tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12389948238043677792024-02-20T20:26:49.196-08:00The Mustard Seed MuseReports and reflections on the D&P movement by Luke Stocking.Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-2473625667040833222018-09-24T12:34:00.001-07:002018-09-24T12:34:28.810-07:00Stuff It: a Meditation<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg9A6Bgp8AiMX5FT1SAY2SI6X6fVhyphenhyphenBS300cbV1JPJdHwpyGg0DcHxBQUABKRBYyPkDsR5nNgsQDIt5GVVKIiRRoF6LJSzatoRMWfKgq1xyo7gLtsYtj5m2aS5MFmIxGo19ed8p2xpE4/s1600/F47A9A2B-CA96-4622-B162-A535D77A1B81-768815.png"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHg9A6Bgp8AiMX5FT1SAY2SI6X6fVhyphenhyphenBS300cbV1JPJdHwpyGg0DcHxBQUABKRBYyPkDsR5nNgsQDIt5GVVKIiRRoF6LJSzatoRMWfKgq1xyo7gLtsYtj5m2aS5MFmIxGo19ed8p2xpE4/s320/F47A9A2B-CA96-4622-B162-A535D77A1B81-768815.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6604876595860202786" /></a><br> <br> </span> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is a lot of folder stuffing done in the course of animation work. Pulling materials into nice neat packages before workshops and presentations is a tedious part of the job, but I love it.</span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br> </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First you get your system set up - lay all your materials out in the fastest grab and stuff arrangement possible. </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br> </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then you begin. Once I find my rhythm I let it become meditative. It's like an animator's Mandela. I imagine each person who will take the folder in their hands. Will they read its contents? Dump them in the nearest recycle bin? Who are they and what frame of mind are they in as they receive the message my package will have to offer? Then I pray. I ask God to open the minds and hearts of the person into whose hands the folder will be delivered. I pray that it's a good day for them or at least a good hour, when they open up what's inside. </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br> </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are funny places one ends up stuffing sometimes. Like today. I was in the food court off the Sheppard subway station. The packages are destined for the tcdsb religion heads meeting tomorrow and I am stuffing them to deliver our "share the journey" campaign message in the hopes that their schools will join us this year. </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br> </span></div> <div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a good use for a food court table. Although usually one would bless food here, not folders. </span></div> <div></div> Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-61149089041954367182015-12-08T07:17:00.000-08:002015-12-08T07:17:27.939-08:00Guest Blog: The Nov 29 Global Climate March - Brooklyn's Take.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Guest blog post today from a young woman at Madonna High School here in Toronto. Brooklyn Gifkins is currently doing a full-time co-op placement with me here in our Toronto D&P Office. I asked her to share her impressions of the Global Climate March and her participation in the Toronto contribution to the Global March - A Parade of Lights:</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On November 29<sup>th</sup>,
2015, my school, Madonna, was fortunate enough to be able to attend a rally on
climate change at Queens Park. The rally was being held right before the summit
in Paris for climate change, as a way to show that the people of Toronto want
our government to take a stance on the issue. It was a very exciting and
memorable experience for us. <i>(Ed. Note: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericparker/albums/72157661866553755/with/23387390496/">Click here</a> to the a Flickr Album from the event)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz9sO7Gi3RRx7232LNmUaoPtbk-c7_q9Uq1f-m0jG2Lxe_pcWDr5htWGXhS4xGlyZp32NEpvMyK3ul_7ddbD8kvaWWp7aL8Hg2QwbjW8yHrppz0T0ONuPTlcR0hqK39xTMzmZUWfHOu8/s1600/Nov+29+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfz9sO7Gi3RRx7232LNmUaoPtbk-c7_q9Uq1f-m0jG2Lxe_pcWDr5htWGXhS4xGlyZp32NEpvMyK3ul_7ddbD8kvaWWp7aL8Hg2QwbjW8yHrppz0T0ONuPTlcR0hqK39xTMzmZUWfHOu8/s320/Nov+29+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brooklyn (centre) holding part of the pipeline of hope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> In preparation for this event, all the schools
who were planning on going were asked to construct part of a pipeline, using
any kind of recyclable materials. Then on the day of the rally, all the schools
who built pieces would meet up throughout the subway line and create a pipeline
going towards Queens Park. Our environmental team decided to use 2 litre pop
bottles for their piece. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On the day of, we met at
Wilson Station with our piece, and headed off to Queens Park. The rally started
first with speeches from very inspiring people, as a way to get the crowd
pumped and ready for the march. The sun has almost set when we were called to
turn on our lights and take to the streets. During the march, I got glimpses of
all the different organizations that had come to show their support, as well as
all the everyday citizens that were fighting for what they believe in. There
was a very diverse set of people, all there to show solidarity for this cause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once we circled back to Queens
Park, we were being directed to create a “spiral of light”. It very a little
confusing a first, but it got better as it went on. All the lights that people
were holding made the view of the spiral breathtaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPT2cfKc3w_9cbbzr3ta0ujzS4eKgAmik3XNBBq4mYxmDfTKe0bGFEudgmQwjT-EG3PTRNh4-AvY0exjd6DWSfy4jaRJw2k-rxyEe4gJANhnuUH4E8mv2LOIkXJzeEJ-QwdpV-xcYgYE/s1600/Nov+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPT2cfKc3w_9cbbzr3ta0ujzS4eKgAmik3XNBBq4mYxmDfTKe0bGFEudgmQwjT-EG3PTRNh4-AvY0exjd6DWSfy4jaRJw2k-rxyEe4gJANhnuUH4E8mv2LOIkXJzeEJ-QwdpV-xcYgYE/s320/Nov+29.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After we finished doing the
spiral, a group of people emerged and starting performing. There were drummers
as well as other musicians. The crowd gathered around to watch them. It gave
the feeling of a sense of community. Eventually people started to leave, either
to go back to their homes or to get some snacks that were provided.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Overall it was a very engaging
and inspiring day. It gave my school the chance to see how many people are
fighting for climate action. It showed how when we come together as a city, we
are capable of making an impact on our government’s decisions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-58731922465388872232015-07-09T15:54:00.000-07:002015-07-09T15:54:27.351-07:00Rhino Grinds Trees Well: Ethiopia #12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Admittedly the title of this post sounds weird as a phrase.
In a matter of speaking all four words do go together though. Each words
represents one of the four different visits we made today to interventions that
are all part of the livelihood project with the diocese of Hararghe that I
wrote about yesterday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Rhino:</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6UYfL9I0Sp11PnOwdEqWE2dYFc2CjAyocOW2Hk8Ar4mFFqkeiPuwBgQjLJFyxMauqew12vkcDz5c2Vts5CMOWEvlj8xtsYDsQ1OZGOzsn8E0d8yW1rUZE15cFMjpHofCGqLYx_yEBIM/s1600/IMG_20150709_102719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6UYfL9I0Sp11PnOwdEqWE2dYFc2CjAyocOW2Hk8Ar4mFFqkeiPuwBgQjLJFyxMauqew12vkcDz5c2Vts5CMOWEvlj8xtsYDsQ1OZGOzsn8E0d8yW1rUZE15cFMjpHofCGqLYx_yEBIM/s200/IMG_20150709_102719.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">looking down the cliff</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This morning we visited the Rhino cooperative (Auraris in Amharic). They are not
raising rhinos. The co-operative consists of ten households, seven of which are
headed by women (i.e. single mothers and widows). These families had been
pastoralists. Then the droughts came and all their livestock died. One family
lost twenty-one cattle. They decided to transition to agro-pastoralists and the
project helped them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn17FhgyHPyoUMU1rWMIpJJuwQ4E6UWykXATxyn6H0KedksRVj83_SuTdYOLuV4cI7PSFYesTK0j-oByw7xQXur2UclSEwdV4lw6msS52HbuGd5YYnP4HQNGUe4NG68nV9Mek0vrsKD14/s1600/IMG_20150709_102339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn17FhgyHPyoUMU1rWMIpJJuwQ4E6UWykXATxyn6H0KedksRVj83_SuTdYOLuV4cI7PSFYesTK0j-oByw7xQXur2UclSEwdV4lw6msS52HbuGd5YYnP4HQNGUe4NG68nV9Mek0vrsKD14/s200/IMG_20150709_102339.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oranges (currently green)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We look down from the cliff we are standing on and see a
well and pumping station down below near the dry river bed. It is nearly 15m
deep. This well allowed them to irrigate fields. The fields were then planted
with Orange and Guava trees. A storehouse was built. Training was given in
forming and running a co-operative business. The grove is impressive for only
being two and a half years old. “1000 trees were planted” says Muluken, the local project coordinator. They now sell bags of oranges for 500ETB locally and
600ETB in town. This gives them a 75% profit on their sales (since their labour
is all contributed). Two of the families in the co-operative have been able to
buy two cattle (which we see grazing) and start rebuilding. The next drought
will not do them in. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Grinding:</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ8dDH2ijszmw1q15_rApR4er53GJTg4BjmSB824W08dFfxgElO85FW0YCdH-BEFo4mVSfgDB5hXIWCSit6pNmPc2jDCXE8XLGtcMtB79NaCFfwoVe0Prf32tn2vvD9-1XA_1Cpb9-lg/s1600/IMG_20150709_114705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJ8dDH2ijszmw1q15_rApR4er53GJTg4BjmSB824W08dFfxgElO85FW0YCdH-BEFo4mVSfgDB5hXIWCSit6pNmPc2jDCXE8XLGtcMtB79NaCFfwoVe0Prf32tn2vvD9-1XA_1Cpb9-lg/s200/IMG_20150709_114705.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutting the ribbon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpNOo9ATV1EZyFEevwFFDtVTrvzIv3VQD2CuRNljFF_vg7VLcHSncOZAHFzItS7Gn7Nob9Othv4Yq1eYJBrB017PDovbCTzJ70blKP5LvNAt2zwuskZyDKKS3PH-WBd_PlSZrBWUvd4/s1600/IMG_20150709_120326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpNOo9ATV1EZyFEevwFFDtVTrvzIv3VQD2CuRNljFF_vg7VLcHSncOZAHFzItS7Gn7Nob9Othv4Yq1eYJBrB017PDovbCTzJ70blKP5LvNAt2zwuskZyDKKS3PH-WBd_PlSZrBWUvd4/s200/IMG_20150709_120326.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayan, first co-op member.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next we were off to Hallewago where there was another ribbon
to cut. This time we were inaugurating a grinding mill co-operative. Prior to
the mill being there, women had to travel by foot over 10km. “Before we were
suffering. Having to carry heavy loads such a distance was difficult. Only the
lucky ones had donkeys. It was especially difficult for those of us who were
pregnant or who had to carry children,” explains one co-op member. After the
ribbon is cut the people cheer and the grinder roars to life. This mill
provides benefit in 2 ways: First, it saves all the women in the community from
having to walk the 10km. Second, the mill co-operative provides an economic
benefit to its 27 members, self-selected in order by the community. The
criteria they used to select people were: 1) poorest of the poor 2) households
headed by women 3) want to improve their livelihood through hard work. Ayan is
the name of the first woman chosen by the community to be in the co-op. After
we are thanked and presented with symbolic gifts – a grain bag and a tether
rope for a donkey. “Thank-you,” says a leader, “We will never have to use these
again.” The name of their co-operative translates into English as ‘Happiness.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Trees:</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESdnxpVLGPs3nk-6xCekF3ojOhCj9vRwGJ0ToyR3Y-cmzqSxLfgAqgX0ZMbPjyVQhn5LWUJ9Afezp1sA4hhzVg18OC_gFsJF_2AMTic_h5L5gLIUxwh4nILDgF0TfGJUz66VWyno5R_0/s1600/IMG_20150709_124145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESdnxpVLGPs3nk-6xCekF3ojOhCj9vRwGJ0ToyR3Y-cmzqSxLfgAqgX0ZMbPjyVQhn5LWUJ9Afezp1sA4hhzVg18OC_gFsJF_2AMTic_h5L5gLIUxwh4nILDgF0TfGJUz66VWyno5R_0/s200/IMG_20150709_124145.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hallewago hilltop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYuRxTabYg7oZ38P6tz6XjwZLNP1ov2BwMnG6vIzrvcAqMfZ0nkwD1PsC4iYbremFS0BaTlx5UsMW-QSKmx7KTApC8GCfJSBuvlVKZ8t3clBgmacNdEFOilc-LebS-_8LbB3_dwpL0bQ/s1600/IMG_20150709_123619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYuRxTabYg7oZ38P6tz6XjwZLNP1ov2BwMnG6vIzrvcAqMfZ0nkwD1PsC4iYbremFS0BaTlx5UsMW-QSKmx7KTApC8GCfJSBuvlVKZ8t3clBgmacNdEFOilc-LebS-_8LbB3_dwpL0bQ/s200/IMG_20150709_123619.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting my tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The view from the Hallewago hilltop looks down into the
cultivated fields below. Before the rains, which come less frequently but more
violently now, would gush down this hill and wreck people’s hard work. Not for
much longer though. Stretched out before me are dug terraces which will soon be
planted with hundreds of seedlings. Today we are planting the first of them with
the community. The seedlings we plant all come from the nursery we visited
yesterday. The trees we are planting have been especially selected for their
resistance to drought. When they grow up, they will keep growing when the rain
is gone and stop the rain when it comes gushing down the hill. They will return
the soil back to health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>Well:</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvUVC2N8r0F-jfKJL8SGDhX0H4lv3fIrD1bFMJ8ojPx0UyyeecpI3oB8pOJzsWNRkABdc6pg3x1EUjiJ6LJQ3U-ExtGEYNDIA68XtDQgp_n8lsXA8UCyr4XtHeNhOVe9vQpnljOxQeFc/s1600/IMG_20150709_133617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrvUVC2N8r0F-jfKJL8SGDhX0H4lv3fIrD1bFMJ8ojPx0UyyeecpI3oB8pOJzsWNRkABdc6pg3x1EUjiJ6LJQ3U-ExtGEYNDIA68XtDQgp_n8lsXA8UCyr4XtHeNhOVe9vQpnljOxQeFc/s200/IMG_20150709_133617.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Well and the Pump.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzROUPJw7h3iu8S8OkaUQpbJqK2s5As9yNCdRrnEBMZrcw7xCrLn4HeC1YGWcHQ-MZyJ_NfmIJQ5U348aZ8yU6xk8HRcVzomSzEkocMeR0kotzu4SEKWVhY9Ac4O53ROa4VltgdGa6Gs/s1600/IMG_20150709_132715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlzROUPJw7h3iu8S8OkaUQpbJqK2s5As9yNCdRrnEBMZrcw7xCrLn4HeC1YGWcHQ-MZyJ_NfmIJQ5U348aZ8yU6xk8HRcVzomSzEkocMeR0kotzu4SEKWVhY9Ac4O53ROa4VltgdGa6Gs/s200/IMG_20150709_132715.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineer is in blue plaid. Walu is<br />the woman in brown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is our last field visit of the whole Solidarity
Trip. Hard to believe. The Women from the Elharat kebele are there to greet us,
singing the now familiar song of welcome. Even a donkey brays as we arrive. “He
too is happy since he won’t have to walk for water now either,” laughs Muluken.
