Amidst the advice I've received from people who have been to Africa before, one I am repeatedly warned of is to get used to - no, to embrace - that everyone will stare at me and call me "mzungu," Swahili for "white person."
My friend Brian, who lived in Tanzania with Peace Corps, has the following (enjoyable) theory to explain this habitual point-and-yell-mzungu tradition:
"I have my Santa Claus theory: In the USA, Santa Claus bears gifts but only comes around every now and then. But if Santa walks down the street, you are certain to hear people yelling 'Santa' from far away to say hello to him. Parents will grab their children at point at him. Some very little children will be very scared of Santa and even cry if he comes too close but other kids will dance with joy just because it’s so darn fun to see Santa. And just sometimes if you ask Santa for a gift, he will give you one, but if he doesn’t that’s okay, as long as he says hello and shakes your hand with a big smile and a ho ho ho. Parents will only jokingly play with Santa, but are more likely to send their kids to say hello to Santa and will laugh if their child is too afraid. In an Africa village, white people are treated in very similar ways.
One time, when I was in the village, there was a small boy, about 3 or 4. He got brave and decided to rub the white off my arm. But the white wouldn’t go away, so he asked me: Where’s the black? I said to him, oh, no, that’s my color. Look. See your color? See mine? It’s different. That’s just the way it is. He pondered that a bit and then asked me “Is your blood red?” I swear, people always say color is only skin deep but this kid was really wondering about that. Yes, buddy, my blood is red. I felt like cutting my skin to prove it.
Some day, I want to write a book about race relations in the world and I’m going to title it: “Is your blood red?” in honor of Georgie. Yes, that was his name. I remember now."
So, shall I bring my Mrs. Claus outfit? By the way, Brian, I'll be looking for that title in the bookstores in a couple years!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Working with HEAL Africa
By now, you know that I will be moving to Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to work with HEAL Africa.
I hear some people wonder what the heck a blonde Mexican girl who has been living in Minneapolis, Minnesota has to do with a country all the way on the other side of the world that's at war.
Good question. I'll give it a stab, although there are many dimensions:
Jesus: I must say, he's the example I try to follow. He always went out of his way to hang out with those that were suffering in inconvenient places like leprous colonies and said that to do that is to love. He didn't stop at just hanging out, but gave his life for those he loved- which is all people and nations- and said that to be willing to sacrifice for others is to love. I appreciate that. So he loved me and by doing that, my life belongs to him. Which I guess means that I follow his example- if he loves me, I must love others.
Sustainable Development: Community development, economic development, holistic healing and growth - you could say I'm passionate about that. It started out something like this: an idea during college of helping people for the long-run; three years with the Neighborhood Development Center as a property manager for immigrant small business owners; my friend Harper working with HEAL Africa in the DRC and following the news of the war there for a year and a half; their programs being developed towards the sustainability of the communities there. I'll be working with income generation grants for impoverished and struggling families and widows to provide for their children.
It's Africa!: Last time I asked about Africa, somebody said I had to go visit! I figured, if two weeks or a month, why not a year or two? They also said that if I don't speak fluent French and Swahili, I better get working on them. And that if I want to blend in... it just won't happen, so get used to it!
Who wouldn't want to go to Africa?
I hear some people wonder what the heck a blonde Mexican girl who has been living in Minneapolis, Minnesota has to do with a country all the way on the other side of the world that's at war.
Good question. I'll give it a stab, although there are many dimensions:
Jesus: I must say, he's the example I try to follow. He always went out of his way to hang out with those that were suffering in inconvenient places like leprous colonies and said that to do that is to love. He didn't stop at just hanging out, but gave his life for those he loved- which is all people and nations- and said that to be willing to sacrifice for others is to love. I appreciate that. So he loved me and by doing that, my life belongs to him. Which I guess means that I follow his example- if he loves me, I must love others.
Sustainable Development: Community development, economic development, holistic healing and growth - you could say I'm passionate about that. It started out something like this: an idea during college of helping people for the long-run; three years with the Neighborhood Development Center as a property manager for immigrant small business owners; my friend Harper working with HEAL Africa in the DRC and following the news of the war there for a year and a half; their programs being developed towards the sustainability of the communities there. I'll be working with income generation grants for impoverished and struggling families and widows to provide for their children.
It's Africa!: Last time I asked about Africa, somebody said I had to go visit! I figured, if two weeks or a month, why not a year or two? They also said that if I don't speak fluent French and Swahili, I better get working on them. And that if I want to blend in... it just won't happen, so get used to it!
Who wouldn't want to go to Africa?
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