I can't believe my team just started on Tuesday. Busy, busy, busy... I'm so excited about what I will soon be doing, but there is a lot to do in the meantime. There are 15 of us on my team, it's huge considering that we are together as a group from 8am to 10pm with little breaks. We will love each other and we will hate each other and my team is full of interesting characters (and that's putting it mildly).
Before we go to our various countries in Africa, we must as a team fund raise $96,000.00. This will occur in a series of four two week long fundraising trips. Our first trip will be in Washington D.C. in September. ;-)
Living on a mountain in a commune-like community is growing on me day by day. At first I suffered from culture shock (post-honeymoon period of course). Things are really good right now though. I've met some of the most amazing people from all over the world, people I would have never encountered otherwise. One of my favorite people here is my friend Valeria from Argentina, we are so similar, we have the same sense of humor, however, we don't speak the same language and yet we can communicate very clearly.
I discovered a path through the forest that i've been walking for about a half an hour every morning. It's so peaceful and beautiful and damp and green I really love it. There's a bridge and a creek and one of my favorite activities is standing ankle deep in the freezing cold water in my flip flops letting the water rush over my feet. My senses are more accute here.
Yesterday though, I swear I heard a bear. I don't know what they sound like, but I was splashing away just happy as pie and something somewhere made a noise so I fled.
Greylock, my favorite kitten is helping me write this right now. He has found his way over the bridge and into my building. There are five of us, sitting outside on the internet. Everyone is excited to have it, a weed-whacker ran over our connection chord not too long ago and ppppplllllltttttt... gone!
I began my capoiera class yesterday. What a work-out, but so much fun. I learned to variations of the jingha.
I taught a yoga class on Monday and will teach another one on Monday as well. Vinyasa style all the way.
There is nothing more peaceful than a sleeping cat/kitten and since I have one on my lap right now, I've gotta say ciao...
2 comments:
Ahhhhh Im so jealous about your free Capoeira classes. I have been taking it only once a week all summer because im saving for vacation! And I messed up my toe so Jingar on my right foot hurts!! Zut alors! How is the portuguese classes coming along. I know what you mean about it being a difficult language to speak, and the accents and dialects of your region in Africa will be even more different. At least your Argentinian friend and you well soon share a language!
When In Sept will you be in DC, it would be great to swing down and visit you!
$96,000.....Good Lord!!!!! That's all I have to say about that one. Philanthropy defined (The giving of time, talents, and money.) Operations needing to raise that much money typically hire a Development Team so that the energies of its volunteers isn’t wasted strictly on “capital” campaigning. Major Gift fundraising typically requires so sort of educational training and years of experience cultivating leadership donors. I am abit surprised that the leaders of your “organization” would charge inexperienced fundraisers with the task of raising such a large amount of money. One would think that the “organization” would have systems in place for such an undertaking. I am forced to ask if the purpose of this “operation” is to make money or to provide time and talent to underserved populations throughout the world.
Post a Comment