We see a smiling young man who introduces himself as the water engineer who
oversaw the project. We stand overlooking another dry river bed. “We were
drinking black water from here” says one man from the community. Another woman named
Walu says, “We had to carry both our babies on our backs as well as sometimes
two jugs of water up this hill.” She smiles. “Today we are happy. We have
water.” </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both this man and woman are members of the ‘water committee’
that takes care of this new resource for the kebele. What we are here to open
is not just a well. We can see the well at the bottom, near the river. Underground
pipes from there feed 4 important water points for the community: 1) The taps
for drinking water 2) an area for washing clothes etc. 3) a 10,000L fibreglass reservoir
and 4) a trough for the animals (hence the happy donkey)</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42vx-w6xikC-zvotir9t0OGsor_a4rxqTHrP5Stu5jcztf6-2V2pS4BxchwkHExSurWDASQhW1-GcP2Bi_ciONOechHF8CvsEf7jUovlj0uZQENh8ZjtnMqfn6DJ_EVRBDGRiLV_nOtY/s1600/IMG_20150709_132129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42vx-w6xikC-zvotir9t0OGsor_a4rxqTHrP5Stu5jcztf6-2V2pS4BxchwkHExSurWDASQhW1-GcP2Bi_ciONOechHF8CvsEf7jUovlj0uZQENh8ZjtnMqfn6DJ_EVRBDGRiLV_nOtY/s200/IMG_20150709_132129.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Taps<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we thank the community for the wonderful
celebration, Rose-Marie explains that we are merely representatives of the
thousands of supporters of Development and Peace who have made the day
possible. Indeed, all four of these visits today have shown us what can be made
possible through the simplest gestures of solidarity made by Canadians through
Development and Peace.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-80626880858467827392015-07-08T14:13:00.000-07:002015-07-08T14:13:02.580-07:00Cutting the Ribbon on Resilience: Ethiopia #11<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hIw4yenf6cRPMy47_MWa96BAoSJxqCRFvcPxokclQoDvITeWZvSObiPckajrNz43QqWfb-VMou7XyX76zGAuG3PJjEKXzSj92MiKDnj14WV_Abr7W6_pAoilmKTN549AWgWyqP7XX_c/s1600/IMG_20150708_124542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hIw4yenf6cRPMy47_MWa96BAoSJxqCRFvcPxokclQoDvITeWZvSObiPckajrNz43QqWfb-VMou7XyX76zGAuG3PJjEKXzSj92MiKDnj14WV_Abr7W6_pAoilmKTN549AWgWyqP7XX_c/s400/IMG_20150708_124542.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Women Greet Us</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We probably would have stayed and listened to the women sing
all day – basking in their joyful song and taking pictures of their colourful
clothing. “They are waiting for you to cut the ribbon,” Belayneh whispered to
me. Belayneh is our principal guide from the Hararghe Diocese. “They have been
fasting all day, so we don’t want to keep them too long.” It is Ramadan in an
area that is 90% Muslim. I realized they
were not going to stop singing until the ribbon was cut. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These women and their husbands (also here) are pastoralists
and agro-pastoralists. They live in temporary houses and follow their herds of
sheep, goats, cattle and camels (have we ever seen a lot of camels!) Those that
are agro-pastoralists are also starting to farm some crops and stay in one
place for longer periods of time. For both groups of people, animal health is
vital to their livelihoods. Until now getting access to health-care for their
animals has been difficult. That is why we are here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two members of our National Council, Elizabeth and
Rose-Marie, come forward with the scissors and cut the red ribbon. There is
clapping and even louder singing. The new animal health post of the Shek Medobe
Kebele has been inaugurated!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_ow1spvjAYPhEFM4-NufTjC2s1EbGjYAafdDf3HGVngSGp2nWl8MtXnvR3fDD9nOoJsbQybwVrYLlTYjnD6DWdkMoXzxgSSUBWgLt-z_iyGdlXeVwLyRq4J9fpyBkyp_a2w9MNabP48/s1600/IMG_20150708_130221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_ow1spvjAYPhEFM4-NufTjC2s1EbGjYAafdDf3HGVngSGp2nWl8MtXnvR3fDD9nOoJsbQybwVrYLlTYjnD6DWdkMoXzxgSSUBWgLt-z_iyGdlXeVwLyRq4J9fpyBkyp_a2w9MNabP48/s200/IMG_20150708_130221.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receiving the kits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pour into the health post yard and gather in front of the
building where medical supplies are kept. The project is not merely about
building physical infrastructure, but human infrastructure as well. We next
hand over animal care kits to seven ‘community-based animal health workers’
(which they call cbahws for short – ‘k-bahs’) Each kit costs appx. $300USD and
includes everything from medicines and animal syringes, to a rather mean
looking apparatus for castration. These cbahws have been trained as part of the
project. In the future, they will receive a small fee for their services – like
our own vets, just smaller – to make their living. Having these cbahws from the
community ensures that more people are reached, since they go out into their
own community and follow the people with their herds.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recurring drought and shorter rainy seasons caused by
climate change has put stress on the animals the pastoralists rely on. Having
this animal health post and the cbahws will make them more resilient.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was just the first of three interventions we visited
today as part of the project. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudP60ElbtT0ClFvB8oyWowfAaJjomqtJzb6pLThXNJWilNvcyknLsgU5IkDFmEaac7iQPGRUbVP8E7aka3NHYMGzob1g6vwl2ESKX1tHhlDqJENP85QZehpQiYJTzsISfD9UOkw7kjWI/s1600/IMG_20150708_131108_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudP60ElbtT0ClFvB8oyWowfAaJjomqtJzb6pLThXNJWilNvcyknLsgU5IkDFmEaac7iQPGRUbVP8E7aka3NHYMGzob1g6vwl2ESKX1tHhlDqJENP85QZehpQiYJTzsISfD9UOkw7kjWI/s640/IMG_20150708_131108_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal Health Post - Inaugurated Today!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR88per27hWmrrxSI3zAvxsRBx9vSbU531kWWJSYaXGdsakszD5rmObgbAsZXmwkT_Lklprv5rtm5Jo0-h2Qi7lFxl-F-8fS-0zt1hOGvpn28D5QMK84f6aUTglmnWU5I1OhKw4ipdENs/s1600/IMG_20150708_163124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR88per27hWmrrxSI3zAvxsRBx9vSbU531kWWJSYaXGdsakszD5rmObgbAsZXmwkT_Lklprv5rtm5Jo0-h2Qi7lFxl-F-8fS-0zt1hOGvpn28D5QMK84f6aUTglmnWU5I1OhKw4ipdENs/s200/IMG_20150708_163124.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sudan Grass at the Nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the health outpost we also visited a nursery
where forage seeds are grown for distribution as well as varieties of drought
resistant plants and trees to help rehabilitate the soil and prevent erosion.
From the nursery we then went to a demo plot site for one community and stood on a grass oasis
amidst the dry lands. It was the after of a before and after photo, showing
what can be achieved with proper soil conservation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tomorrow we will visit another three interventions for a total
of six visits over two days. These six interventions are only a part of the
whole project we are carrying out with the Church here in the Haraghe diocese.
We would have to be here for months to see the whole thing no doubt. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOj579_lgbiNLJ-FBdiayznzoTPuWMm5HEELqlwzIIvICO0du2Or8fQDOZ5j8yaI_YB8yF2Igi5YfE9RlmoPf_Afi1gY3yLH2oLK7XNbvr0e0pt-Hz3HBAMOM5ciuwEHDwhccVUJVMFo/s1600/IMG_20150708_172609_hdr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOj579_lgbiNLJ-FBdiayznzoTPuWMm5HEELqlwzIIvICO0du2Or8fQDOZ5j8yaI_YB8yF2Igi5YfE9RlmoPf_Afi1gY3yLH2oLK7XNbvr0e0pt-Hz3HBAMOM5ciuwEHDwhccVUJVMFo/s200/IMG_20150708_172609_hdr.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demo plot site.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are just
some of the specs on the project pamphlet that was given to us as part of the orientation:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b></b><br /><b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Region</b>: Jijiga <b>Woredas</b>: Gursum and Tulugulad <b>Kebeles</b>:
(too numerous to list)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Number of households
reached</b>: 8,295.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Goal: </b>increasing resilience
of the population to climate change by improving livelihoods of agro-pastoralist
and pastoralist households in the target area. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we saw that goal being reached. I found myself looking
forward to seeing more of this project first-hand tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-65521298318585778202015-07-08T12:13:00.000-07:002015-07-08T13:12:59.987-07:00Dry from the Sky: Ethiopia #10<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcNxaO96mKWjS6bNIie6pEJyqx2eK5Hk7H8y7dUhE2mAwMW1seK74MdTk9OjgAehmSWJhCq0p60Nw4yCiLeu5ZFb1ZqbkUER8stemO5IF7phyEyWlffo-115bmJWDj1oMrl4D8kjEcDY/s1600/1Flight.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcNxaO96mKWjS6bNIie6pEJyqx2eK5Hk7H8y7dUhE2mAwMW1seK74MdTk9OjgAehmSWJhCq0p60Nw4yCiLeu5ZFb1ZqbkUER8stemO5IF7phyEyWlffo-115bmJWDj1oMrl4D8kjEcDY/s320/1Flight.png" width="320" /></a>July 7<sup>th</sup>. Travel day today. We left Lalibela and
flew to Dire Dawa – from the high to the low (elevation that is). Our tourist
stint is done. We are off to the Diocese of Haraghe in the east of Ethiopia to
visit the projects we are supporting there. It was our 3<sup>rd</sup> internal
flight of this trip. Before coming, I had no idea just how large Ethiopia is.
At one million square kilometres, it is roughly the size of the province of
Ontario. As we are flying into Dire Dawa, the stark difference on noticeable in
the form of dry river beds. It is not the rainy season in this part of the
country. We have now learned that there are two rainy seasons in Ethiopia
Kiremt (the main one - between June and September) and Belg (a moderate one between February and May) I ask
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhiGLXvYCjMedb_daYP4lx5a_XJ7alHskGQPmJAggyscWPO547ztpmVGoJ2XGaWtXn7g8jvNEYOTdR21_oyto-_Xe-guBkT-W59sNxoDdZH078B800eW48t8A3vDNOzA0WqiZfo67wE/s1600/IMG_20150707_135112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bhiGLXvYCjMedb_daYP4lx5a_XJ7alHskGQPmJAggyscWPO547ztpmVGoJ2XGaWtXn7g8jvNEYOTdR21_oyto-_Xe-guBkT-W59sNxoDdZH078B800eW48t8A3vDNOzA0WqiZfo67wE/s320/IMG_20150707_135112.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry from the Sky - <br />
One of many riverbeds with no river as seen from the place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
if they too have experienced the ‘Arrives Late and Leaves early’ phenomenon
when it comes to rain. They have. One of
the staff at the Diocese, a young man, tells us that as a kid, he used to be
the one to use the rain gauge for the river by his home when it rained. “They
used to pay me to do it,” he tells us, “Now though, there is no more water in
the river at all.”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
No water in the
river. This is certainly what I saw as we flew in to Dire Dawa today. From the
sky one could see long brown snakes creeping through the land. Dry riverbeds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we got to the diocese’s social development coordinating
office, we were given an overview of the incredible work they are doing for the
people. This is one of the best organized dioceses in the entire country. The
key word they are using now when it comes to climate change is resilience. The
project we are visiting tomorrow is an example of how that resilience actually
plays out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-48397196725561126842015-07-08T09:31:00.000-07:002015-07-08T13:13:25.913-07:00Ephraim The Child Hustler - Ethiopia #9<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>This is an email I recently sent to my Son and Daughter:</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Jacob and Amy,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrnNEZLXVi5pxqnvEjUnzv3eQ1VolRtsDPk842Fv8WnaHxbVsTLNqYNNx_tYv5MBgR3altRugUUr2OSF8BX9eiEKH-40jW0nEqbw7_OgOgT9h2R26zWb_E5AUKPSRXcfONSTcqx0oAZc/s1600/IMG_20150706_103728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrnNEZLXVi5pxqnvEjUnzv3eQ1VolRtsDPk842Fv8WnaHxbVsTLNqYNNx_tYv5MBgR3altRugUUr2OSF8BX9eiEKH-40jW0nEqbw7_OgOgT9h2R26zWb_E5AUKPSRXcfONSTcqx0oAZc/s200/IMG_20150706_103728.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">Yemrehana Krestos - </span>T</span>he Church in the Cave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I bought two gifts to bring home for you from a little
boy named Ephraim (you say it, “Ef-rye-eem). He was the first person I met
today when we arrived in a small village where there is an ancient church in a
cave carved out of rock. He was right there when I opened the door and he said,
“Plastic?” I knew what he wanted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Believe it or not, here the children like to
get empty plastic water bottles from the Faranji (that means foreigner, which I
am here in Ethiopia). Why do you think that is? Well, they are very poor and
the plastic bottles can be used for all kinds of things, especially carrying
things like water. So I grabbed an empty bottle from our van and gave it to
him. He took it and then disappeared into the crowd of other children who had
quickly gathered around us. I didn’t know his name yet, but I was going to meet
him again later.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine we lived in a village like this and we were very
poor. Imagine that sometimes rich people from far away came to visit our
village because there was an ancient church here. How could we take advantage
of this and get some of their money for our family? Well, these rich people
would be much more likely to give things or even buy things from you and Amy than
they would from Mommy and me, because you are children and children are cute.
So, it would be your jobs to go up to the rich people and talk to them. For you
to do that though, you would need to be able to speak their language. Our
language is Amharic. Theirs is English. So you would learn some things to say
in English. The first one would be “Hello!” You would also learn to say things
like “Where are you from?” and “How do you like the Church?” Mommy and I would
also give you things to try and sell to them. Or maybe you would even make the
things yourself. You would have to learn how to say the names of those objects
and also how to say, “You Want?” or “You Buy?” You would become a hustler,
trying to make money from the rich people for our family. Now I feel sad,
because now I am also imagining you having to do this and it is something I
would never want for you both.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how did I meet Ephraim again? To get to the cave church
(which is very cool by the way. Its name is Yemrehana Krestos), we had to walk
twenty minutes up a mountain. All the way up and all the way down, there were
children trying to sell us things. Mostly they were little red clay animal
statues. Sometimes they would keep walking beside us, “You want chicken?
Special, it painted colour” or “You want
Oxen?” they would ask. I had been politely saying no to them and then ignoring
them when they kept asking.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8aKzxj6NWLr-CIB5d-mfvJssg-tcOLfu5E539NtlFk3VGwJD3yGmRz1warHDQgUqXnMWHSrwUEfO6vx0IWVuxkM04npRTSi0jxTloFS_-fh16SnriWhQ6haVEFD4lKLPBXIqSLxeO5w/s1600/IMG_20150707_225321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8aKzxj6NWLr-CIB5d-mfvJssg-tcOLfu5E539NtlFk3VGwJD3yGmRz1warHDQgUqXnMWHSrwUEfO6vx0IWVuxkM04npRTSi0jxTloFS_-fh16SnriWhQ6haVEFD4lKLPBXIqSLxeO5w/s320/IMG_20150707_225321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ephraim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But towards the end of my walk down, for some reason I
stopped and talked to this one boy who had been following us for quite a while.
He was not going to give up. Maybe that is why I stopped. Maybe I liked his persistence.
