The students have a non-technical background but have worked hard to learn as much as they can about the system they will help install and about the people they will be touching.
(No email/phone until Jan. 13)
Monday, December 26, 2005
Land of the Dawn Lit Mountains
i'll be leaving for Delhi on Dec. 31 and for Guwahati on Jan. 2 to accompany a Colorado College student service group who has raised money to provide a solar power system for a remote monastery in West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, aka Land of the Dawn Lit Mountains.
The students have a non-technical background but have worked hard to learn as much as they can about the system they will help install and about the people they will be touching.
(No email/phone until Jan. 13)
The students have a non-technical background but have worked hard to learn as much as they can about the system they will help install and about the people they will be touching.
(No email/phone until Jan. 13)
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Christmas Eve
It's Christmas Eve...here in Batesville, Mississippi.
Although this morning I was indifferent to someone pointing out that the Macy's annual Christmas parade will be shown tomorrow morning, I have been rather engaged watching tonight's special tv programs re-counting Jesus' journeys, one being called "The Footsteps of Jesus."
Thanks to first-hand awareness of the "flaws" of human nature both in myself and in others during the last few months--which cut short the positive flow i had wrongly anticipated from the good-will context of the situations, e.g. awesome Green Empowerment unraveled, the most peaceful of friends losing composure, and Dipti who i knew like no other becomes a total stranger--watching the documentaries on Jesus' amazing journey triggered questions on whether even the great ones of the great religions had human flaws...every now and then.
...Fortunately, I caught myself. Instead of starting from the holes of human nature and going forth to search for holes in the great ones, why not start from the great ones and go search for the Greatness in human nature?
I actually don't have to go anywhere right now to find the Greatness. Just as there were mishaps in the last few months allowing me to learn more about the flaws of human nature, there have been amazing incidents allowing learning of the Divine in humans.
One rather fitting incident to share tonight is running into Sister Agnes Clare:
Having spent the previous night on a rather cold sleeper train from Madurai to Bangalore and the afternoon trying to arrange transport back to Ahmedabad in the cheapest but most bearable mode possible, I wearily boarded a Maharastra state bus from Bangalore to Mumbai at 2pm in order to catch a 5pm train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad the next day.
I was no state to strike a conversation with anyone and fell asleep within minutes of boarding and pretending to read a book.
The nap did wonders and I finally gave a nice, full namaste to the lady sitting next to me, who had also woken from a nap. We did not say much initially, but both of us wondered what the other was about.
I was dressed in typical Indian garb but definitely wore my look of i-don't-belong-here, not knowing what such a long ride on a state bus would entail. She was dressed in a dull brown hue, much like the uniforms of domestic airport security or police staff in India. I kept wondering whether she was a security guard that hadn't had time to change before boarding, until I started getting annoyed that she was starting to invade my half of the seat...she I'm sure sensed my discomfort.
Thankfully, as sunset approached we both became lax and intrigued by each other's story. "My name is Agnes Clare, belonging to the Carmalite Sisters of the Saint Teresa, a.k.a. Mt. Carmel Catholic order."
Hearing my fake Indian-English accent and seeing that I was trying to read a book on such a shaking ride, she guessed that I wasn't from India. I answered her questions and I explained why I was there. She listened carefully and then described why she was on the bus.
"Our church about 4 years ago decided to celebrate our centennial by examining how closely they have met the goals of our founding nun who started the order in India several decades ago."
The assessment had led the Mt. Carmel order to realize that they should be doing more than just educating the rich (Mt. Carmel has a chain of private girls schools). Hence, they decided to annually devout funds to village sustainability, initiating the program in northern Karnataka first.
Sister Agnes, is the change i want to be. After having been a kindergarten teacher for 25 years, she jumped at Mt. Carmel's call for Sisters who could commit to social work in the villages. She attended a 9 month workshop on working in villages, which turned out to be nothing more teaching herself how to work in villages.
With her leadership, the team of nuns and coordinators have been able to successfully start 60 women's self help groups in 40 villages in Byadgi, Haveri district of northern Karnataka. She patiently answered my questions on the details of the money numbers and on how the women develop their sense of trust. Three years ago these women were too shy to say their names; NOW they strike at the panchayat leader's home when their needs are not met. Amazing. Chills every time i think of the groups and their growth in just a few years.
Along with SHG's, the program is progressing on issues of communication technology access, girls vocational education, hygiene, and health care. Sister Agnes was on the night bus because she had immediately left her quarterly nun retreat in Bangalore when she heard that 3 girls had not returned to school after Diwali break.....she went on to explain how she chose monastic life...spoke so naturally of God. ...Honestly, i was in Awe and....a bit jealous.
Of course the only way to break the streak of jealously is to become part of her journey. She needs to grow their health program but is too occupied in just keeping it alive. Funds are being stretched to keep their one travelling nurse, mobile clinic, and a strong Aids awareness. The European funder for their health program cannot send a grant for the coming year; they will not be able to pay the dedicated nurse they have. $500 this year would keep the nurse and the program alive. If anyone is interested in donating anything at all, please let me know. Also, any thoughts on how to make such a program self-sustainable?
...The bus stopped at a food stall. Sister Agnes and I paused our talk and looked out the window only to see 3 girls begging. I asked if we could just grab them and take them with us ...enroll them in her program. ...Of course she points to one of the girl's mother sitting nearby, also begging. She had just been explained why it is important to keep trying to explain to parents that their daughters can be such great assets for the family. Her strategy seemed to be to first touch the mother of the household via successful self help groups...
