lessons I am learning

I struggled with this book.
Why - economics
When it comes to international aid. I am curious.
Curious about the outcomes and successes and the people that have been touched.

I am not an economic guru in fact I have never taken a straight up economics class.
However, I am always up for slicing and dicing data.
Dean Karlan is simply amazing - His ideas and the way that he pushes envelopes to find out the how things interact is simply amazing. (yes redundant I know) Link for additional information
I was almost 2/3 complete and had to jump to the last chapter. I had to hear what he concluded but in the end he offered a few ideas that proven to be true and sound. He raised questions about current practices and what international aid looks like now and where it could go in the future.

Until I figure out exactly what I should be doing (ugh) I will just keep reading and research ==  just keep peeling back the layers!

not much of an update

Literally, I am all over the board the last few weeks.

Maybe it is the Farah heat.
Maybe it is the hormones.
Maybe the Afghan air.

I am wrestling with the continuing overwhelming urge to make a difference – but I feel like I am wading in quick sand, almost immobile.

Reminder :

June 20^th is the United Nations Day World Refugee Day

http://www.unhcr.org/wrd-materials/

 and for me witnessing the plight of refugees firsthand in Greece changed me. forver.

Giuseppe La Rosa

The importance of partnerships and friendships.
I only had two conversations with him and frankly I am not even sure what we chatted about. The other folks on our team were closer to his team.
I attended a beautiful Italian Memorial Ceremony for him on Sunday and then watched his arrival into Rome live in the Italian DFAC.
A bit surreal, saddened and restlessness.


Rest in Peace - Giuseppe La Rosa

Inpired Reading

Inspired Reading

However Long the Night: Molly Melching's Journey to Help Millions of African Women and Girls Triumph

Most of you know my immediate draw to memoirs.

But the biography of Molly Melching is amazing. She is now one of my new heroes.

She spent nearly 40 years in Africa.  She was a pioneer and social entrepreneur and one of humanity's strongest voices for the rights of women and girls. Completely blown away by her life story and the how she embraced women and the complete value that each of brings to the table. She gets it - amazed.

 

 View the short book trailer here – Link

note

Ok today sucked.               (this was written several days ago)

Not in the way the military in general can make things miserable… it is bigger than that I guess.

The actually act of being a soldier was good today. I did what I needed to do to accomplish the task, no major issues, went to the shooting range, cleaned my weapon and pretty much did what I needed to do.

I received confirmation from American University that I can take online classes with them over the summer – no issues. The rate per credit hour is absolutely ridiculous but I think the door opened for a reason. That is all I am saying. More to follow on that.  I have been wanting to do this since the 12th grade. Many moons have passed.

Then internally I started feeling something weird. I had just finished reading some open source articles about the events that had taken place in Kabul. Young girls being in school being “poisoned”. Who poisons girl’s in school?  Later I read an article about a young girl taking refuge in a city because her father had married her off to a 36 year old man that already had one wife and her step father allegedly was abusing her.

Then the punch in the stomach came. Two women were murdered on a bus. Why, you ask? Because they were travelling alone without a husband, brother or uncle. Yes, the crime was immediately punished by death.  If everyone would stop blowing the crap out of one another maybe there would be some men folk left.

One recent revelation is that not only are these women struggling for education and  to survive but so many of this young male population are now addicts over here

.

So, it is complication after complication mixed with extremism mixed with 30 years of war poverty and corruption. A cocktail one cannot constantly consume and survive.

On top of all that this happened.  Attack in Afghanistan

These folks live 3 minutes walking distance from me.  One of the Marines was from Colorado. I never met CPL Sonka but I think I would have eventually. He had a working dog and he actually passed us on the dusty running trail with his 4 wheeler a few days ago with his dog.  I love dogs - you know eventually it might have happened.

So, today I dedicate to you CPL Sonka and your dog.

And tomorrow to the ladies that were just trying to get somewhere for something and to the young girl that walks in fear and goes to school anyway.                                                       

 

another day has been given

Day to Day is either completely mundane or completely obscure.

Yesterday, Small Arms Range – great training. Throw lead downrange, practice, concentrate and with a somewhat solid zero I have comfort knowing I have the capability to protect myself.