“Sheep?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
I looked at the clay sheep in his hand. When I did, Amy, I
thought of your collection of animals that you have. And I thought, “This would
be nice for Amy to have. It would be nice for her to own a toy animal that
helped a little boy and his family have some money.” So I gave him 50 Ethiopian
Birr for it (Birr is what they call their money here). That is the equivalent
of $2.50. Believe it or not, a lot of people would say that is too much money
to pay for something like this. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked his name and he said it was Ephraim. He
let me take his picture. You can see the money I gave him in his hand. But Ephraim was not finished. He still had more to sell. He
had this little ball made of string that he wanted me to buy as well. But I said
no and kept walking back to our van at the bottom of the mountain.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0ql8GLlua3Viu-joqghAQNwA47PYe4w3fprSHJry_46eUXCV80lgICzGIC-D8VmXPd9rMiUduHKb6dc2tUVXZcqYA5BXQU-o8phvAYrjyHfir0OMDf3mEN3UXt1v_7uu5ZkBp1JE7Ww/s1600/IMG_20150706_113608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0ql8GLlua3Viu-joqghAQNwA47PYe4w3fprSHJry_46eUXCV80lgICzGIC-D8VmXPd9rMiUduHKb6dc2tUVXZcqYA5BXQU-o8phvAYrjyHfir0OMDf3mEN3UXt1v_7uu5ZkBp1JE7Ww/s200/IMG_20150706_113608.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAyj1lrXu0E19gHxlKtRMd6waNIJ4B1UANMScNN62ADRxDO2ktU-AT3HzcOL7pyqeqEOZ5FNOrfZ39co24QPznfHUeJt_aYym_yR66QNRNjjseVg3aYNZW45Eqbld3xV5HX4CeLlTaiE/s1600/IMG_20150706_113552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAyj1lrXu0E19gHxlKtRMd6waNIJ4B1UANMScNN62ADRxDO2ktU-AT3HzcOL7pyqeqEOZ5FNOrfZ39co24QPznfHUeJt_aYym_yR66QNRNjjseVg3aYNZW45Eqbld3xV5HX4CeLlTaiE/s200/IMG_20150706_113552.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPzLMrlRTEyHfZAqJSq9qqqXskAcHtwD_iTeML_8y9Vrqc7hfKRJCWqqa4qVuaKscPV-6LHC2n-lGYBHze_qL2pYTGfMPCMcO4CUVxghN0SjbEhjnmFECiMj_tSTap2kFfN_cKHB5pI0/s1600/IMG_20150706_113451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPzLMrlRTEyHfZAqJSq9qqqXskAcHtwD_iTeML_8y9Vrqc7hfKRJCWqqa4qVuaKscPV-6LHC2n-lGYBHze_qL2pYTGfMPCMcO4CUVxghN0SjbEhjnmFECiMj_tSTap2kFfN_cKHB5pI0/s200/IMG_20150706_113451.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ephraim and his gang take selfies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While we were waiting for everyone else to get back to the
van, the children crowded around again. I sat outside with them. Sometimes we
talked and sometimes we just looked at each other. Ephraim came and started
trying to sell me his ball again. This time though, he said something he had
not said before, “Football? You want? Very Good!” He bounced it on the ground
and gave it a small kick. Until he said “football”, I had never thought that
this little ball could be used to play soccer with. Jacob, I thought of you
playing mini-soccer in the hall or even then using it to play mini-sticks with
Nate. So I took out 20 Birr (can you do the math to figure out how much that is
worth?) and offered it to him. It was a deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I asked him how old he was but he did not understand me.
Then another boy repeated my question in Amharic for him. “I am 10.” he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You are a good business man,” I told him. I noticed he had
more than just my money in the raggedy pocket of his old jeans. “Lots of
money.” I said pointed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yes.” He smiled.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then I showed Ephraim the picture I have of you both and
Mommy on my phone. By pointing to each of you, I told him that the ball was for
you Jacob and the sheep for you Amy. He was happy to see who you were. Other
kids gathered around trying to see the camera too. So I gave it to them and
showed them how to take selfies with it. I had to show them how to hit the blue
camera button on the screen to make it work. They even took a video. I wanted
the two of you to be able to see who they are.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ephraim is a good business man. I meant that. I hope one day
he can use his business skills to do more than try and hustle rich people from
far away to buy his trinkets though. Maybe one day he will use his business
skills to help to turn the ancient cave church in his village into a larger
tourist attraction that it will bring enough money into his village that his
children won’t have to beg the rich people anymore. I really hope so.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, Dad.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
<br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxuKUNzzDiczouxdnmz1uH4dGml4Af7hdEo5qD-Us1BEDxKCxf6O2T1YIF7Kxqnlu8s6rz4s8rBmPS2SVHUpQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-83226701592602772562015-07-07T11:32:00.000-07:002015-07-07T11:32:31.654-07:00Tourism and Development in Lalibela: Ethiopia Day #8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFkkBefDt4eucznHqS0OjpZ8pXdDTlVXNK94DW3nj_6MDgZ76Yp1KRA0tCoKJG0JYSqDMtylzVIcwOIGoBA8tzDQ2p-m1nlOo0Strj3vMX4p1m4NDxjDkZVZ0-5uesDbJJeaxHljjr4E/s1600/IMG_20150705_114807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFkkBefDt4eucznHqS0OjpZ8pXdDTlVXNK94DW3nj_6MDgZ76Yp1KRA0tCoKJG0JYSqDMtylzVIcwOIGoBA8tzDQ2p-m1nlOo0Strj3vMX4p1m4NDxjDkZVZ0-5uesDbJJeaxHljjr4E/s200/IMG_20150705_114807.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">arrival in Lalibella</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
“I haven’t seen a goat that thin lately,” says Patricia, our local partner from CST. We
have just landed in Lalibela and are en route to our hotel. The skinny little
goat munches on a sparse bush outside the van window. We are starting a two-day
tourist jaunt to see the famous rock churches of Lalibela in the Amhara region
that date back to the 12<sup>th</sup> century.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
There has been no rain here
either it seems. My other first impression is that the mountains have nowhere
near the same level of terracing for agriculture as what we saw in Tigray. We are
also told that there has not been as much social progress here with respect to
women’s equality as in other regions of the country.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CsNbuEvExAb_XGeubNghRsDb2XuEJS5SogaFAJMgfTDoKlZvCIvlAbqHpbXyZj8DriCUS2bRRYo9gIfYwnLcemfCgenB6-EZixUg0QD09vnvQotLpsqwqApHDDYpjg9bfoDgduyGxA0/s1600/IMG_20150706_150747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CsNbuEvExAb_XGeubNghRsDb2XuEJS5SogaFAJMgfTDoKlZvCIvlAbqHpbXyZj8DriCUS2bRRYo9gIfYwnLcemfCgenB6-EZixUg0QD09vnvQotLpsqwqApHDDYpjg9bfoDgduyGxA0/s200/IMG_20150706_150747.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. George's - the <br />most famous church of Lalibela.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Child marriage, Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM), are still a problem. “The challenge is providing an
alternative livelihood for the women who make a living by performing FGM,”
Patricia tells us. This is something that I had never thought of. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 14,000 people live in Lalibela. Our guide cannot give
us an exact figure of how many people the industry employs, but estimates that
it may be close to 60%.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The conversation now steers towards the relationship between tourism and development. In our experience at D&P, it has not always been a happy one. One thinks of the 2005 Tsunami where poor people ended up displaced from prime coastal land to make way for resorts that would never benefit them. During the course of our visit, it is hard to see that tourism has brought much to the town. The infrastructure is poor and we are harassed here by begging children and teenage hustlers more so than any other place we have been.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2PWCpkYxSPPjbD6bFDWAz7X1ymvCsWhV-IM4j_7TwPD9A_jAp9-VA3j8_zN_fcPsJgSMcf3iQrSKQuMrrGY213lmuvZjf33pKAy86gQvtTVqTWPN0BZOo2PzfLPPbqOoGv8k9s3dG4c/s1600/IMG_20150705_160956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2PWCpkYxSPPjbD6bFDWAz7X1ymvCsWhV-IM4j_7TwPD9A_jAp9-VA3j8_zN_fcPsJgSMcf3iQrSKQuMrrGY213lmuvZjf33pKAy86gQvtTVqTWPN0BZOo2PzfLPPbqOoGv8k9s3dG4c/s200/IMG_20150705_160956.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth shows a local child her photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The churches though are truly beautiful. Carved straight out of the volcanic rock, it is said that King Lalibela made them with the help of angels. My thought is that the people of Lalibela could use the help of angels once again.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-2424702243278375692015-07-04T14:35:00.000-07:002015-07-04T14:35:38.814-07:00Short and Sweet: Ethiopia Day #7<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAVWJ55duH4QMlxpMolkVd-QjPf6MLolUuxO9LoIXVHZ8ClD_MxPblxAoHQ1vQ85XeamkaT6IRWN55RVh-HKmDmoEzPZYprOur5yFdyLH5QDFgnyM2duAcu_P4QK73VZUlXZeoJJaOt0/s1600/IMG_20150704_105336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAVWJ55duH4QMlxpMolkVd-QjPf6MLolUuxO9LoIXVHZ8ClD_MxPblxAoHQ1vQ85XeamkaT6IRWN55RVh-HKmDmoEzPZYprOur5yFdyLH5QDFgnyM2duAcu_P4QK73VZUlXZeoJJaOt0/s200/IMG_20150704_105336.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gebrealif looks towards the hives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“If they buzz around you, don’t move.” We are sitting on
another mountain side with 20 bee-hives lives than 15 feet away from us. These instructions
are issued for our safety <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Land in this rocky terrain is at a premium in the Kebele of
Mariam Sheweto and to help young people without land earn a living, we have
helped establish a bee-keeping co-operative of ten men and ten women. A
co-operative members named Gebrealif Kidane tells us, <i>“We had no income and were
dependent on our families. Now we have a hopeful future. One big lesson for us
has been learning the importance of collective negotiating power that comes
with having a co-operative.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqKpGIWS21vswR5OulolRxSnZSKpb4tdqLcmRfLH9_yALJzCGhLAkI14stizSguSaG8fQkO7XXyEat42yQX4FuWyuKZ9CESCOFGH20IcGv08Onq1z1OBvDygnKTWuWkJNZgpOKSOtab0/s1600/IMG_20150704_105521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqKpGIWS21vswR5OulolRxSnZSKpb4tdqLcmRfLH9_yALJzCGhLAkI14stizSguSaG8fQkO7XXyEat42yQX4FuWyuKZ9CESCOFGH20IcGv08Onq1z1OBvDygnKTWuWkJNZgpOKSOtab0/s200/IMG_20150704_105521.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Harvest! Tasted as good as it Looks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This project site is just one of several that is part of a
five year program our local partner REST has set-up to create livelihoods for
people without access to fertile land for farming. “It is important that people
can diversify their livelihoods,” the project officer Habteab Hagos tells us. This is especially true when there is drought.</div>
It is a short and sweet visit. Short because there are bees.
Sweet because they offer us bread and honey. It is sticky and delicious. There
is one thing particularly special about this honey too: it is their first
harvest. And they have chosen to share it with us.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-49371903799658903232015-07-04T13:55:00.000-07:002015-07-04T13:55:53.814-07:00Abela At the Water-Point: Ethiopia Day #6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><div class="MsoNormal">
What do you do when there is drought and the only place to
get water in your community is a small spring coming out the side of a steep
mountain? If you are Abela, a woman living in Erob, you get your 20L jerry can
and you go get it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In doing so each day you risk both your safety and also your
daily water supply since spills frequently occur when trying to carry large
amounts of water in such a precarious way. Today, Abela no longer has to take
that risk, and neither to the women of the other thirty households in her
community, thanks to the Water-Point created by a project of the church here
with the support of <a href="http://www.devp.org/">Development and Peace</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uHxxmSERewKtNP-fFG1pyL9orfoSWUzrjwG-mDQatzkXLKiI99Bx_pea6h-dINYRe0OiHv-uInveU4x6Z4usRLvPLTGUTFlnvP7cfD0PTYQ84YsIVoHz9AFUIDHEIx-IbZzQ7qwrkUs/s1600/circle+well+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3uHxxmSERewKtNP-fFG1pyL9orfoSWUzrjwG-mDQatzkXLKiI99Bx_pea6h-dINYRe0OiHv-uInveU4x6Z4usRLvPLTGUTFlnvP7cfD0PTYQ84YsIVoHz9AFUIDHEIx-IbZzQ7qwrkUs/s400/circle+well+shot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Find the red circle that marks the water-point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are standing at the edge of a mountain road and Sebhatu
Seyoum, the social development director for the diocese here, is pointing out a
grey speck about 2km away on the mountain across the valley. “That is the
water-point,” he says. The grey speck is actually a small reservoir that the spring
now feeds into further down the mountain where it is safer. Beside the reservoir
is a series of taps where Abela can safely get the water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This kind of project is not simply about constructing a physical
water-point though and simply leaving it to the community. When Sebhatu starts
talking about the software they had to set-up for the project to succeed, our
group is at first confused: is it a computer-operated system?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsISdNuP3tXKms1S_arzQrDpbykybsiHqNmys1L4kOSk1v3nOFghd_g50IBFeTPYGlG9FEyt9puuS1Sfx4RoZz51v7sLJtlwI80DS-efrkFYFX5V13JXrPOj7aAQXK-hxbEqRKzjI38w/s1600/IMG_5758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsISdNuP3tXKms1S_arzQrDpbykybsiHqNmys1L4kOSk1v3nOFghd_g50IBFeTPYGlG9FEyt9puuS1Sfx4RoZz51v7sLJtlwI80DS-efrkFYFX5V13JXrPOj7aAQXK-hxbEqRKzjI38w/s200/IMG_5758.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Key"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Software’ is
actually a metaphor for the community organizing that has to be done to ensure
the success of the project. It is in contrast to the ‘hardware’ of the actual
construction. The Church provided technical training as well as training in how
to govern its use through a committee made of people from the community. This
committee is responsible for maintaining the system, guarding and managing
access to it as well as collecting small fees from the community to pay for that
maintenance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few of us jump down from the road onto the terraced
mountainside to make the trek over to get a closer look. As we
get closer, we are joined by a few people from the committee. A child from the home nearby,
the son of a committee member, comes running up with an orange tap handle – it is the
key to open the tap on the reservoir so the water can flow. We are given a
demonstration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTDTWpaayKbAY4_tJRq4NnIppDhrYvN-kHrq2DluWnaY78pLCuSfnUE8oIXnf3EZxa8Bc9c9wSISbRPzzhoD_PXnQt4dN-10xJ1juVnBee2kFWl4mrkNO8Eo7s_YkYOh_WgU8PrfrU88/s1600/IMG_20150703_124840_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTDTWpaayKbAY4_tJRq4NnIppDhrYvN-kHrq2DluWnaY78pLCuSfnUE8oIXnf3EZxa8Bc9c9wSISbRPzzhoD_PXnQt4dN-10xJ1juVnBee2kFWl4mrkNO8Eo7s_YkYOh_WgU8PrfrU88/s640/IMG_20150703_124840_panorama.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the water-point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Black Pipes travel from further up the mountain down into the reservoir, capturing all its water. It is approx. 25 feet in diameter and about 7 feet deep. A solid pipe flows from the reservoir to another concrete block with 3 taps on either side. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPKdE_R44F1igkC0SCT20XbBoW9j_TWYPZwoXKbjkdPUfTRGP-RCSR4ZQb9nSsXx4mYQOA6dHyzpucgXV9JgIo85QHGJcfj8hvuyFFtQqcsQsq5PM92ft57sZ4VoUpNhb8LJBuLo_gHU/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPKdE_R44F1igkC0SCT20XbBoW9j_TWYPZwoXKbjkdPUfTRGP-RCSR4ZQb9nSsXx4mYQOA6dHyzpucgXV9JgIo85QHGJcfj8hvuyFFtQqcsQsq5PM92ft57sZ4VoUpNhb8LJBuLo_gHU/s320/IMG_5767.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abela at the water-point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
“Since this project,” says committee member Haleka, “The
woman have stopped losing water and also hurting themselves from falling.