Selfless Sister Agnes as an example of the Divine in humans showed up over a month ago...when i thought nothing could compare to monastic life and thought the world of by chance meetings such as my run-in with Sis Agnes. ...However, there have been other examples since then, non-monastic and right under my nose...like that of my mother. Never does this woman think of herself...it's either her children or her husband she lives for.
What makes non-stop thinking outside of oneself a Divine quality? I don't know. ...but I believe it. While I have learned on this trip to the US that even making one's ownself happy is a form of creating peace for others...and that i engage in so-called service work only to make myself happy, there is still a distinction which Sister Agnes and my mother hold. ...Looking forward to the next lesson. Merry Christmas.
Although this morning I was indifferent to someone pointing out that the Macy's annual Christmas parade will be shown tomorrow morning, I have been rather engaged watching tonight's special tv programs re-counting Jesus' journeys, one being called "The Footsteps of Jesus."
Thanks to first-hand awareness of the "flaws" of human nature both in myself and in others during the last few months--which cut short the positive flow i had wrongly anticipated from the good-will context of the situations, e.g. awesome Green Empowerment unraveled, the most peaceful of friends losing composure, and Dipti who i knew like no other becomes a total stranger--watching the documentaries on Jesus' amazing journey triggered questions on whether even the great ones of the great religions had human flaws...every now and then.
...Fortunately, I caught myself. Instead of starting from the holes of human nature and going forth to search for holes in the great ones, why not start from the great ones and go search for the Greatness in human nature?
I actually don't have to go anywhere right now to find the Greatness. Just as there were mishaps in the last few months allowing me to learn more about the flaws of human nature, there have been amazing incidents allowing learning of the Divine in humans.
One rather fitting incident to share tonight is running into Sister Agnes Clare:
Having spent the previous night on a rather cold sleeper train from Madurai to Bangalore and the afternoon trying to arrange transport back to Ahmedabad in the cheapest but most bearable mode possible, I wearily boarded a Maharastra state bus from Bangalore to Mumbai at 2pm in order to catch a 5pm train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad the next day.
I was no state to strike a conversation with anyone and fell asleep within minutes of boarding and pretending to read a book.
The nap did wonders and I finally gave a nice, full namaste to the lady sitting next to me, who had also woken from a nap. We did not say much initially, but both of us wondered what the other was about.
I was dressed in typical Indian garb but definitely wore my look of i-don't-belong-here, not knowing what such a long ride on a state bus would entail. She was dressed in a dull brown hue, much like the uniforms of domestic airport security or police staff in India. I kept wondering whether she was a security guard that hadn't had time to change before boarding, until I started getting annoyed that she was starting to invade my half of the seat...she I'm sure sensed my discomfort.
Thankfully, as sunset approached we both became lax and intrigued by each other's story. "My name is Agnes Clare, belonging to the Carmalite Sisters of the Saint Teresa, a.k.a. Mt. Carmel Catholic order."
Hearing my fake Indian-English accent and seeing that I was trying to read a book on such a shaking ride, she guessed that I wasn't from India. I answered her questions and I explained why I was there. She listened carefully and then described why she was on the bus."Our church about 4 years ago decided to celebrate our centennial by examining how closely they have met the goals of our founding nun who started the order in India several decades ago."
The assessment had led the Mt. Carmel order to realize that they should be doing more than just educating the rich (Mt. Carmel has a chain of private girls schools). Hence, they decided to annually devout funds to village sustainability, initiating the program in northern Karnataka first.
Sister Agnes, is the change i want to be. After having been a kindergarten teacher for 25 years, she jumped at Mt. Carmel's call for Sisters who could commit to social work in the villages. She attended a 9 month workshop on working in villages, which turned out to be nothing more teaching herself how to work in villages.
With her leadership, the team of nuns and coordinators have been able to successfully start 60 women's self help groups in 40 villages in Byadgi, Haveri district of northern Karnataka. She patiently answered my questions on the details of the money numbers and on how the women develop their sense of trust. Three years ago these women were too shy to say their names; NOW they strike at the panchayat leader's home when their needs are not met. Amazing. Chills every time i think of the groups and their growth in just a few years.
Along with SHG's, the program is progressing on issues of communication technology access, girls vocational education, hygiene, and health care. Sister Agnes was on the night bus because she had immediately left her quarterly nun retreat in Bangalore when she heard that 3 girls had not returned to school after Diwali break.....she went on to explain how she chose monastic life...spoke so naturally of God. ...Honestly, i was in Awe and....a bit jealous.
Of course the only way to break the streak of jealously is to become part of her journey. She needs to grow their health program but is too occupied in just keeping it alive. Funds are being stretched to keep their one travelling nurse, mobile clinic, and a strong Aids awareness. The European funder for their health program cannot send a grant for the coming year; they will not be able to pay the dedicated nurse they have. $500 this year would keep the nurse and the program alive. If anyone is interested in donating anything at all, please let me know. Also, any thoughts on how to make such a program self-sustainable?
...The bus stopped at a food stall. Sister Agnes and I paused our talk and looked out the window only to see 3 girls begging. I asked if we could just grab them and take them with us ...enroll them in her program. ...Of course she points to one of the girl's mother sitting nearby, also begging. She had just been explained why it is important to keep trying to explain to parents that their daughters can be such great assets for the family. Her strategy seemed to be to first touch the mother of the household via successful self help groups...
