The Generation that Refuses to Give Up

The #idlenomore movement in Response to the passing of Bill C-45, makes me prouder than ever to be an Indigenous Women in a generation that is determined to make and demand change.

I was looking through my twitter, and following some updates of the #idlenomore, and It hit me, it was literally one of those comedic “light bulb” moments you see in cartoons.

The last week I was in Zambia, Women for Change was advocating and educating Women from every part of the country. The Women were coming together to stand up for their Basic Human Rights, and also Women’s Rights they've never been granted before.

While I was there, The Zambian Government released the first draft of a New Constitution (the last Constitution was from Colonial Times which was surpressed on Zambians)

Many Women’s groups, and NGO’s unified to put together a massive conference to unite Women to Educate ALL women, regardless of the tribe they were from, which Indigenous Language they spoke, how wealthy or non wealthy they were, there was no discrimination. Just Women to Women.

All of the Women came together, not only to get Educated about the Constitution, but to forward their recommendations for the Second draft. When the Conference was over, ALL the women, were unified in their stance in regards to the constitution.

This loops back to the relationship we have with our Brothers and Sisters across the World. Our Sisters in Zambia, took all the knowledge they learned at that conference, back home to Educate all the other women who could not attend.

 There was a day in Zambia, I asked the Creator why he sent me here, and I got one answer, “He sent you here to show you something”  Now I know what that something was. An example of how to mobilize and educate the people.

This relates to us here in Canada, because here we are, Chief Spence in her 21^st day of her Hunger Strike, and there are still many First Nations who may not fully understand what the movement is about. It is very complex to understand, there are many layers to peel back to fully grasp it’s complexity. You need to know what the treaties are, Indigenous Rights, and Human Rights, and how the Bill got to where it is today in terms of the Justice system.

I'm a fourth year University Student, and I still am researching about it,I know in my own community, there is a high percentage of the adult population that have literacy troubles, How do you expect them to fully understand, when we need to back up, and educate about the treaties first, before we explain how the Bill will be hindering protection of the land, or about the Sustainability of our Water.

I think about the Women’s Constitution Conference and how women from all walks of life, had united together to fight for their rights as Women. I never mention a problem, without ever having a solution to offer.

First Nations need to move forward with one unified response.The Conservative government will not listen, if all of our Chiefs have different responses, or critiques of the movement, we'll be disregarded once again, claiming, we don't know what we want.

  This is the Generation that refuses to give up

I think about the African Proverb:

 “If you think you are too small to make a difference, you have never spent a night with a mosquito”

#idlenmore

@ashleydennehy

alberta sweetgrass

Thank you to Alberta Sweetgrass for featuring me in your newspaper! 

http://www.ammsa.com/publications/alberta-sweetgrass/college-student-focus-efforts-back-home

So blessed to be able to inspire others! 

SETF Awards!

I Just wanted to post a photo from when I spoke at the Samson Education Trust Fund Awards last weekend . I am so very honored to have been asked to speak, and I was grateful for another opportunity to grow and become a better Speaker. 

Thank you to my Dad & Mom for supporting me through out the Internship, as well as having my Sisters Jennifer, Jessica, Allyson & Heather, as well as Barb to come and be my little cheer leaders. Thanks Heather for being the photographer and video editor! 

Also, thank you to every one in attendance, including Mayor Stephan Mandell from Edmonton, for all of the amazing positive comments. I am so very blessed to have all of your support. 

Some days, I can't beleive, how many doors this Internship has opened for me. 

"I MAY BE BENT, BUT NOT BROKEN, EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON, BECAUSE IF THE CREATOR BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE WILL BRING YOU THROUGH IT" 

Leading the Way

Dave Douglas has featured me in his leadership Book.

 

So very blessed, to be featured in a book.

 

Here is the link for viewing, or for purchase.

 

Enjoy, Book name is "Leading the Way"

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ACMUQ7S

 

 

 

been awhile..

Some time has passed since I've reintegrated back into life in Canada. I feel like I am at the point in my journey where I am able to fully talk about my experiences in Zambia. 

It was incredibly difficult to try to comprehend everything I've been through in the past year. When I first came home, and all the questions, were questions, I could not answer. 

