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)

Almost There!

One week to go!
I've started collecting all my travelling things (shampoo, conditioner, luggage tags). I can't wait to find out how different this trip will be from last year but return to the communities that feel so much like home to me. I am open to all new experiences, experiencing it through different eyes, knowing that it is possible to go back and visit the communities that have had such a lasting effect on me and my daily routines (or lack thereof when it comes to showering, haha). One year ago today, I was returning from the best, more exhilarating experience one could ask for ... and today, I've noticed how much I have seen, changed, experienced, loved, saw, touched, smelled.

One more experience, one more day, one more life changed and I owe it all to Reach Out With Red Rose and ONEXONE.

Light Outside

In the words of Alex " and uhm ... I don't mean to freak you out or anything but 10 DAYS!"

It's coming! It's coming! I'll be returning to Kenya! This is so unbelievably close I can almost touch it! Holy cow, I'm getting excited!

Vaccinated and Medicated

I got all my shots this morning and my prescription for my malaria medication! All in all, it was a lot cheaper than I thought it would all come out to be for 46 tablets of Malarone. I'm never going to be able to donate blood again if I keep travelling like this! I can no longer lift anything with my right arm, it's completely out of commission. The medical stuff for both trips are all over with now and the nurses who administered the shots were hilarious.

Two weeks ago I was emailed my itinerary for my Kenya. As I will be updating while I'm there, I don't want to give too much away (and as always with travelling, things can come up and change so it's tentative):
For our first night in Nairobi, Alex and I will be staying at the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden which was built in 1908 for Karen Blixen, the former manager for the Blixen Coffee Plantation which has been restored to all its historical glory and now serves as a resort for guests. ~watching of the film Out of Africa will be happening again before I leave; I had forgotten how beautiful Africa is.
We will then fly out from there to the Mara, unlike last year where we drove seven hours in our lorry to reach our community.
Also, we found out that we will be working at Enelerai Primary School. This is the school where the group and I from last year gathered for the track meet and was host to one of the best days of my life! I'm very, very excited to return.
I cannot wait to do the water walk,  hike up one of the surrounding mountains to watch the sun rise over the savannah, sip on the chai tea, and hold hands with the most beautiful little children I have ever been fortunate enough to meet.
19 days to go! *insert flailing, happy tears, smiles* and I get to see Alex again!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

but, for some real journalism:
Volunteer-experience-a-life-changing-one - from the Ottawa Metro, April 20, 2010.

Also, pick up a copy of the Chatelaine Magazine in June!

World Whirl-Wind

I was reading snip-its of my journal that I kept last year; I was reading about our goodbye ceremony with Salabwek, the headmaster gave us a great speech about how wonderful Canada is to let us come to a place where our parents and friends don't know where we are, and it's very true. We live in a country of freedom, where we can walk around freely, and I've been lucky enough to have parents who trust me and let me travel to rural places in developing countries with next to no communication for weeks at a time. This summer, I will be embarking on two Free the Children volunteer trips and to have my families support for both of them lets me take on these issues: they put up with my idealism, my enthusiasm, my hope for helping to make the world a better place. My mom in particular has stood by and supported me, she persuaded/cheered me on to go to Mexico on my first overseas volunteer trip when I was only 14. That trip started my activist career that is still going strong. Going to Mexico to build that house was when I started to really see the world in a different light; I had read about the struggles, but to see homes without doors or windows boggled my young-mind. This experience is when I would say I started to live my life. While there, I was faced with the poverty, disease and corruption. I was taken aback of what I saw. The injustice was just incredible. I had read up and researched it, but until you see it, touch it, live near it no one really understands. From this, I caught the travel bug.
So, there I was, May 2009, on my way to Pearson International Airport in Toronto departing for Kenya when the magnitude of the trip hit me. From my first step off the plane in Nairobi, I knew my life would never be the same. My group consisted of 23 passionate, young leaders from other Canadian post- secondary institutions. We travelled from Nairobi for 9 hours to Salabwek, our community where we would spend the next 3 weeks. We worked almost every day- breaking ground, digging trenches, making cement by hand and moving rocks for the foundation. We fought through the pain, heat, and sweat. It was worth every bit of energy we had.  Most days, we did have free time to hang out with the kids; this to me was the most educational to me. I connected with two young girls - they changed my world without a doubt and not a day goes by that I don’t think of them. They taught me how to live. My life, my perspective, my future all changed with this trip, from kicking it on the soccer field with the students to sleeping in a manyatta (a home make of sticks, mud and animal dung). The passion and strength I was shown from everyone I met was the best lesson I have ever learned; "That opportunity isn’t a chance, it is choice." 
Thank you Mom, for making me who I am today; for challenging and inspiring me, creating a household that valued helping others and for setting an example of working your hardest for your beliefs and taking chances. Happy mothers day!

Sense of This

Swahili: 48, Alannah: 3.

