Two weeks in Zambia

After two full weeks in Africa we are coming home. As we were debriefing last night I was thinking that it feels like we have been gone for much longer. I think this is because we experienced a lot in those two weeks; as we began to share stories and recount people that left a mark on our heart a few of us wondered where we will begin to share what we have experienced.

The second week there was our camp week. This is the camp that we worked hard to plan prior to going, brought the supplies and expected about 30 kids to arrive. Our theme for thr camp was "light" and some very talented people on the team created lessons, activities and songs for this topic. We taught kids how to "let their light shine" through science, drama, sports, crafts and songs. The kids that came were from Kalende, the community that we visited the week prior, the same community that is supported by Westside Kings. We were excited to start because we knew that some of the kids we got to know the previous week would be at camp and we couldn't wait to see their faces when they arrived at the farm where we were hosting. Keep in mind (as we continually did) that these kids have not experienced camp like this before and that many of these kids have never left Kalende before. Life would be different for them during camp: more meals in a day, constant opportunity for play, no responsibility to gather water or tend to their house, and a team of bright eyed adults tremendously excited each morning to greet them by name. Here are some highlights:

1. Running behind their bus as it pulled into the farm on the first day as they ran after ours each time we drove into their community
2. Showing activities and lessons to the children's Care Workers that could be implemented when they return to the community after camp.
3. Night time activities, my favourite being making paper lanterns and walking through the field with them.

On the morning the kids left we met them around their "cabins" (converted barn stalls) and we shared the same face; as incredible as the week was, it was very hard to watch them leave.

After camp and some more goodbyes from long-term Hands at Work volunteers we started our debrief adventure. Our very good friend Sal took us to the bus station to board our 13 our bus ride to Livingstone. We arrived very ready to get off that bus. We stayed in fancy tents at the Waterfront resort. For the next two days we explored Victoria Falls, went on a morning safari as well as well as in evening sunset boat safari. Here are some highlights:



1. Getting awestruck by the majesty of the falls and soaking wet from its misty power
2. Seeing so many (giraffes, elephants, hippos, crocs, birds, buffalo, warthogs oh my!) and knowing that we are on their true territory, watching a snippit their life.
3. Sitting down with my team and reflecting together on the weeks past.











Just about to board the first of two long flights! Johannesburg to London, full day layover in London so we can go into the city, then London to Calgary arriving Wednesday night.

Thanks for all your love and support,
Love from far away

One week in Zambia

We are here in Zambia, staying at the Kachele farm. Just be sure to know that my writing on this blog does not come directly from the Hands at Work Africa organization, for more information on this incredible group visit www.handsatwork.org

Here is a great picture of our team, taken the day we finally arrived at the "Kachele" farm in Luansha, Zambia. We traveled from Calgary to London, to Johannesburg to Ndola with only a minor glitch. This is where I learned my first Zambian lesson: the smaller and simpler the place, the easier a task becomes. As a team of nine we traveled with 18 checked bags total and when we arrived at our final destination only 9 were there. The airport in Ndola is about the size of a mechanics garage and there is one small space where bags land. We did not fret however because the only other place they could be was in Johannesburg. Small spaces make for simpler solutions. We were met by a lovely employee of the airline who opened a file for our lost bags and the next morning they were all there, sealed and accounted for.

Our daily go for the week was to spend time in the community of Kalende. Hands at Work identifies  approximately 105 children in the area who are in high need of care out with 55 currently on a program to receive three essential services: food, health care and education. Our purpose going to the community is to support the hard work and commitment that the long volunteers are doing. Volunteers at Hands at Work range from international long-termers to local members of the many villages, knowing best exactly who is in need. A main tenant is to serve the poorest of the poor in the area, the most vulnerable. This week I while in the community, I was reminded of this lesson: support sustainable aid. Hands at Work is dedicated to mobilizing the local community members as much as possible to help support the children they already know. As donors and short term volunteers that means it is always on our mind about the most appropriate and truly helpful place for our time and gifts (and it works really well).

