Dave sent me another email today and I want to share it with you. To see Bella's story go to my post from January 19, 2010.
"I met Bella today. What a beautiful girl! I have pictures with her and the other 15 kids who are going to Sonrise.
I spent 90 minutes at Sonrise. I thought of you. They are so appreciative of what you are doing for Bella.
-do"
I am raising money to send Bella to a good school so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor (tuition includes: her education, supplies, room & board, and clothes). My hope for her is that she does become a doctor and then 'pays it forward' to another child in need when she can afford it.
If you'd like to know how you can contribute, please email me at artforafricainfo (at) ymail.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
News from Rwanda - GRDP's first workshop was yesterday!
I've been waiting with great anticipation to get a message from Dave Ormesher, President of GRDP. Dave is currently in Kigali, Rwanda and yesterday he coached their first workshop to 45 entrepreneurs. You'll remember that Elizabeth and I presented to 70+ entrepreneurs last month in Kigali - presenting GRDP concepts, tools, and strategies, which resulted in 40+ entrepreneurs to register for 4 (quarterly) workshops in 2010 after the presentation.
Here's his email to me and Elizabeth (my travel companion last month): (sorry for all the work-speak :))
Elizabeth and Melanie,
I’m wiped out, but it’s that feeling after a great, exhilarating workout.
Fantastic workshop. Many, many stories. 45 was the final count. Perfect size. One guy actually left at the lunch break to bring back his business partner for the afternoon session!
Thanks for your timely emails during the workshop; I was able to read them to Sandrali, Immaculee, Donat, Sam, etc. Cyusa did a fantastic job on logistics .Great find. Thank you. He engaged the same volunteers that helped in December, so they totally knew the registration drill.
(note: Elizabeth and I interviewed for a part-time position for GRDP while in Rwanda - our suggestion was Cyusa.)
The end of the workshop was almost spiritual. I declared that we were all bonded through this experience as a family, and I challenged them to look around the room and imagine us all together three years from today looking back... having built deep friendships and successful businesses.
I did a full public debrief and had everyone take the mic to tell their highlight of the day. So inspiring. Many talked about how they learned to network today and how many people they had exchanged cards with. I pointed out to them that they could have gone to 6 months worth of parties with this group and never would have gotten as personal and transparent as they did today through small group sharing of Pos Foc, DSQ, DOS, and 3-year P. Again, this level of intimacy just doesn’t happen here. Ever. It was a very poignant moment, and why I keep doing these workshops.
Sam told me at the lunch break that he had already made two new contacts that were worth much more than the investment of time and money. He was very grateful. Another woman told me that after the DSQ, she was ready to leave... She had gotten so much value from that one exercise that all she wanted to do was leave and start working on her bigger future!
At 4pm after the coffee break I had planned to do a short 20-min bit on leadership, but I could tell everyone was full. I put a water glass on the podium and slowly filled it to the brim. As the water swelled at the top, everyone gasped. As I dropped one more drip and the water overflowed on the podium, I explained that sometimes we get to that point of diminishing returns in a workshop where one more concept or worksheet pushes our brain over the edge. We were there. So I stopped the content and moved to sharing.
I put together several great iTunes playlists of African music that I played during the personal worksheet time, and that worked well as always.
During my debrief over drinks with the two senior administrators and professors from Johns Hopkins, they expressed amazement at the intellectual quality of the group. This is a high-powered group, and once we set them free to imagine three years out, they went nuts. But by the time they had processed everything to get to the point where they could do the 3-yr P and then break it down to the next four quarters, you could tell that they were serious and ready to roll. There were some industry-changing ideas...
At the end I gave a high-level overview of the The Gap, and told them how most if not all of them would fall into it within the next month. One woman laughingly complained that I wouldn’t explain how to get out of the Gap until April! So I just used the opportunity to predict that some of them would be in the Gap by April and would be tempted not to come for fear of facing the rest of us with their lack of progress. I explained that if they were in the Gap, then the workshop in April is exactly where they would need to be! They got it...
