Dear DHF Family,
Check out our Spring newsletter at http://www.lendhope.org/CultivateHope%20Spring%202009.htm
Sending Love to you!
Maggie
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Literacy Launch
I have been in the comfort of my computer screen the past two days, preparing an endless list of things for this week. Last week I spent no time in the comfort of my computer. On Friday and Saturday I went out to visit two different literacy groups. The groups are both in the countryside, at least a half an hour walk from the highway, all mud, and in our case last week, all rain. The two groups that have started literacy classes again are the same two groups that finished with the Ministry of Education last year. They have requested more classes; to review, learn more words, practice making correct change for their purchases (math), learn how to write letters and official documents. Things that will help them in their everyday life; life literacy is what we are doing. Since we aren't working hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Education this year (which in part has it's benefits, like not chasing the Yes Man who always says Yes, but never does anything) our literacy teachers have creatively invented a pre-post test to administer to the groups. We are planning to measure their learning successes through these tests, the first which was just given this weekend. Take a look:
Paz ~ Nora
Paz ~ Nora
Friday, March 13, 2009
Sweet End Note
This busy week ended on a sweet note. On Thursday and Friday DHF held a bakery classes where 20 women learned how to make 4 different cakes and pies. Everyone agreed that the best part of class was the end when we got to try all 4 cakes and pies. I was really overwhelmed by the interest in this class and really all the classes we have offered so far this year. We had to turn away 10 other women that wanted to join us during class. *Note: Don't despair, another cake and pie class will be offered next month. But this phenomenon of women turning out in high numbers for classes has happened with every class that we have offered this year. For this coming week I have organized a T-shirt stamping class. FULL. I have to start a waiting list already for the next T-shirt stamping class for next month. The good news out of all of this is that we have the space to accomodate the interest. Now, I just have to fill the space.Paz ~ Nora
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Courage
The Hope House is now open and I let out a great proud sigh this morning after reading Nora's blog. For the women, who voiced what they wanted. For Nora, who works with courage and conviction every day in a difficult environment. For DHF, who is working on consistently creating opportunities for people to invent their own vision through their own intelligence and resourcefulness.
Every step of the work seems like a milestone. This is true for all of us. I know the cocoon of fear and doubt. We all know fear. I recall a mentor in San Diego calling it F.E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real). Our world grows smaller and smaller with every fear. And then, fear gives rise to pain that pushes…until the vision pulls.
And so I ask you to consider:
What step would you take today if you were brave?
How we spend our days is how we spend our lives!
Substance responds to your faith in it.
Next up on our being brave list:
Play for Hope with the Baylor Women’s Soccer ladies who are “playing” big, feel free to send it forward to youth soccer players you know in Texas
Healing Home initiative to construct new kitchens and long-term health behaviors with the strength of 30 families in poverty who want to create healthy homes for their children.
DHF Summer Supper Circles—ambassadors like you hosting grassroots dinners/events in their homes all over this country with the goal of owning a piece of a DHF initiative.
To illumination, MM
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Hope House is Open!
Believe it or not (I almost can't believe it), but DiscoverHope Fund moved into Hope House, Development Center for the loan recipients, yesterday. The day we were re-programmed to move in. The handy man was still painting the kitchen and cleaning the floors, (we are in Peru) but we got everything up and running for our first activity today! We held the first of a series of leadership workshops this afternoon and had 17 participants with much space to move around. We weren't squeezed in together like our classes before. The women commented about how lovely, bigger and better this new space is.After our leadership workshop this afternoon there was a lot of busy chaos; women signing up for classes, asking about our inauguration, returning materials, etc... And Hermila, one of the leadership participants, found her way next to me and asked me in a soft voice, "if you know anyone who needs their clothes washed, I need more money and I can do it." I was frozen. All the excitement of moving forward clashed with the realization that there is so much work to be done. I hope I do justice to make the doors of the Hope House open new doors of possibilities for Hermila and all the other women that are lacking a little bit to reach their needs, aspirations and dreams.
