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Saturday, January 09, 2016

Educating Africa


Someone challenged my motivation for helping the people of Africa yesterday. I could see where he was coming from, there are a lot of scams and corruption. Kind people are taken advantage of all the time. I know because I've seen it, and it's happened to me... a lot.  Yet, I continue to give and learn who to trust.

I was also contacted yesterday by someone from Zimbabwe, living in New Zealand, who wants to join with me to send computers and educational supplies and then go over to help the people in Africa become independent entrepreneurs, giving them the knowledge required to help themselves. 

The question is this: The more we help Africa by sending them stuff for "free", are we creating a society of expectant entitlement? Are we helping them or are we adding to the problem? We discussed it and I've thought about it a lot, many hours in meditation and reflection on my personal experiences and this is the message I'm getting: 

It's crucial to act when you feel compelled to help but don't do anything blindly, be conscious.  Know the ones you are investing in so they will remember the kindness in your eyes and in your smile and the energy that you bring. You give them hope which is what they need. When something is done out of love, the reward will flourish and that's how lives are transformed. It's the concept of paying it forward... if good things are done for you, you will do good for others. By investing in a child's education, you are giving them an opportunity to grow, evolve and expand. When a child knows the person giving them this opportunity, it motivates them to work harder. Trust this.
The photos here are the Maasai girls that the Nuns of Kisikahaba have taken in to be given an education and a chance of a future, otherwise most of them would have been sold at the markets as young brides or housegirls (a modern term for slave).  Their future, to become one of many wives of a Maasai warrior and to produce as many boys as possible to herd the family cattle and goats.  The Maasai people are not cruel, they are simple and merely ignorant, as this is how they've survived for centuries.  But they are struggling and now resort to selling their daughters in desperation.  By educating the parents on the value of educating their children, we are helping them to preserve their culture through freedom and expression.  In our world today, education is the only way forward. 

The Western World, particularly North America, is addicted to "stuff" and they have more than they know what to do with.  Second hand charity shops are overflowing, unable to take in any more.  They send excess unwanted items blindly to Africa and third world countries around the world where the items end up in corrupt hands and are sold to the poor.  This is disgraceful.  It's no wonder people have lost faith in these charity shops as there is nothing charitable about contributing to corruption.  This is what happens when people "do good" unconsciously.

I chose to do something about it.  I invested my time and effort and did my research.  I built relationships with trustworthy people, found worthy charities to invest in and learned first hand how I could improve their lives.

I've never met children so hungry for a chance at life. When I think of entitlement I don't think of African children, I think of Westernized children. I believe this is our chance to help the next generation change corruption and greed. I know them and I have seen the hearts of these young ones. I believe this is why large charities fail, because so many have lost the grassroots connection. The only way I can continue this work is by continuing to love and care about the children whose lives I am determined to change and the families who need the most hope. 

Unfortunately I need money to do this work... and that's the biggest hurdle. I can't do it alone either. I have a team of angels helping but without funding, we can only go so far. I have faith it will all work out as it's meant to which is why I must remain detached from any outcome but very conscious of my role.

There are certainly projects closer to home, in the Pacific Islands that could use my help as well.  I don't think I chose Africa in particular, but rather, Africa chose me.

The small part I played was an incredible experience and I helped so many people. That's good enough for me... for now. If my mission in Africa is meant to continue, God will find a way.

 ‪#‎charity‬ ‪#‎Africa‬ ‪#‎education‬ ‪#‎heforshe‬ ‪#‎purpose‬ ‪#‎followyourdream‬ ‪#‎HelpUsHelpThem‬ ‪#‎giving‬ ‪#‎love‬ #consciousconnection 
 
Namaste & God Bless