Indeed, it was extremely emotional, I was tested beyond what I thought I was capable of, in terms of my fears of going into the unknown. 

I have tried many times to sit down, and write my stories, but my stories were all over the place, and it was to emotional to write about a place I had grown to love and call home.

As an Indigenous person, I have this connection to my family, my peoples, and my land, that is indescribable. It was so hard for me to be away, from all of the familiar. It was difficult to communicate to home, because it was unbearable to hear how life was moving on without me in Canada. 

I learned that I will always have two or maybe even three homes, and multiple families. I have brothers and sisters in Zambia and Fiji and all over Canada. 

The biggest gift this internship could have given me, was to bring me closer to my faith and my culture. I put my trust in the Creator to guide me and show me what I needed to see, and to create friendships with other Indigenous cultures around the world. 

I just wanted to update you on some of the things I have been up to since my last update, I have been fundraising to provide clean water for school children in Zambia and for the Women for Change Organization where I interned. If you are interested in donating, I have a bake sale scheduled for November for the Samson Community.

and, I have been asked to be a guest speaker, at the Second Annual First Nations Sustainability Conference along side Wab Kinew, host of the 8th Fire Series in February 2013 in Edmonton. If you are interested in attending or supporting, please email me at dennehya@mymail.macewan.ca 

and, the Samson Education Trust Fund has asked me to speak at the annual awards nights to honor our community members in their educational journey next month. 

The best part of it all, has been the large number of youth who have reached out to me, in terms of advice for exploring the world, and pursuing their education. 

spideys and other random thoughts

I'm not sure if I wrote about this before, but I think of this Zambia-Africa experience, as a ripple effect.

Think of a pond, and this internship as a Rock.

All of these opportunities rippling out as an effect of the rock being dropped in a pond, is kind of what I am experiencing now.

I am so blessed with the doors that have opened for me. I feel I am now a catalyst in empowering youth in my community.

I had to laugh, going through my journals of when I was in Africa. Usually I am very emotionally affected when I read them. Sometimes I laugh, and sometimes I cry.

There is something amazing that happened to me every day when I was there. Living with four other interns, it was always a fun- adventerous time. I read a journal entry last night, where we tarantala trapping, and there was one in our kitchen! The biggest and fastest one I seen in Zambia, and we made a video to document us trying to catch it. I remember being so afraid, and my friends laughing at me for being such a scaredy cat.
 
Made me laugh, and feel nastalgic, and I really think about how great it was as an experience. I highly recommend for all ages to step out of your comfort zone, and leap into new challenges. Even when your scared. The Creator will never give you anything you can't handle.

This quote brought me strength every day in difficult situations...

 

"There may not be good days, but there is good in every day"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the note of spiders, I remember my most scaredy cat moment....I had come home from using the Internet cafe at Arcades Mall, and to my surprise, I was the only one home. I was exhausted, it was a long day in the office, and I came in my room and turned the light on, releived to find we had electricty that day.

On the corner of my eye, I seen some legs sticking out from under the bed.

My heart skipped about 8 beats. I knew exactly what these legs were from.

I set my back pack down, while keeping my distance, I looked closer, Sure enough, these hairy thick spotted legs were from...you guessed, a tarantala.

Instantly I was panicked, because I was the only one home, and the legs were poking out from under my bed. I started sweating and couldn't move. I could see it under the bed, but I felt itchy, like they were crawling on me. Even tho it wasn't moving.

What was I going to do? I was the only one home and I needed to sleep. My amigos were out and about. I called my roomies, to come home, I said I had a "situation" and they needed to help me. So Shay Shay and Coco Speed home as fast as they can to save me.

Thankfully the Creator answered my prayers, and Nathan my other roomie came back to save the day. Tarantala= Gonzo! I still apologize to the Creator for all the spideys who had to perish while I was in Zambia.

My co-workers in Zambia could never fully understand why I was so afraid of spiders. They would laugh, and tell me, I needed more exposure to them so I wouldn'd be afraid anymore. Not this girl. Incurable fear of Arachnids.

I have about 40 other stories like this, where spiders threw my whole homeostasis off, but I had amazing room mates who always were understanding. Some of my roomies were afraid of rats, this is where I could show off, because I wasn't afraid of rats. We were a great team despite everything we been through together.