Selfless Sister Agnes as an example of the Divine in humans showed up over a month ago...when i thought nothing could compare to monastic life and thought the world of by chance meetings such as my run-in with Sis Agnes. ...However, there have been other examples since then, non-monastic and right under my nose...like that of my mother. Never does this woman think of herself...it's either her children or her husband she lives for.
What makes non-stop thinking outside of oneself a Divine quality? I don't know. ...but I believe it. While I have learned on this trip to the US that even making one's ownself happy is a form of creating peace for others...and that i engage in so-called service work only to make myself happy, there is still a distinction which Sister Agnes and my mother hold. ...Looking forward to the next lesson. Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Seed to Peace
Whew. The visit back to the US has surfaced many Dipti's. It has been difficult to see which one is backed by only Her.
Thankfully, i continue to have many in life to help find the answer...being with them i am realizing it is not an answer i seek but a path to embrace silently...i anticipate the search to finally become the path. All i have to do is let go.
"While there are many, many miles we must travel along this journey to creating inner peace, one of the most important is self-love. Without self-love, there will be no hope of ever changing our relationship with anything or anyone. No one would nourish a body that is despised and condemned on a daily basis. Only through warmth, compassion, and caring for yourself will you be able to move and feed your body in pleasing ways. Dare to love yourself. It's your journey. And without your support, you're not going to get anywhere at all. "
--Dr. Annette Colby
Thankfully, i continue to have many in life to help find the answer...being with them i am realizing it is not an answer i seek but a path to embrace silently...i anticipate the search to finally become the path. All i have to do is let go.
"While there are many, many miles we must travel along this journey to creating inner peace, one of the most important is self-love. Without self-love, there will be no hope of ever changing our relationship with anything or anyone. No one would nourish a body that is despised and condemned on a daily basis. Only through warmth, compassion, and caring for yourself will you be able to move and feed your body in pleasing ways. Dare to love yourself. It's your journey. And without your support, you're not going to get anywhere at all. "
--Dr. Annette Colby
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Engaged and Detached
Things are not panning out for the Pakistan domes. Also, due to family commitments, I will be heading to the US for 6 weeks on Nov. 20, leaving Pakistan for later in the year.
...There are other projects taking form upon my return in India...Although honestly, I'm a bit "projected" out.
My initial in-depth trip to India a few years was organic and had little agenda; comparing it to this time, I learned and felt so much more then. Of course this is due to several factors...but essentially, I am slowly realizing how the busy-ness of sharply focused plans takes away from simply being and learning/acting with depth... without biases.
If at all my actions and mind stabalize, I will complete the thesis work in the next few months and leave the remaining time in India/Pakistan/wherever else without an agenda. ...like the several lotuses i've seen this week, a balance between being fully engaged and detached is appealing.
...There are other projects taking form upon my return in India...Although honestly, I'm a bit "projected" out.
My initial in-depth trip to India a few years was organic and had little agenda; comparing it to this time, I learned and felt so much more then. Of course this is due to several factors...but essentially, I am slowly realizing how the busy-ness of sharply focused plans takes away from simply being and learning/acting with depth... without biases.
If at all my actions and mind stabalize, I will complete the thesis work in the next few months and leave the remaining time in India/Pakistan/wherever else without an agenda. ...like the several lotuses i've seen this week, a balance between being fully engaged and detached is appealing.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Trying to absorb a friend's post (http://bawarchi.blogspot.com/2005/10/letter-to-eric-myself.html)
In order to arrive at having pleasure in everything,
Desire pleasure in nothing.
In order to arrive at possessing everything,
Desire to posses nothing.
In order to arrive at being everything,
Desire to be nothing.
In order to arrive at the knowledge of everything,
Desire to know nothing.
In order to arrive at having pleasure in everything,
Desire pleasure in nothing.
In order to arrive at possessing everything,
Desire to posses nothing.
In order to arrive at being everything,
Desire to be nothing.
In order to arrive at the knowledge of everything,
Desire to know nothing.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Updates: Pakistan
THANK YOU for being so generous with your ideas and desire to help fund shelters to the quake affected areas of Pakistan.
The lastest is that the a donor in Pakistan is exploring how to fund 5000 of these dome homes. However, we suggested that they first install only 2 dome homes to get an idea of whether the communities will accept them.
There is no doubt that the communities will be warm in these homes and that they will be able to use the domes structures for decades to come. However, as serveral of you have pointed out, there is a chance that the domes won't be accepted culturally.
Others of you suggested alternate dome shelter designs that are quite amazing and can be made from local material. We are also exploring how to execute these designs in short time as well.
Lastly, for those of you that want to send funds for relief efforts, I have been brainstorming ways in which you can be more engaged with your own ideas or funds.
For instance, I could spend a week in a cluster of communities assessing what is needed and what could be done with small funds and with the skills I have. I could post these on the blog, and you could tell me how you want your funds spent, and hopefully even provide further ideas.
Also, since some of you have such great community experience in southeast Asia, you could send ideas on how you want the funds to be spent even before I visit the communities. I could then see how much time and skill I have to execute your ideas. ...I'm thinking aloud and open to your thoughts.
I will be leaving for Islamabad by Nov. 15 and will spend a month there. ...My strengths are in connecting with the local flow...listening to individuals/families and actively sharing in their experience--good or bad.
I'm not sure how much "I" will "help", but the point is to experience and learn, go deeper inside on both my end and their end...and if you want, hopefully connect you in the process as well.
What do you think?
