Being a Voluntourist in Community

So there is a blog that has gone viral over the last couple of weeks.  The blog, titled 'The problem with little white girls (and boys)" touches on the ever present issue of short-lived 'mission trips' that commonly takes place in less developed nations.  As we at BLOOM Africa gear up for a return visit to Lesotho on Friday, taking with us 6 volunteers for the first time, I felt like it was necessary to reflect and respond.

Many of us on the BLOOM team are on this team because of a short time spent in Lesotho at one time or another.  For me, it was a month in the summer of 2009.  Looking back, I have to admit that as a 22 year old college senior, I didn't yet "get it."  Our trip was focused on building things, which typically fell apart 6 months to a year later.  And unfortunately, it was easy to see some people were there for the wrong reasons.  But that doesn't mean that trip, and all of those before and after, were at a great fault.  Service trips can be done well if the local community is involved.  If there are things being built together, with a local expert leading the way, the extra hands from western volunteers may actually be warmly welcomed.  There is the ability for cultural understanding through working together that could be helpful.  But, sadly, often times this is not how these trips are typically organized.  But, the impact the trip had on my life can't be overlooked.  The experience did something to me that I couldn't explain. It ignited a passion in me that I never knew I had.  Many students, myself included, suddenly were on a path for a life of service.  For that, I am forever thankful.  But I longed for something that was more sustainable.

The trip caused me to pursue service opportunities, which led me to volunteering in Bloemfontein, South Africa for a year after graduation.  The program I served through, called Young Adults in Global Mission, has an unlikely mission.  The mission is 'accompaniment.'  What does that mean!?  Accompaniment basically means to be in community with those you serve.  To walk hand-in-hand with the marginalized and go foar beyond sympathy and empathy.  It is living in true community where understanding and love can occur.  So I have to be thankful for that time spent in Lesotho, although I learned so much more about community development after living in South Africa.

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a lecture by Dr. Paul Farmer (founder of Partners In Health) and Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez (founder of Liberation Theology) in Chicago.  These two giants in the field of development and fighting poverty have written a book (In the Company of the Poor) where accompaniment is seen as the best way to fight poverty.  Why?  Because until a person breaks the barriers of their privilege and truly feels what their brothers and sisters feel, they will not be able to understand poverty.  Without understanding poverty, how can we ever overcome it?

As we embark on BLOOM Africa's first ever 'Voluntour', accompaniment remains our focus.  As the volunteers going on the Voluntour saw our itinerary, they may have been a bit surprised to not find any cement mixing, building houses or painting projects.  Instead, they found a lot of community conversations, long walks, meetings with village chiefs and time spent with out volunteers.  I believe there is great value in cross-cultural experiences that sometimes come from "mission trips", but the mission has to be right.  If the mission is to travel somewhere less developed than home, throw together a structure and then leave, it is neither sustainable nor beneficial to the community.  But if the mission is to travel somewhere to share in experiences with others, learn a new culture, and create friendships and relationships, it is a sustainable good.

Reuniting with my dear friend, Rose

We believe that BLOOM Africa has positioned itself in a true accompaniment model.  Our team of volunteers and staff in Lesotho are growing every year, and we are empowered by their passion for BLOOM's work.  Our Community Learning Centers are organized and operated by our partners in Lesotho, and we want the programming to stem from community needs and local challenges.

As we count down the hours until we depart for Lesotho, there was an excerpt from the blog that caught my attention, "Before you sign up for a volunteer trip anywhere in the world this summer, consider whether you possess the skill set necessary for that trip to be successful.  If yes, awesome.  If not, it might be a good idea to reconsider your trip.  Sadly, taking part in international aid where you aren't particularly helpful is no benign.  It's detrimental."

Well I think every human has the skill of accompaniment.  We all have the ability to spend time with others, get to know others, and understand others.  We all know how to share a meal, share a laugh and share hope.  I highly encourage you to travel internationally, but keeping in mind how much you have to learn by spending time with others in community...a community that has much to teach us, and not the other way around.

Andrew Steele is the Founder of BLOOM Africa and served as a Young Adult in Global Mission volunteer in 2010-2011

An Exciting Return

It’s that time of year again.  In just 10 short days, I will be heading back to Lesotho with my good friend and BLOOM Deputy Director, William Thomas.  This will be the third year we have gone back to Lesotho to continue building strong, life-long relationships with our friends and partners.  But, this year is different than the last few years in a big way.  We are bringing 6 volunteers with us.

This year is the inaugural BLOOM Voluntour, where 6 volunteers will join us on an amazing journey of self-discovery and transformative experiences.  The volunteers are as diverse as the beautiful mountain ranges in Lesotho.  Three volunteers will join us from Chicago, one from Dallas, one from Cincinnati and one from sunny Santa Monica.  You have already met two of the volunteers on this blog, (Laura and Sarah) and you’ll meet the rest of the gang on this blog and on our social media.  On February 28, we will all depart from Chicago’s O’Hare airport towards our welcoming hosts and friends in Lesotho and South Africa. 

After we settle in for the night after our long flight, we will travel to Lesotho with a stop in Bloemfontein.  We will be having a South African braai with the Monamas, my host family during my time in South Africa, and others in the community.  After our fill, we will head east and cross into Lesotho through the Maseru Bridge border gate. 

