Meet Rosa

Meet Rosa, my love.. the woman that greeted me every morning as I awoke. She made the CY house a home and took good care of us. She and I communicated mostly through hand gestures spotted with silly broken portuguese. She'd just laugh at me when I'd try to communicate. 

I miss this woman and hope to see her very soon. 

P.S. Cake

P.S. This was hand delivered to me as I wrote my last blog post. 

Someone out there must love me.. A LOT!

P.P.S. Yes, it is as good as it looks.

Gumbane

The second night of each trip we spent the night in the village of Gumbane. 

This particular village has not had any contact with westerners until they met Cecilia (our contact) and then the Could You participants two years ago. Could You has built a very strong relationship with the people of Gumbane helping them tackle some fundamental issues. 

The Mommas

Joseph and I at Gumbane.

Joseph was one of our translators. Christine and I spent lots of time with Joseph for the month. We became very close friends. 

The wrap I am wearing over my jeans is called a Kaplana, all of the women are required to wear them in the rural areas. 

Two of the women I quickly befriended, wearing their beautiful Kaplanas. 

Momma Martha's house, one of the richer houses in the village of 2000 people. 

The straw structure you see to the left of the image is one of the latrines that last years Could You trip introduced. The people of Gumbane had never heard the concept of a latrine, they could not conceive of  relieving themselves in the same spot twice. However, the "dig a hole in the bush" method was greatly contaminating their crops and causing unsanitary living conditions. 

We were pleased to see the use of latrines implemented but we also realized they are still struggling to catch onto the concept. All in due time!

These boys stopped their game of soccer and started jumping and doing flips when they saw us approaching. They were really happy to see us. 

Jeff showing the boys pictures of themselves. 

Were were gathered around the well discussing the issue of water. 

One of the previous Could You teams built this well to help gain greater access to water keeping contaminants out. Sadly this is an incredibly poor water source, that does not tap into enough water to supply everyone, and the water that is there is salt water.. which is incredibly unhealthy to drink. Because of the poor access to clean water, the people of Gumbane are unable to grow crops, keep livestock or keep sanitary conditions. 

They are basically starving and many do not live past the age of 44. 

Drury (with the pink shaul) has connected us to a water treatment company and we are working closely with Africa Works (will speak of them in greater length) to help solve the Gumbane water crisis. 

Tracey Webster, our lead African correspondent connecting with one of the little Gumbane girls. 

Two of the Mommas fixing Michelle's Kaplana, 

"Kaplana NO!"

P.S. google Michelle Courtney Berry.. I dare you!

This is Celia our connection to Gumbane and the first westerner to enter the community.

We brought beans, rice and chicken to cook with the ladies and share dinner with 60 people. 

We ended the night with songs and discussing around the fire. It was a joy to hear from their hearts and for them to ask us questions about our lives. 

We all stayed the night sleeping in the homes of three families. It was such a privilege to hear from their hearts and to partner with them to help better their living situation. 

Corrie's children's center

I know I have already written about Corrie and the children she cares for... but I thought I would give you an update on Llieza and the other children. 

Above is a video that was made a couple weeks before I arrived. 

It was truly a testament to be able to visit with Corrie and the children, who are thriving and healthy, thanks to Corrie and her brilliant staff. 

They were celebrating their monthly birthdays.

One of the games they played was bobbing for candy.

This little boy above was brought to Corrie as an infant dying from five different strains of Malaria, AIDS and TB. He is clearly healthy and thriving. Such a clown.

Me with some of the older girls.

Griselda is above. She quickly became one of my best friends.

This is Joseph, one of our translators. He is a long time friend of Corrie and the kids. They also celebrated his birthday with the rest.

This is Llieza three days after I wrote that initial post. She was doing so much better and even back to school. Truly a miracle. 

I am planning a trip back to Mozambique before I return to the states and I plan to make a family photo album for Corrie and give it to her when I return. 

We are still thinking and working on a plan to help Corrie become financially sustainable and to gain some more help. 

Who Is Could You?

Hello from Cape Town...

Many of you are still wondering what I've been doing in Africa for the last month and a half so I thought I'd try to catch you up. 

I spent the month of August in Mozambique working with an organization called Could You? 

Could You is a not for profit organization that brings influential people from New York and the western world to Mozambique in hopes that they would form partnerships and become a support for African lead initiatives.  Could You? also helps it's participants unleash their truest gifts and passions, in hopes to connect and leverage their capabilities to made an impact on the world.

