Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Here Comes November again and the Politicians are 'Mud-Sliding' Each other.
There is an old believe that, every generaation preserve its values by passing it down to its young ones both formal and informal way. Every November there is an election either to elect community, city, municipal State or National representatives and this November is not any any different. The only thing that sets this year's election apart from its predesors is that more money is spent by politicians attacking each other, than any time in the past. Instead of telling us what they will do if voted into office, they are telling us how their opponents are not good for us. And they do it by any means neccersary, through TV,radio,newspaper, internet and of course by sending it to our homes through the postal services. Some of this attacks are lies, others half truths and some small part of it is true. Why cant we go back to the way things were done in the past where election is about, what and how an individual is going to serve the people that elected them into office? is that the kind of values we want to live our young people who are learning what this politicians are doing to each others careers through all the tools they have available?
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Celebrating Aseel Asleh and Mahatma Ghandi
October 2nd, means a lot to many people, to those of us who consider ourselves to be part of the Seeds of peace (extended )family, we remember a young man: Ten years ago a 17 year young Palestinian peace activist was shot by the Israeli police, as he took part in a peace protest.
To the world, its the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, the creator of the modern day peace protest. For me the life of this gentlemen teaches one thing, you can never go wrong with peaceful protest , its the answer to many of the problems our world face today from Russia to Rwandan and from Brunei to Brazil all we need is People like Aseel and Gandhi to lead and the rest of us will follow, even though they are not here with us, they both left behind blue prints of their lives for us to follow. Aseel in the form of a letter he sent to his friends he met at the Seeds of Peace Camp and Gandhi in the form of many of the writings he left behind and they both lived by what they believed in. Please click here to see a video of Aseel's letter read by Peace activists from all over the world in many languages http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9T8GcuX7yA&feature=player_embeddedAnd my promise to Aseel and Gandhi is I will continue to share their stories and their philosophies to many young people I cross paths with in my life and I hope you will do same , lets celebrate their lives for generations to come.
Quote of the Day
“Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong” Gandhi
In memory of Aseel I change the name of this Blog from 'My Thoughts' to 'Peaceful Thoughts'
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Seeking Common Ground on Race, Faith and Politics in America
Almost a year ago this time,the city of Portland and the Maine Civil Liberties Union were at each others neck over whether the Afghan community can turn a building into a mosque or not. the issue was settled out of court in a very civil manner after a couple of appearances in front of a judge . The Portland Press Herald's web page was turn into a battle ground between supporters for and against both sides, many nasty things were said to each other and against Moslem's and immigrants. The issue gave us an opportunity as a community to learn more about each other and get to know ourselves well and also an opportunity for the local Muslim community to reach out to the greater Portland and Maine Communities, both sides allowed the opportunity to slipped through their fingers. Unfortunately we are facing yet another controversy at national level and the past few weeks its been getting worst and looks like our country's political leaders are going to hold on it through the fall elections, and the local media have already started taking advantge of the situation. Today I was listening to 560 WGAN's John McDonald Show and when he opened the lines for listeners to contribute on the Ground Zero Mosque controversy, you can tell by the comments that many or most of the callers get their information through cable TV or certain radio shows. There are certain things we have to learn sooner or later one of them is that whether we agree with each ther or not, we dont have a choice if we want to stay in this country, we have to engage each other in the most civil way or we may end up destroying each other out of hate. Islam have been in this country since the days of slavery some of the Africans that were brought here were Muslims and Maine is also on record as having the first established mosque in the union check this out from this links .http://video.mpbn.net/video/1540819504
http://www.upf.tv/upf06/Films/PrinceAmongSlaves/tabid/77/Default.aspx
http://www.upf.tv/upf06/Films/PrinceAmongSlaves/tabid/77/Default.aspx
Saturday, April 17, 2010
MOVIES,MUSIC & YUMMY ICE CREAM AS DHAISY CAME TO MAINE
2010 Maine African Film Festival
The past week was an amazing one for me. I am on the board and organizing committee of the Maine African film festival and we just had our second Annual festival. Beautiful movies were screened and the attendance was fair and I had fun at the closing party was fill with, friends, fun and good music all night.
Dinner with Dhaisy
Just when that fun was ending I had to transition into a new kind of fun, I was joining some community and religious leaders, and students to have dinner with Dhaisy Khan from New York. She was in Portland Maine to give a lecture at the '2010 Douglas Schair Lecture on Genocide and Human Rights' and the theme of her presentation was 'MUSLIM WOMEN and the AMERICAN EXPRESSION of ISLAM.
Dhaisy is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the American society for Muslim Advancement(ASMA), she is also the founder of The Women Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity(WISE) and also Muslim leaders of Tomorrow. the dinner was at the Portland Harbor hotel.and the food was excellent but her personality was the icing on top of the perfect night. There was many community members there to make her feel at home.
CIVIL RIGHT AND DIVERSITY DAY - AUGUSTA MAINE
As if that was not enough, I had an appointment with a high school in Augusta, the capital city of Maine. Monday was the Civil right and diversity day organize by the Civil Right Team at CORNY High School in Augusta Maine, and I was to do a two presentations on being a Muslim in America (Islam 101)and one on being an immigrant... I was greeted by a group of smiling students and was ushered into the 'food' room where there is anything from bagel to munchkins and of course coffee, tea and some juice to go with. I was treated like a local ' champion' with one student waiting to attend all my needs. it felt good so much that i text one of my friends in Portland and said I was moving to Augusta.
My presentation went well I was impressed by the students' engagement through all three sessions. Most of the questions were interesting, some were silly but genuine,a lot were honest questions from young high school students who wanted to learn about my beliefs and where I was coming from. I had lunch and some yummy Ice cream and was praying that I don't fall asleep driving back to Portland.
DHAISY' S LECTURE WAS FANTASTIC
I walk into the Hannaford hall at the University of Southern Maine the room was full like all the past annual Douglas M. Schair Memorial Lecture on Genocide and Human Rights, people were eager to hear what she has to say. She delivered a powerful lecture , answered many question to the satisfaction of the audience. Once again Maine have demonstrated that it is possible for us to co-exist and lean from each other. Thanks to the Hudson Foundation and the Scahair family for making this lecture possible, for more info on some of the wonderful things they do in our great State please visit them at
www.http://hudsonfoundationmaine.org
Quote of the day:
'There is only one country in the world in which Muslims are FREE and it is the USA' .....Dhaisy Khan
The past week was an amazing one for me. I am on the board and organizing committee of the Maine African film festival and we just had our second Annual festival. Beautiful movies were screened and the attendance was fair and I had fun at the closing party was fill with, friends, fun and good music all night.
