Six Months In . . . Flowing Like the Land of Milk and Honey
“That much gathers more is true on every plane of existence and that loss leads to greater loss is equally true”
The above is the first line of Part 1 of my favorite book by Charles Haanel, “The Master Key System.” I’ve quoted the book in previous posts. It’s wonderful material.
My writing today is a bit long and riddled with quotes. I use quotes because they either elaborate on or reinforce the point I’m making.
Check out yesterday’s Part 1 of a three-part series:
Six Months In . . . Background. Also, follow me to never miss a post. Tomorrow will be Part 3 of the series: Six Months In . . . Walking on the Opposite Side of the Street. I address cultural difference directly.
My first four months in Peru were rather ineffectual, but the problem was all mine.
Fortunately, I’ve accomplished more in the last two months than I did in the first four, which relates back to the opening quote. In the beginning, all I could feel was loss. The first project I started with didn’t work out for me, I felt isolated like a stranger in a strange land, I was not fond of my living conditions, and I missed my family.
I had to get over myself to get to the goods.
I began with an organization named Asociacion Arariwa, check them out here. My first day on the job went like this: A coordinator escorted me to make introductions. I saw right away I was an anomaly (actually something I’m kind of used to but that’s for another post).
My Spanish was bare and their English was non-existent which added to the challenges. However, the ladies in the office sat me down in from of a computer, a place I am very comfortable, to print credit reports of customers. A task I was more than happy to do. After doing hundreds of them, and eventually thousands, I had my fill.
The frustration began soon after the first day when I realized the only tasks I would be assigned were menial administrative ones. Ten months of this would not get me anywhere near my initial goals of learning project development in socio-economics or making valuable connections to interesting people within the field.
The job ended with some not so polite emails and me questioning whether I would come back from my trip home for Christmas.
I am ecstatic that I came back after Christmas.
I typically find the New Year holiday to be a time of personal rejuvenation, and this year didn’t disappoint. When I returned to Peru after my winter holiday, I came with a vengeance and a drive. I needed to make the second half of my stay count and dammit, I was going to.
My blog, this blog, the one you are reading had its inception during the time period as well. Thank you all very much for reading.
“That much gathers more” part of the opening quote is my driving force so far for 2017.
“Ask and ye shall receive”
It’s amazing how this works. Asking can happen in so many ways. Silently, all alone in thought. Openly to others. Written words to an audience you don’t know. I asked for a better experience and I’m getting it.
Currently, my primary focus is threefold:
First, Picaflor House is a lovely after school program in a community east of Cusco called Oropesa, this NGO is seeking a way to make money. I suggested building a greenhouse in order to raise and sell crops that wouldn’t necessarily grow in the area, help feed the children and give the community and volunteers a place to work. I am heading up some research and gathering information that I hope will see the idea come to fruition.
Second, Threads of Peru whose mission is a not-for-profit social enterprise that connects the world to handmade treasures of the Andes, helping to strengthen ancient craft techniques and empower artisans. This region of the Andes is known for its incredibly fine woven textiles of pure Alpaca wool and hand dyes. They are currently holding a drawing for an alpaca scarf all you have to do is go to the website and register. I’m helping them market and sell more products so the weavers in the villages have more work which translates to more income and a better way of life.
Third, Food For All is a startup NGO just getting registered in Peru. I’m working with the Executive Director who is very passionate about many issues. The current core of the NGO is providing training to food service workers in the public school system, and also, connecting local growers directly to local markets.
The world is truly filled with goodness.
My thoughts in general on NGO’s and Non-profits charities:
Most organizations are infused with highly passionate and compassionate people. They see a need and they want to fill it. They see groups of marginalized people and suffering (by their standards anyway) and they want to fix the problems.
Problems approached with an attitude of guidance, providing tools, resources, and assistance as the way to improve fair far better than projects with a “you should do it our way from now on” attitude. There is a reason why their ancestors have done things a particular way for generations maybe centuries.
Projects that take into account the propensity or natural inclination of the people and strike a delicate balance between culturally and environmentally appropriate change and innovation have the biggest chance for success. In other words, working hand in hand with the people they are trying to help.
Simply providing monetary support can create dependency. Getting to the root of the problem and creating a shift into a higher level of living adds to a project’s feasibility and creates sustainable change over time. That’s what delivers, that’s what empowers, that’s what flows like the land of milk and honey.
If you’d like to read more about NGO’s click here http://www.ngo.org/ngoinfo/define.html.
When you enter a new world and your time is limited, the relationships you attract are intense. They develop very quickly. It’s a wonderful exercise in accepting people as they are.
The people I’ve met are amazing. I must point out a few by name and I hope they know how much I truly appreciate them, their work, their friendship, and their guidance. Milagro Montufar, Audrey Evans, Chevi Durand, Laura Hoskins, Ligia Gomez, Steph Smalls, Michael Higginbottom, Lisa McClendon Sims, Duane Gines, Paolo Greer, Vinay Raval, and so many more.
Vinay (he’s from Connecticut) actually said to me, “There’s so few of us you can’t be that picky.” I laughed but he was exactly right.
“Only when you stop liking and disliking will all be understood.”
My biggest and most important thanks go to, Celia Thomas, Nathen Lear, Aaron Thomas, Xander Votan, Eli Thomas, Hope Thomas, their Dad Walker Thomas, and Kenton Walker Lear.
I am eternally grateful for each of you because you allow me to be who I am.
At this point I’m partly leading my journey and my journey is partly leading me.
I do feel like I’m finding my “niche,” what inspires me, what comes naturally, as well as how I can contribute to making the world a better place.
I’m overwhelmed and humbled especially when I consider that I’ve just now gotten to the good part and the best is yet to come, which also reminds me a lot of living in the land flowing with milk and honey.
Saludos!
“It is while you are partiently toiling at the little tasks of life that the meaning and shape of the great whole of life dawns on you.”
~Phillips Brooks