Over the course of this week Devon and I have been able to try out some pretty interesting activities in the community. Beyond the daily bumpy drive that I have had the pleasure of taking the team on, this trip feels different my last jaunt over to Africa. Other than the obvious differences between countries, I notice that being in a different age and stage of life gives me new perspective. The children in the community capture our hearts and eyes immediately, however I have been drawn to spending time with the adults who dedicate their lives to these children ongoing. It has been on my walks to fetch watch, squats in the cooking shelter, home visits in the community, or even standing in silence with women who know the community as their own, I have learned that the stories of these children's are in many many people's hearts. 

Tomorrow we see looking forward to attending church in the community as well as exploring the big street market. Then starting Monday the kids from the community we spent this last week with will be bussed up to Kachele farm for our overnight camp. The team has worked hard to prepare this camp - from skits to blowing bubbles, tie dye to science experiments - it promises to be quite the experience! 

Lots of love, bye from far away 

Signs that it is fall

Back to blogging, no promises that I will be consistent.
I know it is fall because the school-work is piling up and I have an even greater urge to be busy in the kitchen trying to cook something new.
I know it is fall because my clothes are cozier, the skies are more subtle, and I look forward to going to bed chilly.
I know it is fall because the notion that the year will be a long haul is some days heavier than the peace of what is to come at the end of it.

I read this today and it made me think of two things. The obvious thought, love. The second thought, my cooking.

"It is a risk to love.
What if it doesn't work out?
Ah, but what if it does?"
-Peter McWilliams

Like what I spent time making today, most of my ideas for cooking have a slim chance of turning out as delicious as I have imagined them to be. But after sporadic trips to the grocery store, a mess in the kitchen, hours of successful procrastination, and weeks worth of leftovers, sometimes the dish works out. More than works out, sometimes I have completely succeeded and what lays before me is surprisingly delightful.


First I crafted some Tandoori spiced baked potato chips. Garden grown potatoes courtesy of the lovely Georgina Scott

Then I dove in and slow cooked a carrot coconut curry soup. Blended it to smooth, and added some yogurt.

love from the Woods.

begin again

I want to start writing again. But what to write about life in Calgary? Life in other countries has always been full of ideas, and so I may just have to dig a little harder around here.
I'm thinking I could write about my thoughts on literature, that seems to be the place in which I spend most of my time.
Or perhaps my thoughts on this city? And why every year I tell myself it is time to live somewhere else, and yet I stay put.

stay tuned
local love.

left and leaving

This picture came from Nepal. It is the three Servant Team girls turned pirates for a day...


It is Saturday now, and I only have a few days left in Kolkata. I have had my last visits in most places, all that is left to leave is the family. We are flying out of here on Wednesday next week. Everyone is asking about how excited we are to go home, what we will eat first, where we will go. As of late I am most excited to sleep on a bed...

So far this week has been full of special meals and last time visits. On Wednesday we took Gita, ma, and sister for a really nice dinner and it was so great. Gita's mom took great joy in assembling us all in our Sari's and then we ate at the tastiest restaurant in Kolkata. On Thursday we ate a great lunch at SariBari and then spent the day with all the ladies working on our stitching. Last night we went out with all our friends from the community for a traditional Bengali meal. It was so delicous of course. I had my last day at Kalighat today, it was a strange place to leave. There isnt really time there to say good byes, and when you try it just feels a bit strange. I know that there will always be volunteers there, and it will still stand after each of them leaves, but it is still hard to walk away from. I had great lunch at one of my favorite restaurants with a good friend named Tuna. I ate chick peas of course.
Now I am about to go to the house and dive into the task of packing. Bah.
We will be going to a relaxing place for the weekend, to help with the transition out of the city. After that we have one last big meal with the family the night before we leave; we are preparing our stomachs for this feast.

