“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Mother Teresa

Wow - I have to say that I am truly moved by the generosity of people. When I started to make plans for this trip, the main thing holding me back was how on earth I would be able to afford such a trip. I've gone through many changes in the last year in my personal life and feel I have truly grown as an individual. I realized that if I have goals, I needed to stop with the self-pity of how it could never happen and refocus myself to just MAKING it happen. I told myself that when the time was right I would know it, and to not to be concerned with the outcome, but if I live every day working towards my goal, one way or another, it will happen.

So, I am so amazed to report, that as of today, I have collected $1000 for my trip! Many of it in cash contributions, so you will notice my widget is not exactly accurate - but that's okay :-) I am now 25% of the way to my goal...being the last day in March, knowing I have three months left before I need to have these expenses paid, I have even more faith that the support of my friends and family will continue to come through.

And I cannot - MUST NOT - underestimate the sincere support from strangers.....it is amazing to me how people I barley know, in fact, a few I have never met, are making substantial contributions. It makes my nose tingle :-)

I had to search online for quotes about generosity to find the words to express how I am feeling, and I found this one by Mother Teresa. I really believe that so many people hold back thinking their effort won't matter....I am here to tell you that simply isn't true. EVERY little bit helps. And I am so very grateful for ALL of your support.

Fiddler on the Roof...tradition?

So...Last Thursday one of my best girlfriends took me to see a show I have seen many, many times before - Fiddler on the Roof. It is amazing how with age and experience, an entertaining musical can be viewed entirely differently - as a history lesson, demonstrating the absurdity in the world even still today...

The show was winding down through the second act, and the "friendly" military issues the order to kick them out of their village:

--At any rate, it affects all of you, you have to leave.
--But...But this corner of the world has always been our home. Why should we leave?
--I don't know why. There's trouble in the world, troublemakers.
--Like us?
--You aren't the only ones. Your people must leave all the villages - Zolodin, Rabalevka. The district must be emptied. I have an order here! It says that you must sell your homes and be out of here in three days.
--And you? You, who have known us all your life, you'd carry out this order?
--I have nothing to do with it! Don't you understand? I wish you wouldn't say me.
--I understand. Suppose we refuse to go?
--You will be forced out.
--We will defend ourselves. We'll stay in our homes. Refuse to leave. Keep our land. Fight!
--Against our militia, our army? I wouldn't advise that.
--I have some advice for you. Get off my land. This is still my home, my land. Get off my land!
--You have three days.

I found myself, for the first time, really crying while I watched this performance. No longer were they tears caused by the complications between daughters breaking tradition and marrying the men they love, even when one is a Christian...no, they were tears sparked by the realization that this type of absurdness has been allowed to continue in my time! In Darfur, Israel, Bosnia, Rwanda...burnings and rape and slaughter for no reason other than "an order" - ridiculous....

I am so inspired to be reading the stories of survivors of the genocide in Rwanda and to hear about the progress that country has made. I have been trying to learn about the Rwanda of today - not the Rwanda of 1994. One thing I was surprised to read is that the government of President Paul Kagame is indeed making real progress towards building a society where individuals are identified as being "Rwandan," no longer being classified as Hutu or Tutsi. Although people know their heritage, due to the long history of conflict between these two groups, eliminating these labels is probably one of the best means to achieve realistic hope for the future....and consider this.....do you hear Rwanda in the news much anymore? It is too sad we do not hear about the great progress being made. So something MUST be working.....maybe breaking tradition really isn't so bad.....

And speaking of a peaceful future....I did not realize just how much progress Rwanda has made in the last 16 years. According to my trusty Lonely Planet guide :-) - Rwanda has a fairly stable economy with steady growth and low inflation; three beautiful national parks (one of which contains at least 20% of the entire primate species in Africa!) with continued improvement in sustainable tourism; and even a strict ban on plastic bags of all things! If you ask me, this is progress!

I have continued to speak with people who really are quite concerned about my safety and well-being when I go to Rwanda. However, I have read that Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is "arguably one of the most pleasant cities in the whole of East Africa," with higher standards for both restaurants and accommodations than other major cities in East Africa. Hmmm....perhaps I can sway some minds..... :-)

My Travel Budget

Last night was my first time finally distributing information about my trip. I was passing out fliers for my April 24th bowl-a-thon and it was so great to be able talk about where I am going and why it's important to me.

In seeking contributions, I understand my supporters are putting faith in me that all funds will be used to support expenses directly related to my trip. In the interest of full disclosure, I want to share a general outline of my fundraising needs:

Program and Application fee to Global Volunteer Network: $2,047
(includes 3 months accommodations, 2 meals a day, etc)
International Round Trip flight Atlanta to Kigali: estimated $2,200
Visa: $60
Immunizations and malaria prophylactic: $150
Other necessities including Water, laundry, internet etc: $240
Travel Insurance: $497
Departure tax: $20

As you can see, this all totals just above my fundraising goal of $5000

I appreciate everyone who has offered to help support my trip and I invite everyone who does so to follow my blog where I will be posting updates about my trip. Thank you!

April 24 - bowl-a-thon fundraiser

So I have officially established my first fundraiser for my trip. April 24th will be a bowl-a-thon at the Brunswick Zone in Marietta, GA. The GM, Warren, was so grateful to offer free lineage and shoe rental for any of the attendees. For just $20, 2 hours of unlimited bowling, 50/50 drawing and a raffle to include, among other gift certificates and baskets, 2 bowling balls and a hand-made quilt (thanks mom!).

I hope to see all of my Georgia-based friends here! It was the perfect pairing of my two passions and I cannot wait to share them both with all of my friends.

Thank you!

Take the time to listen to that inner voice and follow its guidance...

Back when we were all celebrating and ringing in the new year, my sister's friend sent this message along...and my sister in turn passed it along. It is one of those I think it deserving of sharing....enjoy...

so many of us tonight will have a few drinks, spend time with family, friends or loved ones. We may be partying or playing it safe but we will all be quietly making those resolutions in our heads. The ones we do every year over and over.....and over. We hope to loose weight or meet mr. right or be more active or give more time to our children, love our spouses more, find the perfect job, clean out the clutter, whatever it is we just seem to make and break. This year I make a resolution for us all something so simple yet it can impact us all if we just choose to act. I wish that we are all present in our lives in 2010. that we all let our faith become stronger. That we take the time to listen to that inner voice and follow its guidance. That we take the time to love our fellow man a little more. That when we wish for prosperity, we realize that means good health to us and our loved ones, time spent with family, friends and loved ones and that material things don't visit you when your sick, they don't pick you up off the couch when you had a bad day and they don't tell you they love you. May we surround ourselves more this year with love than things. and remember we have the power in our hearts and minds and body and spirit to make our lives anything we choose. If we choose to not be lazy, or procrastinate, or to hate or to hurt or to fear or regret or to say i can't or i won't. We can make good choices and act and react and be positive and loving and caring and giving and nurturing and patient and loyal and friendly and kind and productive. We have the power. Life is exactly what you make it. If you are unhappy then you have created that. If you work to much to pay the bills, what unnecessary bills did you create, what material things did you get that you now work longer and spend less time watching your children grow. If you are unhappy with how you look, you created every part of that person in the mirror. If you are unhappy that your children are misbehaving, what examples have you set, what quality time have you given them. If you are unhappy about your relationship, what is it like now compared to how it was years ago? Do you treat your spouse the same as you did or do you take their hard work and loyalty for granted. You get what i'm saying. We have the power. Be present in 2010! That's all you have to do and enjoy life. I love you all and make the promise to be present in your lives. Happy New Year
-Robi Lyons