Collecting the water in the reservoir also means that the precious water does
not get wasted.” We ask about water quality and are told that the local
government conducts tests to ensure its safety.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is at this point, we meet Abela. She is a quiet and
beautiful woman who shows us how to carry the 20L jerry can full of water from
the tap using only her back and a cloth rope. To the amusement of us all,
especially the Ethiopians, Elizabeth from our group gives it a try to see for
herself just how heavy it is. Her life will now be easier. She points out to us where her home is, less than 100 yards away.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haleka insists on offering us hospitality and so we all
retire to the simple home of his family for lunch. They offer us cactus fruit,
injera, bread and egg. We watch the eggs prepared on the small charcoal stove. It
is one of the best meals I have had while I am here. The next time there is
drought, Haleka, Abela and their community will be better prepared to survive
it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-14457439507527980372015-07-02T15:46:00.001-07:002015-07-02T15:46:45.874-07:00A Walk Along the Lehama Canal: Ethiopia Day #5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya62d-PPSEP-nFlmyRr0FYEXAwG_y84694aqmrq1BKoVLq0tqDsb0TSaOjPHA6xX2B1eJHOETtORlJofSw6sY-OpLeq4lo5FCp7se9pJY5IBFthe3ZYwCMwqUsY1EfZYEgDi7drGd790/s1600/P7020380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya62d-PPSEP-nFlmyRr0FYEXAwG_y84694aqmrq1BKoVLq0tqDsb0TSaOjPHA6xX2B1eJHOETtORlJofSw6sY-OpLeq4lo5FCp7se9pJY5IBFthe3ZYwCMwqUsY1EfZYEgDi7drGd790/s320/P7020380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">200 year old DaEro tree - a sign that water is near.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Water is life. Especially in Ethiopia. People here say that
if you see a DaEro Tree it means water. We see our first one twenty-five bumpy minutes after going off road in the Land rover. We are in the rural community of LemLem to see how D&P is helping Ethiopians adapt to climate change. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure enough, there is water nearby this particular beauty.
The tree is over 200 years old. “This is the Lehama River,” Tekle Assefa tells us.
It looks more like a trickle of water in a dry river bed right now though. The
rains still have not come here.<br />
<br />
Tekle works for the church and helps to oversee
the project we are here to see – a 2km concrete canal that diverts water from
the river to the fields of the people. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LPAmz4FS2ynEl1jgFQdCldNKrlAP4sqmdtNNKoZMVP4URgatCje7siVrI9DyxVrmVy5Vh9pSOGXZ1SI6hqM8JwqQwEnaagcKi3CugWzaFxExHVxseD1-9aI2iOQphYggHa6wY86ZQL8/s1600/IMG_20150702_094529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4LPAmz4FS2ynEl1jgFQdCldNKrlAP4sqmdtNNKoZMVP4URgatCje7siVrI9DyxVrmVy5Vh9pSOGXZ1SI6hqM8JwqQwEnaagcKi3CugWzaFxExHVxseD1-9aI2iOQphYggHa6wY86ZQL8/s200/IMG_20150702_094529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children lead us along the canal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A crowd gathers around us as we exit the cars and start our
walk along the canal. The words canal may conjure up an image of ships passing
between lakes, but only a tiny toy boat could travel this one. In the next few
hours, we are amazed to see what a simple foot-wide channel of concrete can
bring to a people suffering from dry lands.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />The first beneficiary of the project that we meet is Adey
Alemu. She is busy weeding her garlic field with her two young daughters. In
total she has six children. The canal has allowed her to have more control over
the amount of water going into her fields. Fields that are not irrigated are
called “rain-fed.” With rain-fed fields these days, there is either too much
water when the rains come, destroying the plants, or there is not enough. As
part of the project, Adey has received training on crop production as well as
the water from the canal.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhdjp4Zm9H_AZvgPTT2Z8pR3qV2yJdaxCIoQyG67dS4tLHweW-8E5deNyx24De-m7FZTPOC8aphX1ZnoIWY5t7BndLMl7EKs6SFDOIZ1epimhkr2lVZkXFZLRjEdXNFw_tUijKCrB2Q4/s1600/P7020013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhdjp4Zm9H_AZvgPTT2Z8pR3qV2yJdaxCIoQyG67dS4tLHweW-8E5deNyx24De-m7FZTPOC8aphX1ZnoIWY5t7BndLMl7EKs6SFDOIZ1epimhkr2lVZkXFZLRjEdXNFw_tUijKCrB2Q4/s1600/P7020013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adey and one of her daughters, weeding their garlic bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i>Before the canal</i>,” she says, “<i>I
could only have one harvest. Now with more control over the water I have two or
for some crops even three. I am better able to provide for my family</i>.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The contrast with the rest of the countryside is readily
obvious as we continue our walk. Things are green and growing here. We see
tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, cabbage, maize, and more.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO05sy2aczQOfpaZX5Cn9EC6TOES1ljNf1Ydqnd1DcawrBJtsniifRIVIDQ-SJDCtRreq2JsJiYHH4Y9dQqOb-Aj-hd4Ww6Hk2mytkuwUi0eloE0ThlLRy0HCbvU1e3liGisY-mBr9zU/s1600/IMG_20150702_101413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioO05sy2aczQOfpaZX5Cn9EC6TOES1ljNf1Ydqnd1DcawrBJtsniifRIVIDQ-SJDCtRreq2JsJiYHH4Y9dQqOb-Aj-hd4Ww6Hk2mytkuwUi0eloE0ThlLRy0HCbvU1e3liGisY-mBr9zU/s200/IMG_20150702_101413.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">canal break to flow water to fields.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Every so often along the
canal there are breaks that are stopped up by large rocks. These are what allow
the water to flow into the farmer’s field. Their use is carefully managed by
the community. In fact, improper use results in a fine of 50ETB.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We come across an herb garden as we continue and women offer
us lovely smelling plants. One particular herb is used as a kind of fragrance
for a woman’s hair. Others are medicinal.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At another point, one of the project workers stops to talk
with a farmer working in his tomato field to give him advice on how to deal
with a particular pest.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We see Woman and children coming to the canal to wash their
clothes. I watch one child refresh herself by splashing water on her face. I
stop and do the same. It is hot today!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiedTjnRbQHicWTcJwQmh53PDos6sP1iCFDTM6ahhdOtoSemryZ3tsS_u_zmPZY_uBrfFLoBGEMUeJ39dLlIWjlPs84e2BKE2mpavMqYX-FJHlBdh0beqmCZqSjCl6tWhXNKmzvOogAk/s1600/IMG_20150702_110648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiedTjnRbQHicWTcJwQmh53PDos6sP1iCFDTM6ahhdOtoSemryZ3tsS_u_zmPZY_uBrfFLoBGEMUeJ39dLlIWjlPs84e2BKE2mpavMqYX-FJHlBdh0beqmCZqSjCl6tWhXNKmzvOogAk/s320/IMG_20150702_110648.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tesfay, 77 years old with hope for the future.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We come to another Daero tree. Here a trough has been
diverted out of the canal to feed the cattle. They can also keep cool under the
shade of the tree.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Towards the end we meet Tesfay. He is 77 years old. He has lived
through the time of war and famine here and lost friends and loved ones. But
that is not what he wants to remember. Instead he says, “I remember when I was
young, there were many trees here,” he says. “People cut them all down. But today
we are trying to bring them back.” By some estimates Ethiopia has lost 98% of
its forested areas in the last 50 years. Tesfay is right though - this project
is helping to bring the trees back, one small step at a time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of small steps, the children of the community have
been scampering along with us our whole trek. They wave goodbye to us as we finish
our walk and return to our Land Rovers. Tesfay can feel good about their
future.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwVDMOcPZ6XCh8meztH7vILx89hMm8vmnt8_eEgsbyh-UtRNH7Gz3pPRsphbHrQKNlNoEhbJIBAopMGT4IOzO98_4gHgRQNqbrL4nKbT5ZqDV20w_wIa2h8yzDSrf9tyW0iYbRFLvLEk/s1600/P7020067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwVDMOcPZ6XCh8meztH7vILx89hMm8vmnt8_eEgsbyh-UtRNH7Gz3pPRsphbHrQKNlNoEhbJIBAopMGT4IOzO98_4gHgRQNqbrL4nKbT5ZqDV20w_wIa2h8yzDSrf9tyW0iYbRFLvLEk/s640/P7020067.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Future of LemLem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-90303362644140865132015-07-02T12:37:00.001-07:002015-07-02T12:37:37.449-07:00Alula’s Coffee Shop: Ethiopia Day#4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me tell you about my new favourite spot for a coffee - Kallamino's.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alula’s husband took all her money and left her alone with
two small children to raise. She lives in the city of Me’Kele in the region of
Tigray. She speaks to us through an interpreter in her native Tigrinya. “I was
depressed with no hope. I went to the government for help and they sent me to
the Daughters of Charity.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2g47U9VBo7ONT5Km8Md10_tlx3WmelImnRzpadyqpA75LEyjOZk-vqfD5FgKWs2lsuD7YSrWHBpoXFM-jFwWkWyEIvIyAp4GseP8gOqrz40eHihbm6sJR9tUqLSXVFb2NKisAWgXDco/s1600/IMG_20150701_164644_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2g47U9VBo7ONT5Km8Md10_tlx3WmelImnRzpadyqpA75LEyjOZk-vqfD5FgKWs2lsuD7YSrWHBpoXFM-jFwWkWyEIvIyAp4GseP8gOqrz40eHihbm6sJR9tUqLSXVFb2NKisAWgXDco/s400/IMG_20150701_164644_panorama.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daughters of Charity Women's Training Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Daughters of Charity are a religious order of
nuns who have been in Tigray since the great famine in 1973. They work with the
CST to improve livelihoods of women in the Tigray region. With our help, a
livelihood training centre was built next to the coordinating office. At the
coordinating office they run every type of social program you can imagine, from
feeding children to a community library. Our work as D&P with them is
focused on women like Alula.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyldldw7eDyHI9p_aT4NW0HdUWLBHgVGX8fHFez6Jk8csle2DkfPx94ZC-5a30WTZGUcVGHZc__OTbCfO3rlRfS-AnHyBMYdC16q3kIh9GBWBnv4ucSzCdX0bxaMeocRgTlnckWOARrPg/s1600/IMG_20150701_173607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyldldw7eDyHI9p_aT4NW0HdUWLBHgVGX8fHFez6Jk8csle2DkfPx94ZC-5a30WTZGUcVGHZc__OTbCfO3rlRfS-AnHyBMYdC16q3kIh9GBWBnv4ucSzCdX0bxaMeocRgTlnckWOARrPg/s320/IMG_20150701_173607.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kallamino's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The nuns gave her access to a loan of 8000ETB (400USD)
which she would pay back at only 2% interest. They also made arrangements for
her to set up a small cafeteria for the staff at a local boarding school. Together
this support is known an IGA (Income Generating Activity)<o:p></o:p></div>
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She rents the space at
the school for 200ETB (10USD) per month. We are visiting her there as she
closes for the day. She used the original loan allowed her to get set-up and
going, including renting a Coffee Machine that she rented for 400ETB a month.
The coffee she prepares for us though is done according to the traditional
Ethiopian coffee ceremony. Another young woman with a black headscarf is there serving us as she
speaks. “I am the only cafeteria here. I have no competition so I have to ensure
that I do not overcharge my customers and that my prices are fair."</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHvMDKhmYy0nCKUT5V-gHZXY2fOtp59reKUmQs1VzBhyifBqhZjT0RCtFV5wt_onGhe9CWTwbBg04mpJpmqfqOWivSMLIuAIu3KRaqpOASzFC5Ip-4s79qczBXJwzTLzvY2fBgxCw9Ug/s1600/IMG_20150701_173619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSHvMDKhmYy0nCKUT5V-gHZXY2fOtp59reKUmQs1VzBhyifBqhZjT0RCtFV5wt_onGhe9CWTwbBg04mpJpmqfqOWivSMLIuAIu3KRaqpOASzFC5Ip-4s79qczBXJwzTLzvY2fBgxCw9Ug/s320/IMG_20150701_173619.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alula's Coffee Machine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Alula works hard. She gets up early in the morning and
prepares the injera in her home, that she then brings her shop. She works
every day except public holidays. Her two daughters, now in Grades 9 and 6,
help out at home. The hardwork paid off. She eventually was able to by the
Coffee Machine outright for 23,000ETB, over 1100USD.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her next purchase will be able to buy a fridge, “probably by
September,” which she currently does not have. “Then I can serve cold drinks,
which people want when it is hot and store food more easily.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, she has not only paid back the loan. Alula’s
business now affords her monthly profits of 3000ETB. “On a good day I gross
1500ETB in sales,” She tells us. And the young woman serving us the coffee?
