Month: April 2024

Child Soldiers in Africa

by 8hummingbirdway

Looking back to Africa

My introduction to the existence of child soldiers was when I learned, perhaps 10 years ago, that one of the largest Literate Earth Project libraries was in Northern Uganda in a refugee camp for child soldiers and other refugees.

[Literate Earth Project was founded by my son when he was in college. This organization built the first libraries in Eastern Africa.]

This was not a matter I could bear to study or learn about, but it has persisted in creeping into my awareness.

I read several times that child soldiers are forced through beatings and rape to do as they are told, including harming others. I truly cannot think of any travesty worse than this.

While in Africa I learned that this theft of young males from their beds often occurs during a fire set by soldiers in remote tribal villages for the purpose of “enlisting” them. I also learned from one who experienced this abduction, that when a child soldier succeeds in escaping or is injured and is left behind, their ordeal is far from over. These children can never return home. They are outcasts; their are ostracized after their ordeal of living a life in which they were forced to to live a life that included killing and raping others. Their families and villages do not want them back.

The plight of child soldiers has impacted my heart and soul. I learned before my journey that our host in Democratic Republic of Congo has made it his work to come to the rescue of child soldiers. This is one of the reasons I was drawn to go to Congo despite the warnings and despite my husband asking me not to go.

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My new sliding scale starts at Zero

by 8hummingbirdway

I want to say first that I am struggling about what to write and when to write. My tendency has been to write first thing in the morning, with the best energy of my day, but I get stuck then at the computer, which is not for my highest wellbeing. My energy dissipates and fizzles out and I have a hard time feeling well and balanced. I am working on solutions for this. It feels important (for my soul) to write. There is a journey here for me that is significant.

As far a what to write, my point of view is not always comfortable for others, or even for me to write about. Also it changes as I change. I am unsure at times where to draw the line and what truths are important to share.

I am so grateful to you, my readers.

This morning has been significant. I realized several things as I sat at my altar, most importantly that I want to assist more people and that I want to have my sliding scale begin at $0. This includes current clients. I want to allow those I help to determine the value of my services and what they want to or can provide in return for my time and help.

I am open to barter.

This has been percolating within me for some time; I am grateful to put it in place.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Thoughts of Africa

by 8hummingbirdway

Looking back to Africa

This morning as I gradually came to full consciousness, my thoughts were of Africa and of the 2 men I met there who are using all their resources to help others in need. These others in need are displaced persons, including child soldiers, who populate refugee camps in northern Uganda and in eastern DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).

My time in Africa has a hold on me, and I am deeply grateful for this. I would not want to return to a self who carries no awareness of the need in Africa … and of those who rise to help. It lives in me – and today it has risen to the surface.

I am disappointed to report that the instruments I rounded up will not make it to DRC until another segment of my family visits Goma next year and brings them as luggage items. The shipping expense was prohibitive and I learned that I can pay 6 months rent for a field that is used to grow potatoes and cabbage and more for that amount. This is what I have chosen to do.

I pray that they will get to the hands they are meant for – despite world events. I know the healing that music can provide.

This week I sent $100 using the new website for Remember Youth for Change – which I will share here as soon as I have confirmation that the funds have arrived. This is the monthly rent for the field I mentioned. Or it could go to training for child soldiers. I’m unsure whether I will ask Bienve to use it in a specific way or allow him to decide. I’m sure he knows better than I – and I would be most pleased to help in any of the expenses he has shared with me, which also include meals and activities and school shirts for the children of the refugee camps. So the decision is made. I will trust Bienve.

$100 does not seem like much, but it goes a lot farther in DRC than in our world. The meal we provided for 400 children cost $300.

Bienve reported these annual expenses for me to consider donating to:

  • $3000 for training fees in carpentry, painting, and agriculture for child soldiers, also sports and music activities
  • $5000 for all activities in both refugee camps and communities
  • $1200 land rental

There may be more areas to donate to, if you are inclined. Soon the website.

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Keeping Our Minds Supple

by 8hummingbirdway

I’m posting this message from a daily inspiration email I receive because it aligns with my heart and soul.

(See below to explore or subscribe to DailyOM Inspiration.)

Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.