I've been trying to learn Swahili, hoping to grow my knowledge of the language further than "My name is Alannah. I am twenty years old." Alex has also been trying to learn the new language (she's so much better than me!). Last year, we had crash courses in Swahili, and as described in my last post, conversation isn't needed to feel such a real, emotional connection to others. I am hoping to learn a lot more from this very fascinating language and be able to talk to the mamas of the communities who may not have had the chance to go to school, to learn English. Part of the intrigue of travelling is to immerse yourself into a culture that you know next to nothing about, to not be able to lean on cultural norms, technology, or even the language. You come out on the other side with new knowledge, less ignorance, more worldly perspectives. Slowly, this very confusing language is becoming less complicated, the sounds are easier to make, the sentences are easier to structure. Learning, travelling, seeing, being. 'Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.'

Happiness

A lot of people upon hearing that I'm going back to Kenya react with, "Are you going to see a lion? Don't get AIDS." And if they continue to talk, they'll ask what I'm doing there.
On my first trip to Kenya, I, of course, tried not to expect certain things before I went, of either myself or of the country and the people. What I did see and learn and experience wasn't what I was expecting, or would have expected.

Most people associate Africa with the faces they see on TV - of the children that are in so desperate need of our help, with yellow eyes, and distended-bellies due to malnutrition. Sure, yes, this is a reality - but the feeling you get when you meet these individuals is something so unlike that! There isn't desperation or despair, they have so much passion and zest for life. Although they are poor in material possessions, they are very rich in love and understanding for their neighbours.

Wherever we drove in the lorry, kids would always see us and come running and screaming up to the lorry, rocking the double wave and shouting "Jambo! Jambo!"

The kids were just so wonderful, and so happy, I mean SO happy. I have never met kids like this. When something was funny, it wasn't just funny - it was THE FUNNIEST THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. They would scream with laughter. Even though our Swahili was not that great and their English was mostly limited to two sentences ("Whatisyourname?" and "Howoldareyou?" with the occasional "Whatisthenameofyourmother?" thrown in), there was no problem communicating. We would just grin at each other, or resort to tickling, or trying on sunglasses, or playing Stella-ella-oh-la.

As my friend Clare pointed out:
we laugh at home, obviously. But in Canada, we laugh when things are funny: when someone tells a joke, when someone falls out of a chair, when I watch Friends. But I don't think I ever smiled or laughed more out of pure joy than when I was in Kenya. And I know how that sounds, but it's true: sitting in the middle of a big pile of laughing kids, you can't do anything else but grin at them.

As someone said, seeing so many happy people is inspiring, but it also makes you think "How can I possibly, possibly ever be unhappy?" These kids were just so ecstatic for any one thing: a footrace; being tickled; seeing new people; getting kicked out of stella-ella-oh-la; showing us their school, or getting a piggy-back ride. Not only does it give you a slap in the face every time you think of when you've been unhappy  or because you missed a mark on a test.

Not only does it add THAT perspective, but it also really makes you think about what makes up happiness. I've lost sight of some of that perspective since being back in North America.

what will be your legacy?

I spent the evening watching the Reach Out with Red Rose mini-series (found here:1, 2, 3, 4) featuring the contests first winner, Rebecca Tremblay. I was very excited to see familiar faces, hear the children singing (which included flailing, crying, and giddiness), but I was also excited to remember how it went for me when I was there. Almost a year ago, I was boarding a plane going on a trip that has changed me forever.

As Clare wrote:
'A year ago, I was struggling with the conflicting hearts and issues and worlds. I was afraid of is how easy it is to forget. Of how easy it is to go grocery shopping, to go driving, to go shopping, and not think about the impact, the resources, the tall giraffes. How easy it is to spend the rest of your summer just as you would have the year before: no changes, no new activities, no new drive.

There is no balance between two worlds, because there is no two worlds - definitely not for me, since I've only dipped my toes in. But there is living in one world with the mentality of the other evaluating your choices and needs and desires. Driving down a paved Canadian road in a car with a radio and a lunch in the back seat thinking about another road entirely, one lined with cactus trees and children who wave at you instead of throwing glares or pinecones.

I can't believe I've forgotten. I can't believe Kenya was so long ago. I can't believe I've gone nearly a year in Canada - part of the reason it's so hard to remember, to think about it everyday, is because it's so different. I'm clean, I'm wearing makeup, I'm greeting people on the telephone and selling them things and going to movies. I'm not swinging a shovel, I'm not sweaty and tired, I'm not playing stella-ella-oh-la in the same clothes I wore yesterday. I'm not having life-affirming, life-changing moments in the evenings with a cup of chai and braided hair. And I'm frustrated with myself, for trying to trivialize the trip instead of taking the important parts and using them as part of myself. And I need to do that more. I can have fun, I can hang out with my friends, I can be frivolous, but what I can't be is forgetful.

Who's Alex?

Want to meet Alex? This is Alex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeIoH_htwus

See that, right there? That's why I'm taking her. (yes, she is that cute to make an application video). 