I also pointed out to them the power of the Coach materials; the energy and vision they experienced was not because I had brought incredible American insights into how to run their business. I explained that Dan’s power was in coming up with powerful questions, not powerful (and ultimately limiting) answers. That through a series of questions and worksheets, I had pulled their three year plan right out of them! You could feel the room crackle.
I had dinner two hours later with Chris, and he told me that he had already received four phone calls from people who had been at the workshop and who told him how transforming it was.
I’ve got a full day of meetings tomorrow, and then I catch the evening Brussels Air flight out to get back on Fri afternoon.
It’s working! Thanks again for all your help. We couldn’t have done it without your efforts in Dec.
-do
Here's his email to me and Elizabeth (my travel companion last month): (sorry for all the work-speak :))
Elizabeth and Melanie,
I’m wiped out, but it’s that feeling after a great, exhilarating workout.
Fantastic workshop. Many, many stories. 45 was the final count. Perfect size. One guy actually left at the lunch break to bring back his business partner for the afternoon session!
Thanks for your timely emails during the workshop; I was able to read them to Sandrali, Immaculee, Donat, Sam, etc. Cyusa did a fantastic job on logistics .Great find. Thank you. He engaged the same volunteers that helped in December, so they totally knew the registration drill.
(note: Elizabeth and I interviewed for a part-time position for GRDP while in Rwanda - our suggestion was Cyusa.)
The end of the workshop was almost spiritual. I declared that we were all bonded through this experience as a family, and I challenged them to look around the room and imagine us all together three years from today looking back... having built deep friendships and successful businesses.
I did a full public debrief and had everyone take the mic to tell their highlight of the day. So inspiring. Many talked about how they learned to network today and how many people they had exchanged cards with. I pointed out to them that they could have gone to 6 months worth of parties with this group and never would have gotten as personal and transparent as they did today through small group sharing of Pos Foc, DSQ, DOS, and 3-year P. Again, this level of intimacy just doesn’t happen here. Ever. It was a very poignant moment, and why I keep doing these workshops.
Sam told me at the lunch break that he had already made two new contacts that were worth much more than the investment of time and money. He was very grateful. Another woman told me that after the DSQ, she was ready to leave... She had gotten so much value from that one exercise that all she wanted to do was leave and start working on her bigger future!
At 4pm after the coffee break I had planned to do a short 20-min bit on leadership, but I could tell everyone was full. I put a water glass on the podium and slowly filled it to the brim. As the water swelled at the top, everyone gasped. As I dropped one more drip and the water overflowed on the podium, I explained that sometimes we get to that point of diminishing returns in a workshop where one more concept or worksheet pushes our brain over the edge. We were there. So I stopped the content and moved to sharing.
I put together several great iTunes playlists of African music that I played during the personal worksheet time, and that worked well as always.
During my debrief over drinks with the two senior administrators and professors from Johns Hopkins, they expressed amazement at the intellectual quality of the group. This is a high-powered group, and once we set them free to imagine three years out, they went nuts. But by the time they had processed everything to get to the point where they could do the 3-yr P and then break it down to the next four quarters, you could tell that they were serious and ready to roll. There were some industry-changing ideas...
At the end I gave a high-level overview of the The Gap, and told them how most if not all of them would fall into it within the next month. One woman laughingly complained that I wouldn’t explain how to get out of the Gap until April! So I just used the opportunity to predict that some of them would be in the Gap by April and would be tempted not to come for fear of facing the rest of us with their lack of progress. I explained that if they were in the Gap, then the workshop in April is exactly where they would need to be! They got it...
I also pointed out to them the power of the Coach materials; the energy and vision they experienced was not because I had brought incredible American insights into how to run their business. I explained that Dan’s power was in coming up with powerful questions, not powerful (and ultimately limiting) answers. That through a series of questions and worksheets, I had pulled their three year plan right out of them! You could feel the room crackle.
I had dinner two hours later with Chris, and he told me that he had already received four phone calls from people who had been at the workshop and who told him how transforming it was.
I’ve got a full day of meetings tomorrow, and then I catch the evening Brussels Air flight out to get back on Fri afternoon.
It’s working! Thanks again for all your help. We couldn’t have done it without your efforts in Dec.
