Something worth thinking about.

In light of my last post, this photo really pulled at my heart strings.

I have looked at this photo for a very long time this is what strikes me.

The first being, I can not even begin to imagine this life.  My life in North America is so very different.  I realize that my observations come from a very naive and inexperienced place. A place that however naive is compassionate to the plight of this group of people. I believe that such photos raise awareness, and when we are more aware, we are better able to adjust our way  thinking and be people of action and advocacy.
 
It looks hotter than hot.

This well is HUGE.  ( Has anyone ever fallen in????)

I guesstimate that there are close to 200 people in the photo ( I tried to count, but my eyes are not that good)

There appears to be at least 2 or 3  pots / containers per person.

I look and I wonder how many people come to this well each day?

How big are their families?

I wonder how far they have to walk?

I find it interesting that both men and women gather at the well.

I wonder how long this well has been active and how long before it runs dry.

Just a few of the things that popped into my head...

What do you see? What strikes you? 

I hope in the very least it makes you thankful for the running water in your home.


On a side note I would love to give credit to the person who took the photo, but could not find the original source.  I will continue to look, and when I do will happily  post proper credits.

World H2O day.....

Awareness is key. 

Thinking about a world - or area of the world - with out water is difficult for many.  Especially those of us who live and grew up on the "wet" coast.  In a city where the annual rainfall is1117.2 mm per year finding water is not a problem.  It's simple, we turn a tap and voila safe, affordable, clean water for anything we need.  24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is available.  On the rare occasion the water main is turned off for maintenance, we think we suffer.  We get notice of when that suffering is  o happen and are given an approximate time line.   We "prepare for the disaster"by filling pots & containers, refrigerating, and if it is going to be a really long time we fill our bathtubs  "Just in case".  We think we suffer. HA, we do not know the meaning of the word.  In my small home alone there are 8 sources where water comes into my home or yard.  Water is available in a wide variety of locations.  From my home I can drive for less than 1/2 an hour in several directions and end up at the ocean or at a fresh water lake, where I can swim, and enjoy many recreational activities.  Water is certainly NOT scarce. We are most fortunate, we should not take this life giving resource for granted.

"Water" source ... notice the garbage and the goats

However, that is not the reality for 100' of 1000's of people who live in climates where they see under 20mm rainfall per year.  If that rain comes in "HOT" season, the water often evaporates BEFORE it even hits the ground.  Then imagine not having a tap, imagine having to walk for  2 kms or more to fetch water only to have to CARRY it back home, on your back, on your head, in buckets by hand.  Only to have to repeat this task again the next day and the next and the next, every day of your life when you require water.  This is how you obtain the water you will use for EVERYTHING, drinking, cooking, gardening, feeding animals, bathing - E*V*E*R*Y*T*H*I*N*G.  In many cases the water source is small, stagnant, polluted, shared with animals, used for bathing and laundry,as well as 100's of people who also walk several kilometers there and back daily just for water. Scenarios like this are ones we in North America can not even begin to fathom. Yet this is REALITY for millions in this world.  Water, the most basic of human need clean drinking water is not something they ever take for granted by these people.

"drinking" water in a market stall in Niamey

Women gather at the well for water

As with most things, unless you have experienced this first hand you can not fathom the issue.  Awareness and education are KEY.  That is why we need world water day.

Here is a little history of World Water Day. 

If you are looking to be able to help,  here is  a link to the Alliance Compassion Catalog  see page 4 on wells and helping get them built.  Page 22 is the form to fill out in order to give. 

This is my friend Adam, a village leader, drawing water from one of the wells built as an Alliance Compassion project. The well is just a few 100 meters from the center of his village.  It provides fresh, clean, safe water for his village of about 1000 people.  Saving them 1000's hours of "water walking" annually.  Adam has also said that the health of his village has improved since the well was constructed.  That is an invaluable gift.  It is the gift of life, of health and most of all the gift of HOPE for the people in Teppe.  It is Water.....it is life!

Remembering March 1st.....

March 1st,  marks what would have been my Grandma's 98 birthday.   98, I can not even imagine what life would be like to be 98.  The world has changed so much in the past 98 years.  One thing I know for certain is that had she still been with us she would have adapted, tried new things, laughed as she said, I am too old for this and above all she would have LOVED watching her great grand children grow up.   As a child I knew beyond measure that I was loved by her, and when my girls came along  I KNEW that she adored them, nothing made her happier than a visit with her Greats! 

Oh how I miss her, certainly time has lessened the ache, as we have learned to do life with out her. The old adage "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is certainly true, especially on this day,  Her birthday!  I always remember even after 14 March 1st's, without her.  So today, I pulled out the scrapbook I did for her memorial, and remembered all that she meant to me.  Sure there were a few tears,  but mostly my heart is full of gratitude for all her life meant to me.  For all she taught me.  Ultimately for the gift of laughter, the ability to laugh at one's self, and to enjoy a good joke or prank here and there.  She will always be remembered with a happy heart, for I know that is how she would want to be remembered, with a smile in our hearts and laughter on our lips.