We will be spending 5 days in Lesotho, mainly in the Roma and Ramabanta communities.  In Roma, we will volunteer at Leratong Community Centre, meet members of the community and hike to see dinosaur footprints.  We’ll spend a day in Thaba Bosiu, the mountain range where the Lesotho kingdom was born.  There, we will meet with partners who BLOOM Africa has funded, and hike up the famous mountain where King Moshoeshoe defended the Basotho nation against all intruders.  We will then trek high up into the mountains until we reach the tranquil village of Ramabanta.  The volunteers will enjoy an afternoon of pony trekking where they will see cave paintings dating back thousands of years.  We’ll also meet with women in the community who have been making scarves and hats in the Center where BLOOM is expanding its work. 

Ramabanta

After our time in Lesotho, we will head to the world famous Kruger National Park in South Africa, where we will spend 3 days on safari.  There, we will have the chance to spot the big 5 (Elephant, Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Water Buffalo), as well as embark on some exciting activities and adventures.  Our visit will conclude with a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, one of the most powerful museum experiences one can endure.  And on March 10, we will return to our homes, changed and transformed forever.

I’ve often been asked what I’m most looking forward to about this upcoming visit.  I honestly have to say that it’s the opportunity to introduce Lesotho and South Africa to 6 fantastic folks.  To see their faces when they see the sun set behind the majestic Maluti Mountains.  To hear their laughter when talking  with the children at the Community Center.  To touch their hands as we walk together with our partners and learn more about Basotho culture.  To taste new foods with them that they have never had.  To see their expressions when they hear their first Lion roar in the distance deep in the bush.

And like last year, we will be blogging our experiences right here.  Follow us on our journey, and I hope you can join us next year!

With great anticipation,

Andrew

Team Lesotho Visits Leratong

On Saturday, we went to Leratong Community Learning Center to celebrate the big day of BLOOM Africa.  Irrespective of the distance between our two countries, we are one team.  So as BLOOM Africa was celebrating a re-launch in America, we wanted to volunteer in solidarity.  So when I got to Leratong my with teammates, we were amazed by the number of kids we found there.  On a daily basis a number of +/- 100 children go to Leratong.  They are being tutored by 3  women volunteers from the Roma community.

The children at Leratong CLC & Team Lesotho

One of their projects really had an impact on me.  It touched me to see hats and other items made out of recycled plastic bags.  The children have become very skilled at doing this.

Items made of plastic bags during life skills training

This made me realize that there is great potential at Leratong to make BLOOM's vision a reality.

This can be made possibly by us, Team Lesotho, giving them the support they need.  I believe if we can invest our time and brain power int his CLC, something good will be produced and BLOOM's name will go places,

This can be possible by providing daily supervision, as well as more projects and activities on site.  There is a a real potential in this CLC.

Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity.  You guy's don't only put a smile on the faces of the children who attend the CLC, but also Team Lesotho as well.  We are grateful.

Team Lesotho: Mammeisi, Bokang, Malefa

May the almighty bless you and your efforts.  We love you.

Khotso,

Mammeisi Manyeli
Team Lesotho member
  

If I had words to make a day for you, I’d sing you a morning, golden and true

                Every morning in Lesotho, I would wake up with two significant mindsets that would fill my soul for the day.  I would wake up with a feeling of purpose, and I would be filled with hope.  The mornings would be a promise of the work that would be accomplished, as well as the time and opportunity we had to get our hands dirty into making the future better for the Basotho we loved so dearly.  Throughout the day, every experience I encountered would pull on these mindsets.  I would plant a tree and wonder, “What if it doesn’t grow?”  I would hug a child and think “Will they be able to go to school?”  While the sense of purpose would remain strong, my hope would start to dwindle as I witnessed the complicated oppression they lived in every day.  I knew I was making a small difference, but the problems seemed too big to heal completely.  In the evenings, everyone on our Lesotho trip would come together to talk about what we experienced and how it was weighing on our minds.  We struggled as we talked about the poverty, hunger, and sickness that plagued those we loved, but we also talked about the greater change that was becoming from our small simple acts.  We had the evenings to grapple with this concept; how simple acts, when multiplied by millions, could change the world.  We might have gone to bed feeling confused and overwhelmed, but in the mornings, there was always the beautiful restoration of purpose and hope. 

          

                 I think it was important for everyone on our trip to find that sense of purpose when coming back to America.  In our own way, we each had to find avenues to keep giving out our Lesotho love.  As I struggled to feel at home again, I remembered a conversation I had with a Basotho friend about his country.  He said that in Lesotho, everyone had the opportunity to just be themselves.  There was so much land that they had the time and quietness to actually hear their own voice and really be free.  He left me with the words that in America, we were just a statistic.  Lesotho was a place to become more than just a number.  My mornings under the African sun were a reinstallation that I was called to make a difference.  Returning back to America, I missed the mornings of those beautiful, raw emotions, but was fueled with the desire to never become an invisible number that my friend warned me of.        

No matter our experiences, having been to Lesotho or not, I think every human deserves to wake up with the hope and purpose of a bright day.  We have the power to live out our life as examples of human goodness, spreading this purposeful hope to others who need it most.  Right now, I have the hope of believing I can make a difference as an intern with Bloom, I have the purpose of finishing school so I can use my education to make a difference for others, and I will always have the love of Lesotho in my heart.

-Katharine

Katharine Ritzi traveled to Lesotho in 2011, and is currently a senior at Wittenberg University. She is also serving as an intern with Bloom Africa.