Dinner with Dhaisy Just when that fun was ending I had to transition into a new kind of fun, I was joining some community and religious leaders, and students to have dinner with Dhaisy Khan from New York. She was in Portland Maine to give a lecture at the '2010 Douglas Schair Lecture on Genocide and Human Rights' and the theme of her presentation was 'MUSLIM WOMEN and the AMERICAN EXPRESSION of ISLAM.
Dhaisy is the Executive Director and Co-founder of the American society for Muslim Advancement(ASMA), she is also the founder of The Women Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equity(WISE) and also Muslim leaders of Tomorrow. the dinner was at the Portland Harbor hotel.and the food was excellent but her personality was the icing on top of the perfect night. There was many community members there to make her feel at home.
CIVIL RIGHT AND DIVERSITY DAY - AUGUSTA MAINEAs if that was not enough, I had an appointment with a high school in Augusta, the capital city of Maine. Monday was the Civil right and diversity day organize by the Civil Right Team at CORNY High School in Augusta Maine, and I was to do a two presentations on being a Muslim in America (Islam 101)and one on being an immigrant... I was greeted by a group of smiling students and was ushered into the 'food' room where there is anything from bagel to munchkins and of course coffee, tea and some juice to go with. I was treated like a local ' champion' with one student waiting to attend all my needs. it felt good so much that i text one of my friends in Portland and said I was moving to Augusta.
My presentation went well I was impressed by the students' engagement through all three sessions. Most of the questions were interesting, some were silly but genuine,a lot were honest questions from young high school students who wanted to learn about my beliefs and where I was coming from. I had lunch and some yummy Ice cream and was praying that I don't fall asleep driving back to Portland. DHAISY' S LECTURE WAS FANTASTIC
I walk into the Hannaford hall at the University of Southern Maine the room was full like all the past annual Douglas M. Schair Memorial Lecture on Genocide and Human Rights, people were eager to hear what she has to say. She delivered a powerful lecture , answered many question to the satisfaction of the audience. Once again Maine have demonstrated that it is possible for us to co-exist and lean from each other. Thanks to the Hudson Foundation and the Scahair family for making this lecture possible, for more info on some of the wonderful things they do in our great State please visit them at
www.http://hudsonfoundationmaine.orgQuote of the day:
'There is only one country in the world in which Muslims are FREE and it is the USA' .....Dhaisy Khan
Thursday, April 1, 2010
IF I HAD COFFEE WITH PRESIDENT OBAMA IN PORTLAND MAINE.......
Dear President Obama,
Welcome to Portland Maine, by the time you read this, your plane is already left the shores of this beautiful Northern New England City, but I will go ahead and read from what was on the list of our coffee social (meeting) that never happened, first and foremost I will share with you what is going on in Portland or Maine for that matter . The Catholic Dioces in Portland made a big head line last week when they informed a local non profit (Preable street) that not only to refund the money they(Catholic Church) have giving them to help the homeless, but they will not fund the organization's projects any more, Because the non profit supported gay marriage movement during the last general elections and that makes me wonder where lies the compassion that religious organizations preach if they will chose politics over humanity . Then on the political front I was at a rally a few days before congress passed the 'Obamacare' bill that you are here to promote and every one at the rally ws angry and protesting against an insurance company that was increasing its premium.
Mr president, YOU will have been impressed by the young people in my youth group, I will send you their pictures, last Thursday we volunteered at an event in Freeport to raise money for the YMCA and on Friday we also volunteered here in Portland at another Fundraiser to support a Pro-Bono legal NGO 'Immigrant Legal advocacy Project' (ILAP)that helps local immigrants with their immigration paper works for free or small fee and on Sat we went to the soup kitchen in the morning and then did another project in the afternoon, you see how busy I keep the youth around here? Oh there is another movement here in Portland that was planning to meet you with placards, they want comprehensive Immigration reforms and another want to make sure that the local legal residents can vote during local elections(What do you think about that) I will not tell any one what your opinion is, since it would have been between the two of us.
Mr President yesterday I was hoping we were going to meet so I wrote it on my face book and ask my Face Book friends to give me questions that I can pass it on to you , guess what ? about 21 people responded, some of them really thought I was going to have coffee with you and pass on some of the questions they wanted me to ask you. Two of them are from my motherland Ghana, and the rest are my friends here in Portland, I am going to cut and past this face book questions so that you can read it over coffee in the white house during the Easter festivities.. Below are some of the questions my friends wanted me to ask you, Mr President :
Welcome to Portland Maine, by the time you read this, your plane is already left the shores of this beautiful Northern New England City, but I will go ahead and read from what was on the list of our coffee social (meeting) that never happened, first and foremost I will share with you what is going on in Portland or Maine for that matter . The Catholic Dioces in Portland made a big head line last week when they informed a local non profit (Preable street) that not only to refund the money they(Catholic Church) have giving them to help the homeless, but they will not fund the organization's projects any more, Because the non profit supported gay marriage movement during the last general elections and that makes me wonder where lies the compassion that religious organizations preach if they will chose politics over humanity . Then on the political front I was at a rally a few days before congress passed the 'Obamacare' bill that you are here to promote and every one at the rally ws angry and protesting against an insurance company that was increasing its premium.
Mr president, YOU will have been impressed by the young people in my youth group, I will send you their pictures, last Thursday we volunteered at an event in Freeport to raise money for the YMCA and on Friday we also volunteered here in Portland at another Fundraiser to support a Pro-Bono legal NGO 'Immigrant Legal advocacy Project' (ILAP)that helps local immigrants with their immigration paper works for free or small fee and on Sat we went to the soup kitchen in the morning and then did another project in the afternoon, you see how busy I keep the youth around here? Oh there is another movement here in Portland that was planning to meet you with placards, they want comprehensive Immigration reforms and another want to make sure that the local legal residents can vote during local elections(What do you think about that) I will not tell any one what your opinion is, since it would have been between the two of us.
