https://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/kosovo
The house we are now staying in is now complete.
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Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,
Saturday, 7 April 2018
Kosovo2018: #3 Redux
Just been re-reading a few entries from the last time I was here with Caleb.
https://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/kosovo
The house we are now staying in is now complete.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
https://solanky.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/kosovo
The house we are now staying in is now complete.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Kosovo2018 #2: Slept in an airport
Flights are expensive.
We can do anything to make them cheaper. Including an overnight stay in Vienna.
Joshie was up for it. So was I. I’ve done it a few times before. Even my friend Ray who I gave a lift to the airport only last week did it. He is in his 60s and ‘in between’ chemo sessions. Ray has arranged most of our trip and we’re meeting him on the other side.
The adventure begins.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We can do anything to make them cheaper. Including an overnight stay in Vienna.
Joshie was up for it. So was I. I’ve done it a few times before. Even my friend Ray who I gave a lift to the airport only last week did it. He is in his 60s and ‘in between’ chemo sessions. Ray has arranged most of our trip and we’re meeting him on the other side.
The adventure begins.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,
Friday, 6 April 2018
Kosovo2018 #1 Joshie n Papa
Around 14 years ago I nearly left the charity sector. I was disillusioned with it. Too much money and power in the wrong hands. Saw too much of what I’d rather not in an ‘industry of help’.
I wanted out.
Teaching was my panacea. Applied. Interviewed. The university however failed to let me know that I got in. An administrative error. One that cost me my teaching career that I never had but also one which reopened the door for charity. Except this time without money. The question put to me was do you want to do this. Money aside. What do you want to do?
This is tough question- as I really didn’t know. Teaching held prospect, a safe career, respect and security. Oh and money. The other had none of these.
I asked just about everyone what I should do hoping that I could outsource this issue. I received lots of advise around pros and cons and supportive sentiments. It was only when I asked a professor (and good friend’s father) who said this exact question: what do you want to do?
I didn’t have an immediate answer as I was till trying to scramble around the what should I do the of response.
I went home.Told Angie exactly what happened and she asked me the same question: what do you want to do?
The answer was instinctive. I want to do the charity thing. I just don’t know how we will survive. She said “let’s pray now”. We did. We went to sleep. The next morning she woke up and said “let’s do this together”.
We have done this now for nearly 15 years. A few years ago I said we must start bringing our children when the time is right. That time happened for Caleb two years ago and now it’s Joshie’s turn.
Today we stepped out the door and were heading to Kosovo to see friends and start to see more of the world, but to share in what we are doing together as a family.
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I wanted out.
Teaching was my panacea. Applied. Interviewed. The university however failed to let me know that I got in. An administrative error. One that cost me my teaching career that I never had but also one which reopened the door for charity. Except this time without money. The question put to me was do you want to do this. Money aside. What do you want to do?
This is tough question- as I really didn’t know. Teaching held prospect, a safe career, respect and security. Oh and money. The other had none of these.
I asked just about everyone what I should do hoping that I could outsource this issue. I received lots of advise around pros and cons and supportive sentiments. It was only when I asked a professor (and good friend’s father) who said this exact question: what do you want to do?
I didn’t have an immediate answer as I was till trying to scramble around the what should I do the of response.
I went home.Told Angie exactly what happened and she asked me the same question: what do you want to do?
The answer was instinctive. I want to do the charity thing. I just don’t know how we will survive. She said “let’s pray now”. We did. We went to sleep. The next morning she woke up and said “let’s do this together”.
We have done this now for nearly 15 years. A few years ago I said we must start bringing our children when the time is right. That time happened for Caleb two years ago and now it’s Joshie’s turn.
Today we stepped out the door and were heading to Kosovo to see friends and start to see more of the world, but to share in what we are doing together as a family.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Rruga Nikollë Kaçorri,,
Thursday, 15 March 2018
End Poverty 2030 (can you spot the Solankys in this vid?)
See if you can spot three Solankys in this video!
A few weeks ago we took Caleb, Joshie, Reuben (and Ezra) to help make this film for a project that I'm working on called End Poverty 2030 and call to gather Christians behind the 17 Sustainable Development Goals over the next 12 years.