Being Changed by Being in Lesotho

My experience in Lesotho, Africa can be described in the very least, as a life-changing experience. I know that I am not alone in returning from the Mountain Kingdom completely changed after living in there for just a month. In this short time period, I was completely immersed in a new culture, language and place. Completely exposed to new people, lifestyles and concepts I had the opportunity to learn so much, not just about Lesotho but about myself as well. When I was accepted into the 2011 Wittenberg in Lesotho program, I had no idea what to expect. Ironically, the only, yet best advice I had ever received before going was, “Have no expectations and keep an open mind”. By hearing the passion and emotion other students had while talking about their experience made it near impossible to not have any expectations. Having never left the country before, I knew this trip would have a heavy impact on my life. I was not sure how it would affect my life or why it would if it did; the only thing I knew for certain was that Lesotho, Africa was going to be the most memorable experience of my life.

After arriving in Lesotho, it did not take long to notice the breathtaking scenery of the Mountain Kingdom.  We arrived in a small rural community, encompassed by mountains and landscape. It was impossible to take my eyes away from the window on our long bus rides to our work sites. At first I started taking as many pictures as possible, just to reaffirm that I was actually there. However, it was not long before I noticed that the picture I just took was nothing compared to the feeling of actually being there. Whether it was watching boys herd cattle down the road, looking out over the whole town at the top of a mountain, seeing women carrying their babies wrapped tightly in blankets, or star gazing in the middle of night, there was something serene and peaceful about just being in Lesotho. Lesotho’s atmosphere was unlike anything I had ever felt, and despite being on the opposite side of the globe, I had never felt more at home.

The majority of my days spent in Lesotho were at various work sites around Maseru, Roma and Morija. We painted classrooms, built shelving units, a green house, piggery and chicken coop, planted trees outside of a school and orphanage and built two playgrounds. These projects we completed were specifically chosen, as they can be self-sustained by the Basotho and have long term effects. They were intended to help sustain a healthy and happy life and to empower the Basotho. As a unit we were dedicated to our cause in helping these organizations accomplish whatever they needed. And although the work may sometimes have gotten tedious or exhausting, no one ever complained. Laughter and smiles were never absent at the work sites and it enabled us to grow closer to one another and to the Basotho we were working side by side with. By the time I left each work site, the visible progress of our work was extremely self-fulfilling. It was an amazing feeling to go home at night knowing someone appreciated what we had done. The Basotho never let us forget how thankful they were for our help, when in reality, I was the one thanking them. Not only was I learning how to mix cement in a wheelbarrow, or how to nail shelving units together, I was learning how to work together, how to problem solve, how to be patient and dedicated. Working at the sites enabled me to learn not only about Lesotho, but about myself.

However, Lesotho does not bring only smiles and joy. While fulfilling our service requirement of the trip by painting the schools, or building a playground, we were exposed to the harsh realities of the issues facing the Basotho. The impact AIDS has on the population is detrimental.  Access to sufficient health care or education was rare and the political, social and economic structures of Lesotho created very little mobility for the Basotho.  Every day I met children who were orphaned by AIDS and women being exploited for their labor, struggling for a substantial life. There were numerous nights I spent in bed crying, feeling frustrated and defeated. There were moments where I lost hope and thought that there was nothing I could do to make a difference for these people that I have grown to love and care about. Sometimes I questioned why I was there, or what my purpose was. It was nights similar to these that reality exceeded expectations. You can try to prepare as much as you can to see hardship and poverty, but actually being in the midst of it, yields much stronger emotions. It was during this time that I completely reevaluated my life and values. 

But without the bad, you cannot experience the good. This extends even to Lesotho. Even when I felt the most defeated or angry and lost hope in the future, the Basotho were there to teach me. Day by day it became apparent to me what mattered most in life, what was truly important and necessary to live a happy life. Despite hardships and struggles that would cause suffering, the Basotho found happiness in their lives. Whether it was a smile from a woman in line at the store, a wave from a child on the side of a road, or a hand written letter by one of the children in the community, the Basotho demonstrated values and perspectives that I would soon cherish. They appreciated my friendship, my stories and willingness to help them. I witnessed as they worked together as a community in order for everyone to benefit. The determination and passion the Basotho have for themselves and their country enabled me to find that hope I had once lost. It enabled me to learn that nothing is impossible, and by working together we can move towards a brighter future.  

Leaving Lesotho was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. I felt so comfortable, peaceful and happy there. I started finding happiness in the smallest places, and what once used to worry me seemed petty. I did not have an epiphany, and there was no moment in particular that changed my life. However, I was a changed person by the time I arrived back in the United States. I felt different. I sounded different. I was just different. I talked slower and softer, I smiled at more passer-byers, I looked at the sky more often, I thought about people more frequently. Everything about the way I live my everyday life has been affected by Lesotho. I learned so much during that short month, both about the country itself and about myself. It was truly a life-changing experience and I still feel lucky that I had that chance. Whenever I am asked about the Wittenberg in Lesotho trip I always recommend going with no expectations. Lesotho, Africa, will change you if you let it. Remain open minded and be willing to endure the emotional rollercoaster that these changes require, because it will be worth it. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done, emotionally, physically and mentally, yet I would not take back a single second of it. This experience was uplifting and inspiring. It taught me an immeasurable amount about myself and my relation to the world around me. The friendships I made in Lesotho are life-long. There is not a single day where I do not think about them or wonder how they are doing. I think about our memories and reread our letters. The people in Lesotho have changed who I am, and I can only hope that one day they understand what an impact they had on my life.

-Briana Leary

Briana is studying philosophy at Wittenberg University and traveled to Lesotho in June of 2011.

Back To Where The Heart Is

Six years ago I took a trip that influenced who I am today. I was fortunate to be one of 30 Wittenberg students to travel to Lesotho with Professor Rosenberg. The trip exposed me to another part of the world and to a country that I did not know existed before. Today, Lesotho feels like my second home.