I know these special people who I got to live with in Zambia including Rohan our on the ground program coordinator added to the experience and the success of all of staying the entire four months.

These interns will always have a special place in my heart, because I will never forget Zambia, and the people who made the experience what it is. To my roomies, I thank you! Without you, I would have gone home the first day at the YWCA where we were chasing out toonie size spideys. Love our crazy team. Ro, Coco, Shay Shay, Rexx & Nate Bomb.

youth symposium

Today, was my First Public Speaking in my community about my Africa Internship.

I presented to many youth from the Four Nations in Post Secondary, as well as high school, about my experience and how it had changed me as a person, and how I found my purpose in life.

My hope was for for one person to be inspired by my efforts to make changes in our own community, as well as the international community.

Thank you to Lenora, Ember, and Darlene for allowing me to have this opportunity. Special Thank you to Levi who made my presentation possible. Hai Hai

Wetaskiwin Times Story

Thanks again Nicole for writing the story on my internship in Zambia. The response from so many people is amazing! Couldn't have done it without your help!

http://www.wetaskiwintimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3597641

opened doors

I just want to thank everyone for continuing to read my blog, I think I have had more readers now, then when I was in Africa.

I feel so blessed for the doors that have opened for me since returning home, I have been asked to be a guest speaker at a Four Nations youth symposium with the theme being 'Education is our Buffalo" on August 14, 2012.

I am extremely honored, my Community would ask me to speak, throughout my educational journey, I never thought that I would be speaking to over 200 high school and post secondary students.

My focus now in the Samson Community is to encourage Volunteerism to be the Change you want to see in your own Communities.

Stay tuned from news articles from the Wetaskiwin News and a story featured in the Alberta Sweetgrass Newspaper. Yipee!

TEAM ZAMBIA!

The Real Zambia!

Trust me you want to watch this youtube clip! Directed by Courtenay Louie!

TEAM ZAMBIA! THREE AMIGOS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmuyVII5QFw&feature=player_embedded

Ponoka News!

Thanks Amelia at Ponoka News for writing such a great story on my internship! You rock!

http://www.ponokanews.com/community/163730226.html

Canada...Yay!

It's been a personal triump for me to get out of this little "slump" I was in after returning home to the mother land.

For awhile there, I was hesitant about opportunities, and afraid to talk about my internship, due to the fear of being misunderstood.

It is very complex to explain what I did in Zambia, in the operational areas and in the office in Lusaka.

I would love to publish my journals into a book to talk about the day to day, because sometimes a little detail in my day, was what impacted me more than the "big" things.

I can't tell all my journal entries on my blog, but I am thinking all my daily therapuetic writing I did while I was there, that I'd love to write a book.

I wrote four journals of daily experiences I had in Zambia. I was always writing, because I never wanted to forget this experience that has shaped the future of my life to come.

Please watch for the story in the Ponoka News paper about my internship!

GSC

Well I started the Global Solidarity Challenge today, Not as easy as it sounds, especially when I am sacraficing my morning coffees!

I have spent 0.99 Cents and it isnt even lunch time.

Morning breakfast- Egg Sandwhich (0.19 for one egg) and (0.25 for two pieces fo toast) My Coffee (0.23) was brewed in a pot and NOT bought  at Tim Hortons like usual. = $0.92

My morning snack, was a bannana and it was $0.07.

I need to do some better planning because my budget totaly for today is $0.99 and my budget is $1.25

Thanks to my mom and sister for donating $50.00 each for the cause. Global Solidarity here we come! If anyone is interested in donating, please email me :)
Xoxo
Ash

Mustard Seed

To my favorite lovelys.

First, Thank you for reading, especially now that I am home. So happy to see so many friendly faces and hearing everyone's encouraging words to keep exploring the globe and continuing to make a difference.

Secondly, I Absolutely fell in love with this blog. So happy to see people helping in our own back yard.

This blog is amazing! and I am very happy to share it all with you! next time you need an inspirational lift, read just one post. I promise it will make your day.

http://theseed-blog.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Xoxo
Ash

Samson...Big Thank You!

Super Big Thank you to the Communications Team at the Samson Cree Nation Office. Thank you for profiling me in the Samson Newsletter!