Team One was a business directed group with a focus on renewable energy sourcing, micro financing, water treatment and cell phone banking. The participants were an incredible team of strangers brought together to dream up possible partnerships and strategies for the immediate needs of our partners in Mozambique. 

Frederick Buechner "True vocation joins self and service;

It comes from the place where your deepest gladness meets the world's deep need."

Team Two was made up of a dynamic group of women all involved in journalism, media and the fashion industry. The focus of group two was to utilize media influence to help rebrand Africa; as well as, working in partnership with a Mozambican fashion designer to start a new Mozambique Fashion week with a socially conscious focus. 

Henry David Thoreau: "I have learned that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hour."s

I will share in greater depth some of our experiences. I will also highlight some of our partnerships in Mozambique.. stay tuned. 

Misses and Kisses

Today I got my very first blog shout out by my very dear friend Lauren over at FoodE. 

She dedicated her recipe for fried egg over Romaine hearts to me and our college food days.

After my whirlwind adventures in Mozambique, it's all slowed down quite considerably since arriving in Cape Town. 

This abrupt stop has cause a home sickness like I've never dreamt possible. I love my New York City family and Lauren's post has only increased my longing. 

Go show Lauren some love over at FoodE. in honor of friends who cook together and stay together! 

So you don't feel completely sorry for me being so far from home, soon I will add some pictures I've taken since being here in the immaculately stunning Cape Town, South Africa. 

Zambikes

Zambikes Promotional (FULL LENGTH) from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

Hello from Cape Town! 

After an amazing month in Mozambique with Could You? and friends, I am now in the lovely country of South Africa with 

RELIABLE INTERNET ACCESS!!! 

I truly have had an incredible, educational, life changing time with my team members and friends in Mozambique. I will be updating my blog much more frequently now and doing my best to backtrack and highlight all the amazing experiences I have had on my trip. 

One thing we noticed in Mozambique was the shocking lack of bicycles and the access to transportation. May of us had the privilege of hearing about Zambikes before we arrived in Mozambique and discussed it ad nausium! We are dreaming of MOZAMBIKES!

Watch the video above and let me know if you are interested in getting involved. 

I'll be sharing loads of pictures with you soon soon soon!

No Longer Orphans

Hello again! 

Today, Christine, Joseph and I visited their friend, Cory (seen below), who has committed her life to caring for sick and dying children. The Health Department in Mozambique has even sanctioned her orphanage, and although they do not give any funding regularly send her children with terminal illnesses.  I was thrilled to meet such a valiant woman and to see that many of the "sick and dying" children are thriving under her care! She told me story after story about baby that has been brought to her without a chance and those that have miraculously grown to be healthy, happy children. One of which is in the photo below. He was brought to her as an infant on his death bed, HIV positive, struggling against five strands of Malaria and Tuberculosis. You will see him dancing and singing in the photos below. 

Cory also has the only preschool and elementary school for miles around and therefore teaches the entire surrounding neighborhood. Some of the children who have come to her, too sick for their parents to take care of, have since been reunited with their families. Cory only has three Mozambican staff to help her care from anywhere between 30 and 60 children at a time. The Mozambican women are also thriving under her care and as she will tell you, "are running the show!" 

We were able to meet one very sick little girl who is currently struggling with the later stages of AIDS and a tough case of Asthma. They had been up all night together fighting illness and were both exhausted by the time we arrived. We were able to pray for her before we left, but I would also like to solicit your prayers as well. So many of these children should not be dancing, learning, and living as they are. I am believing for a miracle for this one as well. 

I am hoping to get ahold of an 8 minute video that we saw today depicting many of the stories of these children. I'll try to post it this week, if I can get my hands on it! 

As tragic as it is to see such poverty and disparity, I must be honest in saying that I am left with such hope and encouragement to see such unabashed joy! I look forward to taking Cory out (to get away for even just a night) and to spend more time with these precious children. Surely the kingdom of God belongs to ones such as these.

You can also partner with me in prayer that Cory will be given a apprentice to eventually take on this ministry and to help her cary the load.

I HAVE ARRIVED!

Yes, I am alive. I have made it half way around the world and have arrived safely in Mozambique. Currently, Christine (Founder of Could You) and I are staying at the house built by Could You? and shared with partnering organizations. This beautiful little property is situated in Matola Rio, a community about a forty minute drive from Maputo. Since riving on  Monday, Christine and I have been preparing for the teams that will be arriving on the 9th and touching base with all the people that will be helping throughout the trips and the guest speakers that will be giving us an insight into life in Mozambique. 