Mr President yesterday I was hoping we were going to meet so I wrote it on my face book and ask my Face Book friends to give me questions that I can pass it on to you , guess what ? about 21 people responded, some of them really thought I was going to have coffee with you and pass on some of the questions they wanted me to ask you. Two of them are from my motherland Ghana, and the rest are my friends here in Portland, I am going to cut and past this face book questions so that you can read it over coffee in the white house during the Easter festivities.. Below are some of the questions my friends wanted me to ask you, Mr President :
Friday, March 12, 2010
DUDE WHERE IS MY RELIGION
The recent news reports from Nigeria about the killing of more than a hundred women and children makes me wonder how in the name of God can people be killing each other especially women and children. I believe that God will frown on any religious person irrespective of his faith, that will be going around and cutting innocent women and their children. Acts like this makes me wanna question the genuineness of what they claimed is behind or the reason for the killings. In this case they claimed its a counter attack to a previous killing against people of their 'religion' , 'faith', 'cult' or what ever it is that they claimed to be representing, for I am a Muslim and they are not representing my Faith.
From all indication all is not lost yet , there a few fearless Muslim from all over the world who re not scared to say it Loud and clear. A Muslim sheikh in the UK Sheikh Muhammed Tahir UL-Qudri, just passed a 600 page taqwa to condemned all sort of killing(terror) including innocent children and their mothers, I wish there is a way to meet with the leaders of all this people from across the world I will look at them on the face and say ' Dude where is my Religion'
From all indication all is not lost yet , there a few fearless Muslim from all over the world who re not scared to say it Loud and clear. A Muslim sheikh in the UK Sheikh Muhammed Tahir UL-Qudri, just passed a 600 page taqwa to condemned all sort of killing(terror) including innocent children and their mothers, I wish there is a way to meet with the leaders of all this people from across the world I will look at them on the face and say ' Dude where is my Religion'
Saturday, February 6, 2010
SWASTIKA IN A 'BELOVED COMMUNITY'
Three days ago I received an email from a coleague wit an attachment , which is a news release(statement) from the 'Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine' regarding vandalism at a Jewish cemetery . Further reading into the attachment made me sick, because it is about a spraying of the 'Swastika signed on the tombstone of Jewish graves. My first reaction was , 'Oh my God , who in their right sense will go to the final resting place of someone they don't know, or have not even heard of before and commit such act of vandalism' I know the answer, I know the kind of people who will do that , we encounter them everyday in different part of the world.The grave is the final resting place for all who chose to be buried in that manner. Desecration of graves is the ultimate act of cowardice, desecration of a Jewish grave with the Swastika is violation of their, basic dignity with something that symbolizes hate, intolerance and bigotry. This is a continuation of many incidents that have been commited by cowards to a community that this cowards seem to HATE. There was a similar incident at a Jewish synagogue last year, and a couple of years ago someone violated the sanctity of a prayer place by throwing a pig head through the window of a mosque.
Why don't this cowards come out in the open? We have what I believed to be a 'Beloved Community' yes it may not be a very perfect one, yet we respect ,tolerate and accept each other. But this few incidents have giving me a reason to believe that we need to work more especially with our young once and hopefully some day we will have that dream 'Beloved Community' that we all wish. And I wish the Police luck in finding who this cowards are, so the can face trial.
Why don't this cowards come out in the open? We have what I believed to be a 'Beloved Community' yes it may not be a very perfect one, yet we respect ,tolerate and accept each other. But this few incidents have giving me a reason to believe that we need to work more especially with our young once and hopefully some day we will have that dream 'Beloved Community' that we all wish. And I wish the Police luck in finding who this cowards are, so the can face trial.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
LIFE LESSONS FOR '2010' FROM AN ICE SKATING 6 YR OLD - 'IT'S OKAY TO FALL'
First I want to thank you all for taking your time to read my entries despite the many grammatical errors and my non formal way of writing. I have a 10 hour job working with youth age 5-18 at a neighborhood center in Portland Maine. during this winter break we did something different with each group we went to the movies with one group to see Alvin and the chipmonks, we had a non-formal hot chcolate social with another and today we went Ice skating with the youngest group, an elementary and some middle school kids. I was late so my supervisor went with the kids and I took the bus to caught up with them. By the time I got there they were already skating so I went and collected a pair of skating shoes ,put them on and just when I was ready to go every one was asked to go on a break so the arena can be cleaned that was when My heart beat went fast and I look at my supervisor on the face and said I don't know how to skate and he said, 'we should have had this conversation before coming here'.( I am in trouble). I said I think I can help. when the arena was cleared he went back in with the kids and asked me to wait for two others who were in the bathroom.
Now there is this 6 year old that doesn't know how to skate lets call her 'N'. When N came out of the bathroom, I was standing there contemplating if I should go into the ice rink or just wait, she walked up to me and look at me and said , 'Pious can you hold my hand so we can skate ?' I responded and said 'am, eem I am waiting here ' N said, no come with me I am scare,
ME: I am scared too
N:Scared of what you are an adult ( her trust in me)
ME: I don't know how to skate, I am scared I might fall
N look at me with a smile on her face and said 'Its okay to fall Pious'. with that at the back of her mind she entere the rink and started skating she fell and fell but kept getting up and continued skating despite her imperfection. At the end of the day when I asked her how was her day she said' My body hurt but I had fun' I on the other hand let my fear of falling stopped me from having fun that afternoon and as we were walking in the snow back to the center I kept hearing her little voice saying to me, 'its okay to fall Pious' .... and I said to myself yes its okay to fall N.
As the year comes to an end and we are entering into another year and a decade, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones and please remember that 'its okay to fall'...
Quote of the day:
Now there is this 6 year old that doesn't know how to skate lets call her 'N'. When N came out of the bathroom, I was standing there contemplating if I should go into the ice rink or just wait, she walked up to me and look at me and said , 'Pious can you hold my hand so we can skate ?' I responded and said 'am, eem I am waiting here ' N said, no come with me I am scare,
ME: I am scared too
N:Scared of what you are an adult ( her trust in me)
ME: I don't know how to skate, I am scared I might fall
N look at me with a smile on her face and said 'Its okay to fall Pious'. with that at the back of her mind she entere the rink and started skating she fell and fell but kept getting up and continued skating despite her imperfection. At the end of the day when I asked her how was her day she said' My body hurt but I had fun' I on the other hand let my fear of falling stopped me from having fun that afternoon and as we were walking in the snow back to the center I kept hearing her little voice saying to me, 'its okay to fall Pious' .... and I said to myself yes its okay to fall N.