A lot of people feel threatened when they are questioned about their cherished beliefs or their perception of reality. Yet questioning is what keeps our minds supple and strong. Simply settling on one way of seeing things and refusing to be open to other possibilities makes the mind rigid and generally creates a restrictive and uncomfortable atmosphere. We all know someone who refuses to budge on one or more issues, and we may have our own sacred cows that could use a little prodding. Being open-minded means that we are willing to question everything, including those things we take for granted.

A willingness to question everything, even things we are sure we are right about, can shake us out of complacency and reinvigorate our minds, opening us up to understanding people and perspectives that were once alien to us. This alone is a good reason to remain inquisitive, no matter how much experience we have or how old we get. In the Zen tradition, this willingness to question is known as beginner’s mind, and it has a way of generating possibilities we couldn’t have seen from the point of view of knowing something with certainty. The willingness to question everything doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t believe in anything at all, and it doesn’t mean we have to question every single thing in the world every minute of the day. It just means that we are humble enough to acknowledge how little we actually know about the mysterious universe we call home.

Nearly every revolutionary change in the history of human progress came about because someone questioned some time-honored belief or tradition, and in doing so, it revealed a new truth, a new way of doing things, or a new standard for ethical and moral behavior. A commitment to staying open and inquisitive in our own individual lives can lead us to new personal revolutions and truths — truths that we will hopefully, for the sake of our growth, remain open to questioning.

I hope to keep my mind supple and to be open to questioning and changing my beliefs and perspectives. I have recently experienced a fair amount of “rewiring” regarding relationships, the nature of love, the nature of reality, and more. I find I sometimes have to be figuratively “hit over the head” by reality multiple times to budge about some things I think I know.

Its my plan to remain open to new perspectives and information – not always easy!

DailyOM Inspiration website https://www.dailyom.com/inspiration/

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Welcome the Spring

by 8hummingbirdway

Oh glorious Spring we welcome you with our intentions and our gratitude!

I planted some lettuce last week and it’s up in the greenhouse that my husband built over the winter, along with the spinach he started. A small fig tree that we bought at the local arboretum in the Fall has new leaves.

Other seeds are on the counter, waiting for a new home in the ground – peas, arugula, herbs. And there are more plantings to come.

We both love plants and working in the dirt, and recently secured a space in the local community garden, too – so we can have a stand of corn there.

Do you have plans for this new season of life?

Go outside!

Open to what calls to you!

Bring forth fun and activity and connection!

My husband and I will be back on our bicycles again soon!

We will sit on our back porch and smell the fragrance of the woods again!

We will be auditioning for the summer play at a local community theater organization in a couple of weeks!

I hope you find fun and engagement too, and connect with that which calls you and excites you.

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Baraka means Blessing

by 8hummingbirdway

Looking back to Africa

The young man who stayed close to me for my protection when we visited the Bulango Camp is named Baraka. I felt completely safe with him as I lingered behind the others in the group to greet and connect with the women and children who had been displaced. He is one of Bienve’s close helpers. He drives others, protects, and I don’t know what else. Baraka has my heart. Language barriers prevented us from exchanging information, except for my gratitude. I hold him in my heart.

I remember this photo being taken on our last day. I have wanted to see it, to have it, to share it, but it wasn’t with the 2 batches that were shared with me. Tonight I found it, looking again at the expanded collection.

Beautiful. It holds all I remember of our connection. I’m grateful beyond words. My heart is full.

I remember looking into Baraka’s eyes in this moment of our photo. His gaze was steady and warm. It was hard for me to sustain our connected gaze. I had to look away, felt I should be posing, looking at the photographer. There was another shot taken where I am looking away. But here the moment is caught when I am fully present, receiving and giving love.

And so I have it still.

I wish there was something I could do for this young man. He was taken from his village as a child and forced into life as a soldier. I don’t know how long this lasted or how old he was or how he found his way to Bienve and the organization he now serves – Remember Youth for Change. (Website almost complete!) I do know he is very fortunate. So many who have walked the path of child soldier do not find safe harbor or work. They are outcasts for reasons that are not spoken, that I can guess.

It has been suggested that it is better to donate to the organization than to give to individuals, and I’m certain that is true. Still, I will let Bienve know that if there is ever a need – for education or other help for Baraka – to reach out to me. Everything is a great deal less expensive in Congo, and I might be able to make a difference.