It was easy to fall in love with Lesotho’s beauty and the friendly and welcome spirit of the Basotho (people of Lesotho.) The smiling faces of the children became a part of me. The work we did in orphanages, Habitat for Humanity locations, and an AIDS clinic opened my eyes.  Holding the hand of a young orphan infected with HIV gave me an understanding of the depth of the virus; of the immense effect it was having on the people of Lesotho. I saw the need- one in four Basotho are infected with HIV/AIDS and the result is over a 100,000 orphans in the small country- but I also felt the incredible potential of this beautiful country. The experience inspired a group of us to create BLOOM Africa.

Two weeks ago, after six long years away, I had the opportunity to return to Lesotho with my brother Andrew Steele. As we crossed the border during the darkness of the night into Lesotho, I rolled down my window and was immediately greeted by the distinct smell I remembered. Tears filled my eyes listening to the beautiful singing welcome of the school children.  I was overcome with goosebumps. I couldn’t believe I was finally back.

I can remember as a kid watching the Lion King and dreaming of a faraway place of Africa. This continent, that was once just a dream to visit, has now become a reality in my life. Now, I have visited twice, and we have a team of amazing volunteers around the world devoting their time to help with BLOOM Africa. In all, our return to the nation of Lesotho was surreal.

While there, I was continuously confronted with the phrase Kaofela rea tsoana....We Are All the Same. Through travel and meeting people from all different walks of life, the phrase encapsulated the truth I've learned. As humans we all share common hopes and dreams that binds us together. During our trip, we visited project sites, spoke with leaders in the community, shook the King’s hand, and met with local and international NGOs to learn and collaborate. There is great work still to done in Lesotho, but I am optimistic and re-energized that working with the Basotho and BLOOM Africa there is a brighter future ahead for the children of Lesotho.

“Maybe I’m a hopeless optimist.  Maybe I’m naïve.  Maybe I’m unrealistic.  Maybe my educational expertise isn’t sufficient to anticipate how much can and will go wrong.  Or maybe I just can’t bear the thought of failing the kids again.  It doesn’t matter.  I’m all in.  And for the long haul.”

-Dr. William Henk

Thank you for sharing in BLOOM Africa’s dream.


Peace,


William


This blog entry was written by William Thomas, BLOOM Africa Deputy Director.

Meetings - Lesotho Style: Lesotho Update #2

Andrew and Billy have been staying busy with meetings, meetings and more meetings! Check out the details of their fun, educational and motivational engagements below....

On Thursday:
We met with the Principal of Fatima Primary School in Ramabanta,
Lesotho. We heard about the struggles, the challenges, the successes,
and the opportunities at her school.

We also met with Lerato, who is a leader in the village. She spoke to
us about how great her village is, as well as the crushing realities
of HIV/AIDS and orphans in her village. She will be a great partner
for BLOOM.

We had some nice meetings with ladies that are making and selling
scarves and knit hats from scratch, all the way from the stage of
receiving wool, to spinning it, to knitting it. We also met with a
guy in the community that makes art from rocks that he grounds.

On Friday morning:

We met with the the Principal of the primary school in Roma and the
the lady volunteering her time to run Leratong Community Center. It
was very insightful hearing from both of them.

We also met with Little Angels to check up on our project there. The
water is running perfectly and the kids were all smiling. We spoke
with Rose and Kennedy there and dropped off shoes for kids there
without them.

We have built some very nice relationships during our time here, as
well as learned how to best work with the Basotho people. We are
looking forward to updating you in more detail!

Another post full of big things for BLOOM and the orphans of Lesotho!! The BLOOM team is looking forward to creating lasting relationships and designing projects with all of these wonderful people!

Kings, Kids & Colleges: Lesotho Update #1

Lumela, friends! Andrew and Billy have been extremely busy the past few days in Lesotho. All of their hard work is paying off, though, as they continue to make new connections and generate new support for BLOOM. Here is a look at what they've accomplished, what they've been doing and what they'll be bringing back to the BLOOM Africa team!

We are currently in Maseru after meeting with a professor who teaches at the National University of Lesotho.

We arrived in Lesotho on Saturday night after a busy day of driving and seeing some folks. Sunday we spent the day in the community in Roma, and did some hiking. After spending the morning with some children in the village, we traveled to visit the Lesotho Child's Counseling Unit. This was a place of safety for children who have been badly abused or abandoned. The Wittengerg trips have been going to this site for the last number of years and volunteering there. Sadly, in November, the structure caught fire and was completely burned down. It was very sad to be back and see the charred ashes of a building that used to have so much happiness and joy inside its walls.

On Monday we spent the day with the Springfield Rotary Club in Motsekua, where they were dedicating the orphanage they have funded. His Majesty King Letsie III attended the large celebration, and gave the closing remarks at the program. After the program, we had lunch with His Majesty, and both William and I were able to meet him and discuss BLOOM Africa and our vision. We also connected with contacts from the US Embassy. After the event, we visited a school and orphanage, and spent time with the school's principal. We learned a lot about the challeneges that primary and high schools are now facing in Lesotho.

Tuesday was a busy day for us, spent in Maseru. We spent the moring at Kick4Life, an NGO using soccer to combat HIV and empower youth. We met the new director and are excited about the potential to work together in the future. That afternoon we had a meeting with the Director of the Peace Corps in Lesotho, and gained many new contacts that will be beneficial to moving forward. Later in the afternoon we met with our contacts who run soccer tournaments in Thaba Bosiu that promote healthy living and empowerment.