I am so happy to be able to share my story with my home community!

http://www.samsoncree.com/news_files/July2012.pdf
http://www.samsoncree.com/news_files/July2012.pdf

Canada...Yay or Nay!

It’s been an emotional roller coaster since I have been home, I have been up and down and up and down again!

I was super sad to leave my family in Zambia, It was hard to say goodbyes, but I didn’t. I just said “See ya later” because I really hope to get the opportunity to travel back and see them sooner rather than later.

It’s been the most difficult in this internship to transition back into “home” I thought coming home would have been the best part. It’s been extremely tough. All my friends and family may not think I’ve changed because I am trying to play into the Ash that was before I left. But I am someone who has seen and experienced many things on my cultural exchange. How could I not be changed after an experience like this?

I found myself being slightly preachy about my sisters using so much water, or throwing out so much left overs.

I have had my world cracked open and I am at a loss for words when someone asks me “Hey how was Africa” Where Do I even begin? Do you want the good or the bad? Or from the start to finish? The middle?  I don’t know its been frustrating to look for words.

I know you wanted to read something happy about me behing home, dont get me wrong I am happy to see friends and family, I do feel weird. I am so attached to Zambia and I at the end I did not want to leave.

I’ve almost been home for two weeks, and the home I know was changed too, Leanne from the Inter cultural learning prepared us for this. So many things are different. I know things are going to improve with time. Time heals all wounds. I know I have these geeky quotes, but they keep me positive!

Some doors have closed on me in terms of personal relationships with friends and my boyfriend, but where doors have closed others have opened.

 I am leaving everything to the Creator and the Universe. The creator guided me to Zambia, and I know he will continue to guide me in my future endeavors. I am so excited for my future!

Global Solidarity Challenge

This internship has changed the course of life, there is no doubt about it. It has opened so many doors that I could not have imagined once I had started this internship. I will be forever grateful to Lynn, Lesley, and Rohan and all the VIDEA staff for always being an ear to listen to, they knew exactly what I was going through. They walked the steps In Zambia and were  and still are such an amazing support system.

I always thank the Creator for strength to complete the internship. The journey was not an easy one but it was absolutely necessary. I did so much healing while I was in Zambia. Zambia in a way saved me. It brought me closer to loved ones and I did so much self-reflecting. Being there, you feel one with nature and I’d love to tell you the words of how I felt, but there are no words to describe the level of happiness that Zambia and it’s beautiful culture and amazing people have brought to my life.

I know it’s cliché, but “Everything Happens for a Reason”

As a thank you to VIDEA for giving me this amazing opportunity of a life time, I would like to personally fundraise $500.00 for the Global Solidarity Challenge, where I will be creating awareness in my community about how 1.29 Billion people live on less than $1.25 a day.

I will be doing this for a week. I have created a budget and a breakdown of how I will use $1.25 for food, while still meeting my nutritional needs. To date I have raised $75.00. Thank you to my two supporters who have donated! Yay! It's crazy that so many people had no idea that so much of the worlds population was living on such low means, especially when you think of what $1.25 means to you, for me, I always have some coffees every day, usually costing anywhere from $1-5, Just on coffee!

 $425.00 to go! The funds from the Global Solidarity Challenge will towards VIDEA’s programming in the host countries. It helps towards setting up free trade agreements with women in marginalized communities as well as capacity building at the youth and adult levels. I personally have seen how the basket weavers from Senanga have benefitted so much for Women for Change and VIDEA. Please consider donating &10.00. I’ll be collecting donations for the next two weeks. J Please feel free to visit the website! Zikomo Quambelli

My own personal link is

http://solidarity.videa.ca/videaday/participantpage.asp?fundid=1719&uid=3081

The Website:

www.solidarity.videa.ca

NGOCC Womens Constituional Conference

Currently in Zambia, there Constitution is the same one that was forced upon them during the times of colonization and is extremely patriarchal in nature and neglects the five basic human rights for Women and Children.

Zambia’s newly elected President, Sata had promised the people of Zambia a new Constitution that would “stand the test of time” if he was elected. The people voted, and they wanted a new constitution.

The government of Zambia had drafted the first Constitution that addressed most of the rights for women and children, which was incredible. This event does not happen all the time, so I was extremely blessed to have taken part in this incredible transition time for the Women and Children of Zambia.