Thank you for sharing this moment with me, and for indulging my heart.

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Total Eclipse

by 8hummingbirdway

The eclipse is coming!

We hope for sunny skies on Monday to witness full visibility of the total eclipse a couple hours away from home.

[My husband and I were fortunate to be gifted with a stay in North Carolina during the 2017 eclipse by some friends who had a change of plan. The total eclipse then was stunning! It was the most powerful natural phenomenon I have witnessed in this lifetime.]

Perhaps this year will be even more remarkable – with solar flares to be seen during totality!

My delightful stepson is joining us on Monday.

Totality can be seen in the Rochester, in Burlington and other NY and VT locations.

This event on the afternoon of April 8th will be the last total eclipse in the USA until 2044. The next one in NY is in 2079.

I have heard several reports that this eclipse brings forth and portends change for the better on our planet.

I have been made aware of channel Ann Tucker, speak of changes before the end of the year that include transformation for humanity. Here is her most recent offering. Channeled: Important Details about What’s Coming! (youtube.com)

Astrological reports have similar information.

I enjoyed this report from astrologer Molly McCord. You might enjoy this message from her. Aries Solar Eclipse – Rebirthing Through A New Sense of Self-Awareness and Ongoing Healing Process (youtube.com)

I don’t understand everything she says; I do feel drawn to learn more about astrology.

I’m hoping life will allow me to learn more about this area of knowledge while I’m here. Molly’s focus is more on greater impacts for all of us, rather than reports on romance, wealth, etc. Often she speaks of planetary as well as broad aspects of what is at play.

There are additional talks about this upcoming eclipse, by Molly and by others. Sri Pune offers this message of change on my friend Norlen Linn’s website: https://norlenlinn.com/2024/01/27/sri-pune-speaks-on-frequency-of-change/

I have listened to and read reports of predicted change since my 20s and I hope they are upon us. I am ready for change. I believe the change ahead, whenever it comes, will be challenging as well as uplifting. I embrace any change that is aligned with God/Creator/Spirit and will help us move forward to maximize our potential.

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A Saxophone and a Clarinet!

by 8hummingbirdway

Looking back to Africa

I am so excited!

When I was in Goma, our host Bienve asked if we could provide a couple of saxophones. At the time we didn’t have an answer, but this question took up residence within me. It seemed a small thing I might be able to do.

On our last evening in Congo, we stopped at the church that provides support to Remember Youth for Change. The band that practices there as a result of Bienve’s vision played a flawless rendition of Amazing Grace for us, delighting me – and cementing my intention to help. (We also met a pianist in a separate practice room.)

A couple of weeks ago I asked a musician relative if he could provide guidance on getting used instruments. He suggested I look for something on Amazon or eBay.

This was a bit intimidating to me. I have never navigated bidding for items on eBay. And how do I assess an instrument that I don’t even know how to play from photos and a description of “used?”

I thought I might be able to get the a better deal than on Amazon after looking at both options.

Nothing to do but plunge in.

I joined Ebay and looked at the saxophones under $100. I asked questions of those who were selling about the condition of the pads. I reviewed seller ratings. For a week I was outbid on every item, but then I put a bid on a clarinet for $14 and and a saxophone for $35. I was the highest bidder!

They arrived in their boxes a few days later. Now what?

I couldn’t just send them, I realized. I had to make sure that they worked and probably send some reeds with them.

I remembered that my step-daughter used to play the clarinet and her husband is in a band with a saxophone player. I called and asked …they were happy to try them out!

I dropped them off a couple hours before band practice a few days ago and after an hour I got a video of the sax being played beautifully! The clarinet is in good form as well.

My heart is full of gratitude to the sellers and to the testers and for my good luck and spiritual support!

I’m going to get some additional reeds and make sure I write down the brands of the instruments and anything I need to know about the reeds and …(oiling the cork?) so that I can pass the info on and in the future perhaps provide more reeds.

Then off they go to Goma!

OK – I’m off to hunt down another saxophone on eBay!

Soon I will be able to provide information about other ways to assist Remember Youth for Change in Democratic Republic of Congo.

In the meantime, I will be sending at least one additional shipment of musical instruments if you have any you are not using.

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