Besides the big work DHF still has ahead of us, there are a number of things to do to make our new space workable, welcoming and fully equipped, but we are in! The keys are in my hand. There is shopping to be done. The Hope House is up and running! Thanks to all of you who supported us here in Cajamarca to make this a reality. Truly, this is momentous and exciting.
Paz ~ Nora
Friday, March 6, 2009
Live Simply. Love Generously. Pay it Forward.
Dear DHF Family, I saw the title above recently at the bottom of an email signature line. I thought— what an amazing way to not only represent WHAT you are, but an awesome way to live.
It’s been an extremely busy week, filled with the experience of meeting intriguing, intelligent, loving people who are changing the world. These people and each one of you is growing DHF in ways that are beyond my imagination. This reminds me of what Lao-Tzu calls the “Three Treasures” in the 67th verse of his timeless writing, the Tao Te Ching: compassion, simplicity, and humility.
Compassion: Think of others (first!) by being willing to exhibit kindness and love. What if you think of everyone the way you think of yourself? They too have unbounded joys, needs, deep sorrows, constant worries, unmet needs, hopes for their lives. If we SAW people this way, we would see the great gift in front of through everyone, our teachers.
Simplicity: Be willing to take only what you need with a lack of attachment to it. The less attachment you have, the more you can give generously.
Humility: Surrendering to a force greater than your ego. Great leaders are grateful, generous servants.
February ended on a high note last week with our “Planting Seeds of Hope” event at the Great Outdoors. About 75 folks were graced by the gorgeous atmosphere of the nursery as we were tucked away so that guests strolled their way through a luminaria-l
it pathway. The evening was simply magical; the people who turned out were filled with Light and a common desire to be part of the fabric of the Hope House, our women’s development center in Peru. The TX evening was filled with warm wind and the sound of 15 foot deep chimes that provided a miraculous backdrop for our presentation. One of my favorite stories of the evening rooted with a friend Ahmed, who bough 10 necklaces to send to the women in his family in the cities of Chittagong and Dhaka in Bangladesh. Talk about connecting the world, powerful women to power women, all wanting the same thing—to care for their families. That moved me.
We raised over $6000 to open the doors of the Hope House. If you missed the event and want to be part of this place of power, we continuously seek to raise funds to sponsor classes for the women inside the walls. I am simply filled with Gratitude for the volunteers who created this vision while I was in Peru and led the DHF guests to an inspired evening.
Nora and I wait anxiously for Monday March 9…when the final inspection of the Hope House takes place and the keys get put into her hand. We’ve both worked so much on the brokering of the Hope House and want to start enjoying it. The contract is signed (after many Spanish revisionsJ) and the money has been wired to Peru for Nora to start shopping to fill it up…sewing machines for classes, shelves and resource books for literacy classes, kitchenware for cooking classes, tables and chairs for women to come into. I know Nora is set to go, as she already has 9 classes pre-scheduled for this month based on what women have asked for!
March whipped in with opportunities to meet brilliant people. First, I was invited to speak at the Austin Women in Technology conference to speak about Leadership Power. The theme for the conference was “The Power of One, the power of many.” I found myself couched between my two other panelists who taught me so much about being a woman Leader. One of the panelists spoke about Being on Purpose and Being Resilient. We had an amazing group discussion about the resilience and vulnerability that come with being entrepreneurs. I’ve mentioned that before, a true and honest part of this wild ride.
On Monday March 2, someone (unknown) nominated DiscoverHope to be featured amongst Austin’s young philanthropists in the upcoming digital issue of Giving City Austin. I will let you all know when the issue goes live—but talk about humbling! I was honored to share an evening with nearly 40 young philanthropists. I walked away literally on fire with Life and Energy.