-do
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Meet Bella
While in Rwanda, I met Bella at Gisimba Orphanage. Bella, who lost her parents, is 15 years old and was living in Burundi as a refugee. She has no family so travelled across the border back into Rwanda, and was found by police who took her to Gisimba Orphanage.
Her birthday is April 13th and she likes to play football (soccer), dance, and she likes tea. Bella is very affectionate and when she grows up she wants to be a doctor.
Why am I telling you about Bella? Because, like so many children in Africa and other developing nations, she is not going to school and without an education there's not much hope, let alone a future, for kids like her.
I am raising the money to send her to a good English speaking school so she can fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor (tuition includes: her education, supplies, room & board, and clothes). My hope for her is that she does become a doctor and then 'pays it forward' to another child in need when she can afford it.
When I met Bella, I knew she was a survivor - she lost her entire family and her caregiver, she travelled across (dangerous) borders, and she is now in a place that can take care of her to the best of their ability. She told me, in French, that she likes the orphanage because she has a family again. She is happy.
Bella deserves an eduction and she deserves to be a doctor.
p.s. If you have questions about this initiative, please contact me at artforafricainfo (at) ymail.com. This initiative is separate from the $10,000 fundraising commitment to GRDP.
Watch the video of our meeting at the orphanage
Monday, January 18, 2010
My youtube.com Channel
To go along with some of my stories and my photos, I've started a youtube.com channel.
Have a look at the many videos from my trip at, www.youtube.com/mdwpx
Have a look at the many videos from my trip at, www.youtube.com/mdwpx
I've been back for two weeks - already!
It's hard to believe that my trip to Africa has come and gone. I continue to miss the people in Rwanda, and actually had a dream about them last night. I'm not sure a day has passed that I haven't looked up flights back to Kigali and I know that I will be back there soon.
I've been reflecting on my trip over the last two weeks - with another 12 hours spent on flights (this time to the US for work) - I've had a lot of time to stare out the window and daydream. I've wondered what the draw is to Kigali and why it touched me so much. There's so much poverty and such a divide between the haves and the have-nots, but I miss the people. I miss that feeling of being content and at peace. I haven't slept a full night since I've been back because there's so much to do - at least my trip has motivated me to create a Bigger Future for those I met and for me. I now know that I have a purpose in Africa. I'm not fully aware of what that is yet, but I know I'm on the right path and I look forward to all the surprises of this journey.
I really want to thank everyone who made a contribution to GRDP. Believe me when I tell you, that your $30, $40, $50, even $150 donation HAS changed lives. It may not seem like a lot to you, but in a developing world every dollar counts. And yours did, and continues to change lives.
Here are a few things Elizabeth I did and continue to do now that we're back:
1. GRDP - over 40 entrepreneurs registered for 4 workshops in 2010 (with GRDP) which will help them grow their businesses, become leaders in their fields (medicine, tourism, property development, and IT, to name a few), and to create jobs for so many people. This is vital for survival and it will enable more parents to send their kids to school so they can get a complete education. It's the only way out of poverty.
2. Gisimba Orphanage - thanks to Hapnot Collegiate and Michael P., along with Elizabeth's donors, for your generosity. The kids loved the toothbrushes, the soccer balls, the balloons, the stickers, and the school supplies. We will continue to work with Gisimba on developing a website for them so they can receive donations from around the world. Donations to Gisimba help feed the 130+ kids at the orphanage, provide an education to the orphans, provide clothing and supplies, and continue to house the kids.
3. Faith Victory Association (FVA) - our dear friend, Dr. Immaculee, founded FVA which is a foundation that helps fight gender-based violence, is an orphanage, and supports people living with HIV/AIDS. We are working with Dr. Immaculee to rebuild her website so FVA can easily receive donations.
4. Art for Africa - on April 8th, 2010 I am throwing a fundraiser with all proceeds donated to GRDP. Please visit www.artforafrica.info for more information.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the projects, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.
Here's a video of me talking about my time in Africa.