As the year comes to an end and we are entering into another year and a decade, Happy New Year to you and your loved ones and please remember that 'its okay to fall'...
Quote of the day:
“It's not how many times you fall that matters, it's how many time you get back up
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
A LONG COLD NIGHT & AWAY FROM HOME !!!
Last night, Monday December 21st, 2009, was the longest night of the year and probably the coldest to many people around our dear Country, from one State to another. Here in Portland Maine, The Preble Street Resource Center celebrates this night by organizing a vigil to raise awareness and create empathy on issues affecting our homeless people. I think homelessness is one of the issues that is hard to analyze because of its many causes, but irrespective of how a person ends up being homeless, as an act of kindness, we as a community need to help our fellow humans who unfortunately happened to become Homeless, especially if they are Teenagers.
Homeless Teenagers in most cases don't play any role on how they end up on the streets. They are victims of circumstances or decisions beyond their control and yet, sometimes we treat them as if they had a choice and they chose to be on the streets. I think homelessness is not just a political issue but a moral one as well and, we should just treat it as such. Let us join hands together to fight it as we do with racism, sexism and many other social issues we have in our communities.
Please, I will invite you to join me and the Youth of the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance when we start our year long Campaign to raise awareness on Teen homelessness in Maine. you don't have to be in Maine to support our efforts, you and your friends can help us in many ways to combat Teen homelessness and Juvenal Social Justice. I will send you the links to the web site in January. As you are celebrating during this holidays please remember how blessed you are and also think of those who are not that fortunate and share some of the glory with them.
Quote of the day:
"Shelters and soup kitchens are not the answer, Collectively, we need to develop a more thoughtful and humane response to homelessness."
Mark Swann, Preble Street's Director,
Homeless Teenagers in most cases don't play any role on how they end up on the streets. They are victims of circumstances or decisions beyond their control and yet, sometimes we treat them as if they had a choice and they chose to be on the streets. I think homelessness is not just a political issue but a moral one as well and, we should just treat it as such. Let us join hands together to fight it as we do with racism, sexism and many other social issues we have in our communities.
Please, I will invite you to join me and the Youth of the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance when we start our year long Campaign to raise awareness on Teen homelessness in Maine. you don't have to be in Maine to support our efforts, you and your friends can help us in many ways to combat Teen homelessness and Juvenal Social Justice. I will send you the links to the web site in January. As you are celebrating during this holidays please remember how blessed you are and also think of those who are not that fortunate and share some of the glory with them.
Quote of the day:
"Shelters and soup kitchens are not the answer, Collectively, we need to develop a more thoughtful and humane response to homelessness."
Mark Swann, Preble Street's Director,
Thursday, November 26, 2009
CHANGE THE WORLD , TOUCH A HEART......
Today is very significant to many people for many reasons. To an estimate 2.5 million Muslims who are in Mecca to perform 'hajj' one of five pillars of Islam, its the day of Arafah, the peak of all the rituals they are performing. And to Americans from all walk of life its the Thanksgiving 2009, a day set aside to feast and be thankful for all the blessings God have bestowed on us, as Americans and also a day to kick off the holiday season.. but one event that dominates our TV sets tonight is 'CNN Hero of the Year' awards' live telecast. I think it is important that somebody says thank you to those wonderful people from all walks of lives across the world who are making the world a better place to live. They help change lives, dreams realized and hopes restored, not because they will be paid but because someone have to do it. to some of them the only thing that get them going is the smile they put other people's faces, the love they spread and the positive options they bring to young people across the world.
My dear friends, all this Heroes need our support, lets support them with what we can, lets volunteer, lets donate our time ,talent and all we can. We are all heroes one way or he other.. and together we can make our world a much better place for the future generations to come, my dear friend you are a hero too.
Quote of the day:
' And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you ' ~Mariah Carey~
My dear friends, all this Heroes need our support, lets support them with what we can, lets volunteer, lets donate our time ,talent and all we can. We are all heroes one way or he other.. and together we can make our world a much better place for the future generations to come, my dear friend you are a hero too.
Quote of the day:
' And then a hero comes along With the strength to carry on And you cast your fears aside And you know you can survive So when you feel like hope is gone Look inside you and be strong And you'll finally see the truth That a hero lies in you ' ~Mariah Carey~
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
FROM 'COSTUMELAND WITH LOVE'
Its been almost a month since I last bloged, it doesn't mean I was doing nothing, you know for sure I wasn't on vacation. I have been hired by PROP ( people regional opportunity program) a community service providing program that have a lot of awesome programs in more than three 'Cities' in southern Maine. My new part time job (10 hrs a week), is fun because I work with young adolescents who live in a neighborhood call Parkside. They a very diverse in age and ethnicity etc. that is what is new except that for the first time since I have been in this country I went to a Halloween party.......
Halloween for Charity?
I was invited by my a friend to come out on Halloween after I voiced it out allowed that apart from going trick or treating with my kids I have never done or been to any Halloween party. So I was invited to this party at a community space call the 'space gallery' its a non -profit non space that host presentations, dialogues and many other events. I believed the Halloween party was a fund raiser. Any way I went and the place was maxed up. but the guys at the gate did me a favor, collected my ID and ten dollars so I can go look for my friends. I spent close to 5 minutes with out luck because every one was wearing a costume. so i gave up and left and that was the beginning of my night and 'tour'
See Portland Maine have this area call the old port, i am not good at maths so I am not going to go into what its size is, but its a sizable place where people go for parties.Its full of many different clubs and it doesn't matter what kind of music or drink or life style you are into, there is somewhere for you to go. I think it is diversity in action.
I head towards the old port and it looked like it was new year's eve, there was a lot of people in many different costumes. I went from one place to the other I couldn't get into any club because they were all full so I wondered around feeling like ' a tourist in costume land' for a couple of hours before I decided to go home. As I always do, I started reflecting and thinking of how to use such a vibrant occasion to benefit others. I am going to ask a couple of organizations in Portland to join hands and organize an all day long costume competition where people will pay to watch and compete and raise money for a good cause.
Halloween for Charity?
