Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Tuesday, 30 August 2011
the dream continues
further to my post here... there's a website that braves to describe a dream here: www.haitidream.org/
Uganda: War, Rocks, and Beads
Each day, as stubbornly high unemployment plagues Uganda, many struggle to find work. This is nowhere more true than in the northern part of the country where two decades of war have left almost no infrastructure intact.
Francis Kidega and his family began making jewellery out of something readily available: paper. They are now able to support themselves through the revenue these crafts bring, even as they learn how to take their new skill and turn it into a business, helping their neighboring families in the process. Revenue gained from the sale of these products supports this family as they work, learn, grow and share.
Francis Kidega and his family began making jewellery out of something readily available: paper. They are now able to support themselves through the revenue these crafts bring, even as they learn how to take their new skill and turn it into a business, helping their neighboring families in the process. Revenue gained from the sale of these products supports this family as they work, learn, grow and share.
Uganda: War, Rocks, and Beads - Global Handicrafts from Thomas Williams on Vimeo.
three generations of solankys
from india to uganda, studied in ireland, back to uganda, exiled to england, plucked from stansted airport, brought up in the south east of england to sitting on the steps outside a museum in wheaton, illinois... on these steps sit three generations of solankys: each grateful for this moment.
Driving in the USA
Last time i drove a car in the States I pulled te gear stick of in my hand. After a scream and pulling over into a car park i proceeded to crash into an enormous curb. My co pilot erupted into a ball of laughter.
This time round the car is better and I think I have a better attitude to driving.
Here's a few tips
1. When there's a "stop" sign. These are usually at crossroads. Stop and then it's the person who stopped first who then has priority right of way.
2. You can turn right on a red light unless you see the sign no right turn on red. A slight note on this. It seems so unnatural to go through a red sign that you feel like a law breaker.
3. Prepare yourself for constant "did I just break the law" feeling.
4. It's weird having the gears on the steering wheel. At least automatic make this less strange.
5. You have to pay tolls to use the interstate. This is a very confusing system as you pay for each one. We managed to avoid one. But before we became fugitives were told our vehicle had an ipass. Which is great. One thing, however, what the devil is an "ipass"?
6. Confidence. This is really what you need. Remember if you've passed your test- you know how to drive. If you know how to drive you just need to learn how to adapt. It'll happen... Just build up the confidence. Oh and avoid pulling off gear sticks.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
This time round the car is better and I think I have a better attitude to driving.
Here's a few tips
1. When there's a "stop" sign. These are usually at crossroads. Stop and then it's the person who stopped first who then has priority right of way.
2. You can turn right on a red light unless you see the sign no right turn on red. A slight note on this. It seems so unnatural to go through a red sign that you feel like a law breaker.
3. Prepare yourself for constant "did I just break the law" feeling.
4. It's weird having the gears on the steering wheel. At least automatic make this less strange.
5. You have to pay tolls to use the interstate. This is a very confusing system as you pay for each one. We managed to avoid one. But before we became fugitives were told our vehicle had an ipass. Which is great. One thing, however, what the devil is an "ipass"?
6. Confidence. This is really what you need. Remember if you've passed your test- you know how to drive. If you know how to drive you just need to learn how to adapt. It'll happen... Just build up the confidence. Oh and avoid pulling off gear sticks.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Waiting
A few car issues have brought me to DuPage Truck & Auto motor place. I'm in the waiting area. They have Uncle Buck playing. Fred, the mechanic, I've been told to connect with pops in and says "hey, it's nice in here". He continues... "this the one where the bear jumps out on him?". The student looking guy to my right interjects "that's the great outdoors... They seem to have a John Hughes thing going on".
I noticed the car was overheating from a short journey yesterday. So it seems the coolant was low and I was instructed to take it to the mechanics to replace. A mechanic, not Fred, came out and said "who's ford is that?" I replied "mine" and he said "it's going to need a lot more than an oil change".
I could be here sometime.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I noticed the car was overheating from a short journey yesterday. So it seems the coolant was low and I was instructed to take it to the mechanics to replace. A mechanic, not Fred, came out and said "who's ford is that?" I replied "mine" and he said "it's going to need a lot more than an oil change".
I could be here sometime.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, 26 August 2011
Our holiday house
We've kindly been allowed to stay here. Tis awesome. Love the flag.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
A not so great journey
I'm now about to sleep. I'm very tired. I've been up for around 22 hours.
To cut to the story. We went on a plane for 9 hours. I decided to be blasé about it as any worrying really is meaningless.