Today we met with the professor and will be visiting Little Angels. This afternoon we will head to Ramabanta where we will spend two nights. We hope to speak to some teachers there to hear of the difficulties of teaching in rural Lesotho. We will not have access to internet until Friday evening.

Yesterday was Billys birthday and we certainly celebrated in a good fashion! We raced up a mountain with just enough time to spare to catch the sunset, another beautiful evening in the Mountain Kingdom.

Love you all and wish you were here!!!

Big things are coming our way, folks!! Stay tuned for more updates, more good news and more ways you can help us help the orphans of Lesotho!

**Should anyone want/need to get ahold of either Andrew or Billy, you may call their Lesotho cell phone at (266) 57 40 27 93.

BLOOM Africa Becomes Campus Organizaton

In the summer of 2011 I had the opportunity to experience something very unique. I had the chance to travel to Lesotho, Africa for a month long service trip through Wittenberg University. That month in Lesotho forever changed my life. It was an experience that I will never forget. It has impacted me more than I could have ever imagined.

I had a passion for service before the trip, which was why I initially wanted to go to Lesotho.  Before I left for the trip I thought that when I went there I was going to have an impact on the lives of the Basotho. I thought I was going to be the one helping them out and enriching their lives.  The impact the Basotho had on me was so much greater than the impact I could ever have on them. They taught me about perseverance, strength, love, hope, joy, and hard work. Anyone could teach me about these ideals and help me grow, but it was the way in which the Basotho taught me about that will have a lasting impact on my life, greater than I could have ever imagined.

This impact from the Basotho ignited my passion and love for Lesotho and it was the mission and hard work of Andrew Steele and BLOOM Africa that motivated me to start a student organization on Wittenberg’s campus devoted to spreading awareness about HIV and AIDS. I learned about BLOOM Africa while I was in Lesotho when I first met Andrew Steele. I was in awe that a college student had the drive and passion to start a non- profit organization. I couldn’t imagine doing that, but upon returning to Wittenberg I knew that BLOOM was something I wanted to get involved in and something that I wanted to bring onto Wittenberg’s campus.

Before going to Lesotho I knew that HIV and AIDS was a big issue in Sub Saharan Africa, but I didn’t know the extent of the issue. Lesotho opened my eyes and forced me to see how much this pandemic has affected not just Lesotho, but all of Sub Saharan Africa. I thought that maybe if I didn’t realize how big this issue was that other students might also not know how big of a negative impact HIV and AIDS has had on this part of the world. It was this thought that made me realize that creating an HIV/AIDS awareness group needed to be done.

The mission of this group is to promote awareness and understanding about the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is devastating countries in Sub Saharan African. We hope to accomplish these goals through educational and philanthropic events, committed to spreading knowledge of the issue, with the ultimate goal of spreading awareness on Wittenberg’s campus, as well as the Springfield community at large, and providing financial support to the orphans in these areas in Africa.

I chose to name this student organization BLOOM Africa. I did this for many reasons. The first reason was because BLOOM Africa the NGO is known on campus and has a positive image because of Andrew Steele and the Lesotho trip. I hoped that this positive image could reflect back onto the group and attract students. The second reason I chose the same name is because my goal for this group is to grow knowledge about HIV/AIDS in hopes that awareness can bloom in more areas than just Wittenberg and Springfield, but in places where anyone who has learned something from the group goes. The spreading of knowledge is easy. It just takes someone to tell just one other person and knowledge has been spread. It is the acquiring of knowledge that can be the challenge. I hope that with this organization we can give people the resource to acquire knowledge and they in return can spread the knowledge we have given them. The final reason I chose the name is because I hope that we can form different BLOOM Africa chapters on other college campuses throughout the country. This would not only spread awareness and create more support for the non-profit organization, but it would also spread and produce knowledge about HIV/AIDS at the same time.

I have high hopes for this organization and with the support of BLOOM Africa (NGO) and the students at Wittenberg, I think we can accomplish great things. I am excited to see what the future holds for this organization.

Peace,

Michael

Michael is currently serving as an intern with BLOOM Africa, and is a student at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.

Leavin On A Jet Plane

It’s happening!  It really is happening!

On March 1, William Thomas and I will be traveling back to Lesotho on BLOOM business.  This is the first time BLOOM Africa has sent personnel on official business to Lesotho.  Previously, team members were able to spend time in Lesotho through service trips and volunteer experiences.  Now, we are sending team members to solely focus on the development of our organization.

This is a huge step for us.  We are now at a point where we can invest in the development of relationships and project sites in Lesotho.  Our hope is to target potential future project sites, BLOOM contacts and possible future staff members.

We will be spending 10 days in Lesotho, traveling all around the country from the capital city of Maseru to the rural mountaintops of Ramabanta.  We’ll also be taking some of the goods donated to us and delivering them to the community centers and orphanages we have worked with in the past.

We look forward to returning with newly built relationships, reports on past projects and locations for our future work.  This visit will lay the groundwork for much of our work in the months ahead.

While we’re there, we’ll be blogging right here, so stay tuned for updates from our visit!

Thanks again for your continued support, this wouldn’t be possible without you.

In great anticipation,

Andrew

Holding Hands For Life

As a former student of international studies and international politics, AIDS has been an area of academia that I've constantly been exposed to. However, it wasn't until the summer of 2011, when I became immersed in an AIDS environment, that I actually realized how deeply the disease affects me, even as someone who is not HIV+.