I was invited by my a friend to come out on Halloween after I voiced it out allowed that apart from going trick or treating with my kids I have never done or been to any Halloween party. So I was invited to this party at a community space call the 'space gallery' its a non -profit non space that host presentations, dialogues and many other events. I believed the Halloween party was a fund raiser. Any way I went and the place was maxed up. but the guys at the gate did me a favor, collected my ID and ten dollars so I can go look for my friends. I spent close to 5 minutes with out luck because every one was wearing a costume. so i gave up and left and that was the beginning of my night and 'tour'
See Portland Maine have this area call the old port, i am not good at maths so I am not going to go into what its size is, but its a sizable place where people go for parties.Its full of many different clubs and it doesn't matter what kind of music or drink or life style you are into, there is somewhere for you to go. I think it is diversity in action.
I head towards the old port and it looked like it was new year's eve, there was a lot of people in many different costumes. I went from one place to the other I couldn't get into any club because they were all full so I wondered around feeling like ' a tourist in costume land' for a couple of hours before I decided to go home. As I always do, I started reflecting and thinking of how to use such a vibrant occasion to benefit others. I am going to ask a couple of organizations in Portland to join hands and organize an all day long costume competition where people will pay to watch and compete and raise money for a good cause.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Mixed feelings
So as expected the last day of Ramadan was last Saturday September 25Th, and I had a big turn out at the soup kitchen. On Sunday morning, I went to Eid,( the big after Ramadan community prayer) with my daughter and spend the rest of the day visiting a couple of friends. It was interesting the number of Muslims that call Portland Maine home now. I counted close to a thousand two hundred...
Unfortunately for me that Saturday was not just the last day of Ramadan 09, it was also the last day for an 18 year, young man who to me represents what I have always believed ' most young people are not bad they just make bad choices' and with the right resources and support , they can turn their lives around'
I met Guy Kitoko when I was working for PROP'S (People Regional Opportunity Program) Peer Leader Program at Riverton Park, one of Portland Maine's so called 'not so good' neighborhoods' . The program is one of three 'youth resiliency project' that PROP provided to youth in low income neighborhoods who the system have tagged as 'At Risk Youth'
Guy(ghee) was one of many teen boys that I was very close to, I will go to their schools and make enquiries about their progress or otherwise, go to their homes and check in with their parents on how they were doing and of course they thought I was a 'pain' but we did had a kind of mutual respect. Our relationship have had its ups and downs in the course of the years that I was there. Guy was one of the kids that I find very interested and challenging because he was very reserved and quite.Any time there is a problem , he was the one that was hard for me to get any information out of, because he will not 'snitch'. The only information I can get out of him is about Him, if he knew or took part in whatever it was and its not much of a problem most of the time. Its either someone took the keys to the food closet
whiles I was not looking to go and bring out some snack I was saving for another day, or something silly happened at school and I was trying to get to the bottom of it, it doesn't matter if the issue is small or big, Guy will not tell on anyone.
In June 2008 the program was closed after 25 years of service to young people, that did not stop the relationship we had with the youth we were serving. Below is a newspaper story on him.. Rest in Peace My friend..
http://www.pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=285031&ac=PHnws
my quote for the day is ;
'We are not here forever, Treat Each day,Each friendship,and Each person in your life like a gift from the Heavens, Share your Heart and your Passion with the world'.... pious ali
Unfortunately for me that Saturday was not just the last day of Ramadan 09, it was also the last day for an 18 year, young man who to me represents what I have always believed ' most young people are not bad they just make bad choices' and with the right resources and support , they can turn their lives around'
I met Guy Kitoko when I was working for PROP'S (People Regional Opportunity Program) Peer Leader Program at Riverton Park, one of Portland Maine's so called 'not so good' neighborhoods' . The program is one of three 'youth resiliency project' that PROP provided to youth in low income neighborhoods who the system have tagged as 'At Risk Youth'
Guy(ghee) was one of many teen boys that I was very close to, I will go to their schools and make enquiries about their progress or otherwise, go to their homes and check in with their parents on how they were doing and of course they thought I was a 'pain' but we did had a kind of mutual respect. Our relationship have had its ups and downs in the course of the years that I was there. Guy was one of the kids that I find very interested and challenging because he was very reserved and quite.Any time there is a problem , he was the one that was hard for me to get any information out of, because he will not 'snitch'. The only information I can get out of him is about Him, if he knew or took part in whatever it was and its not much of a problem most of the time. Its either someone took the keys to the food closet
whiles I was not looking to go and bring out some snack I was saving for another day, or something silly happened at school and I was trying to get to the bottom of it, it doesn't matter if the issue is small or big, Guy will not tell on anyone.In June 2008 the program was closed after 25 years of service to young people, that did not stop the relationship we had with the youth we were serving. Below is a newspaper story on him.. Rest in Peace My friend..
http://www.pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=285031&ac=PHnws
my quote for the day is ;
'We are not here forever, Treat Each day,Each friendship,and Each person in your life like a gift from the Heavens, Share your Heart and your Passion with the world'.... pious ali
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Beauty of America.
On Friday afternoon I had the privilege of hanging out with a group of kids from an after school program in Portland I was invited by the staff to come and be part of adults who are sharing their traditional holidays with the kids. Not only did I shared but I also learn from others. Some are similar to mine others are very different but at the end of the day, I left there reflecting on how the Beauty of this country lies in its diverse nature.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
IT's GONNA BE A LONG FAITHFULL COMPASSIONATE WEEKEND....
I hope that this time of year empowers us to involve ourselves in acts of social justice, tolerance , acceptance and taking care for the ‘other’, this week is one of the most spiritual and cultural diverse week of the year. I pray that we will take another step towards getting to know each other and accept others for who they are, I hope we will join our neighbors, friends co workers in celebrating their holidays and ours as well.
If you are reading this and you are celebrating any of the holidays that will be listed please feel free to comment and share the importance of the holiday with us all. That way we all get to learn from each other. If there is any holiday missing from the list please feel free to add it.
Monday Sept 14 was ' Holy cross day ( Christians remember the death of Christ on the cross)
Today is lailat Kadr, or Islamic Night of Destiny
Saturday -Sunday RushHashanah, (Jewish New Year)
Sunday /Monday Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan feast)
Its going to be a long weekend of festivities and prayer and service .... as you embark on this long festive weekend please remember those who have less than you and share what you can with them...
If you are reading this and you are celebrating any of the holidays that will be listed please feel free to comment and share the importance of the holiday with us all. That way we all get to learn from each other. If there is any holiday missing from the list please feel free to add it.
