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!