The lastest is that the a donor in Pakistan is exploring how to fund 5000 of these dome homes. However, we suggested that they first install only 2 dome homes to get an idea of whether the communities will accept them.
There is no doubt that the communities will be warm in these homes and that they will be able to use the domes structures for decades to come. However, as serveral of you have pointed out, there is a chance that the domes won't be accepted culturally.
Others of you suggested alternate dome shelter designs that are quite amazing and can be made from local material. We are also exploring how to execute these designs in short time as well.
Lastly, for those of you that want to send funds for relief efforts, I have been brainstorming ways in which you can be more engaged with your own ideas or funds.
For instance, I could spend a week in a cluster of communities assessing what is needed and what could be done with small funds and with the skills I have. I could post these on the blog, and you could tell me how you want your funds spent, and hopefully even provide further ideas.
Also, since some of you have such great community experience in southeast Asia, you could send ideas on how you want the funds to be spent even before I visit the communities. I could then see how much time and skill I have to execute your ideas. ...I'm thinking aloud and open to your thoughts.
I will be leaving for Islamabad by Nov. 15 and will spend a month there. ...My strengths are in connecting with the local flow...listening to individuals/families and actively sharing in their experience--good or bad.
I'm not sure how much "I" will "help", but the point is to experience and learn, go deeper inside on both my end and their end...and if you want, hopefully connect you in the process as well.
What do you think?
Friday, October 21, 2005
On Fire
The last train ride:
On Fire. Heart thumping. Sweat secreting. One foot flying after the other, as fast as possible. Focus: Follow the red shirt of the Kuli-bhai. Trust him. Trust the rhythms. If not this one, then the next. But not without a fight.
…I did make the train with 3 minutes to spare…whew. Wish I could fight for the Universe with the same focus…as if there were no next moment. Treat every person as if there were no other. The Earth as if it were the only….heartbeats are still so fast.
…Finally, I get to sleep at some point, only to wake up at about 5am to some dream about…I forget it as soon as the usual jolt of 'Oh yeah, I'm still on a train' kicks in. It never fails on the entry back into consciousness from slumber. …Though this time it seemed that I entered another dream:
Down the aisle, there is row of young men with hats on. I slowly remember the group of young Muslim boys in the next compartment as I had ran onto the cabin. They were now doing their first prayer of the day. The smiling adolescents had neatly rolled about cloth on the aisle and formed a comfortable line to pray. After the namaz, they read…their day on the train continues with other prayers and readings. So young and fired towards worship.
On Fire. Heart thumping. Sweat secreting. One foot flying after the other, as fast as possible. Focus: Follow the red shirt of the Kuli-bhai. Trust him. Trust the rhythms. If not this one, then the next. But not without a fight.
…I did make the train with 3 minutes to spare…whew. Wish I could fight for the Universe with the same focus…as if there were no next moment. Treat every person as if there were no other. The Earth as if it were the only….heartbeats are still so fast.
…Finally, I get to sleep at some point, only to wake up at about 5am to some dream about…I forget it as soon as the usual jolt of 'Oh yeah, I'm still on a train' kicks in. It never fails on the entry back into consciousness from slumber. …Though this time it seemed that I entered another dream:
Down the aisle, there is row of young men with hats on. I slowly remember the group of young Muslim boys in the next compartment as I had ran onto the cabin. They were now doing their first prayer of the day. The smiling adolescents had neatly rolled about cloth on the aisle and formed a comfortable line to pray. After the namaz, they read…their day on the train continues with other prayers and readings. So young and fired towards worship.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Domes for Pakistan
The wave of the Moment is to get as many fiberglass dome homes to Pakistan before the cold really sets in the earthquake affected areas.
For a while it seemed that we were jumping into an unrealistic goal reaching Pakistan with some sort of relief aid; but as always, enough thinking and desire to do manifests into reality.
Two domes will be sponsored by Friends of Pakistan, with an aim to generate further awareness of the dome structure's ability to save lives this winter.
http://www.domesintl.com/index.htm
Open to your ideas on what else to take/ send, whom to work with, etc.
For a while it seemed that we were jumping into an unrealistic goal reaching Pakistan with some sort of relief aid; but as always, enough thinking and desire to do manifests into reality.
Two domes will be sponsored by Friends of Pakistan, with an aim to generate further awareness of the dome structure's ability to save lives this winter.
http://www.domesintl.com/index.htm
Open to your ideas on what else to take/ send, whom to work with, etc.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Waves
More aware than ever. Different waves forming...as always, for the better. Moving on from Green Empowerment...and just focusing on catching the wave now, and now, and now. :)
"Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run. The daily work--that goes on, it adds up. It goes into the ground, into crops, into children's bellies, and their bright eyes. Good things don't get lost...the very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope, right in it, under its roof. What I want is so simple I almost can't say: elementary kindness."
-Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams (thanks Anna)
"Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run. The daily work--that goes on, it adds up. It goes into the ground, into crops, into children's bellies, and their bright eyes. Good things don't get lost...the very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope, right in it, under its roof. What I want is so simple I almost can't say: elementary kindness."
-Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams (thanks Anna)
Monday, October 03, 2005
TiriKonaMalai (Triangled Mountain)
Below is a rather dry update....but in general the visits to the conflict and tsunami affected villages has been quite a lesson in the double-tragedy that the northeast of the country has faced. ...Wish I could speak the local language. ...Will post photos soon.