Monday Sept 14 was ' Holy cross day ( Christians remember the death of Christ on the cross)
Today is lailat Kadr, or Islamic Night of Destiny
Saturday -Sunday RushHashanah, (Jewish New Year)
Sunday /Monday Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan feast)
Its going to be a long weekend of festivities and prayer and service .... as you embark on this long festive weekend please remember those who have less than you and share what you can with them...
Monday, September 14, 2009
A call to action....
SUNDAY SEPT 13
6:30 AM
My phone rung at 6:am and the voice at the other end said 'hey we are on our way' it was my friend Jonathan Sherman who lives about 45-60 min South of Portland calling to let me know that he is on his way to come joined us at the soup kitchen, where I have been volunteering on weekends with a group of young people mostly Muslims as part of their service in the month of Ramadan , but this morning I have a different group of young people they are very diverse , they are here to join their Muslims friends as they perform a religious and community service.
All the youth I am volunteering with today have one thing in common, they have all been to the Seeds of Peace camp except two . We spent the next hour prepping and cooking breakfast for the homeless population who are waiting outside for the soup kitchen to be open.The Youth were excited about the whole process and were giving it their best, for me it is an experiment in bringing this young people from different faith and culture background with the passion to serve others, together under one roof working side by side. I am going to continue this after Ramadan, it will be a monthly process after which we will have debriefing moments and see how I can work with this young people in translating this process into working with each other to help our community solve the current tension that is going on between the youth and the police. Ramadan ends in a couple of days we have another week end reserved for us to volunteer. I have a meeting with the NAACP youth council I m going to invite them to join us and the youth from another organisation, the Root Cellar, a christian non-profit in Portland Maine that serves very diverse group. I hope we have a big turn out next Saturday which will be the last time we will be volunteering this Month. I am hoping to turn this into a coalitions of young people who are ready and willing to change our community...
I had a very fulfilling weekend, I and a group of young people from different backgrounds went to the preble street wayside soup kitchen and had fun prepping, making and serving breakfast.
6:30 AM
My phone rung at 6:am and the voice at the other end said 'hey we are on our way' it was my friend Jonathan Sherman who lives about 45-60 min South of Portland calling to let me know that he is on his way to come joined us at the soup kitchen, where I have been volunteering on weekends with a group of young people mostly Muslims as part of their service in the month of Ramadan , but this morning I have a different group of young people they are very diverse , they are here to join their Muslims friends as they perform a religious and community service.
All the youth I am volunteering with today have one thing in common, they have all been to the Seeds of Peace camp except two . We spent the next hour prepping and cooking breakfast for the homeless population who are waiting outside for the soup kitchen to be open.The Youth were excited about the whole process and were giving it their best, for me it is an experiment in bringing this young people from different faith and culture background with the passion to serve others, together under one roof working side by side. I am going to continue this after Ramadan, it will be a monthly process after which we will have debriefing moments and see how I can work with this young people in translating this process into working with each other to help our community solve the current tension that is going on between the youth and the police. Ramadan ends in a couple of days we have another week end reserved for us to volunteer. I have a meeting with the NAACP youth council I m going to invite them to join us and the youth from another organisation, the Root Cellar, a christian non-profit in Portland Maine that serves very diverse group. I hope we have a big turn out next Saturday which will be the last time we will be volunteering this Month. I am hoping to turn this into a coalitions of young people who are ready and willing to change our community...
I had a very fulfilling weekend, I and a group of young people from different backgrounds went to the preble street wayside soup kitchen and had fun prepping, making and serving breakfast.
Friday, September 11, 2009
A NEW WORLD WAS BORN....... LET PEACE PREVAIL.
Eight years ago at exactly 9-11 am , this country's path was redirected and the history of the world was change, a change that will be a catalyst to many more changes that affected every one in the world who was alive and every person that will be born for many generations to come. But for me one of the change is the fact that it did prompted a lot of people to actually reach out to others and to engage each other, not only in this country but through out the world than ever before.
For me today is a day that I will continue saying good morning to the stranger I will meet in the elevator, at the post office or simply on the street. Today represent taking the time to ask the homeless person sitting on the bench how their day is going ? or ask the the young person I will sit next to in the bus about their day at school.. Today is a day I will pray for a peaceful world where people are treated just because of who they are, irrespective of their social status, age, faith , race,education or sexual orientation. Today I pray for all the victims of 9-11 dead or alive May you have peace.
today's quote is:
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Quran 4:23
For me today is a day that I will continue saying good morning to the stranger I will meet in the elevator, at the post office or simply on the street. Today represent taking the time to ask the homeless person sitting on the bench how their day is going ? or ask the the young person I will sit next to in the bus about their day at school.. Today is a day I will pray for a peaceful world where people are treated just because of who they are, irrespective of their social status, age, faith , race,education or sexual orientation. Today I pray for all the victims of 9-11 dead or alive May you have peace.
today's quote is:
O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Quran 4:23
Friday, September 4, 2009
An Opportunity to Serve Others.....
Its been almost 2 weeks since Ramadan began, for the past 3 Ramadans , Myself and a group of Muslims youth from Portland go to the soup kitchen every Saturday to volunteer , to give back to this community that have given so much to us as immigrants. Islam requires us as members of our community to volunteer especially in Ramadan. I remember when I was growing up my grandfather will always ask me and my cousins to go around homes of older people and others who are less fortunate than us to pass bags of provisions ( milk, sugar and bread) it is a tradition that have been in my family for generations and anytime we show sign of being tired , he will say ' this is an opportunity for you to learn how to serve others don't let it pass by' that is the kind of giving that shaped my perception of community as I was growing up.
I am very fortunate to have equally determined young friends who are willing to give their time in the service of others in Ramadan. This year due to the high volume of volunteers (as a lot of people have lost their jobs) we are able secure only two Saturdays the 5Th and the the 19Th of September.
I also did ask my friends on FB to donate one lunch to a soup kitchen during the month of Ramadan and I did get response from close to 25 people from across the world saying they did or will donate more than one lunch. I don't think any one should go hungry because they cant afford to buy food. Ramadan ends in two weeks please if you haven't yet, there is more food in the world now than ever, Please donate one lunch to a soup kitchen near you before September 19TH.
Todays quote
"Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan's brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord." (Qur'an 17:26 - 27)
I am very fortunate to have equally determined young friends who are willing to give their time in the service of others in Ramadan. This year due to the high volume of volunteers (as a lot of people have lost their jobs) we are able secure only two Saturdays the 5Th and the the 19Th of September.
