“2005 marked our first year and first visit to Kantolomba, Ndola, Zambia, and we laid the groundwork for the year ahead. We met the first children living in the Living Compassion house. This was the year that we asked Theresa how we could make a difference.”
-The Africa Vulnerable Children Project blog, July 2005
In writing this article, I looked at the question. “What moves me to participate and support the project?”
Silence. “There’s gotta be a specific reason.” Silence. “Okay, can something profound drop in here?” Silence.
Then, there it was. No words. Just connecting to the warmth of my heart.
I participate because that is what the heart wants to do.
The Bridge Walk campaign is a bridge between the hearts of our Sangha across the world and the Sangha in Kantolomba. It reflects what we say to each other in this Practice: “Gasshō” —my heart and your heart are one. It offers the opportunity to look to see what is possible.
This season, the Africa Stewards have put together fourteen different ways to participate! It’s exciting to see how many possibilities there are.
One that caught my eye this year is “Sell & Share: Sell items you no longer need and donate the proceeds.” I’ve wanted to go through some items and boxes for quite some time, but the familiar story appears: “That’s going to take so long.” “It’s boring.” “There are more important things to do.” “I haven’t opened that box in 10 years—I clearly don’t need anything in it.” Conditioned mind always has a reason not to.
But what would it be like to look through a box with the eyes of love? What treasures might be waiting? What joy might come from passing something along for someone else to enjoy? What a fun way this could be to participate!
The first visit to Kantolomba, that question to Theresa, “How could we make a difference?” could translate to, “How can we participate?”
As we enter this 20th anniversary season of the project, let’s look to our hearts and to the many options the Africa Stewards have offered (and new ones that may drop in!). Let’s see what calls us to participate through the eyes of love.
Gasshō,
Sreedevi