-----------------------------------------------
The first 2 days in Sri Lanka were spent meeting with international groups, such as Mercy Corps, and recommended local groups, such as Sarvodya and Energy Forum, in Colombo. With some contacts of a Sri Lankan friends, we've also met some influential folks who are backing humanitarian work around the island, such as www.unconditionalcompassion.org and hugely hearted Mr. Ajit Chitty. We also met the pioneer of solar in Sri Lanka (...and got to hear his daughters (ages 9 and 12) sing parts of the Phantom of the Opera!)
Day 3, Sat., Oct. 1
We left Colombo at 8am by road and reached Trinkomalee at 2pm. As soon as we arrived, we had our meeting with Gretchen Ansorge at Mercy Corps. Gretchen provided us with contact info for international and local groups she thought we should meet, namely the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), SEDOT, and the UNHCR. As we drove thru town, we saw signs for countless NGOs and relief groups, including familiar ones like ZOA and UNDP.
In the evening, we met with the Energy Forum rep in Trinko named Sukannathan. Since Sukannathan spoke only Tamil and broken English, but we had our Sinhalese, Tamil, and English speaking driver helped to translate. Sukannathan had coordinated work in areas north of Trinko and also in Batticola (several hours driving south of Trinko, which after 20 years of war, became a peaceful area in 1991). He had helped with the implementing a loan based project which involved installing 300 SHLS in the Trinko area and 2000 SHLS in Batticola. He was stressing for us to work in villages even north of the villages in FIA, near Tiriyia. Sukannathan agreed to come with us to FIA's villages the next morning. We spent the night at Ajit Chitty's house 20km north of Trinko.
Day 4, Sun., Oct. 2
We were on the road by 7:30am to visit what we thought were just 2 villages, the accessible villages in which FIA works in. To our surprise, the day ended with visiting 5 villages, the other 3 being in the conflict areas north of the tsunami affected areas northwest of Trinko. Sukannathan had encouraged us to make the unplanned visits to the additional 3 villages, one of them being Tiriyia. We passed numerous military check points getting to the latter 3 villages…
Many questions came up during the day, we met again in the evening with Sukannathan. He was kind enough to go to town and copy some maps he had prepared for the various areas, which showed where there is and is not electricity.
Day 5, Mon., Oct. 3
Since we got in at Sat. afternoon (Sat. being only a half workday in Sri Lanka) and we had to leave Mon. at noon to make our other appointments with Mercy Corps staff in the southern towns of Ampare, Arugun Bay, and Hambantota, we had to make the most of Mon. morning meeting with Sarvodaya and the groups that Gretchen had recommended. We ended up having in-person meetings with Sarvodaya, CHA, and SEDOT, and a phone meeting with UNHCR.
Sarvodaya and SEDOT turned out to be excellent candidates for partnerships, although they differ in their scale of work (Sarvodaya being a large org working around the country and SEDOT being smaller working only in Trinko). CHA and UNHCR are worthwhile to consult before starting any work in northeastern Sri Lanka because they know about both the conflict issues and the tsunami reconstruction status.
Next
We left Trinko in time to get to Amapare, a seven hour drive south. Here in Ampare we will be meeting with the Mercy Corps office and one of its partners. We will leave Ampare tomorrow afternoon to reach Arugun Bay in the evening, where we will meet the local Mercy Corps office the next morning. From there we will continue south to Habantota to visit the Mercy Corps and ITDG offices and sites there.
-----------------------------------------------
The first 2 days in Sri Lanka were spent meeting with international groups, such as Mercy Corps, and recommended local groups, such as Sarvodya and Energy Forum, in Colombo. With some contacts of a Sri Lankan friends, we've also met some influential folks who are backing humanitarian work around the island, such as www.unconditionalcompassion.org and hugely hearted Mr. Ajit Chitty. We also met the pioneer of solar in Sri Lanka (...and got to hear his daughters (ages 9 and 12) sing parts of the Phantom of the Opera!)
Day 3, Sat., Oct. 1
We left Colombo at 8am by road and reached Trinkomalee at 2pm. As soon as we arrived, we had our meeting with Gretchen Ansorge at Mercy Corps. Gretchen provided us with contact info for international and local groups she thought we should meet, namely the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA), SEDOT, and the UNHCR. As we drove thru town, we saw signs for countless NGOs and relief groups, including familiar ones like ZOA and UNDP.
In the evening, we met with the Energy Forum rep in Trinko named Sukannathan. Since Sukannathan spoke only Tamil and broken English, but we had our Sinhalese, Tamil, and English speaking driver helped to translate. Sukannathan had coordinated work in areas north of Trinko and also in Batticola (several hours driving south of Trinko, which after 20 years of war, became a peaceful area in 1991). He had helped with the implementing a loan based project which involved installing 300 SHLS in the Trinko area and 2000 SHLS in Batticola. He was stressing for us to work in villages even north of the villages in FIA, near Tiriyia. Sukannathan agreed to come with us to FIA's villages the next morning. We spent the night at Ajit Chitty's house 20km north of Trinko.
Day 4, Sun., Oct. 2
We were on the road by 7:30am to visit what we thought were just 2 villages, the accessible villages in which FIA works in. To our surprise, the day ended with visiting 5 villages, the other 3 being in the conflict areas north of the tsunami affected areas northwest of Trinko. Sukannathan had encouraged us to make the unplanned visits to the additional 3 villages, one of them being Tiriyia. We passed numerous military check points getting to the latter 3 villages…
Many questions came up during the day, we met again in the evening with Sukannathan. He was kind enough to go to town and copy some maps he had prepared for the various areas, which showed where there is and is not electricity.