During my last few days in Lusaka, I was invited to participate in Zambia’s 2nd Annual Constitution Conference.  It was a place where over a thousand from all over Zambia would mobilize and travel to Lusaka for the Conference.

The conference was a safe place for Women to unite their voices for a common voice and stance. The government had made accusations that the women did not know what they wanted and women were on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of issues like reproductive health and if abortions should be legal, this was a touchy one for most women, but it needed to be talked about.

Zambia prides itself on being a “Christian Nation” and from my understanding “life starts at conception”

When I was in Lusaka, I had heard of girls drinking crushed up coke bottles to abort fetuses, and drinking laundry detergent, or to poke a stick up inside, and if they seen blood, that means it was done. The lasting health effects on the girls could have been prevented if they had access to appropriate medical care and the stigma behind abortions was not heavily prevalent.

For whatever reason for Women to Abort was no one’s business, but Zambia was fighting for the rights for Women to be able to have the right to choose and be able to make decisions on their own body. The purpose of the conference was for women to discuss all aspects of these issues and to be educated and hear all points of view.

In Zambia for Women to have a legal abortion, they must get approval from three doctors, to get the ok. Let’s get real here. In the rural areas, the distance women have to travel to see one doctor is absolutely ridiculous, let alone finding three doctors to get approval, and most doctors are male.

Someone else decides your fate, and in most cases it’s a male. This just seems sad to me because gender based violence and the high rates of defilement have been increasing in Zambia and will continue to be on the rise If the constitution does not allow equality between men and women.

This blog post isn’t about trying to make Abortions legal or illegal. It’s about showing you how women do not have control of their own bodies in so many places of the world and how this new constitution will change lives for the Women and children of Zambia.

I just had so much respect for the women of Zambia for even talking about these issues and even for sharing their personal stories with me. These stories, I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.

harveytile

I have to write about Harvey Tile. Since day one of being in Zambia; I have seen the most amazing advertising scheme ever in a city & it’s right here in Lusaka.

Harvey tile actually turned out to be located near my office. The Harvey tile advertisements are absolutely the brightest yellow you could imagine, and have all the signs have the same witty logo, there all over the city, and every now and then you would spot a neon yellow truck and know it’s a Harvey tile truck. I thought I’d share a few with you, for some good laughs.

A roof without Harveytile

…..is like schools without teachers,

……is like babies without nappies,

…..is like life without love,

…..is like music without sound,

…….is like marriage without happiness,

……is like hospitals without doctors,

And on the way taking Rohan to the airport, We seen this one,

A roof without Harveytile, is like an airplane without a pilot!

c-o-l-o-r

Zambia has color.

Not just color like the physical color of the spectrum, it has life.

One of my favorite things about Zambia, is ALL the colors. The color of life, the colors of the souls. The colors on the streets. The color of the laughs. The color of smiles.

uphill battles!

As I reflect back on my experiences in Zambia, there have been some challenging times, where I’ve had to bite my tongue.

I’ve never been shy about voicing my opinions, and even looking back, sometime I’ve argued my opinion to the death even if it was wrong, Just to model my strength for sticking up for things I believe in.

Growing up, I had really vocal parents who always allowed me and my siblings to voice our opinions and stand up for what we believed in. I always admired the work they did, and always admired their strong voices for “doing the right” thing.

 I grew into this voice, when I started to enter my “grown up” years.

When I was in my first few years of University I started to explore this voice more, the more knowledgeable I became in terms of life skills and school smarts, this voice grew louder and louder.

My strong voice has taken a different direction in Zambia in terms of being mindful of where I am. I’ve been in two situations where I had to back down and walk away. I wasn’t too happy but these are the real challenges Women for Change staff meet daily.

1)      I went to the clinic to be treated for suspected malaria, and the lab tech that was doing my blood sample, asked me why I was in Zambia, and making some small talk of why I had choose to come to Zambia. He then asked where I was working. I had replied that I was volunteering at an NGO called Women for Change in the nearby neighborhood. This lab tech was a middle aged man, who obviously had to have some sort of education, and probably a middle class man.

