possibly the worst feeling in the world?) than updating the blog and being able to relive my African Adventure!

Day 1: After too many hours on an airplane (and two "technical difficulties" - one of which was in Nairobi when they couldn't open the compartment that held our luggage!) Alex and I finally checked into the Karen Blixen Plantation cottage. It was soooo beautiful!

We only had time to sleep, shower, and breakfast before we were off to Wilson Airport...

Day 2: We were up early for yet another flight (or flights) on a little plane that will take us to FTC's Bogani Cottages in the Maasai Mara. We were the third stop, my stomach didn't like it very much. TMI: I got sick.

  Finally getting to our stop, we were greeted by the biggest welcoming party a girl could ask for! Wilson, Jackson, Cameron, Jill, Andy, Brandon, Santai - just to name a few! We were joined by a family of 5 from Utah - who were with us for the majority of our trip. We made it to the Bogani Cottages - which are absolutely stunning! Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two stories!
We had a quick lunch at the Center, a quick Swahili lessons from Wilson and we were off to Enelerai! Kids, kids, kids! It was amazing to hear the "Jambo's", see the smiling faces, dancing ... Kenya hasn't changed, it has met and surpassed my memories from last year.

Day 3: Up early, we were off to Mama Jane's house and she was explaining how her family is reaping the benefits of the Adopt-a-Village model FTC has in place. She was so proud, so strong, absolutely overjoyed about being able to send her kids to school, have a bee-keeping business, and she is half-way done completing a sturdy house. She was so beautiful, with five children, with the most amazing energy about her. After touring her house and land, we headed down to the Mara river - which was sight in itself. Brown in colour, this is where she gets the water to do laundry, cook, and take showers. I had the chance to walk with Jane for most of the way who answered all my questions that I had. The walk to the river was about 1km and she said she has to do it about 5-times a day - she was full of enthusiasm explaining it was a "good day" that we were able to help her out with her chores. After loading up my 20L jerrycan with water, I was off. My neck never knew such pain! I pushed through the pain, the heat; it was such a humbling experience that never again will I take running water for granted.

I am forever in awe of these women. They are the strongest people I have ever met, so inspired by life, their children, and their communities. There are no words to describe the amount of appreciation I have for the women I have met. They are the epitome of strength.

That afternoon, we headed out to the secondary school to begin our work! We began building up the walls - getting my hands dirty, covered in cement with the African sun beating down on me was just what I needed. Builing brick-by-brick beside local community members is something I will forever cherish. We were helped by Gladys- a single-mother of 5 who is also going to school. Seeing a female in this type of job-setting was very, very revolutionary and I am so privileged to have had the chance to work with her.

When I walked into dinner, I was a little early and Robin (Robin Wiszowaty!!!!) was making phone calls, and when I walked in, she comes running over to me and says, "YOU'VE READ THE BOOK! It's Mama Toti!" Through our language barrier, we still were able to say Hello to each other! Holy moly! After dinner, Robin told us about her story/life and how she ended up in Kenya. Robin  is a bundle of energy, full of awesomeness, covered in awesomeness, sprinkled with awesomeness. I was so starstruck when I first met her - what do you say to someone you look upto that much?

Day 4: Walking up early, we headed out to the Mulot Market to observe and shop. Since Mulot is a sustainance market, it's what people need day to day. On the way there, and back, we stopped at Motony Community School where BMLSS's school was built. I walked slowly, taking it all in ... it was such a full-circle moment. As I was walking around the grounds, Cameron (one of the facils) called me into one of the classrooms that had six grade-8 students inside. Even on a Saturday, these kids were at the school studying; studying! You would never see that in North America.

As we headed off the property, back to the trucks, Cameron took my shoulder and said, "You should be very proud. These kids are here studying on a Saturday. You helped them be able to do that." As soon as I stepped off the grounds, I was full-out crying. As I was hunched over against the car, Jill walked over and realizes, "it's a lot more than a school, isn't it?"

That afternoon were were back to the secondary school (which Hedley also helped to build!)

Day 5: Up early, yet again, we were off on a sunrise hike with Wilson -one of our Maasai warrior guides. After watching the sunrise, Wilson guided us on a beautiful walk through the savannah around the Center.

After getting back and having breakfast, we headed to the tree nursery and planted 250 new seedlings.

Afterwards, we headed out to the build site to complete some more work. Just before reaching the buildsite, we stopped to take some pictures with some of the local children who were hanging  out. A few of them had bushels of firewood on there back ... after carrying the water and hearing Robin speak about firewood being even worse, it's just another perspective change!