Lunch – Telling a gentleman whom I think is from India about romaine lettuce. My eating patterns are even more obscure here than they are at home. I will say that I consistently ask for two pieces of cheese (swiss or provolone) and 3 pieces of romaine lettuce. Yesterday he asked me where that word comes from and if it is the same as lettuce. I told him yes but now when I go back tonight I have a little more information for him.  It comes from the Greek language and the ancient Greeks and Romans held lettuce in high regard both as a food and for its therapeutic medicinal properties.   - Thank you Whole Foods :)

I need all of the therapeutic properties I can get at this point!
Some sorting, working and planning.
Catholic Mass and then protestant community led service.

I read this article - Which inspired me to send a note to the chaplain in the article. Everyone needs encouragement! I invited him to come out west!

Then I listened to yoga nidra and slept deeply.

Today – entirely different so far, but maybe some of the same.

I woke up to the neighbor down the hall playing Bryan Adam’s live cd. I cannot explain. It was a private sign that my God pays attention to even the very small stuff.

Namaste.

 

edison revelation

And the light bulb clicks....

I have been a member of Kiva  since 2009/2010 time frame.  I have enjoyed participating and reading about people standing up for themselves and their families.

Taking out small Microloans to build businesses that result in shelter, food and education is an effort I can get behind. I typically use a somewhat unbiased system to choose my next person to support. I am half way through reading the book The International Bank of Bob  and it just clicked.

Debbie, you are not buying - you are lending....  Lending  Just like Wells Fargo and other creditors take the chance  you give someone else a chance as well.

This perspective has opened my mind and door to concept I was already committed to and actively participating. But now I get it.  I have reinvested all of my small loan repayments thus far. And with solid ROI Kiva has the risk is low... so, I am thinking why not and raise the stakes a bit.

A friend of mine also told me about a few giving circles in the Springs. Looking forward to partnering to make difference. 

Recommend reading the book.

Recommend taking a chance  - the risk is low and the impact could be great. Generational even.

 

Bob Harris  has a promotion at the moment that allows new lenders to try Kiva and he is pitching the first $25. (limited time  - while supplies last and other legal things)

:) Not the first time I mentioned Kiva over the years....

Kiva in Detroit?
Making Choices
End of the year 2011 Choices

Beyond Good Intentions

 

Completely devoured the book  Beyond Good Intentions by Tori Hogan.
It was one of those times reader/book connection.
Since, I feel I am on this quest to find out just what I should be doing.
Although, I will argue with myself and say I am right where I should be at this exact time.
I am talking more long term - Next phase - Big picture.
Her book makes you think about foreign aid and the business of foreign aid itself.
Ultimately, big and small programs can be successful or completely harmful and it is the people themselves that make the difference.
Just like in all endeavors. Right? But sometimes when you are too close to something you do not see it.

My support plan is all over the board at the moment
Locally
Zonta Pikes Peak
FOB Colorado
I am Created Equal
Human Trafficking Task Force

Nationally
USO
Home for Our Troops
Sevenly
Kiva
TAPS

I support two missionaries one in Greece helping refugees and one in Azerbaijan.

I occasionally throw donations at walks, runs and hikes for charity.
And then I support politics - My choosing

cardamom

Not too often you come across that grabs your senses  - that you dream it about later in a combat zone!

I like Cardigans but I am in love with this Cardamom Ice Cream - One of the first things I am having when I get home - IF you find it stockpile for me :)

I am well over a 100 days into this and actually I have a lot to say. But I do not say too much.

I often think I am part of some huge social experiment and at the end a social scientist will offer some thoughtful guidance.

I am falling into many of the same routines I had before during my last deployment. Working, gym, food, conversations, chapel and reading. Trying to pick up a few foreign phrases here and there. This time the tapestry is a bit different. I can try Slovene, Italian, Dari and maybe even a few phrases from the TCNs (India and Africa). What is different is that our Slovenian Padre is Catholic. We arrived at the FOB during Easter week is has obviously a lot of moving parts. I smiled a bit when I was asked to read the Second Reading and then two days later participate in Baptism and Holy Communion Mass. Thankfully, my Catholic upbringing allowed me to fall right into the cadence. The Protestant service is led by members of the FOB or visiting chaplains. Should be interesting.

My goals in the next few weeks is to shed a little light and encourage along the way. Read a few books and have a few laughs. I described the place is Rustic Chic. The living conditions are very good surrounded by rocks and barren dusty mountains. The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful here. My primary counterpart for the next six months arrives today. We shall see.