Africa Project Update

As I sat down to write this month’s article about the Africa Vulnerable Children Project, I found myself staring at a blank screen for a long time.  Nothing was dropping in.  Frustration began to grow, as did fear.  Perhaps I have nothing to write, nothing to say about the project??  How can that be?  Well, there’s the campaign – I can find something I’m scared about or I think isn’t working, and then find a way to have practice help me feel better and then write about it!

Aha!

It was subtle, but similar to my experience staring at a blank wall, staring at this blank screen put me in a meditative state where I was able to catch that last thought.

Well, I am not falling for that one.

And as soon as I caught that, Life dropped in beautifully what to write about – the joyous energy of the live calls with Kantolomba and the process of how it all came together.

Prior to the first set of live calls, we tested the technology daily for a week, did several practice runs, revised the format, changed the settings, and even came up with a solid back-up plan in case technology failed!  Energy surge level one – we got this.

Then it came to the day of the first live call.   Energy surge level two – oh my gosh, I hope the wireless works in Kantolomba today!  As scheduled, 30 minutes before the call time, we got on with the team in Kantolomba to test.  I logged on, and waited to see if they were able to log on…one minute went by…two minutes went by…then all of a sudden, there they were!  Beautiful and bright, with smiles on their faces.  Then, it was off to the races!  

Energy surge level three – okay, let’s make sure we’re ready!  We ran through our list of items, positioned the laptop, made sure the audio sounded okay -- and then it was time to go live! 

Energy surge level four – oh my gosh, here we go!!!  We are live in Kantolomba!!!  Okay, people are online, they are asking questions, the team is singing to us, we are talking with Theresa, teachers, cooks and kids…and then there is the nshima pot!  It’s so big!!!  Before I realize it, time is up and the call is over!  Energy surge level five – we did it!  We did it!  That was just amazing!

And with that, I invite you all to join us on these calls and participate in the Team 150K for Africa Challenge.  It truly is a joyous energy ride.!

Gassho,
Sreedevi