She is one of her two employees. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The name of Alula’s cafeteria is Kallamino, named for the
small river that runs nearby. We try to pay her for the food and drink she has
offered. After all, it is her business. She refuses. “Please, you are my
guests,” she tells us. We do not insist and instead offer our gratitude. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh and by the way, Alula’s loan is just one of over 80 that the DOC sisters have given out since the start of the year. We are proud to support Alula and the Daughters of Charity in building a better world for Ethiopian women.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRb9UlWTukbPFp_QlMWSdKmMznJwrkxnZtnXxpVjHaqqs_LmtU-lLwBMLHav-wDwkrgfeuG-EVAjhueVMjtKpiuxEwuJVTkeYjKaAU42131Kljs-GPNI6gXocBeFrsljt_wSDLjNEmfA/s1600/IMG_20150701_174046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRb9UlWTukbPFp_QlMWSdKmMznJwrkxnZtnXxpVjHaqqs_LmtU-lLwBMLHav-wDwkrgfeuG-EVAjhueVMjtKpiuxEwuJVTkeYjKaAU42131Kljs-GPNI6gXocBeFrsljt_wSDLjNEmfA/s400/IMG_20150701_174046.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alula, Closing up her coffee shop Kallamino's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-87175869159880978282015-07-02T11:49:00.002-07:002015-07-02T11:49:21.599-07:00Before and After Guidissa: Ethiopia Day #3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SeoMCli4EZH99c6b1byTL_Omf_y1wcSe92FIKj7Y7Tc_QOLYRwnFMBd5lfMPeAtQDhCsXhZ0UXdO6chZZN_NKE8sTCacHorBNGYQBUoYw0PujA6OY8FfjmHqBEnscNyrCkYqs_k2qY/s1600/IMG_20150630_113225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0SeoMCli4EZH99c6b1byTL_Omf_y1wcSe92FIKj7Y7Tc_QOLYRwnFMBd5lfMPeAtQDhCsXhZ0UXdO6chZZN_NKE8sTCacHorBNGYQBUoYw0PujA6OY8FfjmHqBEnscNyrCkYqs_k2qY/s320/IMG_20150630_113225.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guidissa Women's Self-Help Group</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you were an Oromo woman or girl living in the Kebele
(neighbourhood) of Warqa Warabo before the days of Guidissa, your life might
have looked like this: As a girl you experience female genital mutilation. As a
widow you have no inheritance. You have no decision making power in your
marriage and men in your village have the saying, “You can find a tall woman,
but not a knowledgeable one.” You may take eggs or chicken to market to sell,
but nothing larger. If you were to try and sell a goat or a cow, you would be
looked on with suspicion and ignored. You are not allowed to plant by
broadcasting seed or stand on the threshing ground, because men fear you will
curse the crop. You have no involvement in community life and are confined to
the home. You are poor and life is a struggle. But after the Guidissa, things
are different.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guidissa is the name of a woman’s self-help group in Warqa. It is an
Oromo word meaning, “Helps to Develop.” It is one of four in this Kebele and
consists of 38 women. Guidissa was organized through the work of a grassroots
organization that our partner CST works with called Hundee. Hundee means
“taproot” and they have acted as a taproot not only for Guidissa but for many
other women self-help groups in over 31 Woredas (Districts) containing many
Kebeles as part of the Civil Society Development Program supported by D&P.
We did not have time to meet and visit them all they are so numerous. Some of
our group split off to meet another of these self-help groups. We met the women
of Guidissa. Despite having to be at a funeral later that day, all 38 of
them are there to talk with us, along with their men. The meeting opens with a
blessing. In the past it would have only been a man to do this. Now a woman
also takes part.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00b8t3VIuxjnR7i1Zqkt8CLnwZOP5PKE_INzUQ6u7yWT3OrMsnArmCDc6aKaqRWvnytqfE-fjg4t2KUTyvnHNi_hOKqw19UnwyU2lynnxo40s-RPfYpF1UeRDE-_f0aDgjcsy9IPRJKA/s1600/IMG_20150630_114002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00b8t3VIuxjnR7i1Zqkt8CLnwZOP5PKE_INzUQ6u7yWT3OrMsnArmCDc6aKaqRWvnytqfE-fjg4t2KUTyvnHNi_hOKqw19UnwyU2lynnxo40s-RPfYpF1UeRDE-_f0aDgjcsy9IPRJKA/s200/IMG_20150630_114002.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">men speaking in support!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Key activities of a self-help group like Guidissa include a
revolving loan program for their members as well as community conversations
with the men to discuss the their challenges. The men recognize the value of
the conversations. “Previously we were not aware of the issue of gender,” one
says, <o:p></o:p><br />
“Now with the engagement in the conversations, the awareness of our
equality is there. The next generations can have hope.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the revolving loan program, women start by contributing
a very small amount of money each week to the group, as little as 1 or even 2
Birr (Ethiopian Currency 20 ETB=1USD). When the pot is large enough, members
can take turns accessing loans as high as 2000ETB, in some cases at zero
interest. This credit has the power to change lives.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eBjq3kdNtlzvncBvSEebQQaBbYG_OSSXfqLsywH5DNh8Eg3PuLoY5P9wdwNU-JvLtZ8j4BRTrmj-oHf7MusPFS8f2WgN-7hEcmtbcx4Vg74XZNbif85whfX1a9ymocDDVx51FPvi11M/s1600/Blue+Headress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eBjq3kdNtlzvncBvSEebQQaBbYG_OSSXfqLsywH5DNh8Eg3PuLoY5P9wdwNU-JvLtZ8j4BRTrmj-oHf7MusPFS8f2WgN-7hEcmtbcx4Vg74XZNbif85whfX1a9ymocDDVx51FPvi11M/s200/Blue+Headress.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing powerful testimony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One woman in a blue headdress shares with us, <i>“My husband was a farm laborer and because of our poverty I had to live with my mother. I had nothing and struggled to survive. I was not a member of Guidissa. My mother told me to join the group. I refused because I did not think I could afford the fifty cents (half a birr) to save each week as a member. But eventually my mother got me to join. I was able to get a loan and buy four sheep. I sold two of them and was able to get a land contract to farm. My husband was able to return and help me. Together we produced 4.5 Quintal (1Quintal = 100kg) of Teff (a local grain). I still had the sheep and I was able to buy a heifer and a bull. I fattened them and sold them and then bought two oxen to farm and a donkey. I have paid back the loan and I can generate my own income. I am free. My children are free.”</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bBKQ1X_8JKHd8APCIdgyRql40DBAw5nNPzzGJI0k1vRuuj3Re6JT_QbMnGHLU-5XiPK3-v4Z6prBc2v7h1Ua5ooQABWNhz9REHOSa0TN2tdZfqDUy8uz4sKly5RxHYzT9sW1puZzuBA/s1600/IMG_5660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bBKQ1X_8JKHd8APCIdgyRql40DBAw5nNPzzGJI0k1vRuuj3Re6JT_QbMnGHLU-5XiPK3-v4Z6prBc2v7h1Ua5ooQABWNhz9REHOSa0TN2tdZfqDUy8uz4sKly5RxHYzT9sW1puZzuBA/s320/IMG_5660.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ejigua surveys her success.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After we talk we go to the homes of Ejigua Hailu. She is a
founding member of Guidissa and one of its first beneficiaries. I say homes,
plural, because there are two on her property – the stick and thatched-roof one
she lived in before Guidissa and the solid, tin-roofed one she lives in now. Ejigua
has nine children and five grandchildren. Getting access to credit allowed her
to progress economically. She was gradually able to own more and more sheep
(which she fattened and sold) before going on to also owning a cow (which had just given birth two
days earlier to a calf).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCoK5syxN89GQhNTP1GoxwWpP_pREMth4VnaSdPWQ3aT3UMHNVgpnj13rTAK-d1OHUASWgqiud2h2U7LmEOptGpcqdm3GicCqPy_g8H15zrmTOjR5jlLTAx9sRnyGL30VVVrz9XVIgjw/s1600/IMG_5663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtCoK5syxN89GQhNTP1GoxwWpP_pREMth4VnaSdPWQ3aT3UMHNVgpnj13rTAK-d1OHUASWgqiud2h2U7LmEOptGpcqdm3GicCqPy_g8H15zrmTOjR5jlLTAx9sRnyGL30VVVrz9XVIgjw/s200/IMG_5663.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ejigua's new baby calf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is life after Guidissa as a woman.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is not only economic capital that is the fruit here – it
is social capital as well. There is no more HTP (Hurtful Traditional
Practices). You can sell goats and cows freely at the market. You can sow &
thresh. You can join the Kebele councils and most importantly, you are an equal
decision maker with your husband.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Support for women is directly in the mission statement of
Development and Peace. Today we saw that mission in action.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-47918114398201177942015-07-01T12:40:00.000-07:002015-07-01T13:03:52.136-07:00Arrives Late and Leaves Early: Ethiopia Day#2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5sGYqLU7PLiouCuwOn6gp-3T27Rg5eJMMvv4vMnBhE95nA95FY_ZQfhLpXxHZ0yic_0jTRXoAMABWAP9fXCOSbWE3NQTjW-JSnJyhXXtt1DEFd4oy1L6htbSVfTtAT26dW3_K1uAIUA/s1600/IMG_20150629_210754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG5sGYqLU7PLiouCuwOn6gp-3T27Rg5eJMMvv4vMnBhE95nA95FY_ZQfhLpXxHZ0yic_0jTRXoAMABWAP9fXCOSbWE3NQTjW-JSnJyhXXtt1DEFd4oy1L6htbSVfTtAT26dW3_K1uAIUA/s200/IMG_20150629_210754.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tamiru at the Restaurant.</td></tr>
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The traditional Ethiopian music is thumping and I have to lean in closer to hear what Tamiru is saying. Tamiru is Oromo, the largest ethnic group in the country. I learn this because he mentions that the dancers on stage are dressed in his tradition. There are 40 million Oromo out of a total population in Ethiopia of 90+ million. We are at a restaurant enjoying a magnificent Ethiopian dinner with live musicians and dancers. In addition to the Oromo there are over 80 other different tribes that make up Ethiopia. Tamiru works in communications for the CST joint office, one of our key partners here. Leaning in further, I catch his words, <i>“It Arrives Late and Leaves Early.”</i> He is speaking about the rains. Ethiopia lies in a region of Africa that is prone to cycles of drought. These cycles are becoming more frequent and less predictable though. It’s a key reason why D&P is working here to enhance livelihoods and resiliance in vulnerable populations. Tamiru continues, <i>“Just yesterday I was speaking to a priest from the north who told me they still have had no rain.” </i>It has been raining all day in Addis and it should be elsewhere too. But it is not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to digesting the delicious food, we are also digesting vast amounts of knowledge that was shared with us today by two of our three key partners, CST and ECS. Two things jumped out for me that I would like to share.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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First: The morning began with a briefing at the CST office, a five minute walk from our hotel. Ethiopia is known as the ‘Water Tower’ of Africa. There are rivers (including the Nile) that flow through the land. However, the diverse geography of the country means that water is easier to get in some places than others. It felt strange to be talking about drought and lack of access to water with the rain pouring down outside. Yet resilience to drought is key to development here, especially as its frequency increases. We are told that Climate Change is driving the ‘arrives late and leaves early’ phenomenon and presented with studies on the matter. The word of Pope Francis come to mind, that the poor, who have not created the ecological crisis, are the first to suffer from it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBEGQSnz7XBKsVVk3yhsK8PktJZPJhzgfjItKS8sQuIwZBC9ecoVKucVOCwazvrfGMDpzV69kzwl8NeSa_go-JTzje7Y88sQ-BbY5xtsgJSisr0HrLy4Ugu4v4wTdr5ZlISltNF7u7mg/s1600/IMG_20150629_101547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBEGQSnz7XBKsVVk3yhsK8PktJZPJhzgfjItKS8sQuIwZBC9ecoVKucVOCwazvrfGMDpzV69kzwl8NeSa_go-JTzje7Y88sQ-BbY5xtsgJSisr0HrLy4Ugu4v4wTdr5ZlISltNF7u7mg/s200/IMG_20150629_101547.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px; text-align: center;">Fasting Cake</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
During the break, the entire office staff came in with cake, coffee and drink to celebrate our visit and the return of our their leader who had been travelling for some time, Patricia Wall. There were two cakes, one was called a ‘fasting cake.’ A fasting cake contains no animal products as these are abstained from during fasting periods in Ethiopia. There is a lot of fasting in Ethiopia, by the dominant Orthodox Christians as well as the Catholics and the Muslims. “In total, there are over 200 days,” one of the staff tells me between bites of cake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Mary Cathedral, Addis Ababa</td></tr>
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The second thing jumped out at me during our visit to the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat (ECS), the second key partner. It was a bumpy ride in the van through poor areas of the city to get there. Some of our group, who are seeing the type of urban poverty only found in the Global South for the first time, are overwhelmed. ECS is located right next to the St. Mary Cathedral, which we visit after our meeting. Newly minted Cardinal, Berhaneyesus Demerew Souraphiel, joined us for lunch and gave a very warm welcome to his Archdiocese. Catholics only make up between 0.5-1% of the population and consist of both Latin and Eastern rites. Yet despite being such a small percentage of the population, we are told that the Catholic Church is the second largest provider of health care and education in Ethiopia after the government! In the presentation of their work we are introduced to all kinds of acronyms. Two examples: HTP = Hurtful traditional practices (such as female genital mutilation and child marriages) & SWC = Soil Water Conservation. Here’s what I found noteworthy though: 25% of crop-loss for farmers comes <i>post-harvest</i>! For this reason, ECS puts as much emphasis on handling and processing harvested crops as it does on growing them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know,” commented one of our group. It is true. Today we have been focused on learning. Tomorrow we will begin our sojourn out into the field to see with our own eyes what today we have heard.<o:p></o:p><br />
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As I contemplate how much we have learned today, I now realize how little we will actually be able to see in our two weeks here. All of a sudden, <i>Arrives Late and Leaves Early </i>feels like words that not only describe the effect of climate change on the rains, but also like words that can also be applied to our trip. May God grant that we make the most of our precious time.<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.1199989318848px;"> </span></span></div>
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-36936906290163618882015-06-30T13:00:00.000-07:002015-06-30T13:00:01.402-07:00Ethiopia #1: “I Don’t Know if You realize How Lucky You Are….”<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plane says we are about to land...</td></tr>
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…these are the words my director, Josianne Gauthier, wrote
to me as I was preparing to take-off for Ethiopia on Thursday. She continued, <i>“<span style="color: #1f497d;">The story of
Ethiopia is deeply connected to the story of Christianity, of human dignity,
colonialism, revolution, and the failure of the 1980’s model of development
aid. They have never been colonized and you can feel it…The landscape,
the huge variety of cultures and ethnic groups that live across the country…and
the coffee, the coffee is to die for. The first thing you notice when you get
off the plane in Addis is the perfume of roasting coffee…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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She was right on both senses. I could feel it and the
perfume did fill my nostrils. We have arrived here in Addis Ababa on June 28<sup>th</sup>
as a group of 11 people from BC, ON and QC on a D&P Solidarity Trip.
Solidarity trips are a chance for our members to see firsthand the work of
D&P and its partners around the world. There are three main partners that
we work with in Ethiopia and during this trip we will meet and learn from all
of them. On this first day we will rest from the 12+ hour direct flight from
Toronto and the 7hr jump ahead in time. Ironically, by coming here we have
actually jumped 8 years <i>back</i> in time.
Ethiopia uses the Julian Calendar and so it is actually the year 2007!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Views of Addis Ababa</td></tr>
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“I spent time sketching the view from my hotel window,” says
Michelle, “Corrugated tin roofs and satellite dishes dominate.” Urban poverty
as well as underdeveloped infrastructure is easily visible here. Growth is also
visible in the form of scaffolding on rising buildings. It is made of
Eucalyptus wood and looks like giant wooden skeletons with concrete innards –
not exactly to Canadian Code. “The growth is a lie in many ways,” someone tells
me, “The buildings represent the wealth of very few people. Income inequality
is growing rapidly in Addis.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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For security reasons we do not visit the famous Markato, but
instead visit a local market…in the rain. June is the rainy season and we are treated
to our first Ethiopian downpour. Curious children approach us and as our
English meets their Amharic, we do our best to communicate. I give a young boy my
phone and he takes a picture of his little group. His smile is as wide as our
own. We have arrived. I realize how lucky I am.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<i>Part of a series on the D&P 2015 Ethiopia Solidarity Trip. Internet Access is unreliable. I will post entries as I am able to.</i><br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-34437489730194309332015-04-30T13:02:00.001-07:002015-05-01T21:48:06.920-07:00For Nepal, from the Dixon Mom.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with Gertrude</td></tr>
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Gertrude Ambrose, aka the Dixon Mom, is celebrating her 75th birthday today with a donation to our efforts in Nepal. I met her at the CWL diocesan convention in Toronto. The CWL are great supporters of D&P and I have an info table there. "I never had problems speaking up for others," she says, "because I myself was pushed aside." She grew up a victim of the war in a small swiss border town. Despite having little education, she became a leader in her village.