He was pressuring me on why I was advocating for Women’s Rights. He said why do Zambian women need rights? And why would you come all the way from Canada to help Zambian women? I was completely raging inside, but me & Rohan were pretty calm but I bet she was raging on the inside too.( She had to hold my hand because I have a deathly fear of needles.) Anywhoooo, not the point!  This man just motivated me even more to work hard to continue to sensitize the local public on issues like gender based violence and how women and children are kept in poverty.

It was frustrating to hold my tongue, because first of all, I am a guest in this country. Second, I know what it’s like to have “White”(sorry to have offended anyone) consultants come to my community and tell us what is “Right”  

2)      The other day, this guy approached me and Shaina while we were out at the Sunday market, and asked why we were in Zambia. I get this question a lot from curious Zambians. So I politely responded that I was volunteering at Women for Change. And he completely threw me off my guard, he asked me if I was a Christian, I said I would describe myself as more spiritual rather than put a label on it.

He told me “It says in the bible, that Women don’t deserve to have the same opportunities as men” To be honest, I haven’t read the bible from cover to cover. Nor am I judging the bible in anyway, After this comment, I was really upset. I had to walk away with my tail between my legs, because I wanted to be respectful, but this is a constant uphill battle in a sustainability issue. Religion is such a touchy subject all over the world. I don’t really have the right to write about his view on the bible.

It really does motivate me to push through on the sensitization documents I write. It is frustrating, and I can’t change people’s religion nor force a new religion that gives women and men equal opportunities at life.

As for my strong voice, it can still be strong & respectful, even if I don’t agree with it. This was a huge lesson for me, and I will always remember these situations for my career in International Development. I am a guest in the country and I’ve been in their shoes with “consultants” from the cities analyze my community and make recommendations based on what they think.

I know I’m not from Zambia, and I’m not making recommendations. I’m just hoping to give women an opportunity at a life NOT in poverty in Zambia & in First Nations communities.

......

"The Happiest people dont necessarily have the best of everything, but they make the most of Everything" -Sam Cawthorn

Senanga basket weavers

Last week, my family (VIDEA interns & the boss) along with Mr. Norman Chavula had travelled to Western province to a district called Senanga. It was approximately 10 hours away, but we of course travelled on Zambian time, which was much longer. If you know of Indian time, you get my drift!

The main focus of the trip was to meet the Senanga basket weavers, who make these beautiful baskets and they receive fair prices for their work. We collect, and bring them back to Lusaka to be fumigated, (just in case there is spideys in them) and then we mail them off to Canada to be sold in farmers markets & festivals. The proceeds go back into VIDEA programs, and if you know about VIDEA’s programs through my past blogs, you know they have many projects between Canada and Africa.

VIDEA recognized the importance of selling the baskets in Canada. The women in Senanga are empowered economically through these initiatives. Senanga is quiete far away from markets to sell the baskets. In comparison to other districts in Western province, Senanga has high levels of poverty.

We got to meet the basket weavers and spend the morning with them. There was some language barriers as they spoke Losi (which I’m told is one of the most difficult languages to speak in Zambia) & I have weak Nyanja. My Bemba is ridiculously worse. But none the less, we communicated mostly through laughter.

The baskets are beautiful and you can only imagine the detail and the work that went into each basket. I was pretty happy to be able to put a face with the baskets because I had been hearing about the amazing work and how extraordinary the pieces were.

less than a month to gooooo

I have many feelings I’m experiencing as we prepare to go home in a few short weeks. There are many things I am nervous for.........

I don’t like to talk about leaving Women for Change to other WFC staff, because I don’t want them to feel like I’m rushing home and did not enjoy my time in Zambia. I do not want to feel like I’m rushing off back home to something better. (It isn`t better, it`s just different in context)

At the end of the internship, I can go home and return to hot showers, and less scary spiders. As for my new friends here in Zambia, they all do not have that luxury.

I find it difficult to express what this emotion is. It’s a sense of guilt for returning home. Things in Canada are very easy for me. I turn on the tap, and hot and fresh water comes out. I have a fridge, and can dig in the fridge to scrounge something for dinner. Tasks certainly require less effort on the other side of the waters.

It`s just like a transition state for me right now. 24 more sleeps until we make the long journey home. I am excited for everything to come, I haven`t realized how long I`ve been gone. In reality It`s only a 4 month stay in Zambia, but it only seems long because I`m attached to my family at the hips. My dad says my siblings and I are like puppies. Always together.