I also did ask my friends on FB to donate one lunch to a soup kitchen during the month of Ramadan and I did get response from close to 25 people from across the world saying they did or will donate more than one lunch. I don't think any one should go hungry because they cant afford to buy food. Ramadan ends in two weeks please if you haven't yet, there is more food in the world now than ever, Please donate one lunch to a soup kitchen near you before September 19TH.
Todays quote
"Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan's brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord." (Qur'an 17:26 - 27)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
SIDE WALK ART...
It is hot already, and its only 9am, we will be having a hot day, so the weather man said and there is going to be rain/thunder/ something storm later in the day I am happy about that so far as nobod
y gets hurt or if it happens after I have returned from the WCSH 6 side walk art show . The art shows covered almost 9 blocks of Portland's congress street. There er artist from as far as Philly. But the one artist that made me feel like I am part of the art not just an observer is a gentleman who have travel through Africa taking pictures of everyday people from the country side. I saw beautiful black and white pictures from many African Countries. The event attracted many artists including many street 
performers whose presence added another artistic touch to the beautiful day.
Friday, August 21, 2009
RAMADHAN 101.....
Today is the beginning of the Month of Ramadhan , which is the Ninth of the Islamic Lunar calendar It is the Islamic month in which participating Muslims fast by refraining from eating, drinking, sexual conduct, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; Fasting is meant to teach patience, modesty and spirituality. Ramadhan is a time to fast for the sake of Allah (God) and to offer more prayer than usual. Muslims also believed through good actions, they get rewarded seventy times as much as they normally can achieve. During Ramaḍān, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. Ramadhan was the month in which the first verses of the Muslim holy book the Quran were revealed to Muslim prophet Muhammad.
For the next 30 days starting from tomorrow as a Muslim, I will be fasting from dawn to sunset which means i have to give up coffee or bagel or my favorite el grey tea at the north Star cafe or any where for that matter. It is also a time for those that have a lot to feel how the most vulnerable members of our society feel when they cant afford to have three square meals. Islam teaches us to be very giving to take care of the poor amongst us
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. It has been an integral part of all major religions. The Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days before he was called to prophethood (Matthew 4:2). Similarly Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days and nights before he was given the Law (Exodus 24:18).
For more information on this topic please check the following websites.
http://www.islamicfinder.org
http://www.islamicity.com
Quote of the day:
O who believe, fasting is decreed for you
as it was decreed for those before you;
perchance you will guard yourselves.
...
The month of Ramadan is the month
in which the Koran was sent down,
a guidance for the people,
and clear verses of guidance and
criterion.
[Quran: Chapter 2, 183]
For the next 30 days starting from tomorrow as a Muslim, I will be fasting from dawn to sunset which means i have to give up coffee or bagel or my favorite el grey tea at the north Star cafe or any where for that matter. It is also a time for those that have a lot to feel how the most vulnerable members of our society feel when they cant afford to have three square meals. Islam teaches us to be very giving to take care of the poor amongst us
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam. It has been an integral part of all major religions. The Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days before he was called to prophethood (Matthew 4:2). Similarly Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) fasted for forty days and nights before he was given the Law (Exodus 24:18).
For more information on this topic please check the following websites.
http://www.islamicfinder.org
http://www.islamicity.com
Quote of the day:
O who believe, fasting is decreed for you
as it was decreed for those before you;
perchance you will guard yourselves.
...
The month of Ramadan is the month
in which the Koran was sent down,
a guidance for the people,
and clear verses of guidance and
criterion.
[Quran: Chapter 2, 183]
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
GO JENNA !GO JENNA!! GO!!!
My good friend Jenna Vendil invited me to the launching of her campaign for the school committee. Jenna is a community activist, she has a long list of working on many issues in Maine that had led to change. She has the kind of values we need in our school committee. The gathering have a sample o
f Portland's diverse community and there were other people collecting signatures for either upcoming is
sues or other people who will be standing for election in November. I wonder how many issues will be on this year's midterm elections and how many times I am 
going be asked to sign a petition. Its a long way to November and a long way for my friend hopefully she is going to win.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
PORTLAND IS NOT JUST ABOUT LAW SUIT..... THERE IS CELEBRATION
In the middle of a sunny day, on East end's North street in the middle of the dog park a group of people are creating their own world, a reel world at least for the next 48 hours, they are a part of a group of independent movie makers who are competing to make short movies within the next 48 hours. I think this is one of many arts oriented events taking place this weekend.
The Museum of African Culture is a land mark in Portland It was started eleven years ago by Oscar Mokeme a Nigerian from the Igbo tribe , to day he is having a party to celebrate the community that have supported the museum all this while. Even though it was supposed to be an African event, the line up of the performance include a Balkan belly dancing duo that entertained the group and get some members of the audience to join them. There African art and craft food . I had a
lot of fan watching all the performances in a hot sunny summer day... along side Portland's diversity crowd.
Friday, August 14, 2009
MCLU, THE CITY AND THE ZONING OF 'HOLY GROUNDS'
I have received a couple of emails from some friends asking for my opinion on the on going law suit filed by the Maine Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the Afghan Muslim community against the City of Portland. After reading some of the comments on Portland Press herald's website I decided to share my opinion.
Almost a year or more ago the the MCLU and the greater Portland's faith community came out in numbers to support Rabbi Moshe Wilinsky when he was forced into the lime light over same zoning issues. The City of Portland prides itself to the most diverse in the State of Maine and one of the most diverse in the country. I think some of the challenges that comes with diversity or growth is Change, which is difficult to do. I have heard some people say 'when in Rome do what Romans do' .I totally agree with that on certain issues but when it comes to a person's freedom to worship , irrespective of what faith it is we need to look at it. I don't know how city hall operates but my suggestion will be for the city's zoning board to amend some of its rules and meet the demand of the growing city, It doesn't have to change all the rules. From what I read in Portland press Herald, some members of the Afghan Community went around the neighborhood to meet their neighbors and one of the residents actually said she doesn't think it s a problem having the mosque there. the city of Portland's spokes person was also quoted as saying that they are still having dialogue with the Afghan community I think that is great they should continue on that path. It is possible to come to some sort of compromise on both sides....
Quote of he day:
"They are very nice people. We have no troubles with a mosque," . "I'd rather have them than a bar." Amelia Waterhouse Resident of Washington Ave neighborhood for more than 20 years.