So the scenario is: 3 kids aged 5 and under, 9 hours in a confined space. One kicks off with repeated, high pitched, penetrating screaming repeatedly for around 40 minutes.
The whole plane turned their judging eyes upon us. All our tactics failed and all we were left with was embarrassment and a sense of sadness that he was so down. I saw a side that I didn't like: anger, tiredness, shame in my abilities. I yearned for the clothing of grace, compassion, renewed energy and flexibility to know what to do.
Still we got through. It was by no means easy but we have come out the otherside. To that end I'm grateful.
Man... Planes, parents and children are not a good mix.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
To cut to the story. We went on a plane for 9 hours. I decided to be blasé about it as any worrying really is meaningless.
So the scenario is: 3 kids aged 5 and under, 9 hours in a confined space. One kicks off with repeated, high pitched, penetrating screaming repeatedly for around 40 minutes.
The whole plane turned their judging eyes upon us. All our tactics failed and all we were left with was embarrassment and a sense of sadness that he was so down. I saw a side that I didn't like: anger, tiredness, shame in my abilities. I yearned for the clothing of grace, compassion, renewed energy and flexibility to know what to do.
Still we got through. It was by no means easy but we have come out the otherside. To that end I'm grateful.
Man... Planes, parents and children are not a good mix.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, 21 August 2011
Thursday, 18 August 2011
The spirit of adventure
Mud play and camp building. What more do you need?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, 13 August 2011
Friday, 12 August 2011
A Student's video
One of the students from Canterbury made this video for her university project about about the Big Society featuring us.
Thursday, 11 August 2011
Wednesday, 10 August 2011
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Daring to dream
Nearly 19 months ago an earthquake hit Haiti and changed a nation already crippled with poverty. The poorest country in the western hemisphere. Not only crippled in poverty but also disabled infrastructure. I was told that Haiti after the earthquake is one big laboratory. "Tomorrow's case study for how not to do things". These words haunted me. Such cynicism. Such despair based in wisdom that has seen these things happen yet another time.
The language of hope has different narrative. It is one of building, rebuilding and then more building. It's the continual effort to press forward in the face of challenge and problems. And if done well it shall be with grace, good composure and optimism.
I'm in a meeting with those with such composure. The hope is to train, prepare athletes. Not just any athletes. But those who have had their lives irrevocably changed by the earthquake 19 months ago. One lost all 8 of his immediate family. The use of his legs. His ability to walk has gone. But his hope to be able has not. The meeting is about a dream. A dream to send Haiti's first team of athletes to the London 2012 Paralympics.
The challenge and hurdles immense. No money. Hardly any time to train. Little or no equipment. No sponsors. No hosting.
In the sheer face of this we are all disabled by the lack of our immediate resources to do this. It is only a dream.
But what a dream to have... What we cannot do ourselves we can do together with others.
Here's a pic of this team seeking to help this dream come real.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The language of hope has different narrative. It is one of building, rebuilding and then more building. It's the continual effort to press forward in the face of challenge and problems. And if done well it shall be with grace, good composure and optimism.
I'm in a meeting with those with such composure. The hope is to train, prepare athletes. Not just any athletes. But those who have had their lives irrevocably changed by the earthquake 19 months ago. One lost all 8 of his immediate family. The use of his legs. His ability to walk has gone. But his hope to be able has not. The meeting is about a dream. A dream to send Haiti's first team of athletes to the London 2012 Paralympics.
The challenge and hurdles immense. No money. Hardly any time to train. Little or no equipment. No sponsors. No hosting.
In the sheer face of this we are all disabled by the lack of our immediate resources to do this. It is only a dream.
But what a dream to have... What we cannot do ourselves we can do together with others.
Here's a pic of this team seeking to help this dream come real.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Concord Rd,Ealing,United Kingdom
Friday, 22 July 2011
growing up
it's hard to standby sometimes and just watch.
often its only afterwards that you can look back... and if you're anything like me you kick yourself and say "if only i did that" or "i wish i could have done more".
this is one of those times where i just have to watch.
i kind of wrote about something similar here. its the watching the play of your children and realising that they are going through a hardship. an exclusion. a loneliness. hearing the words of those who are close to them say they don't like him. watch their friends "move on".
"its bound to happen"
"that's life"
"its an important life lesson"
its hard to stand by and just do nothing, trusting that the passing of time will be able to teach, to help grow and cultivate that precious character.
its not that i don't love any less my children by not jumping in. its not that i love them more by reminding them of the long term character building. no... and frankly all i can do is suffer with them as only a father can.
its not easy to stand and watch your children go through such exclusion.
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