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At the age of 30 she came to Canada and married. "I have never been in love," she tells me. "I married the worst of the worst. After 36 years he died." She smiles. They call her the Dixon Mom because she is such an active member of her inner city Toronto neighbourhood on Dixon road. "I have no problem telling the men off when they do bad things. No one has sued me yet."
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CWL convention</td></tr>
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She lobbied to have bulletin boards out up in her building to advertise community events and volunteer opportunities. "Authorities want to spend millions on a pool or a rec centre, instead of listening to the simple ideas of people who live here. A bulletin board gives people a sense of what is going on. Loneliness is the worst thing in the world you know."
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Gertrude's eyes are lively brown. She zips around on her scooter from one place to the next. She leaves me with not only a donation, but a compliment. "You come down to my level, and you keep eye contact. You are a good listener."
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I'm not a good listener though. I am just easily captivated by someone who flexes the muscle of the widow's mite.</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-21026609028102699142015-04-09T23:07:00.000-07:002015-04-09T23:07:48.891-07:0046 soups + 89 acts of generousity = Alleluia!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Easter Sunday morning Ryan Worms and I completed our 46 day Lenten fast for Development and Peace - our contribution to D&P's annual ShareLent campaign to raise funds for it's mission.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_iChzIGaaeVnThWnlnLblZ95kgqrkwV5RM7Sez2C0BSEJyeYC2dil9b61zG9UA8aEH4pAx2jGLA8K2uhdVfxVSWPZZwsv9xAV60draBolSmiZ7nJcAE3HfZw3_SVsV6p0BHjuFMSODw/s1600/IMG_20150405_105710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
I am grateful to the Catholic Register for <a href="http://www.catholicregister.org/columns/item/19986-going-hungry-to-help-feed-the-poor">publishing a reflection</a> I wrote about the experience. Now that the fast is broken, I offer a few more words here on the Muse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_iChzIGaaeVnThWnlnLblZ95kgqrkwV5RM7Sez2C0BSEJyeYC2dil9b61zG9UA8aEH4pAx2jGLA8K2uhdVfxVSWPZZwsv9xAV60draBolSmiZ7nJcAE3HfZw3_SVsV6p0BHjuFMSODw/s200/IMG_20150405_105710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_iChzIGaaeVnThWnlnLblZ95kgqrkwV5RM7Sez2C0BSEJyeYC2dil9b61zG9UA8aEH4pAx2jGLA8K2uhdVfxVSWPZZwsv9xAV60draBolSmiZ7nJcAE3HfZw3_SVsV6p0BHjuFMSODw/s200/IMG_20150405_105710.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
My wonderful wife Joanna (who was the first to sponsor me in the fast, of course) is Polish. In the Polish tradition Easter breakfast is one of special foods that are taken in a basket to be blessed at the Church on Easter Saturday. After greeting the Easter dawn down by the lake, we returned home and I broke the fast with wife and children as we shared an egg from that sacred meal together - a symbol of new life. As I did, my thoughts were with with many.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVA7x_v3iVgmnJMZjy65T5vX8px_i9xj8utVw_wlwAtdP_NEg9hgvkogaU_xtW3Vc0cf-Sp9TPd-n3fZmhLxrgt8JTtcs5fPxKHkqyOyLTuNqErfqnejMXgm36kiedyFdqjsI1FZnt3Q/s1600/IMG_20150405_105959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVA7x_v3iVgmnJMZjy65T5vX8px_i9xj8utVw_wlwAtdP_NEg9hgvkogaU_xtW3Vc0cf-Sp9TPd-n3fZmhLxrgt8JTtcs5fPxKHkqyOyLTuNqErfqnejMXgm36kiedyFdqjsI1FZnt3Q/s1600/IMG_20150405_105959.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">
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First, they were with Ryan, with whom I fasted. Believe it or not, we did not get to share a single soup together in person through the whole thing. On Holy Thursday though, we did a 'Skype Soup' as we remembered the last supper of our Lord. And of course, we talked shop over our french onions soups (he being, being french, had one infinitely better than my own feeble attempt!)<br />
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Second they were with all those we were fasting for. In particular this year, I thought of the people of Colombia (from the visit of Fr. Alberto) and the people of Syria - my heart being broken to tears most recently by <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-32121732">4 year old Hudea</a> from the Atmeh refugee camp. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCqxduM81bFmyABnKmjSTiA-3ZdFuRryYHI3cQevjnGqaKm6hN3iUabsOvSokfNaHHC-xV6VNHMiT6u5mNq7HFzCx21b8jsLSYJE8CMXfVaPIiyXB0Xp-B7HLBzn0UgPcci40f7u8Y4Y/s1600/IMG_20150402_180937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCqxduM81bFmyABnKmjSTiA-3ZdFuRryYHI3cQevjnGqaKm6hN3iUabsOvSokfNaHHC-xV6VNHMiT6u5mNq7HFzCx21b8jsLSYJE8CMXfVaPIiyXB0Xp-B7HLBzn0UgPcci40f7u8Y4Y/s1600/IMG_20150402_180937.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>Finally, in a very special way, my thoughts were with the 89 people who supported the fast with donations - 89 acts of generousity. At the Easter Vigil we break the silence of lent and sing Alleluia for the first time to greet the Risen Christ. <b><i>You, the 89, were the Alleluia in my heart this Easter. </i></b>Connecting with people was a special part of the fast for me - writing, begging, praying, thanking. Yes, my heart would always leap whenever the email notifications would come in, "<b>From: </b><i>Development and Peace</i> <b>Subject: </b><i>On-Line Contribution</i><b>." </b>I am so so grateful to all of you who helped me to not only reach my personal goal of $5000 but blow way past it to over $6000! I am happy to say that between the two of us, Ryan and I surpassed our combined goal of $10,000. When one considers those who became monthly donors, that amount is amplified even more!<br />
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All in all my diet of 46 soups resulted in me losing between 30-35lbs <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105640827556602919691/TheGreatLentenSoupFastOf2015ForDP?authuser=0&feat=directlink">(see the soup album here</a>) . What was gained by the fast far outweighs the loss though. Going without brings things into focus. My heart has been even more finely tuned to the mission we proclaim as Development and Peace - that the Risen Christ offers hope for a broken world and that life is stronger than death. Alleluia!<br />
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breaking the fast!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEYz9H2hBW3HaTRscku6E49Lwe9h1BJbca4qgJd_e_uHzDLYWn4U-j4BJmFQp1KAekdtFWAMxTKa20cC1U0tdlplPhZ_u3HgyOFdseeA0dvBLrpQ8x-6Xw1xWFoj108_O87OqwJP3dao/s1600/IMG_20150330_003335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEYz9H2hBW3HaTRscku6E49Lwe9h1BJbca4qgJd_e_uHzDLYWn4U-j4BJmFQp1KAekdtFWAMxTKa20cC1U0tdlplPhZ_u3HgyOFdseeA0dvBLrpQ8x-6Xw1xWFoj108_O87OqwJP3dao/s1600/IMG_20150330_003335.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Cross from Mass today.</td></tr>
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"And now we are in Jerusalem," said Fr. Ed at mass this morning. The children preparing for first communion had just finished waving their palms and singing a special Palm Sunday song for the congregation and were returning to their seats. His words struck me. Yes, we have now arrived in Jerusalem after a long journey with Jesus to get here. The singing has ended and Holy Week has begun.<br />
<br />
I recently completed my own journey with Jesus.<br />
<br />
His full name is Fr. Jesus Alberto Franco, and he is a Redemptorist Priest from Colombia. Like our Lord, there are people who want to kill him. They want to kill him because his love of the Gospel and the hope it offers to the poor is a threat to powerful people in his country.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Alberto does some snow graffiti on our trusty chariot.</td></tr>
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Fr. Alberto is the executive secretary of Justicia y Paz, a partner of Development and Peace. I was with him from March 17-March 24 as we traveled from one speaking engagement to another throughout the Central Ontario region. It was an honour to spend time with this humble and passionate man who has received death threats and had bullets fired at him.<br />
<br />
Justicia y Paz has helped to create humanitarian zones in Colombia to help protect those who have suffered the most in a long and bloody conflict there - the people without guns. These are the indigenous, the afro-colombians, and the campesinos who live from the land. They have been displaced to make way for powerful economic interests which include the development of huge african oil palm plantations and cattle ranches. Slowly, Justicia y Paz has been helping them to receive justice and to take back the land they have lost.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESuESBT3KPZ3nyLYVu2Re_PQBRqqgIkoFKFmSBfV57Q4QdQFbQfHYIzIpmuiSDYXQPUw-Bj7BDygjb0PVnTK9lhLtLzNon_VneKB-kbf9ZrTEYXgMgc6Av6SX8k7nZdKVpZHLjtRpnvA/s1600/IMG_20150323_195013_panorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiESuESBT3KPZ3nyLYVu2Re_PQBRqqgIkoFKFmSBfV57Q4QdQFbQfHYIzIpmuiSDYXQPUw-Bj7BDygjb0PVnTK9lhLtLzNon_VneKB-kbf9ZrTEYXgMgc6Av6SX8k7nZdKVpZHLjtRpnvA/s1600/IMG_20150323_195013_panorama.jpg" height="78" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Alberto shares a meal and some wisdom with the Hispanic community of Toronto - March 23rd</td></tr>
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As we journey through Holy Week, I hope to share more stories from his visit here on the Muse. <a href="http://www.devp.org/thinkfast/1238">The fast I have been on for D&P (Thanks to my daughter Amy and her $15 donation I just passed the $4000 mark!)</a> should have left me without much energy as we traveled from place to place together. Instead, I was full of energy all the time. You see, Fr. Alberto was an inspiration to me and I drew energy each day from being in his presence and listening to his message.<br />
<br />
I asked Fr. Alberto if we should refrain from talking about his visit on-line for his safety. On the contrary, he wanted news of his tour to be spread far and wide in cyberspace. Such international exposure actually helps to protect him just as much as the security escort that the inter-american human rights commission has ordered him to travel with for his own protection.<br />
<br />
So just as Jesus was announced to the powers that be in that Holy City by ordinary people waving palms and singing songs of joy, so to do I announce that Fr. Jesus Alberto Franco was here in Canada. To those that would want to kill him, know that his message has been heard by Canadians and that he has our support.<br />
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-5080057942439382312015-03-12T22:36:00.000-07:002015-03-12T22:36:40.185-07:00Hunger at the Halfway <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Has it really been nearly a year since I last wrote!? Sitting here at our kitchen table after midnight, it strikes me that the Mustard Seed Muse was in danger of becoming yet another failed aspiration of a cyberspace blogger.<br />
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So what has finally inspired me to post again? Why begging for money of course. Yes, I am writing today as a beggar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyEg3DfwOFG4vj1qk9-7oyWpb-WZMIURxVjvoJYlNtlLzIVwORgYfRpm0Sn1nmjuMMfAi7X-rd0gesjopGKaraxykBZ7_wmuErN0AEyVsZ_RDO7bfiHOK3wvGzLbWNh26z4c1S4KWj2A/s1600/770.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJyEg3DfwOFG4vj1qk9-7oyWpb-WZMIURxVjvoJYlNtlLzIVwORgYfRpm0Sn1nmjuMMfAi7X-rd0gesjopGKaraxykBZ7_wmuErN0AEyVsZ_RDO7bfiHOK3wvGzLbWNh26z4c1S4KWj2A/s1600/770.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's Meal - French Onion!</td></tr>
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Today marks the halfway point of the 46 day fast my colleague Ryan Worms and I are undertaking together for Development and Peace, the organization we love and work for. From Ash Wednesday (Feb 18) until after the Easter Vigil (April 4) we are eating just one meal of soup and bread a day in the hopes of gaining at least 50 new monthly donors or raising $10,000 for the mission of Development and Peace.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.devp.org/thinkfast/1238">Click Here To Sponsor My Fast!</a></i></div>
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In the process of gaining support for the mission, we are also losing some weight - about 15 pounds so far for me. As the body normalizes to the fast, one starts to feel the hunger itself less acutely. But the challenge is keeping up energy. One can only imagine the psychological burden faced by our brothers and sisters who experience the fatigue of hunger each and every day - 800 million of them throughout the world. For us the hunger is a choice. For them it is not. For us we know clearly when and where our next meal will come. They do not.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBfeWGBYcTXT_1y3WvDJLNYy3bYD5GZZ0rqBTNmh2cRNxG308zOTZYxGY5NqJgt6qCLyKXelVjlcEdJjiUC9jAgB0JtJSD7QBWVvMiFkn8FBTBn29nhMc_ydyAneE94_F6dyVoDEbgVE/s1600/FOTO+P.ALBERTO2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBfeWGBYcTXT_1y3WvDJLNYy3bYD5GZZ0rqBTNmh2cRNxG308zOTZYxGY5NqJgt6qCLyKXelVjlcEdJjiUC9jAgB0JtJSD7QBWVvMiFkn8FBTBn29nhMc_ydyAneE94_F6dyVoDEbgVE/s1600/FOTO+P.ALBERTO2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human Rights Defender, Fr. Alberto Franco from Colombia.</td></tr>
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While I am fasting in solidarity with the hungry, my main inspiration is actually the courageous men and women with whom we are partners in the struggle for human dignity. Next Tuesday I am going to meet one of them - Fr. Alberto Franco from Justicia Y Paz in Colombia. He is in Canada to meet with our donors and supporters about the challenges faced by his people and what is being done to overcome them. Despite facing death threats and flying bullets, for over 20 years Fr. Alberto has worked to defend the rights of the most marginalized peoples in Colombia - the Indigenous, the Afro-Colombians and the Campesinas and Campesinos. I will be accompanying him over the course of a speaking tour that will last a week and will span across Toronto, Belleville, Kingston and Peterborough (Let me know if you want to meet him too).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.devp.org/thinkfast/1238">Support the Work of D&P in Colombia by Clicking Here to Sponsor my Fast</a></i>.</div>
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It is said we fast to remember, as Jesus said in the dessert, that we do not live on bread alone. I am indeed finding a spiritual source of energy in my work that replaces the energy provided by food. Even at tonight's meeting I found myself energized as our Peterborough members discussed who will bring what food to one of our public events with Fr. Alberto. Listening to them talk about soups and homemade chili with local bread did not make me groan in hunger, but grin in anticipation.</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-64349918101309401732014-05-26T12:45:00.001-07:002014-05-26T12:45:37.060-07:00Guest Blog: A Grand Welcome into a Humble World.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Patrick Kennedy is a student at Neil McNeill Secondary School currently doing a co-op placement with me. He recently traveled to Ottawa with us to attend the annual D&P members meeting for the Ontario region (called the OPM). This blog is a reflection on his experience. Thanks Patrick!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking
back at my experience at D&P’s annual Ontario Provincial Meeting, I can
reflect upon the wonderful welcome I received from the people of Development
and Peace. Being a High School co-op student who had been working at the
organization for just over a month, I was nervous about entering into an
environment full of members who had been with the organization for years. The
trip to Ottawa was especially nerve-wracking because I was travelling with
people I had only emailed with, so before I went on the trip I was hoping that
the six hour drive would pass quickly and that I could reunite with the few
familiar faces that I knew from D&P. Notwithstanding my anxiety, the
unfamiliar passengers of the Dodge Avenger were very friendly and open-hearted.