 I wake up every day grateful for another day in Zambia. My boyfriend said it best ``When your back in Canada, you`ll be wishing you were still in Zambia, and to cherish every experience and make each day count`` He is right, I am excited to go back to Canada, but I want to take every chance here in Zambia and finish the internship as strong as when I started.

Myself & the other interns have come up with a list of things were not excited for when we get back to Canada

1)      The weird questions from individuals who know nothing about Africa, “OMG what kind of doctors do they have there?” or another favorite “How do you guys have internet if you live in huts?”

2)      To watch how our family & friends take things for granted, A small example-washing machines.                     I’ve been doing my laundry by hand. The water system within the city is not as developed as Canada’s. So even if a family could afford a washer, there wouldn’t be enough water to do a load of laundry.

3)      We’re not excited for the little insignificant things that people worry about. We realized so many things do not matter here, and there is bigger problems in Zambia. We don’t care Kim Kardashian wore a pink dress to mystery awards. Not sure if she did, I just made that up!

4)      The cost of things in Canada, and how expensive it is to live. I can’t imagine paying anywhere from $2-5 for a bottle of water.

Things we are excited for!

1)      Tim Hortons Coffees

2)      Hot showers

3)      Fast food drive thru or Tim Horton’s drive thru –It’s weird how you would miss driving up to a window to get some coffee or something on the go.

4) McDonald's chicken nuggets- Group decision! (wink wink)

Kitchen Party

Kitchen Party

A few  weekends ago, I was invited to go to a Kitchen Party with one of my co-workers from Women for Change. Let me guess?! You’re thinking a party held in a kitchen. Don’t worry. I did too! Silly Goose!

Much to my surprise, it wasn’t what I was even expecting at all, a kitchen party is like a bridal shower, but on a much bigger scale.

 It was such an honor to be able to get an invite from my co- worker Maggie. We went shopping in Kamwala (district within Lusaka) to get the perfect chitenge material. I picked out a pink chitenge pattern. If you know me, you know I have a little obsession with pink things. Okay fine, a big obsession!

We took the chitenge material to the tailor to be made especially for me. I had gotten a beautiful traditional Zambian dress made. If I was going to the kitchen party, I was going to have to blend in. I looked like a Zambian Barbie. All ready for the big event!

I met Maggie on the other side of town, and we went to the kitchen party. When the door opened to walk in to the court yard where it was located, I must have looked funny to all the Zambian ladies. I had wide eyes and I was looking everywhere trying to take it all in.

When I walked in, I noticed the amount of guests that the event was hosting. There must have been around 150 women in attendance. Bridal showers in Canada host maybe 20 ladies. There was a live band and the smell of traditional Zambian food. I think I was having sensory overload. So many things, to see & smell & touch.

Poor Maggie, she had to answer a question every two minutes. I wanted to know everything. There was dancing and speeches, and lots of food to eat, there was music playing from the band, and women singing everywhere.

The bride sits at the front of the party, and she is supposed to look stoic and fierce. I asked Maggie why the bride did not look happy, I said if it was my bridal shower, I would be the most excited bride in Canada. Maggie replied “It is tradition for women to look stoic, if they appear ansty or anxious, they will not make a great wife”.

I spent the afternoon greeting many women and mingling around the kitchen party. I looked at the gifts that were presented to the bride, it was amazing! It covered a quarter of the court yard. There were fridges, stoves, dishes, table & chairs, and every single kitchen thingy you can imagine.

The lucky bride will never need to buy anything for a kitchen ever again. Her committee, or what we would call bridesmaids prepare and organize the kitchen party, and they all wear beautiful matching chitenge outfits. Each has the same pattern, but different styles of tailored outfits.

The afternoon of singing and dancing tired me out, and ended before dinner time. I was beyond happy to be able to participate in such a special occasion. I am so excited to bring my traditional chitenge home for all of my community to see!

personal feelings

I have been given such a beautiful gift to have been able to experience Zambia the way I have been able to. I`ve been able to fully experience Zambia through all senses: smell, touch, sight, taste, & sound

There is no doubt that this opportunity is amazing and will forever impact my life.