Day 5, Mon., Oct. 3
Since we got in at Sat. afternoon (Sat. being only a half workday in Sri Lanka) and we had to leave Mon. at noon to make our other appointments with Mercy Corps staff in the southern towns of Ampare, Arugun Bay, and Hambantota, we had to make the most of Mon. morning meeting with Sarvodaya and the groups that Gretchen had recommended. We ended up having in-person meetings with Sarvodaya, CHA, and SEDOT, and a phone meeting with UNHCR.
Sarvodaya and SEDOT turned out to be excellent candidates for partnerships, although they differ in their scale of work (Sarvodaya being a large org working around the country and SEDOT being smaller working only in Trinko). CHA and UNHCR are worthwhile to consult before starting any work in northeastern Sri Lanka because they know about both the conflict issues and the tsunami reconstruction status.
Next
We left Trinko in time to get to Amapare, a seven hour drive south. Here in Ampare we will be meeting with the Mercy Corps office and one of its partners. We will leave Ampare tomorrow afternoon to reach Arugun Bay in the evening, where we will meet the local Mercy Corps office the next morning. From there we will continue south to Habantota to visit the Mercy Corps and ITDG offices and sites there.
Friday, September 30, 2005
Heading Out
Will be spending a week going from Colombo to Trinkomalee, down to Ampara and Arugan Bay, and down south to Hamatota. Will then swing up closer to the center.
...will be seeing tsunami effected villages and conflict villages lacking electricity and water. ...need to run. No email for a week.
...will be seeing tsunami effected villages and conflict villages lacking electricity and water. ...need to run. No email for a week.
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Back to Back
…The Bay area friends know that I have a habit of squeezing in too much in one day…alas, it's happened again. I have no regrets when it's only me who is affected…but when I end up taking others, this time mentors like Jos and Walt, in the spiral of attending back to back attention-taking actitivities, I do think twice about doing a similar whirlwind next time.
…Now in Colombo. Only the first day…peaceful now, yet knowing the chaos of the infamous tsunami not too long ago, reminds me that my external business needs to be grounded by inner silence.
…Now in Colombo. Only the first day…peaceful now, yet knowing the chaos of the infamous tsunami not too long ago, reminds me that my external business needs to be grounded by inner silence.
Next: Sept. 26 - Oct. 26
Haven't been able to post so well these days...but i have nice photos of life in Abad to share...though won't be able to do until after the next round of travelling:
Finally, after visiting several potential partners in India the last 2 months, we (Green Empowerment) have narrowed down the selection to 2 in India. The team came to India this Mon.
After a day in Bangalore of meeting with a few that have extensive experience in solar and micro hydro for rural areas, we'll visit Sri Lanka for 2 weeks to scope out potential partners. The latter half of the month will be spent visiting the 2 potentials in Uttranchal and Orissa, in the end forming a plan to start actual work.
…Yes, I have yet to explain the details of the work and groups I've been visiting…the usual excuse: One of these days...
Finally, after visiting several potential partners in India the last 2 months, we (Green Empowerment) have narrowed down the selection to 2 in India. The team came to India this Mon.
After a day in Bangalore of meeting with a few that have extensive experience in solar and micro hydro for rural areas, we'll visit Sri Lanka for 2 weeks to scope out potential partners. The latter half of the month will be spent visiting the 2 potentials in Uttranchal and Orissa, in the end forming a plan to start actual work.
…Yes, I have yet to explain the details of the work and groups I've been visiting…the usual excuse: One of these days...
Monday, September 12, 2005
Not Even a Glance
Now at home in Ahmedabad for a week...before the next month of travelling starts...but a week ago:
Dark. Lean. Not bony. Diligent. Not more than 7 years in age. Down the aisle on his four limbs with his saturated, mucky cloth, mopping the pasty blue colored floor as if it were the only thing that mattered…ever. Only after he is at the end of each 2 row section, does his blank stare request money. No begging. No demanding. Simply a request for money in return for the job he had just completed. Two sections down, a group of young college students start giving him coins even before he finishes their 2 row section. Not even a glance up at the coins until he is at the end of the section.
In the middle of cleaning this section, his mopping rag had become too saturated. In this moment, where 5 hands had come towards him, all holding coins for him, he runs around the corner to the door to squeeze out his rag, not even a glance at the offering palms. Finally, he has completed mopping this section. finally he reaches out for the coins…finally I realize how on each of the 9 train rides I've taken in the last month, each sweeping/mopping kid that comes thru captures my attention, triggering tears…which fade as soon as the young boy is out of sight…why can't I spend my free moments helping his and countless others' situation? Can I even do anything?
Tonight, from the Banglore to Delhi ride, I managed to latch onto working on a sodoku puzzle. I've already spent 3 hours on one…Next to me the old Marvadi couple have spent the last 2 hours chanting…I'm sure their chanting has more chances of helping the child sweepers/moppers than what my 3 hours of soduku-ing…or the meals of the last 2 days in Banglore, which have merely gone into forming worldly relationships with other egos, can offer.
How can one always remain in the Mind and Spirit of serving the needs of another? We are inter-connected…the consequences of all uncontrollable mishaps and haps highlight our Oneness. There are many, as the groups and individuals I've met in the last 2 months, who spend most of their days for others. Even more than their conscious efforts, there must be a way one can nurture a sub-consciousness (much like the diligence of the cleaning kids on the train) regardless of the conscious workings, which is wholly devoted to our Oneness. Any thoughts???