This is sister Gita and I yesterday at SariBari. She is the bag making master.



The heat feels extra hot these days, must be because I know relief is on the way somewhere. It doesn't feel like I am about to leave this place though. I am sure that I won't feel much of anything until we drive away from Gita's home and family.

I am so excited to see everyone at home, but the actual leaving of Kolkata must come first.

lots of love, and see you soon

work it

hey again,

I have some pictures for you now!

This is all us shining Servant Team girls plus sister Gita and sister Beth.


This is me with a lovely young Nepali friend that I made at an Eco-Village on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Full of smiles.


Here are a few photos from the lake in Nepal.
Kind of beautiful isn't it?






And this is a bit of an old one, but a great one. Sunshine really does only happen when it rains.



thanks as always for following my journey!
I am coming home soon, crazy.

loves from over here

how deep in the valley

Hello,

I am back now from a glorious trip to Nepal. We got to spend time with the team serving in community there, we ate way too much delicious food, and we took in as much of the beautiful surroundings as possible.
I must also tell you that I got to jump into a lake, take Gita from a spin on a bicycle and eat a bowl of hummus all in one day. How lucky am I.

Of course I missed Kolkata while I was in Nepal, but the transition home to the city was still difficult. Nepal is such a different place and the break was so nice, but we all felt like we were coming back to a home when the hot air and loud streets of Kolkata hit us again. Luckily the girls that stay there were able to show us around the places that they serve and call home, and that helped to understand Nepal from a different view. The tourist industry is massive all over the country, but being with these girls we really were able to enter into their "Kolkata". We were able to see the places that they spend time volunteering, we got to meet the Nepali familes they eat with, and we got to hear lots of stories about how life has been for them in Kathmandu.

(sorry sorry, I left my camera card at the house. I will post pictures in the next couple of days!)



Less than two weeks left in Kolkata. Let's be honest, I am exhausted. I feel like the trip to Nepal was the perfect refreshment; I feel like I have bright eyes and new energy to spend in my last couple of weeks here. I cannot really imagine yet how it will feel to leave my Bengali family, and to leave the places that have been my home for the last four months.

P.S. A cyclone came through Kolkata yesterday. It was nuts. I am ok though.


The way on may be truly to stand in one place
And let the deep of the valley
Fill you will grace

she couldn't help but sing

Namaskaar, see how great this man looks.


I think it has been so long since I have written, I know there is so much to say.
I was sick all last week; it was a high fever that kept me glued to my bed most days. I feel like I have more energy to start this week, and I must make sure I am well for Nepal.

As you can imagine, I spent the entirety of most days in my lovely nighty, gliding through the day sleeping, reading, and eating toast. Of course I also had plenty of time to think.

What came up most, and what has repeated itself for sometime in Kolkata is that I feel privileged here.
Ironic to say I suppose after spending the past week cursing a city that gives me constant headaches, but I tell you after days that I spend with people here I can only feel lucky having spent that time with them.
I am often asked by people here and home, "how did that make you feel". I usually first try the words sad or good, but then I end up turning to privileged. It made me feel privileged, they made me feel so privileged.

Ill share with you, I think the places that I enter to fill a need, have all become the places that fill something in me.
I feel privileged to live with a true Indian family. True in the Indian sense that they live a special life. Everything takes a bit longer, and everything is just a bit flashier. True in the sense of family as I have discovered from living with them for these months. They function with love and time spent together, but they also dysfunction, as we all do.
I feel privileged to be spending time with people who's lives are so precious and potentially nearing their end. I can sit with them and talk about their day, or just talk about nothing at all. I get to do their laundry, bring them food, and rub their feet.
I feel completely privileged to be able to enter only slightly into a community of women standing strong in Kolkata. Some that I see are still living in deeply woven poverty and they have yet to make the choice to step out of an industry that allows no freedom. I get to visit these women, and sit with them during a regular day of work in their lives.
I also then get to spend time with women who have now been on both sides. Women who know what it is to be bound, and now what it is to be free. I cannot fully comprehend the life changing decisions they have made, but I get to sit an do simple tasks amongst them.