This past summer I spent 6 weeks in southern Africa as part of a Fulbright program focused on education. During this time, we traveled throughout the southern part of the continent and experienced many different peoples, cultures, traditions, economies and political structures.  It was an incredible experience in so many ways, and it is something that I will forever cherish. Although I was moved by a variety of things throughout the trip, the most emotional and profoundly affecting experiences were the times spent with those suffering from or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Throughout the preparations for the trip, and even during the first week of the trip, I mentally prepared myself for what I was about to experience. I read about AIDS, I read about Lesotho, I read about people who have spent time in the region and have been affected by the disease. I read, I read, I read. However, no amount of reading could have fully prepared me for this experience.

I guess you could say that I was fortunate to have a gradual introduction to what life really is like for those affected by AIDS. Our first week in Lesotho was spent in Morija, where we stayed at a wonderful guest house that was also a temporary home to a lovely Canadian family who was there adopting a young girl, Rethabile. Billy, as they called her, was an AIDS orphan who was left with no family and therefore sent to a large orphanage in Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. I was fortunate to build a relationship with this family and to be able to talk to them nightly about their experience. The conversation I remember most was about the orphanage in which Billy was placed. They described it in detail, painting vivid pictures of rooms full of hundreds of orphans lying on the ground because there was no funding for beds, mess halls full of bugs, kids running around with little or no clothing and no shoes at all. As I listened to their story with tears in my eyes, I looked over at little Billy and made a personal vow to do everything I could to help children like her. Although this was incredibly emotional, I had yet to experience AIDS first hand.

Upon our arrival in Roma, our second location in Lesotho, we were greeted by several small, friendly, happy children. Some of my fellow travelers suspected that their happiness was due to their association of strangers to free stuff, but I like to believe that they are genuinely happy just to have someone to play with for a few minutes. Before even unloading our luggage from the bus, we went out to meet and spend a little time with the children. We were swarmed immediately, as kids grabbed our hands, our waists and our legs…and didn't let go. They showed us their school, their community center and their homes. We skipped and ran and laughed and played. We attempted conversations that fell flat after a few sentences of broken English, but rebounded with smiles and body language. We never let go of their hands. This continued for a while until it was time for us to go back to our lodgings. I cried as I walked away. I cried as we unloaded and unpacked. I cried myself to sleep as I laid in my comfortable bed with a full stomach, a pillow under my head and a heater on full blast. I cried for the kids who have so little, who are so sick, who have lost their family to AIDS, who are so happy and continue to smile, laugh and play despite the circumstances. Nothing I read prepared me for those emotions.

The rest of our time in Roma was spent in the local school and community centers where we played with and taught hundreds of kids, many who either have or have been directly affected by AIDS. In fact, one of my favorite kids was clearly HIV+. There were hundreds of kids like her, but for some reason, she became mine. Everyday she would find me and welcome me with a smile and a hug and a sweet greeting in her best English. At the end of the day, she would proudly show me things she made or toys she brought with her. On our last day working with the kids, my girl and I said our final goodbye and handed each other a small token to remember the other by. Due to the language barrier I never heard her story, and that makes me sad to this day. I cherish the time spent with her....the games played, the lessons taught and of course the dancing. Maybe someday I'll see her again, but for now, I can only look at the small rock she gave me, think of her often and hope she's doing well.

On one of our final days in Roma, we were lucky enough to have a visit from an HIV+ woman named Daphne. Daphne talked with us at length about how AIDS has affected her and how it affects the community in general. She described the stigmas associated with the disease and how she dealt with them. She told us about how it affected her physically, mentally and emotionally. How it has affected her family, her husband, her children, her reputation and her employment status. She shared her entire experience with us...complete strangers. I learned so much from her, not only about the disease itself, but also about personal strength, the importance of family and the role of AIDS in Lesotho.

These experiences are responsible for who I am now and what I plan to do in the future. This is when I realized that I could no longer associate AIDS with statistics and graphs. Instead, I now think of people....real people with real struggles and real lives. Real people who need our help. Some of you may be wondering about that vow I made when learning about Billy's struggle. In a nutshell, I've vowed to help in a variety of ways, including fundraising, returning to that beautiful Kingdom in the Sky to volunteer, working with BLOOM Africa and (eventually) adopting my very own Billy.

My connection with BLOOM Africa was random, unplanned and unexpected, but, I believe, meant to be.  I couldn’t have found a more perfect organization through which to act on my vow and devote myself to helping those beautiful children affected by such an ugly disease.  Although my work with BLOOM Africa is new, I’m so excited to say that I already feel like I am making a difference.  I’ll be involved with BLOOM in a variety of different areas, however my main role will be that of Education Officer.  Through this role I plan on creating and implementing educational curricula in community centers throughout Lesotho.  These curricula will provide orphans with the skills and knowledge necessary to support themselves and to live happy, healthy and successful lives.  As an educator and humanitarian, I love nothing more than supporting others in their journey to betterment.  I am so humbled (and excited!!) to have been asked to join the BLOOM Africa team and I can’t wait to see what we, with your help, can do for the children of Lesotho.

Khotso le lerato,

Erica

This blog entry was written by BLOOM Africa team member, Erica Coffman.

How Lesotho Changed My Life

Community service is something I have had a passion for since the beginning of high school. I remember right before the summer of my freshman year attending my sister’s high school graduation. I recall seeing a medal she had around her neck and asking my parents what she was wearing. They explained to me that she had performed over 200 hours of community service and for that she and any other student who had accomplished the same act received that medal in recognition for their accomplishment. After hearing that I knew that was something I too wanted to accomplish. I will admit at first that was my main reason for wanting to perform community service. I wanted to receive that medal of recognition upon my graduation, but my motivation for service slowly began to change as I became more involved in service projects.