* photo courtesy of Fox23 Portland. online.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
GOING HOME IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS CHANGE
I was at the counselors' lounge with my lap top thinking of how am I going to transition back to my everyday day life .. when I fell asleepAt 1 am I herd the bell rung a couple of times, and I was wondering what was going on, why is Wil Smith ringing the bell at this hour?(some campers were trying to be ridiculous) . I thought everyone is supposed to be sleeping? I was wrong, I am awake and so are others, We might be thinking of the same thing how are we going to transition back into our everyday life.. for me an adult it might be easy to adjust but for the young campers who just went through vigorous co-existence, respect, team work and what have you in three weeks, might be harder. Across from where I was sitting are two friends one a delegation leader and the other a Seeds Of Peace employee from the region, the employee shook my hand and said she was leaving she was catching an early morning flight , we said the normal 'its nice meting you' blah blah blah as she was leaving to go get ready it dawned on me I will be going
through this process all day as the campers and some staff members start leaving in about 4 hours, It was 4 am....The first bus drove through the camp grounds and parked between where we always line up and the 'filed' people were all over the place hugging, kissing, taking pictures and sharing memorable and priceless moments that happened within the past three weeks, the same spot was busting with music and drumming when the campers were arriving three weeks ago and now its a different story because we have to say good bye..
by the time the last bus left the camp grounds it was around noon and I have tried over and over to hold back my tears either because I saw two campers crying or I got hugged by a camper. I was hugged by this camper who I think is the youngest camper. He came to my notice one day at line up when he was trying to jump over the head rest of a bench he was sitting on, his counselor was asking him to stop and he was smiling . I was sitting right behind him and in my head I was thinking ' gee this kid looks like trouble' as if he was reading my mind he smiled and said ' what is your name' ? I said I will only tell you my name if we will become friends, he agreed and I mentioned my name .. he responded by saying 'my name is 'Z'. since then we have been friends at camp. Today I was avoiding walking into him, but its a camp ground not New York City, it was only a matter of minutes before he came to me with that same infectious smile and gave me hug, I saw his eyes tweaking trying to hold back his tears then my heart gave in, I tried hard to hold back my tears, but the moment was too powerful than me, too meaningful so I let it go, I cried and walked away from the crowd whiles I was processing the moment.
CHANGE
I decided to stay and go home the next day, so that I can come up with my own transitioning plan, back to my everyday life. After dinner I did engaged in bits of chit chats with other staff members before I went to bed early and fell asleep right away.I woke up in the morning and packed all my staff , took a shower and joined others at the same spot we said good bye to the campers the day before, our bus pulled up five of us going to five different places jumped in as the others were hugging us and saying good byes. On our way i started thinking what it means going home for me and for the four others in the bus . One person was going to India, another to western New York, the third to Connecticut the fourth Amman Jordan and the fifth guy I think was going to Boston Mass. I think we are following the steps of the campers as we taking the very first step towards the change we each want to see in our communities, schools and our countries.
Today's quote :
' To be the change you want to see in the world, you don't have to be loud. You don't have to be eloquent. You don't have to be elected. You don't even have to be particularly smart or well educated. You do, however, have to be committed.'
~ author unknown'
Monday, August 10, 2009
NECERSSARY GOOD BYES ( Seeds Of Peace Camp)
Monday August 10Th
I don't like good byes,but some times you have to embrace reality no matter how difficult it may be. Today is the last time we will have the Maine Seeds in the dialogue hut as a group.Its the wrap up session, the 'dream is coming to
an end'As I walk down the dialogue alley on my way to our hut I can tell from the looks on the faces of my fellow facilitators that , they wish they have the power to freeze time..
What happens in dialogue stays in dialogue
We have taking a solemn 'oath' to not share a single word of what happens in dialogue, so I cant share what happened during our session, but it was so great that I wish I can share with you, because if you are reading this chances are you might have been following my entries since three weeks ago and have never had the chance to read about what happens inside the 'deer hut'. I think its okay to shed light on some things without being very specific. The Maine Seeds have come a long way this session. Our dialogue came to a stand still a couple of days before camp ends, we were worried of what will happen or how to get the group t
o move forward.Then out of no where they came back strong not only in dialogue but with other camp activities such as grou
p challenge. In my line of work whether as a mentor or a staff in any program ,I have always believe in any youth I work with, in their capability to do all they can to get to where they are supposed to be. I believe that every young person have the resiliency to redirect their energy towards a good cause if they are giving the right tools and that is what this camp is about. Seeds of Peace have all the tools and support that makes young people believe in themselves and what hey can do as a group or individuals irrespective of who they are or where they come from. Yes its okay for a few of them to not be part of the energy now but I hope that they will re-connect with their peers once they go home and realized how much their lives and perception about everything have changed. Seeds of Peace have layers of support for this young leaders to effect change in their communities, and the world.Dialogue was heavy today, we did touch on transitioning back to their everyday lives and how to deal with the response they will get from their friends once they start talking about their experiences here. It was difficult having that conversation some were holding back tears as they talk about what the relationships they have built this past three weeks means to them. When I heard the bell for the end of each of the sessions I tried had to hold back my tears.....
The fact that camp officially ends today is hitting us all (campers and staff ) hard, even though we know it was coming from the first day we arrived, but I guess we are just human and we can only control certain things, unfortunately time is not one of those and it does not wait for
no one.After dinner we went to the big hall and watched about an hour long slide of photographs of everything that happened on camp thanks to Bobbie the co-founder of Seeds of Peace and 3 other staff members who were on top of that. Most of the seeds of peace pictures on this blog is coming from Bobbie. I couldn't sleep so I spent time updating this blog. and I am wondering if I will be crying when I saw the last bus drive past the FIELD, or when I start walking back to my cabin and pack to go back home to my every day life...
Below is a quote we share with the group hope you will like it:
Forgive me, God, for remaining aloof when others are in need of my assistance.
Wake me up, God; ignite my passion, fill me with outrage. Remind me that I am responsible for Your world. Don't allow me to stand idly by. Inspire me to act. Teach me to believe that I can repair some corner of this world.
When I despair, fill me with hope. When I doubt my strength, fill me with faith. When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I lose direction, show me the way back to meaning, back to compassion, back to You. Amen.
~2002 Naomi Levy~
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i guess what i am saying is i would keep it real...be real.