Something Cheri said about what seemed to be a “dry spell” for me in practice—no huge insights catching the attention, no large hurdles to transcend—woke me up. “Perhaps it’s a dry spell, or perhaps the extraordinary has become ordinary.”
Often on the long voyage to Zambia, people will engage us about what we are doing, asking about the project. After they hear the length and breadth of the work in Kantolomba, the conversation predictably turns to funding.
“How do you get your grants?”
“We don’t apply for grants.”
“So your main funding comes from...”
“Individual donations.”
“Yes, but your large influx of funds. Where does that come from? How have you maintained a project of this size over this many years?”
“All of our funding is accumulated from committed individuals over time.”
Usually a few moments of stunned silence follow.
It is truly extraordinary that there is a group of people, most of whom have never been to Kantolomba, who remain committed, year after year, to participate and make this work possible.
It is extraordinary that there is a team of folks in Kantolomba who remain committed to showing up EVERY day to do the boots-on-the-ground, nshima-paddles-in-hand work to make it all happen.
I recently heard a definition of commitment as being willing to do what you said you would do long after the “mood” you said it in has passed. Dozens of projects have come and gone not just in the small community of Kantolomba, but all of Zambia and its neighboring countries. We can only guess that each was started with beautiful intentions, big dreams, much lit-upness. And then the naysaying voices start up and erode the energy of excitement.
How breathtakingly fortunate we are to have a process to turn to when the inevitable naysaying voices (inside or out) start in!
Are there days when someone on the team in Kantolomba “doesn’t feel like it?” You know it! Are there times when someone in the Sangha sets the intention to run a mile every day or bike 100 miles or walk 1,000 miles or take 10,000 steps every day or jump out of an airplane or bench press their body weight or…. (all true examples of fundraisers over the years!) is tempted to give in to the resistance? Absolutely!
But there is always someone beside us, someone in Sangha, who lights the way. Sometimes we are that person, cheering others on, and sometimes we are the one needing the cheering. The end result? We are still HERE! Fifteen years after gathering that first year at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, before we even knew what the project in Africa was even going to look like, we will gather to celebrate those 15 years, the 1,000 children, the 35 cooperative members, the thousands of Sangha! And it has all been accomplished one dollar, one moment, one day, one child, one step, one collective heart at a time!
We have an ambitious goal this year: $125,000! It is an exciting time in the project, and we have every faith that, as always, Life will show up and provide exactly what is needed!
If you are joining us on the 15th, we can’t wait to see you! If you are not, and are raising funds that may not be sent by the 15th, please email us at africa@livingcompassion.org to tell us your estimated total. It is great fun to announce the fruits of our collective efforts live at the event!
DO NOT let the voices convince you that any participation is too small! This extraordinary celebration is OURS, together!
In Deep Gassho
Jen