Dark. Lean. Not bony. Diligent. Not more than 7 years in age. Down the aisle on his four limbs with his saturated, mucky cloth, mopping the pasty blue colored floor as if it were the only thing that mattered…ever. Only after he is at the end of each 2 row section, does his blank stare request money. No begging. No demanding. Simply a request for money in return for the job he had just completed. Two sections down, a group of young college students start giving him coins even before he finishes their 2 row section. Not even a glance up at the coins until he is at the end of the section.
In the middle of cleaning this section, his mopping rag had become too saturated. In this moment, where 5 hands had come towards him, all holding coins for him, he runs around the corner to the door to squeeze out his rag, not even a glance at the offering palms. Finally, he has completed mopping this section. finally he reaches out for the coins…finally I realize how on each of the 9 train rides I've taken in the last month, each sweeping/mopping kid that comes thru captures my attention, triggering tears…which fade as soon as the young boy is out of sight…why can't I spend my free moments helping his and countless others' situation? Can I even do anything?
Tonight, from the Banglore to Delhi ride, I managed to latch onto working on a sodoku puzzle. I've already spent 3 hours on one…Next to me the old Marvadi couple have spent the last 2 hours chanting…I'm sure their chanting has more chances of helping the child sweepers/moppers than what my 3 hours of soduku-ing…or the meals of the last 2 days in Banglore, which have merely gone into forming worldly relationships with other egos, can offer.
How can one always remain in the Mind and Spirit of serving the needs of another? We are inter-connected…the consequences of all uncontrollable mishaps and haps highlight our Oneness. There are many, as the groups and individuals I've met in the last 2 months, who spend most of their days for others. Even more than their conscious efforts, there must be a way one can nurture a sub-consciousness (much like the diligence of the cleaning kids on the train) regardless of the conscious workings, which is wholly devoted to our Oneness. Any thoughts???
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Down the Aisle
How did he manage to jump onto the train?
Legs and hands are there but are not working. No voice.
Only the glance on his mid-aged face.
Seeing him slide his partially working body down the aisle and beg for money, I was so tempted to follow him and know him. As an immediate reaction, I wanted to give him the chai I was to start drinking…but of course chai is not what he needed.
What does he need? How can someone who cannot walk or talk need anything which I could give? …I wanted to touch his Spirit somehow…He had certainly touched mine.
Legs and hands are there but are not working. No voice.
Only the glance on his mid-aged face.
Seeing him slide his partially working body down the aisle and beg for money, I was so tempted to follow him and know him. As an immediate reaction, I wanted to give him the chai I was to start drinking…but of course chai is not what he needed.
What does he need? How can someone who cannot walk or talk need anything which I could give? …I wanted to touch his Spirit somehow…He had certainly touched mine.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
She Answers
Two days ago near Hydrabad:
After a grueling meeting...where I got kicked out of an office and refused to leave without a peaceful, professional conclusion, in trying to move ahead with the day in a practical manner, I headed for the Secundrabad train station, hoping to find the AC'ed Tourist Reservation office to spoil myself in the few pluses of being labeled an outsider, while getting tickets.
...Alas, contrary to Lonely Planet and the Indian Railway website, there doesn't seem to be such an office at Secundrabad. The auto dropped me off on the direct opposite end of the station to where the general reservation desk was located. ...No surprise...such drops have happened time and time again...where I walk nearly as much as I rode on the auto in order to get to the right place.
Finally getting to the reservation desk, I was determined not to re-live the reservation desk experience I had had the day before at the Kanchekunj station, where I was put on the spot and forced to buy a ticket which I later found out was an RAC ticket (not confirmed). I also wanted to avoid the sardine sqeeze at the inquiry desk line. Hence, I waited patiently at an empty window that seemed to have an employee somewhere nearby.
While waiting, She answered. I was on the brink of one of those moments where I just didn't want to take anymore surprises...and it's always a chore to decide which train fits my schedule and still has space. She, the Divine, answered by sending a new friend along, Hridesh. Hridesh is a soft spoken PhD student at one finest molecular cell biology centers in the world...based in Hydrbad :).
Hridesh, being from Rajasthan, could relate to my obstacles of getting around Andhra and getting train tix. Since he had an open lunch break, he generously helped me tag team in order to get the right train numbers I needed to book the last minute ticket to Banglore...and to come up with a back up plan of booking a bus. AND he pushed me to get the next leg's ticket, to Delhi. Getting tickets for 2 trips in advance was a first for me!
After being done with my train ticket chores, I got a tour of the center he works at...I was completely impressed. After having spent so much time going to village sites the last few weeks, it was surprisingly refreshing to see India's top biologists at work. Regardless of the sightseeing of the center, I was so grateful for running into Hridesh...he couldn't have divinely connected at a better time.
After a grueling meeting...where I got kicked out of an office and refused to leave without a peaceful, professional conclusion, in trying to move ahead with the day in a practical manner, I headed for the Secundrabad train station, hoping to find the AC'ed Tourist Reservation office to spoil myself in the few pluses of being labeled an outsider, while getting tickets.
...Alas, contrary to Lonely Planet and the Indian Railway website, there doesn't seem to be such an office at Secundrabad. The auto dropped me off on the direct opposite end of the station to where the general reservation desk was located. ...No surprise...such drops have happened time and time again...where I walk nearly as much as I rode on the auto in order to get to the right place.