The week, I enjoyed the networking during RISE Austin, entrepreneurs giving freely to entrepreneurs. I attended about seven sessions to help DHF’s work grow, including subjects like using social media for growing your organization and engaging the Latino community. I was also a host for a session, How to Start a Nonprofit, where I had the pleasure of sitting with nearly 15 folks with nonprofit visions. I am thankful to be part of their paths and hope my session helps them on their journeys. I also met some lit-up ladies at the Austin Women Entrepreneurs mixer and the week ended with another dose of woman power as I sat amongst the ladies of Dell Computers at the W.I.S.E. Women gathering.
Last but not least, I wrapped it all up by listening to an unbelievable entrepreneur, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, founded here in Austin. Last night he lovingly versed several hundred people on conscious capitalism and the not-so-secret success of Whole Foods. He noted that conscious capitalism has three components: 1) a higher purpose 2) considers stakeholders on every level of the organization 3) leaders are servants to the organization. It was really fascinating listening to this man who puts his employees (team members) first on the stakeholder list, knowing that they will serve the customers well because they are valued as employees. That brings people coming back, and helps profit, which the investors as stakeholders like. He spoke about his role as a servant to Whole Foods, seeing himself as a person who is on this planet to assist others, not to make money as his purpose. I left once again, humbled, inspired, and ready for another day as a Leader.
To being leaders who are eager to serve the world, MM
It’s been an extremely busy week, filled with the experience of meeting intriguing, intelligent, loving people who are changing the world. These people and each one of you is growing DHF in ways that are beyond my imagination. This reminds me of what Lao-Tzu calls the “Three Treasures” in the 67th verse of his timeless writing, the Tao Te Ching: compassion, simplicity, and humility.
Compassion: Think of others (first!) by being willing to exhibit kindness and love. What if you think of everyone the way you think of yourself? They too have unbounded joys, needs, deep sorrows, constant worries, unmet needs, hopes for their lives. If we SAW people this way, we would see the great gift in front of through everyone, our teachers.
Simplicity: Be willing to take only what you need with a lack of attachment to it. The less attachment you have, the more you can give generously.
Humility: Surrendering to a force greater than your ego. Great leaders are grateful, generous servants.
February ended on a high note last week with our “Planting Seeds of Hope” event at the Great Outdoors. About 75 folks were graced by the gorgeous atmosphere of the nursery as we were tucked away so that guests strolled their way through a luminaria-l
it pathway. The evening was simply magical; the people who turned out were filled with Light and a common desire to be part of the fabric of the Hope House, our women’s development center in Peru. The TX evening was filled with warm wind and the sound of 15 foot deep chimes that provided a miraculous backdrop for our presentation. One of my favorite stories of the evening rooted with a friend Ahmed, who bough 10 necklaces to send to the women in his family in the cities of Chittagong and Dhaka in Bangladesh. Talk about connecting the world, powerful women to power women, all wanting the same thing—to care for their families. That moved me.We raised over $6000 to open the doors of the Hope House. If you missed the event and want to be part of this place of power, we continuously seek to raise funds to sponsor classes for the women inside the walls. I am simply filled with Gratitude for the volunteers who created this vision while I was in Peru and led the DHF guests to an inspired evening.
Nora and I wait anxiously for Monday March 9…when the final inspection of the Hope House takes place and the keys get put into her hand. We’ve both worked so much on the brokering of the Hope House and want to start enjoying it. The contract is signed (after many Spanish revisionsJ) and the money has been wired to Peru for Nora to start shopping to fill it up…sewing machines for classes, shelves and resource books for literacy classes, kitchenware for cooking classes, tables and chairs for women to come into. I know Nora is set to go, as she already has 9 classes pre-scheduled for this month based on what women have asked for!