Gram, I miss you, I love you, and today I remember with a huge smile in my heart.  Blessed beyond measure because I had the privilege that is shared by only 10 others in this whole entire world, the privilege of calling YOU Grandma! 

Sometimes it really is the little things in life....

So, O.K.  I confess, I love Pizza!  I know in terms of health benefits it is not the healthiest choice, but, well if the US congress  can justify pizza sauce as a vegetable, hen really can it be that bad for you?   Mocking aside, I love pizza in almost any form.  My Grandma used to make a fruit pizza that was yummy for sure.  I have a recipe for chocolate pizza that is fun and easy and also yummy, however my fave is still the standard thick crust, tomato sauce variety.  Oh the topping combinations are endless, so really it is never the same pie twice. 
Until it comes to left overs, it may be the same pie, but it is never quite the same the second day. That was until today, no more microwave reheat for me, and putting it in the oven always takes too long.  Well low and behold, you can get crispy, right out of the pizza oven goodness, from your fry pan.  Thanks to Pinterest, for the awesome hint.  
Dry frying pan, medium heat, pizza, covered for 3 - 5 min = glorious crispy crust and ooey, gooey cheesy goodness on top.  Pizza left overs will never be the same again. 
Now the question is, do I share this with my family (who I know do not read here)  or just let them figure it out for themselves and leave more left overs for me. 

The imagination gift.

"Di where do you buy imagination?"
      "Hmm, Miss B you to not buy imagination, it's a gift."
"Oh, but I want to buy some more."
      "Sorry babe, you just can not... but you can make the most of the imagination that you already have"
"But how do I get more then?"
        "God gives you more when you use what you have, why don't you go play with the doll people""
"Sure o.k.  I am going to make them buy some imagination, just pretend o.k."
     " You do that..."

This girl makes me smile. I love these short conversations with the 3 year old I look after part time.  One can learn so much if you just  listen.   Things we loose as we grow up, imagination, and the willingness to try most things without worry about what others think.  Imagination, creativity, acceptance and love are all so pure when looking through the eyes of childhood.  Growing up is so over rated, we loose so much of what makes this world so good.

I am certainly not saying I want to go back, because certain things about childhood, those things that rob us of that purity and acceptance are not something I would ever want to relive.  I am thankful for my child hood, all the ups and downs that made it the ride that it was, for it is that ride that made me the woman I am today.   

The sweet imagination of a child, it truly is a gift.  One that should be nurtured and encouraged, one that I truly enjoy watching in full swing. Boxes that become stoves, trains, drums, fireman hats and who knows what next just let your imagination be your guide.

Have fun and use your imagination today....

Dear Niger....

Oh how you are ingrained into my heart. I left your sandy roads three weeks ago tomorrow, and every day since have thought of you. I have tried to process my visit, to figure out  how to share, what to say, what to show. You are so different from home, from all things familiar. How do I explain, how my time with you changed me, how deep the impression you made on my heart.  I have been at a loss for words, but yet know I have to come up with some, then it hit me, words.  

2 or 3 days after I was home a friend asked me for one word to sum up my experience and I came up with HUMBLING.  So why not one word to match one experience, that will work. Over the next few days I will do just that, match one word with one experience.

FUN  relaxing  creative   FRUSTRATING

Humorous   startling   Rewarding

sights sounds   

one thing for sure it was all uniquely African! Niger, I will ever be thankful for our time together and I look forward to the next time. Thank you for sharing yourself, each and every experience, but most of all thank you for sharing your people, they are forever and always in my heart.

One word....

I was asked yesterday by a friend to sum up my trip in one word.

One word? Seriously? 

Try it, one word to sum up the last month of your life.

It is not easy!  I did manage to find one word to sum up this experience that took me from home, for almost a month, to the other side of the globe, via 4 different airports, 6 planes, several time zones, way too many languages to count, to a totally different culture, HOT climate, to work with people you have never met, to see one of your best friends on her turf, to do things you have never done, eat things you have never eaten, and just plain a long way from home...... One word....   HUMBLING

I live in a country listed as one of the richest in the world, with listings as the best cities in the world to live in.  Yet all around I see discontent, people wanting the next newest this or that, not really sure of what is of real value.  A country where many people do not know their neighbours, where family is not valued as it should be.  A country with more options for groceries than we truly need, with soil that will grow almost anything, and a climate that makes it possible. 

I visit a country listed 3rd from the bottom of UN's human development list , the people have next to nothing, the streets are littered with garbage, goats, cows, sheep and young children roam the streets at all hours, a country where people rarely have the opportunity to travel, where even basic education is a luxury.   Goods are available on every street corner, but funds to purchase such goods is scarce.  However in the midst of this extreme poverty the people are gracious, kind and generous. Family is valued and communities are depended upon. They have joy. in the midst of it all.   Experiencing and being on the receiving end of that was truly HUMBLING!
 I will never be the same after Africa......