Finally getting to the reservation desk, I was determined not to re-live the reservation desk experience I had had the day before at the Kanchekunj station, where I was put on the spot and forced to buy a ticket which I later found out was an RAC ticket (not confirmed). I also wanted to avoid the sardine sqeeze at the inquiry desk line. Hence, I waited patiently at an empty window that seemed to have an employee somewhere nearby.
While waiting, She answered. I was on the brink of one of those moments where I just didn't want to take anymore surprises...and it's always a chore to decide which train fits my schedule and still has space. She, the Divine, answered by sending a new friend along, Hridesh. Hridesh is a soft spoken PhD student at one finest molecular cell biology centers in the world...based in Hydrbad :).
Hridesh, being from Rajasthan, could relate to my obstacles of getting around Andhra and getting train tix. Since he had an open lunch break, he generously helped me tag team in order to get the right train numbers I needed to book the last minute ticket to Banglore...and to come up with a back up plan of booking a bus. AND he pushed me to get the next leg's ticket, to Delhi. Getting tickets for 2 trips in advance was a first for me!
After being done with my train ticket chores, I got a tour of the center he works at...I was completely impressed. After having spent so much time going to village sites the last few weeks, it was surprisingly refreshing to see India's top biologists at work. Regardless of the sightseeing of the center, I was so grateful for running into Hridesh...he couldn't have divinely connected at a better time.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Andhra, Orissa, Andhra...Karnataka
The last week or so has been spent moving from one excellent non-profit to the next. Visited CRESHE near Vijayvada and Gram Vikas in Berampur, Orissa....will write in more detail about them later. Now in Hydrabad to visit a Light Up the World Project...and will move on to the supposedly fast life in Banglore tonight, arriving tomorrow morning.
...Images that have stuck: One Didi extremely proud of and smiles about her biogas cooking system...and another 5 hrs away who has become the illiterate but passionate spokewoman for the LED lights in her village. ...In Orissa, came upon an Australian couple who have dedicated the last 3 years to the tribal population there...On the trains, meeting spirit after spirit who were looking after me...and lastly, waking up to the rhythms of the rails and to the dream-like, dawn fog rolling over the bright green rice fields and coconut trees.
...Images that have stuck: One Didi extremely proud of and smiles about her biogas cooking system...and another 5 hrs away who has become the illiterate but passionate spokewoman for the LED lights in her village. ...In Orissa, came upon an Australian couple who have dedicated the last 3 years to the tribal population there...On the trains, meeting spirit after spirit who were looking after me...and lastly, waking up to the rhythms of the rails and to the dream-like, dawn fog rolling over the bright green rice fields and coconut trees.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Rakhsha Bandhan
Going from home to home, I've acquired many a brothers...and I think especially fondly of them on Rakhsha Bandhan.
This year the brother-sister holiday was spent trying Rakhis on John and Mark, two CharityFocus (www.charityfocus.org) crew members focusing on environmental santitation in Ahemdabad since this Feb. and now more recently focused on delivering letters of peace from youth in India to youth in Pakistan (http://silentswan.blogs.com/madlove/)...and cleaning masjids in Delhi ...such service work is at their door step every morning...
After Uttranchal, I caught them off gaurd in Delhi, but they warmly made time for me. We started the day off meditating at the Rama Krishna ashram near Pahad Gunj and then 20 more min. at the Self Realization center afterwards...along with other crazy of the moment incidents.
Uttranchal's hills and heroes
Nearly 2 weeks ago, I was recouping from Shingo La...and a week ago I was in Uttranchal, a state in north India, getting glimpses of its terraced green hills and two outstanding non-profit groups--HESCO and Chirag.
More on the heroes later, along with the others I am visiting. For now, just the green hills...
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Zanskar: Nunneries, Schools, and Glaciers
A fairly accurate map above to help visualize the villages I mention below.
Jos and I returned to Delhi this week from a 3-fold mission thru Zanskar:
-Delivery of Jamyang Foundation's donations to 9 nunneries;
-Installation additional panels to Shambala's school solar lighting system in Reru, and trouble shooting of the solar lighting system at the Amchi school in Thongso;
-And finally a foot journey to Darcha via the glacier lined Shinku La pass.
The next several posts are from the trip.
The bus ride to Padum started with a soothing chant of the Mani mantra and continued through Kargil as planned. Soon after however, we heard news of a mudslide blocking the road to Padum. It was only 'news' until we finally saw the blockage being cleared out the next morning. The anticipation in knowing the scale of the blockage a perfect exercise in remaining thoughtless, putting aside what if's.
Upon reaching Padum, we were welcomed by the hussle of unloading luggage in the dark (which in the midst of I forgot my sleeping bag and thankfully re-connected with it the next day) and finding a place to stay.
The next morning we took off to visit the first of the Ven. Lekshe's (Jamyang Foundation) nunneries, Changchub Choling, in Zangla. With the patience of Jos, Barbara (a sweet Austrian volunteer at the nunnery), and the nuns, we were able to communicate to the nuns what to make of our spontaneous arrival...
Finally we managed to meet the Chomo Lehs (Ladakhi for nuns) at Tungri at monk Lobzang Motup's cozy place. They had the larger responsibility of contacting and conveying Ven. Lekshe's msg to 4 of the 9 nunneries we were not able to visit. ...We left the Tungri Chomo Lehs with two bags filled with yummy yak cheese...
With excellent teachers and a dedicated Shambhala members supporting, the school needed a few things to make life easier, such as an outdoor light. It was one of our final tasks.
Next year we're hoping to see an efficient washing area, where the one hose system is maximized into a well designed washing platform that several kids of all sizes can use simultaneously.
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