I began serving through a hospital in town. I would volunteer one night a week for four hours. I was at the front desk. I was the first person to greet anyone who came into the hospital. I enjoyed this responsibility because I wanted to hopefully create a comfortable happy environment with my attitude. Many of the people who came to the hospital were there to visit a sick or hurt family member. That can be hard to deal with and it was my personal goal with the short interaction I would have with them to make them feel at ease and calm. I was also responsible to deliver flowers to patients whenever they would get a delivery. This was my favorite part of the job, so to speak. Seeing the look on their faces when they saw the faces, especially the elderly patients, is something I won’t forget. It didn’t matter how they were feeling, but for that moment they forgot about their pain and were truly happy and grateful that someone had thought about them and wanted to help brighten their day. I always made sure to have a big smile on my face and was excited to see them. Volunteering in a hospital setting taught me a lot. I wouldn’t always want to go to volunteering, but I would go and remember that the time I am giving is more valuable than something else I might want to do at the time. I couldn’t go and not give 100 percent because that wouldn’t be fair to the people and patients I interacted with. Once I was in that mind set my mood would change and I would be excited to go volunteer.

Late in high school I became involved with Habitat for Humanity. I was only able to complete one project with the club, but it left a lasting impression on me. Through my service at the hospital and Habitat I along with my twin sister received that coveted medal upon graduating high school. The medal had a different meaning for me now though. I didn’t want the medal because I thought it was “cool” like I had 4 years earlier. I didn’t necessarily even want to medal anymore. My perseverance to receive this medal had changed me. It had made me into a person who was passionate about service and wanted to continue to serve upon going to college.

I did not pursue service my first semester at Wittenberg University because I wanted to get adjusted to college life, but I heard from an upperclassman about a chance to go to Lesotho and serve there for a month in the summer. I was instantly intrigued and wanted to learn more about this trip. An Information meeting was held and I was there to learn everything I could about the trip. After attending the meeting I was hooked, I had to go. I immediately called my parents and told them about it. They were wary at first, but told me I could apply and if I was accepted to go we would talk about it again. I applied and right before the Holiday break I was accepted to go on the trip. I was ecstatic! To be able to serve for a month was incredible, but to have the chance to serve a month in Africa was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I came home for break and told my parents the news. They were still undecided about the issue and wanted some time to think it over. After much deliberation they came to the conclusion that I could go. I informed my professor I would accept his invitation and when I returned for classes in the spring I began attending weekly meetings to learn about the trip and more importantly about Lesotho, the country we would be spending 4 summer weeks in. The semester ended and not long after I was on a plane to Lesotho. That month in Lesotho forever changed my life. 

This trip was amazing. We were able to interact with the Basotho and form relationships with the people we were helping. The Basotho are some of the most incredible people I have ever had the blessing of interacting with. They were so grateful for everything we did. They thanked us over and over again.  I have never seen more creativity and resourcefulness in my 19 years. The toys the kids would make themselves were so unique and creative. It was inspiring to see and it made me realize how boring and spoiled our society is in the U.S. It forced me to see how blessed I am, and also how much I take for granted. I could never imagine not knowing where my next meal is going to come from or wondering how I am going to stay warm on a cold winter night. These were things the kids we hung out with had to deal with every day, yet they were so full of life! Some one of them didn’t have their mom or dad or both. It seemed as though it didn’t appear to faze them. They were almost conditioned to the fact that this was how life is, which broke my heart. But they also gave me hope. When talking to a lot of them, I learned that they enjoyed school and they were eager to learn. They had goals and ambitions. They were simply amazing and the interactions and relationships I formed with the Basotho have forever changed me as a person. Going to Lesotho lit a fire under me unlike anything else ever has. I came back home knowing that I couldn’t live the rest of my life and not serve in some way. I immediately became involved with Habitat for Humanity at school and began to talk to Dr. Rosenberg and Andrew Steele about the Peace Corps and Youth and Global Mission. I contacted Andrew about interning for BLOOM and he graciously brought me onto the team. I look forward to continuing to serve in any way that I can, but especially in ways that benefits Lesotho. If it weren’t for Lesotho I wouldn’t be who I am today. I wouldn’t have the goals and ambitions that I have and for that I will be forever thankful.

By: Michael LaCagnin

A New Year, A New Hope

It’s now 2012, and the New Year brings many new beginnings.  Many people state ‘new year resolutions,’ that may fizzle in weeks or act as a catalyst for change and direction in the coming 365 days.  Some people don’t make resolutions come the New Year, but are happy to wash their hands of the previous years troubles.  Either way, the coming of a new year signifies optimism and a fresh start.

I carry this new kind of hope for BLOOM Africa, Lesotho and humanity in general.  I know I can be overly ambitious and a bit of a dreamer at times, but I can’t help but get excited about the possibilities in the year ahead.  How can I not get excited about our growing organization and the potential to touch even more lives in Lesotho?  How can I not be thrilled to know we have a larger network of supporters to spread the good news about the Mountain Kingdom in the sky?  We are currently in the development stages of our new vision as an organization, something we feel will catapult how successful our impact can be in Lesotho.  We now have, more than ever, people wanting to become socially engaged with BLOOM and their communities.  There is just so much to be optimistic about.