This was the first of many genial welcomes I received on the weekend of May 9<sup>th</sup>-11<sup>th</sup>.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4W5WFvUJNCZW7K2OItLELj_Cl7MHbXApX7oTO0F0VjFEGkRK7IGDv2UZfq5htxBz1U4Bet1AoUUejwasJ8CJjHcmMWFpwsKOJGk4q86MqaINFr0-8lc2RhgOkLqeOfJE4IIRiY8e5aQ/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4W5WFvUJNCZW7K2OItLELj_Cl7MHbXApX7oTO0F0VjFEGkRK7IGDv2UZfq5htxBz1U4Bet1AoUUejwasJ8CJjHcmMWFpwsKOJGk4q86MqaINFr0-8lc2RhgOkLqeOfJE4IIRiY8e5aQ/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPM 2014 Group Shot: Find Patrick!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once
in Ottawa I was approached by many other unfamiliar faces and welcomed as a new
affiliate of Development and Peace. I appreciated this welcome because I admire
the humble work of the organization and was eager to learn more about its
structure. The weekend did not disappoint; I learnt all about how ideas,
suggestions, recommendations, and resolutions are passed. As a young person
interested in political systems, especially in the integration of direct
democracy into the Canadian political system, it was quite a learning
experience to see how direct democracy was incorporated into aspects of the
OPM. I now have an appreciation for the significance of the member-based
organization of D&P.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 36pt;">I
learnt a lot being part of the 2014 Ontario Provincial Meeting in Ottawa and
now feel that I have a more significant role in the organization. I hope to
participate in the OPMs of the future.</span></div>
</div>
Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-64292066686943745012014-04-17T11:24:00.004-07:002014-04-18T05:47:01.292-07:00Back in the Saddle...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>...riding in the field.</b><br />
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Here we are on Holy Thursday, about to enter the Triduum - that most Holy of celebrations for us Catholics. It seems a good time to reflect and report on the past four months since I came back to my job permanent position as the central ontario animator just before Christmas.<br />
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It feels like I am back in the saddle. I so missed being in the field - the churches, the schools, and yes, even the meetings! There are so many Development and Peace members and supporters here that I so enjoy working with and that make my life so rich as we work together for international solidarity. Below is a small album of life back in the saddle.<br />
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<b>by the numbers...</b><br />
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As animators we have a reporting form for all our activities in the field. It allows us to track our work over time. By the numbers, life back in the saddle looks as follows: 31 separate field activities, predominantly in the Toronto diocese, reaching 3465 people. The vast majority of these are youth. I am blessed to be regularly invited to schools to share the work of Development and Peace.<br />
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<b>...and the memories.</b><br />
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There are so many highlights to share these past months that they cannot fit a single blogpost. all I can do is list instead of reflect. It was special to me that my first trip back into the field was to my son and daughter's own school - <a href="http://www.tcdsb.org/schools/stcecilia/Pages/default.aspx">St. Cecilia</a> - to talk about the Philippines after they raised over $1000. Later I visited <a href="http://www.dpcdsb.org/STEIN/Parents/St.+James+Catholic+Global+Learning+Centre.htm">St. James</a> for the same reason. There the children learned and performed the Philippines' national anthem as part of their efforts! (See video here)<br />
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Memories - the always excellent iLite conferences under the leadership of <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeCLeadership">Mike Consul</a>, the annual Voices that Challenge conference led by <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=greg%20rogers&src=typd">Greg Rogers</a>, ShareLent workshops in Peterborough and Kingston,the new Toronto Youth Council's first event - a screening of <a href="http://www.defensorathefilm.com/">Defensora</a>, the screening a <a href="http://saltandlighttv.org/anewleaf/">New Leaf</a> at Trent university, <a href="http://www.utoronto-idc.org/">conferences at UTSC</a>, my annual trip out to the amazing Denise Colterman-Fox's <a href="http://www.docchs.com/">DOC</a> school, spending Ash Wednesday talking about Syria at my old high school <a href="http://stmary.dcdsb.ca/">St. Mary</a>, <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/thinkfast/resources">THINKfast</a> presentations, and of course - the epic <a href="https://www.tcdsb.org/FORSTUDENTS/NewsAndEvents/20132014/Pages/Dodging-for-Justice!.aspx">"Dodging for Justice"</a> dodgeball game where admission was 10 signed action cards - all these and more have made these first months back in the saddle rich and colourful.<br />
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I am in the middle of my holy week fast for D&P (<a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=784">its not too late to donate!</a>) As I write here, I realize I am fasting not only for the impoverished and the hungry around the world - this fast is also for the wonderful people here in Canada that I work with and their belief that as Canadians we can be part of the solution to the problems we face as one human family.<br />
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As the TCDSB youth leaders sing and dance at the end of our dodgeball game, "<i>In the streets our heads are liftin', as we lose our inhibition. Celebration it's around us, every nation, all around us."</i><br />
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It is good to be back.<br />
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-63132739270253375842014-03-25T19:58:00.001-07:002014-03-31T08:34:40.253-07:00#SuorCristina and the Joy of the Gospel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sister Cristina Scuccia sang herself into the hearts of 23, 420, 648 people* around the planet over the weekend, including mine. Italy's version of the hit TV show, "The Voice" has revealed a gift for the world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank-you sister, for inspiring me to get back in the 'habit' and blog for the first time in nearly a year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I have always been guilty of seeing the symbolic value of things. For me, there is much more going on here than just 23 million people wanting to see the real life version of Sister Act. This is about the Joy of the Gospel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole thing unfolds like magic:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>00:03</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A 25 year old ursuline nun stands on the stage as Alicia Keyes “No One” starts up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The four judges sit with their backs turned so they cannot see the surprise contestant – as per the format of the show. The nun’s job is to get them to turn around through the beauty of her voice. Is this not the task of all Christians? Are we not a missionary church, trying to turn the world towards what is good and true? Are we not trying to get the world to turn towards the embrace of God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>00:07</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The camera turns to a shot of three nuns from Sr. Cristina’s order – the Ursaline sisters. They are her community and they are here to support her. It is a powerful image because it conveys the truth of religious life – it is a life lived in the mutual support of community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdGz-VtPF-9KqFQlY4X_QdhR6prr1xIlOeWFYMT_2owPFV6HZZ8BJCQ9Y5Ho-9IHJxpy3FK3d5NpE6Q9Ovdzko4BcfPYvkL4VdzDxbaS6z8wlkQcgoU8DmDvHGXEw8kwaK53cS_B9TII/s1600/The_Voice_IT_Serie_Blind_Suor_bc5db1fe7c41bfb42bffb82be4b6d3b6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdGz-VtPF-9KqFQlY4X_QdhR6prr1xIlOeWFYMT_2owPFV6HZZ8BJCQ9Y5Ho-9IHJxpy3FK3d5NpE6Q9Ovdzko4BcfPYvkL4VdzDxbaS6z8wlkQcgoU8DmDvHGXEw8kwaK53cS_B9TII/s1600/The_Voice_IT_Serie_Blind_Suor_bc5db1fe7c41bfb42bffb82be4b6d3b6.gif" height="150" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>00:12</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somebody give this cameraman a raise. A brilliant shot of her functional black shoes, bouncing in harmony with the music. Poverty is, of course, one of the three religious vows. The simplicity of the footwear is itself a message. The Joy of the Gospel comes without asking you to find your self-worth in the status symbols of our material world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>00:15</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“I just want you close, where you can stay forever.”</i> Her first words bring the audience to their feet. And do you know why? It’s not because they are being nice to the nun. It’s because her voice is amazing. Interestingly, this song, “No One,” has been repositioned as a Christian song many times – most recently I saw it done at a youth leadership conference I attended. I would not be afraid to guess Sr. Cristina chose it for the same reason – she’s performing it as a lovesong to God. The sweetness of her voice resonates with our own hearts and their own longing for God. “You and me together, through the days and nights. I don’t worry cause, everything’s gonna be alright.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>0:31</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family shot. Her parents are there to watch. After all, she’s only 25 years old. That is the other appeal of Suor Cristina – her youth. She is a young breath of fresh air in the Church that is emblematic of the Church envisioned by Pope Francis – out in the world. My 7 year old daughter (who is also dramatically inclined) sat on my lap as we watched her sing together. This is the kind of religious example I want for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>0:41</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsjALa0TN_WWcAOSEaQONHVbuWtG8KSqhKC2yi-XLajoReaCtvVnPYYntGNPFIIu3beyzSGxoPeytOxf-J-TuHCuNs1Wxwv5tDtM7LIwo_C0QpOzGxo9LEKWtF579obK7EnMx-5huPck/s1600/tumblr_n2rb1sJiBB1r1i5owo3_r1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsjALa0TN_WWcAOSEaQONHVbuWtG8KSqhKC2yi-XLajoReaCtvVnPYYntGNPFIIu3beyzSGxoPeytOxf-J-TuHCuNs1Wxwv5tDtM7LIwo_C0QpOzGxo9LEKWtF579obK7EnMx-5huPck/s1600/tumblr_n2rb1sJiBB1r1i5owo3_r1_400.gif" height="112" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who is this voice that the crowd roars for? The first judge turns towards her - J-Ax, the Italian rapper. The other young judge, “Noemi” follows close behind. If we could be more like this as the Church, I think more people would turn. And when they did they would be surprised to find that the source of this beautiful music is none other than the Church they thought to be tired and irrelevant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>0:51</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROsFFUQVj04eDn0LTiq0qsfN3rsSes0r5Su5HayklS5fHbYYiuqUdeF3ITHN2glp2dXAIvulmLW_w8kD4va9r9F52VatvT_y5uMV-YHwSC3QWKl7YaxDT8R9L-4E_zmUSvH6y5cVY7KM/s1600/SUOR-CRISTINA.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROsFFUQVj04eDn0LTiq0qsfN3rsSes0r5Su5HayklS5fHbYYiuqUdeF3ITHN2glp2dXAIvulmLW_w8kD4va9r9F52VatvT_y5uMV-YHwSC3QWKl7YaxDT8R9L-4E_zmUSvH6y5cVY7KM/s1600/SUOR-CRISTINA.gif" height="126" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wanting to share this marvelous surprise – J-Ax implores the other two older judges to also turn their seats as he has. “Should I? Should I? I’m Going for it Damn it!” The third one turns. “Push It!” J-Ax implores the last. She does. All four have turned to Sister Cristina. The other nuns are ecstatic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1:43</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>“No one can get in the way of what I feel for you!”</i> Sister Cristina finishes and the crowd goes wild – the ovation lasts nearly a minute. They chant, “Sorella, Sorella, Sorella.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then the striking exchange happens between ‘Suor Cristina’ and the four judges. We see what happens when we embody the Joy of the Gospel and share it with others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The judges can hardly believe it. “Are you a real nun?” she is asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Absolutely, I am a real nun.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catholics shouldn't be surprised. Pope Francis told us this will happen. He asked us to do it - not in our churches, but in the streets, in the world - share the joy of the gospel. I think that is why I am so moved by this video. Nothing embodies the present day popular culture like reality TV shows. That is why the sight of a nun auditioning for one is so striking. It is the contrast between the sacred and the profane that gives us pause. And yet the contrast is not one marked by conflict, or a rejection of the world. Instead it is a transformation – the joy of the gospel penetrates the medium of the culture and creates a holy moment. Sister Cristina reaches out with the voice of an angel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is said that Sister Cristina herself discovered her vocation to religious life while singing the part of a nun in a musical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She explains why she has come to audition for the voice -<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b>"I have a gift and I am giving it to you. Shouldn't things be this way?...(Pope Francis) always says we should go out and evangelize, telling people that God doesn't take anything away from us but will give us more. I am here for this."<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The camera cuts shortly after these words to J-Ax. He is clearly moved and wipes tears from his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />These words, along with the soaring hit count of the viral video, reminded me of this passage from the Holy Father’s <i>EVANGELII GAUDIUM</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i><b>"Goodness always tends to spread. Every authentic experience of truth and goodness seeks by its very nature to grow within us, and any person who has experienced a profound liberation becomes more sensitive to the needs of others. As it expands, goodness takes root and develops."</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We need to help that goodness take root in our world, to develop it. According to the shows rules if more than one judge turns the contestant chooses her coach for the next phase of the competition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMHzuL_Ue183HhrbQO0_8dSl4fVn6B5jYnwQr7_zNlJIiec3GD6PNf3LGTiE_xWoz7y52qrG_ShPWfbAqHTKwDtRsCJq5EICz1WuyMIwVTzHZK2qMOdgJAz00xy5Uevm-HXY-WYfqJW8/s1600/suor-cristina1_med.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMHzuL_Ue183HhrbQO0_8dSl4fVn6B5jYnwQr7_zNlJIiec3GD6PNf3LGTiE_xWoz7y52qrG_ShPWfbAqHTKwDtRsCJq5EICz1WuyMIwVTzHZK2qMOdgJAz00xy5Uevm-HXY-WYfqJW8/s1600/suor-cristina1_med.jpeg" height="200" width="141" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sr. Cristina chooses J-Ax, the self-proclaimed diablo, because he was the first to turn. He runs to the stage and gives her a big hug – goodness, taking root and developing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">J-Ax’s pitch was that together they would be like “the devil and the holy water” (I’m guessing it sounds better in Italian). He tells her that if he had met her when a boy at church he surely would have become the pope because he would have been at church all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Well, you’ve met me now.” She answers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have all met her. And we should all embrace the joy of the Gospel as she has and share it with the world. And just maybe, the world will start to turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> *at the time I am hitting publish on Tuesday evening that number has reached <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; text-align: right;">30,433,252</span></span></div>
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Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-20172227306293841632013-03-30T14:08:00.000-07:002013-03-30T14:08:05.260-07:00On the Brink of Alleluia - Last day of the 45 day fast.My stomach is rumbling and I am on the brink of Alleluia.<br />
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Today is day 45 - the last day of the <a href="https://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">fast</a> I began on Ash Wednesday, February 17th. (still time to <a href="https://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">donate!</a>)<br />
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In a matter of hours, the Easter Vigil will begin at my parish, St. Cecilia's in Toronto. For the 45 days of Lent Catholics do not sing Alleluia, but tonight at the Easter Vigil we will sing. We will sing and we will celebrate the mystery of Jesus Christ, whom death could not defeat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVF9OmbLtIKAIQXv6udokHkBtD-pzd3HrlZ1ro6O8JljJXWXEbcj8bCoKOM-mJuq64NMjio79PLf_N9ovaBvM4_shP3cK9t2z5BEUj0Bhwg5bZPSVfxvVtnN7QEru1NmfM7qcxgDL7VA/s1600/540062_10151353562810843_1911018781_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVF9OmbLtIKAIQXv6udokHkBtD-pzd3HrlZ1ro6O8JljJXWXEbcj8bCoKOM-mJuq64NMjio79PLf_N9ovaBvM4_shP3cK9t2z5BEUj0Bhwg5bZPSVfxvVtnN7QEru1NmfM7qcxgDL7VA/s200/540062_10151353562810843_1911018781_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan's scale this morning</td></tr>
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And after we sing, I will eat. There will be a meal of delicious meats, cheese, salad, bread and wine. There will be a meal and there will be a phone call - to my friend and colleague, Ryan Worms. He will be breaking his own fast at the same time in Montreal today. Yes, the best thing about this fast has been doing it together. As he wrote today,<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent translationEligibleUserMessage"> <i> "Une soupe
par jour, le résultat est sur la balance et dans nos coeurs." </i>(One soup per day, the result is on the scale and in our hearts.)</span></span><br />
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When I look in my heart, what is it I find after 45 days as I stand here, hours away from Alleluia and hunger still in my stomach?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOha7HOcpvSnsFD9JFzJFjJitiUuTI4EyDHJATOYx3vVj7fb4EsMcrZyy5CCGVGhrX4_UgyaH0PqcZvuocMyAufVbWtEGw8tDlKc_6ZQmhfM4KvgpijbMungmdxAXB6LJQzU1lBGLhhJw/s1600/P1010137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOha7HOcpvSnsFD9JFzJFjJitiUuTI4EyDHJATOYx3vVj7fb4EsMcrZyy5CCGVGhrX4_UgyaH0PqcZvuocMyAufVbWtEGw8tDlKc_6ZQmhfM4KvgpijbMungmdxAXB6LJQzU1lBGLhhJw/s200/P1010137.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My scale this morning</td></tr>