Meet Joseph, one of our translators and gentle, kind, new friend. 

He will be an immense help on this trip!

I have truly been blessed to meet so many incredible Mozambicans and people who have moved here to give their lives to serve this community. I hope to speak a lot about them in the days to come. 

The house in and of itself (built by Could You) has been a testament to the care for the individual and Could You's commitment to supporting Mozambican lead initiatives. Jill and George Nuttal are a British couple that have lived in the house and have been present to care for the relationships surrounding the construction of the property. The house (plus two round houses, one seen below) was built by a Mozambican contractor, giving jobs to many and built with all locally sourced materials. The stories I am hearing about each person who shows up to guard the property, clean during the week, tend to the surrounding garden, have all benefitted from the the presence of Could you and the Nuttal family.  Many of the men and boys who are working on and in the property have been hired through relationships with partnering orphanages and organizations committed to reuniting street kids to their families and helping raise up healthy individuals through the orphanages. Jill and George have cared very deeply for all of the people they have met through this process and have been intimately involved in each of the families and lives. I wish I had time to tell the stories of these lives. Six boys reunited with their mother (HIV positive and homeless), who was able, with the help of Could You and Jill and George, to start a chicken business on the side of the road that grew enough for her to be able to support her boys, who are all in school and thriving (two of them stopped by tonight to say hello since they heard we were in town.) Since she has grown ill, she has been cleaning at the Could You house and being paid enough to support her family. This is just one story of the multitudes who have been blessed through this house. The Nuttal's due to family tragedy and health issues have had to return to England and are devastated not to be here with "their kids." However, I think  they would be besides themselves to see the growth, health and prosperity that their love has brought to so many. 

Those the Nuttal's have cared for are now able to care for their own and many more. 

The internet is very slow, expensive and spotty. I will do my best to keep you all updated, but please know I am doing extremely well. Taking it all in, relaxing in this slow paced country and enjoying all the people I am already being impacted by. 

Celosia

I keep apologizing for these long absent pauses. Although, I am sure you can understand... I'm busy. Today's my last day of work and my mind has been a whirlwind of details and "have to's" as I prepare to leave my Apartment and my life as I know it.. to go to Africa. 

Everyone keeps asking me how I feel.. how I am doing in the middle of all this change. Am I excited? It seems I haven't had a moment to think about what is to become of my life since I made the decision to pick up and go. I am so inundated with all the details, the finishing touches, and the emotional strain of transition, that I just can't wait to be sitting on the plane with it all behind me and finally looking to the future... the quite recent, starting now type of future. 

I am ready, I am nervous, I am sober and thoughtful of the risks I will be taking, I am anticipating good things and sure I will be stretched, challenged and thrown completely out of my element and I couldn't be happier about it. I am sad to leave my neighbors and say goodbye to my coworkers, my roommates my loved ones. Yes, I'll be back in four months but even then, everything will be different. I realize that. 

SO here we go. 

One more week  full of packing, goodbyes, and all the rest. 

I will miss you New York... but I will be back. 

P.S. According to Sarah from Saipua, Celosia (which belongs in the amaranth family and pictured above) is quite edible and grows across Central and West Africa, and is one of the leading leafy green vegetables in Nigeria, where it is known as ‘soko yokoto’, meaning "make husbands fat and happy." I like that!

Missing The Fall...

 I will be skipping Fall 2010 completely! And Fall is my favorite season of the year. 

August 1st I will be leaving the peak of summer heat in New York and entering the end of the winter season in southern Africa. It should get pretty warm while I am there, might even be visiting Burundi in the peak hot and rainy season (planned that well!) and will return to New York, December 1st just in time for the Christmas cold! 

I will miss the Fall 2010 fashions.. although, I suppose my trip to Africa will be well worth the loss..

Until next year. 

so much to tell you

grance dore

j.crew

hanneli mustaparata

Sue's Fotos

I thought I'd share some photos of Sue's Flikr stream. 

I really love her perspective on life shown through her images. 

I also realize that most of these may seem pretty gloomy, but it's been raining for a couple days now and I thought them very fitting. I also think that instead of gloom, they resinate with me in a deep emotional place... sorta like Sue does. 

undoubtably one of Sue's master pieces. 

She is a brilliant quilter. I dream of owning one of her pieces one day.

This may or may not have been taken at Fellowship Farm. I must check my facts.

St. Paul's Cathedral where our funky young church is privileged to meet.

This is the Empire State Building, viewed from Sue's office window.