The other night, I asked her: how you expect to change from this trip/what you would like to get out of it? She responded,

"Life is not meant to be read about in books. Life is meant to be touched, it is meant to be tasted, it is meant to be felt. Life is meant to be lived to the fullest extent possible. Everybody has their own way of getting the most they can out of the life they are living, when they are lucky enough to understand the importance of living it fully. I feel that travelling and learning about new cultures are what make my life real. There is nothing that makes me happier than learning something I knew absolutely nothing about, or being immersed in a new culture, or being confused by things that I can't yet understand, because I know that eventually, I will understand these things. With the help of people like Free the children, ONEXONE and Red Rose Tea, I will be able to gain a better understanding not only of myself, but of the world that surrounds me, and of the future that we are living into.

That's the beauty of this kind of travel opportunity, and it's why I feel so honoured that Alannah has chosen me to accompany her on the Reach Out with Red Rose trip. Alannah has told me wonderful things about Kenya and the Maasai people and while on this trip, I know that I will face my fare share of confusing situations (Swahili, anyone?) and new experiences, and I know that I will come back home ready to inspire change in my community and the world. Sharing this experience with Alannah will make it that much more meaningful, and I know that she will help me put a context around what I am living and learning, and that she will make a lasting impact mean that much more."

!!!!!!!! 

roaming the globe, writing my story ...

As I'm trying to write this post, Alex keeps sending me links to these amazing art projects. It's made me realize how many simple, beautiful things we can do with just a little inspiration. The best example of this is when I had the simple joy of holding hands with the most beautiful little girls who had the widest, brightest, most genuine smiles that I had ever seen. It was May 16, 2009 and I had just stepped off the lorry in the dusty, rural community of Eneleri Community School in Kenya. I was surrounded by the young school children as the rest walked down to the track meet for the surrounding schools. The children would huddle around the edge of the track as the runners were running, they would be high-fiving each other, giving each other the last bit of inspiration they had to finish their events. Standing under the African sun, I knew that my life was forever changed. It was a rush of passion, love, ambition, inspiration from the school children that taught me the little things in life make it what it is. The smiles, hugs, laughs that I shared with them is what my mind always returns to when I feel overwhelmed and lose perspective on what is really important. I can't wait to be a part of their community again to figure out how I can use this trip to help inspire others to make the world a more beautiful place, to put the little things back into perspective, to regain the strength that I felt first time I visited Kenya and to re-establish my life-long love affair with the African spirit.

Sunday, April 18 is the 50-day mark!

In the beginning ...

This is my first posting as I start gathering myself for my next adventure!
In January, I was on the Me to We Trips website hoping to find something to inspire me and to get the ball rolling on applying for their trip to India this coming July. In the sidebar, an advertisement for a Reach Out with Red Rose contest that involved sending in a 200-word account of our volunteer work and how we're changing the world caught my eye. To be honest, when I first entered, I didn't think I had a chance. I have never known anyone to win something like this and I always enter contests like that but quickly forget. Suddenly, I took notice of my votes going up, up and up! I was gaining ground and finally took a hold of my standings and was going on the inspiration and strength from my friends. I started rallying friends and family for their votes and they passed the link for my story on to their friends and family and, suddenly, I was in top 3 in Canada where my essay would go in front of a panel of judges to see who was going on a volunteer trip of a lifetime to Kenya to build a school with ONEXONE charity partner, Free the Children. Red Rose Tea is contributing $250 000 to ONEXONE to help support the organizations five pillars of:
-clean water
-education
-play
-health care
-hunger
In the end, my story and track record of volunteering both here in Canada and internationally caught the judges eyes and I am now off to Africa in the month of June. Every vote did count, every vote changed a life, and made a world of a difference in many lives. The few seconds it took to vote made an impact that lasts a lifetime. I was humbled by simply the outpouring of love that I received and the amount of votes was truly incredible. Lots of love to you, Canada! Let me be the first to tell you: I will work my absolute hardest while I am over there! I will maximize my impact on the communities that I am visiting and not let you down. Upon my return, I will be more motivated than ever before to continue making change and inspiring others to make positive change both in their communities here and on a global level.

FAQ:

When are you going?
My flights have been booked and I will be leaving June 8, 2010.

Where are you going?
I will be going to Kenya, Africa working with Free the Children.

Why Kenya?
Really?! (also: if you have been, you know it's impossible to not want to go back. Since my return last spring, not a day has gone by that I don't daydream about the trip that has changed my life.

What are you going to be doing while overseas?
I will be building a school house, supporting the Free the Children communities.

Haven't you been there?
Yes, and as stated above, Kenya has made such an impact on me. I am constantly scheming plans to return and Reach Out with Red Rose is giving the opportunity to Canadians to be the change and make a difference. I am eternally grateful for this opportunity and won't let you down!

Do you have a travelling buddy?
Yes I do! The grand prize is a 7-day all-expense paid trip for two and I am taking my friend Alex. Alex has such hope and enthusiasm for travelling and helping others that I am excited to be able to take her to a place that has changed me, for the better. She's inspiring, caring, and this trip will motivate her even further!

How can I get involved?
Reach Out with Red Rose is having three contests to win this amazing trip. The third contest is currently underway and any Canadian (excluding Quebec) who is over the age of 18 can enter here

Please stay tuned for more updates!