I want to show you a few more pictures. These were the highlights of my week! After all my rest came such great reward.

This is at the very early morning Sari market.
It reminded me of a thrift store or a block-party garage sale.


And here are a couple of photos from the building that we spent one morning cleaning up. It still needs work, but it is a beautiful place. I can tell you that this building will so soon be a new place for women who want a new job, a new life.




And this is me wearing my "nice shirt", which is never actually clean or presentable. On this day it was extra gross from the cleaning in the morning.


I am going to Nepal for a week on Saturday with my team and few others which is so exciting. If you don't hear from me before then, just imagine me in a place that is a few degrees cooler and many mountains more beautiful.

thanks for waiting and then reading,
loves from this steamy city

our beloved's not dead,
but his highness instead has been utterly changed into fire;
so why not be utterly changed into fire?

your girl, she's a renegade

Namaskaar.

I have a few pictures.
Pictures just from today.

We went for a long exploration today.
We found the bustling flower market, the packed train station, the windy bridge, the quaint ferry, and the tempting river.

This is just a small shot at the massive Howrah station.


Here we are just about to embark down into the chaos that is the flower market.


And here is a shot of the epic Howrah bridge. And one friend standing, thinking.



A few more to come....
loves from over here

slow show for you

Hello.
no excuses... it is true. I should have updated a few days ago, but I didn't. I will give as much as I can now and then I will return to add some pictures. It is not as though I live in a remote shack with no easy way to find internet; I just often sit down and begin to type feeling like I can do no experience here justice. What I am saying is that upon my safe arrival home in a couple months you will have to take me for tea or eggs and then I can tell all the juicy stories.

Let me tell you it is hot. I am not allowed complain, thats impolite, but I am just acknowledging the fact. I think I can say that last Wednesday was the hottest day of my life so far. The heat here is measured in celius, these days it sits in the 40's. Then 5 or so degrees are added for what is called the "measure of discomfort". I think that means humidity. Sweat is everywhere, but I am not complaining.

On Saturday we went to the Book Bajaar with sister. Imagine my dream stroll. You should be picturing a long long road that is packed on either side with little shops selling used books. All this affordable literature is really starting to pile up on my window sill. It was such a fun day though, a girl after my own heart and weakness, sister was a great help when trying to get a good deal on books. I heard that there is a tiny little nook of a tea house that I missed. It has an ancient reputation for hosting heated debates and mind battles of local college students and memorable philosophers alike.

I am still spending as much time as I can at Kalighat. People are getting sick, new people are coming, and I am getting more attached and woven with the people every day.
I have done a couple of visits into the red light district here. Pretty close to what I expected it would be, I am enjoying the struggle of relationship with these women as I expected I would. It so clearly means entering into friendship for joy and struggle. The time is full of laughing and chatting with beautiful girls, lots of chai and food, and feeling a great bond. Lots to share and lots to process about those visits.

I am so fortunate. Lovely girls Jen and Jenna have ventured across the pond and they are spending a couple of weeks in Kolkata. It is so so good to see them, just a little taste of a place called home. I enjoy eating breakfast with them when I can, I really miss that part of my life at home.

The election is coming here. For all of India it takes a couple of months for everyone to vote; the stations go into every village and hill of people. Its really complicated, and not always talked about, but its going to be a big deal. I am learning as much as I can about it, from my understanding there could be a major shift in history and power of this state in the next month or so. It is interesting to be around; there are lots of rallies and flags and mega posters. There is one that Obama's face melted into a candle with a local leader. They really love him here, an automatic connection seems to be made between him and Ghandi.

I must dash, I will gather some photos to share soon.
thanks so much for reading
loves from way yonder


every thought, a thought of you.
a light within my brother's eyes
every look in search of you