It was great fun to see them in front of the camera.
Monday, 12 March 2018
Thursday, 8 March 2018
War
Photo journalist Abdulmonam Eassa captures life inside the bombed province of Damascus, Easstern Ghouta.
I watched as this happened in Aleppo from my armchair.
I recall the words of broken Mostar bridge saying “don’t forget” from the war there when I visited back in 2001.
Abdulmonam Eassa says:
“Maybe crying doesn’t help, but today I cry. I can’t say anything else. Please, someone stop the carnage. Please, someone has to stop what is happening here!”
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
Old friends
I spent 3 intense years with these two. One’s now a headteacher the other teaches flying whilst not smoking pipes.
Thursday, 16 November 2017
Reflections from the COP23
I have just come back from Bonn for the 23rd Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP23).
My purpose here was following a project to respond to the Global Goals.
However what has made my time here is not just the purpose but meeting a wonderful family who have hosted me. I am beyond amazed at a family who moments before I arrived were burgled yet still welcomed me and a friend in. Their son gave up his bedroom for me. They made me amazing breakfast and offered support, comfort and love. I have been beyond welcomed.
As I left felt so sad to leave this family behind.
However there was a glimmer of hope. As we were talking the young teenage girl said she will be in the UK when doing her student exchange and it turns out she will be at the local girls school TWGGS.
Among all my travels anywhere... by far the most amazing travels I have had is in people’s houses and with people who have become my global family.
(The last picture was with some more of my global family and particularly my brother Ahmad, who I met last year in the Calais Jungle and has now resettled in Brussels and he and his girlfriend housed me en route to the Climate Summit)
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My purpose here was following a project to respond to the Global Goals.
However what has made my time here is not just the purpose but meeting a wonderful family who have hosted me. I am beyond amazed at a family who moments before I arrived were burgled yet still welcomed me and a friend in. Their son gave up his bedroom for me. They made me amazing breakfast and offered support, comfort and love. I have been beyond welcomed.
As I left felt so sad to leave this family behind.
However there was a glimmer of hope. As we were talking the young teenage girl said she will be in the UK when doing her student exchange and it turns out she will be at the local girls school TWGGS.
Among all my travels anywhere... by far the most amazing travels I have had is in people’s houses and with people who have become my global family.
(The last picture was with some more of my global family and particularly my brother Ahmad, who I met last year in the Calais Jungle and has now resettled in Brussels and he and his girlfriend housed me en route to the Climate Summit)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
Friday, 3 November 2017
Fell off my bike
It’s Friday. The bike was out. Ready for the ride into work. Planing to listen to a podcast. It was a lovely autumn day. Crisp. Cool and stunning colours (just).
En route to work. Was overtaken by 5 cyclists. The usual indicator of my poor cycling prowess.
Then whilst eventually getting to the downhill bit (phew)and taking one of my fav corner. I indicated as usual. Then steered single handed. It didn’t feel the best of turns and with one hand felt like I’d over done it.
I had.
The bike started to freeze and the momentum was still carrying me forward. I skidded and then flew over the top. It was at an angle so the first thing to hit the ground was my elbow. It hit hard and pushed up, sharply, under my rib cage up. It was fast and hard. Due to the angle of fall a roll quickly followed. Ouch.
Lungs crushed. The hard poke took the immediate air out. The roll cushioned the blow. I get up. Just. Walk to the side and bring my bike over and collapse. Hard to breathe. Hard to breathe.
Then I hear the voices. “Are you ok?” Did you hit your head?”
People gather and try to help me relax. One lady and her daughter were practicing their driving stayed with me. Another, a man with his dog. I think it was a lovely grey colour.
They walk me to the bench which I didn’t want to sit on because of the dew. A plastic bag makes it easier though.
The lady calls Angie and then continues to talk to me. She’s a teacher and has an extended holiday this week and was helping her daughter with her DofE.
She stayed with me. She comforts me. She waits.
Angie eventually comes to take me away.
I look up at the lady and say thank you. She says I hope you get better. Please get it checked out.
