I am Making My List and Checking It Twice

It is coming down to the wire! The departure dates have been decided upon and we are ironing out other details. If you have been keeping up with me then you should know that this journey will take me to a distant land to visit two young girls that I have been assisting through Children International to get the basic but so very essential needs such as clothing,medical check-up, maybe the only substantial meal of the day, schooling and after-school activities. This is a safe haven for these underprivileged children and it is hoped that this will be a stepping stone for a better future.

So now I am having some serious talk with the goddess of Travel Protection "you are going where?" she asked. The time is drawing nearer and I am making preparations ahead so I logged into my children International account to get an update on their hobbies,etc. The two young girls both like to color, love playing outdoors,dancing, drawing and playing with dolls. They also love math, reading and science. A very impressive and balanced resume I must say.

With That I began to make my List, skipping ropes, jacks(who remembers this?),picture books, crayons .... I have been looking for the perfect doll but everyone tells me it is not the season, they are plentiful during the holidays,(the things you discover) but I am still looking. Shopping, selecting just the right gift is a lot of fun but here comes the question "What will I say to two young girls who do not speak my language?" My connection are the letters we have written to each other over the years that mainly tell me about playtime and school. But the goddess of Travel Protection reminded me that I have been preparing for this for many years. In my line of work I am constantly dealing with people who do not speak the same language as I do. The magic of a smile is a big boost.

I have received from Children International a list of Do's and Dont's. They are great guidelines to prevent any faux pas. Again the goddess of Travel Protection chimed in to put me at ease. I have dealt with many cultures so that ingrained in me is the ability to be culturally sensitive at all times, another lifelong learning that will prove helpful on this journey. I am learning a few words just like I do at work when I meet someone who speaks another language. This always make the person comfortable. My travel companion and I will be escorted by staff and family members at all times, safety issues I reckon. I fully understand this because I am coming from a security-driven environment where the identity of the families we serve are to be safeguarded by all means.

Now that I have these essentials under my belt, I should not have any trouble enjoying this long awaited journey. There are gifts, clothing, language, rules of conduct, tickets, passport, etc, etc. I am making my list and checking it twice.

So Long!

About To Make It Happen

Dear Family & Friends,

On the top of my wish list for many years is the line: I would like to get the opportunity to visit the children I sponsor through the Children International and Child Fund organizations. Finally I am planning to take a 'bite' out of that wish list. I have been busy planning a trip to Zambia where I sponsor two beautiful children, Margret and Elizabeth. While I am there I would like to provide shoes for the many young underprivileged children who benefit from the services at the Children International Center. They receive medical benefits, they participate in after school activities,they are provided with decent clothing, among other things. There they are fed what may be their most substantial or only meal for the day.
In these hard economic times with so many who have so little, any
amount donated will be used to brighten their lives and is greatly appreciated. CHOOSING TO CARE reigns as my mantra! More updates coming your way.

Thank you.

GETTING MY WANDERLUST ON

"How wonderful it is that nobody
need wait a single moment before starting
to improve the world."
Anne Frank

I keep my TO DO LIST very long, it is constantly updated, the accomplishments are crossed out with a big smile and another activity is added; so my list is eternal. I even go a step further and add a travel section. I get a lot of pleasure planning for the parts of the world I would like to see, always thinking it will happen, just when, remains the question. The lure to where I step foot is a mixed bag of reasons and includes:

To see a colleague's homeland
To take in the scenic beauty
or
Just for relaxation

Lately, I have added missionary work. Although I have always done a little of this on every outing, it has never been official. Now I am ready to go on what I consider an important journey. I am a sponsor of 5 beautiful underprivileged children through Children International and one child through Child Fund. These are two United States established organizations that work in various countries to give these children a fighting chance in this difficult world. These organizations have built centers in various countries to accomodate these children, giving them a safe place to go to receive medical benefits, enjoy a meal which may be the only real one for the day, get clothing, books and help with schooling and participate in extracurricular activities. This will cost a sponsor twenty-two to twenty-eight dollars{$22-$28}. For more information, visit:
www.childfund.org
www.children.org

So now I read from my list, it says "Plan to visit all the countries of your sponsored children" They are scattered, from Zambia, Honduras, Ecuador, India to Arkansas, USA. How will I choose where to go? This time I am heading to Lusaka, Zambia. I have researched the distant land and came up with 'impoverished' which is of no surprise. I am drawn to this poverty stricken land, where I am sure to find gem; this is where two of my sponsored children call home. I have contacted Children International and I am making plans for my visit, which I hope will bring small moments of kindness and goodness in a harsh world. As time draws nearer I will update you!

So Long,
Peace & Love!

GETTING CONNECTED

"When spider webs unite,they can tie up a lion"
Ethiopian Proverb

A few months ago I was "hanging with the mentees",Lee-Anne and Mishqa, two lovely young ladies from the School of Hope, Cape Town, South Africa. They were my charge for the day and were part of a group of mentees sponsored to visit New York City. I took them to see the work world of my co-workers. Today, I have listened to Lee-Anne talk about her experience growing up in South Africa, she remained in NYC for a while longer speaking to others and spreading the word about the wonderful job the ACT organization does and the many ways she has benefited from this ACT of kindness. At this luncheon, planned to drum up support, we listened to Lee-Anne's words of praise, laced with gratitude for this vital organization that has given her a fresh perspective on life. She has entered through new doors and is now ready to take the plunge to a new journey.