Of course when the New Year starts, we grasp on to the hope that our dreams and desires will become realized.  Without hope, what are we as human beings?  Who was Franklin Delano Roosevelt without the hope of a prosperous and successful United States?  Who was Nelson Mandela without the hope for a free and democratic South Africa?  What would a farmer do if he did not have hope in his newly planted seeds?  It is clear that hope is central to so much of what we do and who we are.

We are dedicated towards creating a hope that is concrete, everlasting and full of love and justice.  The word hope has been thrown around lately much like other words that seem to diminish their importance.  But for children who are parentless, hungry and lacking basic resources, hope may be their only resource to escape poverty. 

Join me in sharing this fresh, rejuvenated hope for the orphans and vulnerable children of Lesotho.  Let us have hope for a better tomorrow through our mutuality with our brothers and sisters thousands of miles away.  Yes, hope is not something that can be counted, graphed or collected.  But it is the resource that is most important…the resource that has the power to change the world.

-Andrew

World AIDS Day 2011

I’ll never forget the first time that the statistics on HIV and AIDS became real to me.  I was in Lesotho in 2009 with Wittenberg University during an intensive month-long service project.  We had spent time with children, orphans and other people affected or infected with HIV/AIDS during my time there.  But it wasn’t until a day at the Baylor AIDS Clinic that I was forever changed.

Baylor AIDS Clinic offers free HIV/AIDS medication, check-ups and testing for children infected by HIV/AIDS.  We went to Baylor one day to put on a carnival for the children at the clinic that day.  As you can imagine, being a child and having to go to the doctor’s is never fun.  But these children either had to go to the doctor’s their whole lives, or were there for their first time.  So we wanted to provide a day of distraction and fun for the children to get their minds off of the clinic.

My job on this day was to man the Bubble Station.  We had a bunch of different activities going on, from a bean bag toss, soccer game, face paint, arts and crafts, and much more.  Somehow I became Bubble Boy and was given the task to blow bubbles with the children.  I never knew such a simple thing could bring so much joy.  The kids liked blowing the bubbles, but really loved chasing them down and trying to pop them.  You should have seen the smiles and heard the laughter each time they were able to catch up to one of the bubbles!

During the day, there was one boy who was particularly intrigued by the bubbles.  He was probably about 3 years old, and had one of the greatest smiles on earth.  He spent most of his time with the bubbles, chasing them down and having the time of his life.  But after awhile, he became extremely exhausted because of his poor immune system and lack of energy from being HIV positive.  He climbed into my arms and lay there, with all of that energy and laughter gone. 

This was when it hit me.  This was when HIV/AIDS became a reality in my life.  No longer were they just numbers, statistics and ribbons.  The HIV/AIDS statistics now had a face, a smile, a laugh, a life.  And to come to the realization that this boy was born HIV positive, along with all the other young children there that day, was devastating.  I couldn’t hold it together, and the realization caused me great pain.  This was when my life changed, and I committed to keeping the promise and fight for an AIDS-free world.

It saddens me that the one day Lesotho is recognized and talked about is on World AIDS Day.  It is a country of such rich history, culture and beauty.  But my hope is that after people hear about the AIDS epidemic in Lesotho, they are moved to take action.  The possibility of hope, as daunting as it may seem, is possible in Lesotho.  For us, every day should be World AIDS Day until this deadly disease is wiped off our planet. 

Won’t you join us in our cause for an AIDS-free Lesotho? 

Why Lesotho?

“The rolling Maulti Mountains seem to scrape the sky as they stretch for as far as the eye can see.  As my taxi approaches the border, the distant valleys and dongas paint a landscape like I’ve never seen before.  As I exit the taxi, the clean mountain air surrounds me.  There are herd boys watching their cattle or goats in the distance.  I can hear cowbells swinging from the necks of the animals ranging up steep mountainsides in the distance.  The sound of children playing echoes off the sandstone walls, and the smell of a fire burning outside a rondavel fill my nostrils.  As I take in a deep breath and close my eyes, I let it all sink in and realize…This is Lesotho.”

It all started in 2009, when I traveled to Lesotho with Wittenberg University of a service-learning trip.  As I entered the culturally rich kingdom, my life was forever changed.  Despite the natural beauty of Lesotho, it is the Basotho, or people from Lesotho, that make it such a wonderful place.  The hospitality shown from the Basotho was unlike any I’ve ever experienced.  It’s common to be invited to a home for tea or to simply talk, when you may not know the person at all.  If you are walking through a village, it’s not rare for children to come running to you and figh over who gets to hold your hand as you walk.  The Basotho believe in walking hand-in-hand with their brothers and sisters, and I intend to never let go.

The simplicity of life in Lesotho helps expose the true wealth in humanity: community and togetherness.  There is no word for ‘stranger’ in Sesotho, the language spoken in Lesotho.  Instead, everyone is seen as a Ntate (father), Mme (mother), Abuti (brother), or Ausi (sister.)  It is only through each other that it is possible to be who I am, and this concept of Basotho culture is something I wish to bring to my life in the United States.

There are certainly daunting issues facing Lesotho, and the world economic downturn has hurt the Basotho worse than most people.  So as BLOOM Africa joins hands with our Basotho brothers and sisters, we hope to work together to empower each other and learn from our shared mutuality.  There is much the Basotho can teach us about our humanity, and we hope to embrace it as we continue to walk together, hand-in-hand.

It’s important to recognize the differences in our cultures, appreciate them, but never to forget that kaofela rea tsoana, ‘we are all the same.’

Thank you for your support, and we ask that you walk with us as we continue our work in the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.

Khotso,

Andrew