What lovely neighbours we have around here. Grateful for people who stop and check in on us. Especially when we fall. They help us pick ourselves up. They help us realise that we can’t do this alone all the time. They remind us to do likewise to others.
We need more people like these. We, too, need to be these type people.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
En route to work. Was overtaken by 5 cyclists. The usual indicator of my poor cycling prowess.
Then whilst eventually getting to the downhill bit (phew)and taking one of my fav corner. I indicated as usual. Then steered single handed. It didn’t feel the best of turns and with one hand felt like I’d over done it.
I had.
The bike started to freeze and the momentum was still carrying me forward. I skidded and then flew over the top. It was at an angle so the first thing to hit the ground was my elbow. It hit hard and pushed up, sharply, under my rib cage up. It was fast and hard. Due to the angle of fall a roll quickly followed. Ouch.
Lungs crushed. The hard poke took the immediate air out. The roll cushioned the blow. I get up. Just. Walk to the side and bring my bike over and collapse. Hard to breathe. Hard to breathe.
Then I hear the voices. “Are you ok?” Did you hit your head?”
People gather and try to help me relax. One lady and her daughter were practicing their driving stayed with me. Another, a man with his dog. I think it was a lovely grey colour.
They walk me to the bench which I didn’t want to sit on because of the dew. A plastic bag makes it easier though.
The lady calls Angie and then continues to talk to me. She’s a teacher and has an extended holiday this week and was helping her daughter with her DofE.
She stayed with me. She comforts me. She waits.
Angie eventually comes to take me away.
I look up at the lady and say thank you. She says I hope you get better. Please get it checked out.
What lovely neighbours we have around here. Grateful for people who stop and check in on us. Especially when we fall. They help us pick ourselves up. They help us realise that we can’t do this alone all the time. They remind us to do likewise to others.
We need more people like these. We, too, need to be these type people.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, 27 October 2017
Autumn at Bedgebury
There’s a couple of weeks during October where the colours are remarkable.
Bedgebury is a great place to see it in its glory.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Bedgebury is a great place to see it in its glory.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 25 October 2017
One Woman's secret to happiness that made me smile :)
I like watching youtube clips.
The happiest person I think that I ever knew was my grandmother. Not that I knew her much as she was in India when I was growing up... but whenever I saw her she was always smiling. One of those smiles that really made you feel special.
Ever since I had an creative intern who loved them... to the point he would stop everyone either through trying not to create a scene by laughing so hard that you couldn't help interrupt him to say "Whassup?" or he is right there, in your face, with his laptop saying "...you have got to watch this". It wasn't a choice.
I might add he was a visual creative and such clips masterfully formed his style... and he did some great video work for us.
I might add he was a visual creative and such clips masterfully formed his style... and he did some great video work for us.
This one I saw recently and I think the guy in the vid (Julian) sums it up well to say you have taught us more in the past 2 minutes than we have ever done. It's on happiness. A term that I am hearing a lot right now. It seems elusive and yet a goal for so many...
The happiest person I think that I ever knew was my grandmother. Not that I knew her much as she was in India when I was growing up... but whenever I saw her she was always smiling. One of those smiles that really made you feel special.
Wednesday, 30 August 2017
Holiday snaps
Just under a week to go and here are a few holiday snaps.
Ramsgate
Longbarn holiday camp
When Elliot & Ethan came to stay
Fire pit with Juliette
En route
Holiday with Stewarts
Reuben
Angie and Jo
Ezra
Finn
Elsie
Erin
Josh n Finn on the streets of Cognac
Selfie
Relaxing
Ezra
Jakester
Angie's birthday morning
Birthday walk
When Caleb's Godparent visit
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Ramsgate
Longbarn holiday camp
When Elliot & Ethan came to stay
Fire pit with Juliette
En route
Holiday with Stewarts
Reuben
Angie and Jo
Ezra
Finn
Elsie
Erin
Josh n Finn on the streets of Cognac
Selfie
Relaxing
Ezra
Jakester
Angie's birthday morning
Birthday walk
When Caleb's Godparent visit
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, 26 July 2017
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Caleb's last day of Primary School
5th Sept 2010 to 21st July 2017
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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