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I find the hunger has fed my heart - my spritual desire. In my heart is a deeper yearning for our mission at Development and Peace. I so want others to join us in our search for a better world.<br />
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There is also a deep understanding in my heart that it is a great privilege be able to choose to break my fast. It is a choice that so many of our brothers and sisters do not have. For them the fast continues. The burden of hunger will not be lifted from their shoulders as it will be from mine. For that reason, Ryan and I have both told each other that we would like to try and continue to fast in a similar manner at least one day a week.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlA4Z1Lf91VcWBdoGeXkDbUtTfT8JvyvkZKr6XqjL8c1hNYUFnDa9bJT9Xy-PGQbDM6squ0umqblom_ebdGzTV2Pso3zZnBCzuBgN3Hix_ADoJEjsIdkZ1CAsE1RK9j60ZDL-PZiyu38/s1600/P1018791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlA4Z1Lf91VcWBdoGeXkDbUtTfT8JvyvkZKr6XqjL8c1hNYUFnDa9bJT9Xy-PGQbDM6squ0umqblom_ebdGzTV2Pso3zZnBCzuBgN3Hix_ADoJEjsIdkZ1CAsE1RK9j60ZDL-PZiyu38/s200/P1018791.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing soup together...</td></tr>
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My heart is lighter (and not just because my body is). Along with the spiritual desire is also a spiritual peace. In some strange way, the self-denial has brought with it a liberation and self-fulfillment. Somehow, knowing that I can go without food has deepened my knowledge that there are a great many things that I can go without in my life.<br />
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When I look into my heart I see desire, understanding, and a spiritual peace - here on the brink of Alleluia. <br />
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<br />Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-34377422427647133802013-03-15T00:45:00.001-07:002013-03-15T00:56:41.675-07:00The First Homily of Pope Francis - Walking, Building, Professing.On the 28th day of my <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">fast for Development and Peace</a> the Holy Spirit gave us the first pope from Latin America. And what was his first act? To ask us all to pray for God's blessing upon him - Pope Francis, the first of his name. <br />
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Little more than a day has now passed since I sat with my father and children watching the momentous events unfold in Rome via a choppy rural Internet connection on the farm where I grew up. Since I am not digesting much food during <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">the fast</a>, instead, I have been digesting the first actions of our new pope, chosen from the <a href="http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/official-text-of-pope-francis-first-speech-to-the-world-342411">ends of the earth</a>.<br />
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In the words of my friend and colleague Jess Agustin:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pope Francis pays his hotel bill</td></tr>
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<span class="userContent"><em></em></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><em>Instead of adorning himself with an ornate gold cross as popes traditionally do, he wears a simple cross around his neck. Rather than riding in the "popemobile," he joined cardinals on a bus back to their temporary Vatican residence after his election. On Thursday, he stopped by the priests' residence where they had stayed before the papal conclave to grab his bags and pay his bill.</em></span><br />
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This seems consistent with the stories of simplicity that abound in the media. He gave up his palace and chauffeur to live in an apartment and ride local transit. He cooked his own meals and washes the feet of those living with AIDS. Did he aid the violence of the dictators in Argentina's dirty war? If Nobel Peace Prize laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel and Sergio Rubin are to be believed, the answer is no. I wonder if Rubin's biography of our new pope, <em>El Jesuita</em>, is available in English. If it's not, it will be soon. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">biography</td></tr>
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Of all that I have read, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2013/03/14/wounded_catholic_church_needs_pope_francis_to_be_a_healer.html">Mary Jo Leddy's article in the Toronto Star</a> has impressed me the most. In her reflection on the wounded angel she expresses her hope that, <em>"like </em><em>St. Francis of Assisi</em><em>, he will follow the call to 'repair' the church by being with the poor."</em><br />
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What I was most keen to read though, was his first homily, delivered in the Sistine chapel. In the readings for the mass, he identified the common theme of <em>movement </em>and broke it down into three points - <em>Walking, Building, Professing. </em>Turns out he delivered it in Italian without script. <br />
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It was the bit about 'professing' that I kept returning to: <em>"We can walk as much as we want, we can build many things, but if we do not confess Jesus Christ, nothing will avail. We will become a compassionate NGO, but not the Church."</em><br />
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Many Catholic activists who work for NGO's are fond of the saying attributed (<a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi">some would say falsely</a>) to St. Francis, <em>"Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words." </em>We use it to stress the importance of our <em>actions</em> as people of faith - the importance of walking and building. <br />
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And yet, I have often felt that our use of these words serves another purpose at times. Sometimes, these words are an excuse. They are a convenient way to excuse ourselves from speaking in the language of faith as we go about our daily work of trying to change the world and make it a better place. I myself have been guilty of this. And yet the truth is that my belief in Christ and love for God are the beating heart of my work with Development and Peace. This is something that must be professed in words.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvqKDSCtsG536o3FIewOdnjuWmGiOZqIzxp2oVKhcfSb-coug5vKQps4yp9y3GOsVkaI-TDhzQv1mz-5MxvQ6PUGEdQeup6-n6xPoh99IieadyHymyx3CpgwWBMHuBN0HhP02_yv2HtU/s1600/Bottled+Water2+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJvqKDSCtsG536o3FIewOdnjuWmGiOZqIzxp2oVKhcfSb-coug5vKQps4yp9y3GOsVkaI-TDhzQv1mz-5MxvQ6PUGEdQeup6-n6xPoh99IieadyHymyx3CpgwWBMHuBN0HhP02_yv2HtU/s320/Bottled+Water2+048.jpg" width="320" /></a>Development and Peace is something more than a compassionate NGO. It is true that we provide assistance for others regardless of their creed. It is true that we work closely with those who do not share our faith. It is true that we do not concern ourselves with proselytising but focus on development. It is true. Yet I believe there is no contradiction between these facts and that fact that we <em>are</em> the Church - the official international development agency of the Catholic Church in Canada. <br />
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Development and Peace is the Church <em>in the world</em> - seeking in love and truth God's justice for the poor and oppressed. This means being ready to accept crucifixion at the hands of those who would have it otherwise. To stand for God's truth and to truly stand with the poor requires a readiness to accept crucifixion. Pope Francis recognizes this in his homily,<br />
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<em>"The same Peter who confessed Jesus Christ, says 'you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. I will follow you, but let us not speak of the Cross. This has nothing to do with it.' He says, "I'll follow you in other ways, that do not include the Cross.' When we walk without the Cross, when we build without the Cross, and when we profess Christ without the Cross, we are not disciples of the Lord. We are worldly, we are bishops, priests, cardinals, popes, but not disciples of the Lord."</em><br />
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The hunger I am feeling right now, the hunger that has left me more than 20lbs lighter as I start the <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">30th day of my fast</a>, reminds me of the cross that nearly 1 billion of my brothers and sisters must face each day. This fast is my small way of taking up a cross as I <em>walk, build, and profess.</em><br />
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When he became Cardinal in 2001, Pope Francis asked the faithful in Argentina not to spend the money to come and celebrate with him in Rome. Instead, he asked them to celebrate by taking that money and giving it to the poor.<br />
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I hope that now he is Pope, people will again celebrate by giving to the poor, to the crucified ones. Why not do so by <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">sponsoring my fast</a> with a <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">donation to Development and Peace?</a><br />
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<br />Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-58328658386570051192013-02-17T23:33:00.003-08:002013-03-15T00:58:07.296-07:00To Renew the Spirit of Lent<b>40 Day THINKfast - The First Sunday</b><br />
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<i>Let us renew the Spirit of Lent once again.</i><br />
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As Ryan and I complete the first 5 days of our fast for Development and Peace, these are the words that come to me. We are grateful to those who have already donated to our <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/civicrm/pcp/info?reset=1&id=180">own fast pages</a>. We are moved by those who have signed up for D&P's
<a href="http://www.devp.org/en/thinkfast">Good Friday THINKfast</a> and become D&P fundraisers in
response to our call.<br />
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When Development and Peace was founded 46 years ago in the wake of Vatican II, it was mandated
to "renew the Spirit of Lent". For 46 years Catholics in our parishes
and schools across Canada have continued to faithfully give on the 5th Sunday of lent
in support of our mission to end poverty and
build a world of justice. But our annual <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7n0noG3-_4&feature=player_embedded">ShareLent campaign</a> must also now reach beyond these safe walls and
out into the world if we are truly to be Christ's witnesses.<br />
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Over the last two days I have had the honour of walking with a true witness of Christ - Pedro Jimeno Barreto, archbishop of Huancayo, Peru. He has joined us in Canada to launch the national ShareLent campaign. Death threats against his life would not stop him from speaking out in defense of the poor in his archdiocese - who live in one of the most polluted places on the planet, la Oroya. His efforts, supported by your donations, have put a stop to the ecological destruction of their lives. His witness embodies the Spirit of Lent, the move from death to life.<br />
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As D&P moves towards its 50th anniversary, it is time to renew
the Spirit of Lent once again. This time: on-line, where the world now
gathers. Through our on-line Fast pages, we are calling out to the world,
"Repent and believe the good news."
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These words, "repent and believe the good news," are spoken as we are
marked with ashes for the world to see on Ash Wednesday. Repentance is
not a popular word in today's culture, especially if you are trying to
raise funds for your mission, as we are doing
with this Fast. <br />
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But repent we must if we are ever going to live in a world that
respects the human dignity of each and every person and sees the truth
of God's Love. We are calling out to all those who know that the world
cannot continue to ignore the cry of the poor and
of the earth much longer. We are calling out to those who know we are
not sharing the riches of the earth as God would have us do. We must
repent from our ways of selfishness, violence, war and destruction that
are the source of so much poverty and despair.
When we desecrate the poor, we desecrate God.<br />
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I believe there are millions of us that want to repent. Because repentance is not about guilt. It
is really about wanting to live a better life and to be a better person.
God's love can show us how to do that. There is nothing more generous
than God's love.<br />
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Generousity is the antidote. Generousity of Spirit is where goodness
is to be found. Generousity is able to recognize the image of God in
every human person, no matter where they come from or what they look
like. That generousity is there in every one of
us, beating in our heart. Through our fast we want to find that
generousity - to honour it and celebrate it.<br />
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We choose to fast to renew the Spirit of Lent. We choose to fast as
Christ's witnesses to the world - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted." Liberty
to the captives, sight to the blind, freedom
to the oppressed. This is the Good News. Development and Peace is
making it happen in our work around the world every day. Read the
stories about what we are doing. Come and join us. We are fasting for 40 days. We invite you to sign up and join for one of them - Good Friday. <a href="http://www.devp.org/en/thinkfast">Sign-up for the Good Friday THINKfast</a> and raise funds for a better world!Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1238994823804367779.post-54394404943922705212012-07-20T14:20:00.003-07:002012-07-20T14:20:57.240-07:00Graduation!<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Several weeks ago I was invited, for the first time, to give a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/18aMpk_Hc2S598OMHV5PS2SBIS-s26tUg6lWRP-ZPjAM/edit">graduation address</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I have always had a special place in my heart for the Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts community. Over the past 6 years they have been an amazing partner with Development and Peace - fundraising, carrying out our annual education campaign, and much more. </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Good times with the Cardinal Carter Community </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It was an honour to receive the invitation to keynote their 2012 graduation ceremony. A brief excerpt: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;">Do you know</span></i><b><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9954516895887857" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> what my favourite quotation is? My wife spent 50 hours
cross-stitching it into a gift for me, </i><i>"The World Will Be Saved By Beauty." This was the assertion of the great Russian novelist
Dostoyevsky. I believe him. Share the beauty you have to offer with,
literally, everyone. </i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9954516895887857" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Never before in history has it been so easy to share. </i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151840443945167&set=a.10151840443920167.853433.702910166&type=1&theater">(at this point I produced my blackberry, snapped this photo and posted it to facebook) </a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>And
yet, at the same time, it has never been so difficult to share - to
reveal to others our search for who we are, why we are here, and what we owe as brothers and sisters to one another. To truly share in this way, in a world that increasingly is closing itself off in fear requires strength of heart, as the Psalms say.</i></span><i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One person who does exemplify this call to share in a meaningful way is Marilyn Grace. She is the teacher/chaplain at Cardinal Carter who invited me to speak. This was her last graduation ceremony as she retired at the end of the year - Thank-you Marilyn for all the young people whose lives you have touched.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of graduation...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...as of July 1st, I began a one year leave of absence from my position as the Central Ontario Animator. For the next 12 months I will be serving Development and Peace as the <i>Deputy Director of In-Canada programs</i> on a maternity leave contract. My new position is responsible for the entire network of animators across Canada - a team of 14. Therefore, you will notice that the tag-line on the Mustard Seed Muse has accordingly changed - so too will the content of my posts. Reflections and Reports will take on a National rather than regional flavor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This message will be sent out across list-serves operated by members in my three dioceses: Toronto, Kingston, and Peterborough. To all of you reading this who have been part of my journey as animator these past six years, thank-you. Working with you in the cause of the Gospel call to Solidarity has given me a solid foundation for the year ahead. My very first trip into the field as the animator remains vivid for me. It was the October 2006 education campaign workshop at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Toronto. I had yet to officially begin my responsibilities as animator. We began the training in prayer. I knew I was home. The chance to freely express my Faith and its meaning in my search for a better way of living with one another and with all creation is a blessing. Not everyone gets to both find and live their vocation in life.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Some shots from the field - 2006-2012</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Please pray for me as I make this short sojourn to a place where my view will widen from Central Ontario to all of Canada. I look forward to continuing to share with you all on the road ahead as it stretches out for me in both directions - west to the Pacific and east to the Atlantic - from sea to shining sea.</span></div>
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<br />Luke Stockinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09265127867564688832noreply@blogger.com0