March whipped in with opportunities to meet brilliant people. First, I was invited to speak at the Austin Women in Technology conference to speak about Leadership Power. The theme for the conference was “The Power of One, the power of many.” I found myself couched between my two other panelists who taught me so much about being a woman Leader. One of the panelists spoke about Being on Purpose and Being Resilient. We had an amazing group discussion about the resilience and vulnerability that come with being entrepreneurs. I’ve mentioned that before, a true and honest part of this wild ride.
On Monday March 2, someone (unknown) nominated DiscoverHope to be featured amongst Austin’s young philanthropists in the upcoming digital issue of Giving City Austin. I will let you all know when the issue goes live—but talk about humbling! I was honored to share an evening with nearly 40 young philanthropists. I walked away literally on fire with Life and Energy.
The week, I enjoyed the networking during RISE Austin, entrepreneurs giving freely to entrepreneurs. I attended about seven sessions to help DHF’s work grow, including subjects like using social media for growing your organization and engaging the Latino community. I was also a host for a session, How to Start a Nonprofit, where I had the pleasure of sitting with nearly 15 folks with nonprofit visions. I am thankful to be part of their paths and hope my session helps them on their journeys. I also met some lit-up ladies at the Austin Women Entrepreneurs mixer and the week ended with another dose of woman power as I sat amongst the ladies of Dell Computers at the W.I.S.E. Women gathering.
Last but not least, I wrapped it all up by listening to an unbelievable entrepreneur, John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, founded here in Austin. Last night he lovingly versed several hundred people on conscious capitalism and the not-so-secret success of Whole Foods. He noted that conscious capitalism has three components: 1) a higher purpose 2) considers stakeholders on every level of the organization 3) leaders are servants to the organization. It was really fascinating listening to this man who puts his employees (team members) first on the stakeholder list, knowing that they will serve the customers well because they are valued as employees. That brings people coming back, and helps profit, which the investors as stakeholders like. He spoke about his role as a servant to Whole Foods, seeing himself as a person who is on this planet to assist others, not to make money as his purpose. I left once again, humbled, inspired, and ready for another day as a Leader.
To being leaders who are eager to serve the world, MM
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The waiting game
I could say I am playing the waiting game. The "test my patience" game. The pull my hair out of my head game. This week there has been no activities or classes planned because the plan was to move into our Community Center space, set things up and make it a welcoming, working space. Alas, I am in Peru. I am at the mercy of Peruvians that work on a different time frame of getting things done. I have gone in circles this week...
I was told Monday.
Monday I was told Wednesday.
Wednesday I was told Thursday.
Today I was told next Monday.
On Monday I will put my faith in Peruvians that they will come through. We will do an inspection of the new space, new keys will be in hand and I will go out that morning and buy tables and chairs. That is the new plan.
I wish I knew the basis of this no hurry attitude. I wish I had the remedy to speed things up. Or if not the remedy, the patience to go at a slower pace. I find that at times I can foster that patience and other times it is no where to be found. Besides running in circles, like a dog chasing his own tail, I have been busy preparing for our first leadership workshop next week, signing women up for bakery class (also next week), and getting our literacy launch under way so that next week we can start literacy classes again with two previous groups from last year.
Now, we only have to wait until Monday.
Finding Paz ~ Nora
I was told Monday.
Monday I was told Wednesday.
Wednesday I was told Thursday.
Today I was told next Monday.
On Monday I will put my faith in Peruvians that they will come through. We will do an inspection of the new space, new keys will be in hand and I will go out that morning and buy tables and chairs. That is the new plan.
I wish I knew the basis of this no hurry attitude. I wish I had the remedy to speed things up. Or if not the remedy, the patience to go at a slower pace. I find that at times I can foster that patience and other times it is no where to be found. Besides running in circles, like a dog chasing his own tail, I have been busy preparing for our first leadership workshop next week, signing women up for bakery class (also next week), and getting our literacy launch under way so that next week we can start literacy classes again with two previous groups from last year.
Now, we only have to wait until Monday.
Finding Paz ~ Nora
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
