Final Thoughts, Saturday, February 4

As I sit on the plane, heading back to the United States at ~500 miles per hour, no clear thoughts, revelations, or insights seem clear to me. The whirlwind of activities visiting the Kilimanjaro region will take some time to fully digest. I leave Pare with many of the same emotions I have felt after previous visits to developing nations. I’ve been reminded once again of the ubiquity of poverty on this planet, that our “normal” lives in the United States are anything but normal for the vast majority of the earth’s population. I’m reminded of a need to look outside of our own back yard to our brothers and sisters across the globe, not just to help them overcome some of their impediments to existence, but also to learn from them and their culture about our shared human experience. We can learn so much from these people.  I’m reminded of the power of the human spirit to overcome amazing obstacles, yet make keenly aware that the spirit has limitations. I’m reminded that water, food, family, and shelter are too scarce for too many of the world’s people. I’ll have the hopeless, vacant stare of many African children and adults burned into my memory forever. I’m reminded of the carnage that AIDS has brought to the world, and particulary Africa, as I recall the nonchalant conversation with Elia about his many close relatives who had succumbed to the illness. I’m reminded of the power that education gives to help people lift themselves out of poverty and oppression.

Finally, I’m reminded of a real relationship built between people in Ames and Hedaru.  I hope that we can work effectively with Hedaru residents to effect real change in the world, but first our team must tell our story so that others will start to understand what we have experienced and help us chart the course of our relationship with these people.  I am confident that this relationship will grow, be strong, and prosper.

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