After a few hours of building, we went on a medicine walk with Jackson and Wilson, we saw the cactus's with "juice" inside that can blind you, the tree that can cure backaches and headaches, and another that we can make toothbrushes out of - my mouth was minty for the rest of the day!

Finally! We got some weapons training! From real Maasai warriors! Throwing congas, learning to work a bow and arrow, we were then honoured with shukahs as honourary Maasai warriors.

Day 6: The other group left this morning, Alex and I headed to the herb garden to help deweed the garden - with MACHETES! As Alex took to that job quite nicely, Brandon, Nkosi, Jill, and I spent a sufficient amount of time hocking rocks from the garden into the ravine...
we went back to the build site to spend a few more hours mortaring the walls - perfect last day in the Mara.

That afternoon - Cam, Jodie, Santai, Wilson, and I went to SALABWEK! We filled the land cruiser with sodas, crisps, blankets, crackers, and two iPods (just in case we got stuck). Going up and down on the bumpy road, I could finally see the tops of the schools in the distance, as I neared I think I yelped, "ah! there it is!" There was too much mud and water to be able to drive there, so we all hopped out, ran through a cornfield, my sandals were eaten by the mud, but 15 minutes later we were walking through the familiar Salabwek streets, greeting the community elders as we walked by, and finally ... at the school gate! Something that I've only imagined for the past year, there I was: standing on the grounds that impacted me so so so much last year. The students of Salabwek taught me so much, everything in my life changed from the moment I was saying "Jambo" to them last year. This year, it was a dream to see the completed classroom my group started last year - seeing it in person was very surrreal! Seeing familiar faces, having some of the kids remember who I am was unreal! The kids are just different from the kids in the other communities, I am forever hooked on Salabwek.
I met with the Headmaster who asked if I could sign the visitors sign-in book and Jodie and I sat in the kindergarten classroom with the teacher and headmaster who told us more and more children are coming back to school - the population was at a high of 1000 and it's at about 800 right now. The classroom was decorated with beautiful picture-diagrams of animals, letters, number ... so amazing!

Today had to have been one of the best days of my life. Hands down. At the gate at Salabwek, Elf-girl was just leaving to go home; Elf-girl is one the children I met last year. She didn't speak, this year I found out her name is Naomi. Her picture hangs on my wall and not a day goes by that I don't think about her. Being reunited, visiting Salabwek, driving down the road, singing along to wonderful music, and waving to the people as we passed made it the most amazing, special day ... what a way to end yet another life-changing trip.

Day 7: We were off to catch our plane back to Nairobi. On the way there, we passed hippos, zebras, warthogs, dikdiks, monkeys, wildebeasts, among others. As always in Africa, schedules aren't reliable so we arrived at the airstrip 1 hour before our scheduled flight. To pass the time, we threw congas at trees, played games, and took some pictures with the group.

We got back to Nairobi (sick-free) and headed to the market and the Sarit Center and for dinner, we headed to Carnivore! It's a must-go if you're ever in the area, after chowing down on beef, pork, chicken, ostrich, and camel (just kidding, i didn't eat camel - it smelled really nasty!) we were off to the airport, saying goodbye to another life-changing, heart-warming, eye-opening, perpective-changing trip.

Asanta Sana, Kenya!

Jambo Kubwa

the internet is scarce here in the Mara, so this will be a short update. I've been in kenya for three days now, and it has not let me down! since i have limited time, i'll tell you some of the highlights now and fill the rest in when i have a more stable, reliable source...

so far, i've been able to do the waterwalk with one of the mamas of the community. it was a very humbling experience, carrying 20L of water for 1km in the african sun. these women are the proudest, strongest people i have ever met!

this morning i was able to stop in at motony public school.. for those who don't know, this was the community where a school was built using the money that BMLSS fundraised during my last year there. it was suuuuuch an emotional, full-circle moment. i was very grateful to see it and be able to walk around the school grounds. As soon as i was off the grounds, i was out right bawling! to see all the work that was put into our fundraising standing, being used was something sooo unbelievable! as my facil Jill said, 'it's much more than just a classroom' which is very true. Wow, it is sooo unbelievable to be here, seeing familiar, smiling faces.

We've been helping to build the first girl's secondary school that free the children has here in kenya, we're currently working on the teachers accommodations and through the sweat, sun, and even rain - nothing has stopped us from doing as much as we can! it is very rewarding seeing the walls go up and getting your hands covered in cement - i've missed the feeling of dirty finger nails, unwashed hair, and dirt covered socks - this is my activism outfit!

it's chai time, until next time ....kwaheri (goodbye)