I've been reflecting on my trip over the last two weeks - with another 12 hours spent on flights (this time to the US for work) - I've had a lot of time to stare out the window and daydream. I've wondered what the draw is to Kigali and why it touched me so much. There's so much poverty and such a divide between the haves and the have-nots, but I miss the people. I miss that feeling of being content and at peace. I haven't slept a full night since I've been back because there's so much to do - at least my trip has motivated me to create a Bigger Future for those I met and for me. I now know that I have a purpose in Africa. I'm not fully aware of what that is yet, but I know I'm on the right path and I look forward to all the surprises of this journey.
I really want to thank everyone who made a contribution to GRDP. Believe me when I tell you, that your $30, $40, $50, even $150 donation HAS changed lives. It may not seem like a lot to you, but in a developing world every dollar counts. And yours did, and continues to change lives.
Here are a few things Elizabeth I did and continue to do now that we're back:
1. GRDP - over 40 entrepreneurs registered for 4 workshops in 2010 (with GRDP) which will help them grow their businesses, become leaders in their fields (medicine, tourism, property development, and IT, to name a few), and to create jobs for so many people. This is vital for survival and it will enable more parents to send their kids to school so they can get a complete education. It's the only way out of poverty.
2. Gisimba Orphanage - thanks to Hapnot Collegiate and Michael P., along with Elizabeth's donors, for your generosity. The kids loved the toothbrushes, the soccer balls, the balloons, the stickers, and the school supplies. We will continue to work with Gisimba on developing a website for them so they can receive donations from around the world. Donations to Gisimba help feed the 130+ kids at the orphanage, provide an education to the orphans, provide clothing and supplies, and continue to house the kids.
3. Faith Victory Association (FVA) - our dear friend, Dr. Immaculee, founded FVA which is a foundation that helps fight gender-based violence, is an orphanage, and supports people living with HIV/AIDS. We are working with Dr. Immaculee to rebuild her website so FVA can easily receive donations.
4. Art for Africa - on April 8th, 2010 I am throwing a fundraiser with all proceeds donated to GRDP. Please visit www.artforafrica.info for more information.
If you have any questions or suggestions about the projects, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.
Here's a video of me talking about my time in Africa.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Pictures are coming. I promise!
It's taken me a little longer to get over the jet lag than I expected so I'm behind and haven't finished downloading pictures from Rwanda. I hope to have them ready to post/send by the beginning of next week.
I am still missing Rwanda but it's great to be home and to have received such a warm welcome. My clients and friends are so excited to hear about the trip and want to learn more about GRDP and what Elizabeth and I did there.
I will post a synopsis shortly...once I get organized again!
Today, I came across this posting on the GRDP website that I thought I would share with you.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Home sweet home
Happy New Year!
After 3 days of jetlag I have finally recovered and am ready to get my life organized again. My trip to Rwanda and Kenya was incredible and one of the best experiences of my life - with Rwanda being the highlight for me.
I will continue this blog over the next few months as I plan Art for Africa which will support GRDP and the many entrepreneurs I met in Kigali last month. They are all such an inspiration so I look forward to creating a spectacular event for them on April 8, 2010.
After 3 days of jetlag I have finally recovered and am ready to get my life organized again. My trip to Rwanda and Kenya was incredible and one of the best experiences of my life - with Rwanda being the highlight for me.
I will continue this blog over the next few months as I plan Art for Africa which will support GRDP and the many entrepreneurs I met in Kigali last month. They are all such an inspiration so I look forward to creating a spectacular event for them on April 8, 2010.
www.artforafrica.info
Here are a few video outakes that Elizabeth and I took while we were away - pure silliness really - enjoy!
p.s. I'll post some pictures ASAP but there are many that I need to organize them, which is going to take me awhile.
Take One - Tips for travelling to Kigali, but Kigali where?
Take Two -Elizabeth and I attempting to record tips when traveling to Kigali, Rwanda. I love silliness!
Here are a few video outakes that Elizabeth and I took while we were away - pure silliness really - enjoy!
p.s. I'll post some pictures ASAP but there are many that I need to organize them, which is going to take me awhile.
Take One - Tips for travelling to Kigali, but Kigali where?
Take Two -Elizabeth and I attempting to record tips when traveling to Kigali, Rwanda. I love silliness!
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