MY DEAR CHILD ...

Details: Created on Monday, 04 August 2014 09:24; Written by Marian Moore

Marian @ Krysan

THE WELLBEING CONSULTANCY

Planting Golden Seeds in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Durham

__________________________

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

Re-kindling Community in Africa

Head > Heart > Hand

by

Marian Moore

My Dear Child, Welcome Home.

Without a shadow of doubt, we two are out to make a difference, but whilst I consciously begin to narrow my focus, your world-view is expanding - exponentially. And, this is as it should be. I am well on in years; you stand on the cusp of life. Three days ago you returned home from a month-long working holiday in Tanzania in East Africa. You are completely and noticeably changed by the experience.

Experience is the best teacher. Whatever action we take shapes and reshapes us and, through us, the world we live in. The challenge for everyone is to ensure that our actions are benign and benefit all. In taking up this challenge you and your friends are expressing a way of being based on partnership: accepting the values of mutual compassion, mutual responsibility, and mutual respect for - on this occasion - the beautiful children of Africa.

I am a young woman who wants to conquer the world. I am a young woman who believes that I can add to the development of my continent and of course my country and my community and my family. – Sombo, Zambia

I am my brother's keeper

As the years roll by, I am confident that lessons learnt this summer, in a land far from home, will be strengthened and promoted through collaboration and a shared vision, this aimed at building the 'fullness of community'. This is viewed by many world-class thinkers as the only hope:

for the dignity of the human condition, and
for our co-evolution with Earth.

You already know about 'community' by experiencing it first-hand in North East England and, as of late, experiencing it first-hand in the East African country of Tanzania. One day, you will doubtless study - as a Geographer - how to 'build community', this in an often fragmented and sometimes unfriendly world. Maybe that time is far distant, but it's worth saying now that the word 'community' means 'fellowship of relations or feelings'.

An African is known to be his brother’s keeper and that is who I am. I am hoping that with this, I will go back more equipped to make changes. I hope that I will be the change.” – Maryam, Nigeria

The spirit comes from within.

It has been said many times before that only when we understand the true nature that exists within can we live harmoniously with the rest of the natural world. I was advised by a wise doctor years ago that 'the spirit comes from within'. I learned that self-realisation is not rocket-science. It's just about getting real. Becoming yourself. Being yourself. Drawing forth the same in others.

A blog is only a blog - it's nothing more and nothing less. But, watch out for the Head, Heart and Hand model outlined below - if it hasn't done so already, it's sure to crop up again somewhere in your studies. This, then, is:

The Model of Human Engagement.

Head >

(reason, logic, law ... enforcement)

Heart >

(feelings, intuition, values ... processes)

Hand >

(management, serving, activism ... enabling)

You will know people in your circle who have been called to develop expertise/learning in one of these three areas; even two; but rarely all three! The above model might even help you navigate towards a broader curriculum at A-level than would have been the case. Who knows? I say no more other than go with your intuition in making your final choice of subjects. Like Ida from The Gambia (quoted below), you are the future. You, too, must be heard.

That is one of the things that we are really learning to do here; is to say, no we must be heard. We are the future. So in a nutshell, that’s who I am. I am the future. The African future.” – Ida, The Gambia

Small is beautiful.

"Everywhere people ask, "What can I actually do?" The answer is as simple as it is disconcerting: we can, each of us, work to put our inner house in order. The guidance we need for this work cannot be found in science and technology, the value of which utterly depends on the ends they serve; but it can still be found in the traditional wisdom of mankind." Fritz Schumacher - Small is Beautiful

Keep smiling - no matter what.
Happiness is a choice.
Follow your heart.

An Ode to Smiling.

Smiling is contagious,
You can catch it like the 'flu.
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling, too!

I passed around the corner,
And someone saw my grin.
When he smiled, I realised,
I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile,
Then realised its worth.
A single smile — just like mine,
Could travel round the Earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick —
And get the world infected!

ANONYMOUS

Africa has great potential and more than 65% of Africa’s people are young” - Andrew, South Africa

Re-kindling community.

Alistair McIntosh has this to say about 'the threats that imperil a world that gives us life'. Heed his words - no jesting here. And, no single solution.

"Climate change, species extinction, war and alienation. These are just some of the threats that imperil a world that gives us life. There is no single solution, but one thing is certain. Unless humanity learns how to rekindle community, all other efforts will wither on the vine." Alastair McIntosh's - Rekindling Community

And so, I am one hundred per cent on your side - the side of goodness. What follows is a blast from the past, a letter written for the Krysan website (and you) in January 2011. It's about the struggle for equality for women and their daughters around the world. I have made the connection; have you?

Our interconnected world.

January 2011
Dear Readers,

HALF THE SKY

This page will be about the struggle for equality for women and their daughters around the world. It has been inspired by a book called Half the Sky: How to Change the World by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn (2010). For the moment it must suffice to say that:

In the nineteenth century the central moral challenge we faced was slavery.
In the twentieth century it was the battle against totalitarianism.
In the twenty-first century it is the struggle for equality for women and their daughters around the world.

How do we tackle poverty, disease and conflict? Half the Sky shows that women are the solution. I'll be back soon with more, and leave you with much to think about, including this quotation about the importance of girls' education in the developing world,

'Investment in girls' education may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world'. AN ECONOMIST

I know that I will not have to look far for stories of courage and determination about amazing women who have overcome unimaginable hurdles in order to change the world. A friend of mine, activist and teacher Marion Aslan, will be my first port of call for I see her as a champion of women's rights in Kenya.*** See LATEST NEWS for more about Marion Aslan.

Sincerely yours

Marian

(See HALF THE SKY)

We have an even deeper hunger, we have this yearning for a better world. And because of that, we have an honest intention to do better.” – Sombo, Zambia

(See SMELL THE FLOWERS)

Marian Moore
August 2014

References.

McINTOSH, ALISTAIR (2008), Rekindling Community: Connecting People, Environment and Spirituality, pub. Green Books Ltd., Foxhole, Dartington, Totnes, Devon. TQ9 6EB

KRISTOF N D & WUDUNN S (2010), Half the Sky: How to Change the World

YALI = Young African Leaders Initiative: The YALI Network provides virtual resources and vibrant physical spaces to equip young African leaders with the skills and connections they need to foster change in their communities and their countries. Established by the President in April 2014, the Network already includes more than 68,000 members. Using yali.state.gov and social media, the United States provides online courses and materials, and connects members with global leaders in their field. Over the next year, President Obama will continue to engage the YALI Network through virtual town halls.

“I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world – partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect.” - President Obama

People think angels fly because they have wings.

Angels fly because they take themselves lightly. ANONYMOUS

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