Much praise was given to the ACT team and to the extraordinary human Erika, who has just returned from a month's long visit to the School of Hope, Cape Town; where she began the challenging job of putting together yet another group of mentees. She is on a mission to bring change to the lives of these youngsters. Her fearlessness and calm demeanor are admirable. Her connection with the youth of Cape Town, South Africa,priceless.

I came away knowing that there is so much more to be done. I know for sure if we band together the possibilities are endless albeit the challenges. So long Lee-Anne,you are returning home a changed person, keep going, I will be checking on you. BAIE DANKIE for your confidence and pluck! Thanks for the gathering, it was nice to see the folks from whom HOPE springs. The food was delicious too.
I invite you readers to be part of this ACTion. To find out more, visit the website:www.activecompassiontransforms.org

Peace & Love

The Promise of the Future

I picked up the'phone and carefully checked my list, careful not to leave out anyone of my dear friends from Beloved Haiti. I am concerned and wanted to know what fate had brought them. Some fared better than others, a sigh of relief when the news was good. I allowed the tears to roll shamelessly, staining my face as I watched the gruesome images flashed across the television screen. Sometimes I grimaced at the sight of blood or the limp bodies strewn among rubbles.
BEAUTIFUL HAITI, RAVISHED, BROKEN, DESTROYED

I felt like the Town Crier, even though there could not be a soul alive who had not heard of this disaster. But I felt the urge to check on my neighbors, expressing solidarity, telling them to forge on because better days are coming.
BEAUTIFUL HAITI WE LOOK TO A BRIGHT FUTURE

I really want to believe that the future holds great things for the country I only know and love through association. Made an honorary citizen by my closest and dearest friends, I have listened to stories upon stories; learned of the beautiful mountains, swayed and rocked to Tabou Combo, Sweet Mikey, New Look and other outstanding musical groups. Sometimes I crave for jhon jhon,legumes, bouillon and so many more delicious dishes. Artwork grace my walls, made by the skillful hands of a Haitian Citizen who may no longer exist. I had become acclimatized to the Haitian way of life, so much so, that the names of towns roll off my tongue. The familiarity of things Haiti, had rubbed off on me. BEAUTIFUL HAITI, this pain and anguish will go away. We will band together to build back what mother nature has destroyed.

So when I say SAK PASE HAITI? {How are you?} I hear fearless and strong responses:
NOUS SOMMES BIEN, MERCI {We are fine, thank you} Right now we are BROKEN, but slowly and surely we will MEND. That's the spirit! Better Days will come! Haiti will get a second life! We will never lose HOPE!

Digging Our Feet In Deep

"There can be hope only
for a society which
acts as one big family,
not as many separate ones."

As we ushered in the new year and ignoring the winter blahs, the Women's club met at Deans, a SoHo neighborhood restaurant to chow down some Italian cuisine. We welcomed the new faces and thanked both old and newcomers for joining our soiree. The house music was up loud, bent on drowing out our conversations but was no match for us, we needed to have a voice, we needed to be heard. After placing our order, the Manager played our tune:CELEBRATE! by KoolAnd the Gang as an interlude to emphasize the reason for our gathering; to celebrate ourselves.

Tonight our thoughts turned to many of our co-workers who are faced with the arduous job of caring for loved ones who are under the weather. Our concerns turned to Haiti's disaster and an on-looker, another diner at a nearby table, chimed in to cheer us on as we send goodwill to the Haitian people.

I shared the adventure we had in the past week with 2 visiting students from Cape Town, South Africa. The folks at the Ridgewood Center did a fantastic job in showcasing their stuff. My celebration today, was centered around an organization called, ACTION COMPASSION TRANSFORMS,(ACT) for short which sponsored these amazing children, giving them HOPE. Read all about it on my blog titled:"Hanging with the Mentees." This act of kindness has brought such joy.

The food was pleasing to the palate. The crusty bread dipped into the flavored olive oil said,"here's to your health." The cuisine was delicious to the last drop, there were many a clean plates and no complaints. They have earned their stripes!


We made the rounds to greet each other, lingering to chitchat and play catch-up. Choose TO Care is opened to new ideas, bursting with the enrgy of renewal. We are deeply committed. We are in a revved up state of mind to give HOPE where we can, again and again because the dividends on our investment when we give of ourselves is tremendous, just out of this world. Thanks to all who think CHOOSE TO CARE is worthy of their time. The goals we set for the new year is merely to improve upon what we did last year and continue to strive to make this a better world for us all.

We gave a nod to our next get together and as we stepped out into the night, I could only hope that each and everyone of us will reflect on our purpose and celebrate our remarkable journey, even when there are roadblocks. Together we will go far.

Hugs