I have had many people write to me, and say what I am doing is such an amazing thing and I am such an inspiration. I thank you for those words. They are inspirational and lift me up when I need it. It can be overwhelming to be one person in a tangled web of sustainability issues.

I am super grateful for these motivational words and wonderful things everyone says to me

I just don`t want anyone to get the wrong idea. I am not perfect and I don`t always walk around parading International Issues all the time. I did not come to Zambia to be a mother Theresa figure or appear Saintly. I did not want to exacerbate Zambia`s statistics and give you the wrong impression of South Africa.

I attended the same schools, walked through the same communities as the rest of my readers. My brothers tease me, and sisters steal my clothes. My friends call me Stash. I am pretty average.

I hoped this experience would be able to reach other young Indigenous Women and show them that big dreams are attainable; even when you come from communities like the Samson Cree Nation.

 I just want to be cautious that I am using this little spotlight for all the right reasons and not for something I`m not. It`s easy for all of this public attention to get Interns all wrapped up and not focus on the real reason we are here: To learn from Women for Change & how it contributes to rural communities by capacity building at all levels.

My family, my friends,& my community have put me on this pedestal and I just want everyone to know why I`m here, and how I`m focussing my time and energy on projects that can be done sustainably.

Chobe Safari in Botswana

Botswana You are Amazing!

If you want to view all two hundred photos of the Botswana experience, please click on the link

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151605272020533.855725.731665532&type=1&aft=10151606087965533&l=149bda5652

work & life

Transitioning into an extremely busy NGO and learning the tasks of my job and my unit have not been easy. It’s been a whirl wind trying to learn the basic’s of the Information, Advocacy and Training Unit, let alone the entire organization, but I like a challenge! It’s been great learning the ropes of the organization.

“If things were easy, everyone would do it” Those are words I’ve heard my whole entire life. There were times in my life when I always complained things were so hard, and times I wanted to just simply give up and be a quitter, especially through my first years of University, I owe those words to my Dad. He never dilly dallied around things, Bill Ferland just gives it to ya straight, even if it you don’t like it. I can still hear my dad’s words in my head, “If it was easy to live and work in Zambia, everyone would do it” and instantly I pick myself up and keep working hard.

I remind myself how hard I have had to work to get to this position at where I am today. I do my work to the best of my ability. I want to make every project worth-while, because I do not when I will be able to return to Zambia next.

I feel I can not write the exact words how I have grown personally, and professionally. All my four years University has contributed to the success of my work in Zambia. All the people I have ever networked in my life has given me the skills to succeed in my International internship placement.

I am only half way through my internship and there is still much learning to come. I am excited for all the projects that have presented themselves through- out the course of this internship.

I have had my whole entire world cracked open, and I believe I am seeing for the first time.  I am so grateful for wealth of knowledge Zambia and Women for Change has given me, and my experiences In South Africa will be beneficial to First Nations communities back in Canada.

International Development

Never have I been so proud of my community. Samson’s role in International Development is amazing. I am grateful to have the support of so many community members who have been supportive of me through this journey in South Africa.

Samson has supported me, not only through my internship in Zambia, but they have also contributed to my efforts In Fiji of the Summer of 2011.

The Samson Cree Nation may not know this, but they have helped build a school in Lawaki Villiage in Fiji. They have supported me to help families in Fiji by purchasing small items for families in Fiji like tooth brushes, school supplies, and toys.

Samson leadership has also contributed a lap top to Women for Change, It will be used to disseminate information to donors, government officials, partners, NGO’s, & the general public.Information is the greatest source of Education for prevention.

Samson Education Trust Fund has made a financial contribution to update the software for Women for Change’s Lusaka office.

It is amazing to see the Samson Cree Nation helping our brothers and sisters in South Africa.

Thank You!

Super Big Thank You to Samson Education Trust Fund for their donation to Women for Change! The donation was for Women for Change to update their software on their lap tops.

It is important for the field animators to have up to date software to update their reports and document all experiences in the field. It also helps the staff in the office with proposal writing, to keep this amazing organization on its feet.

Women for Change thanks SETF

Half Way Point

As I reach the half-way point in Zambia, of this four month Internship. I have learned from some of the most influential and knowledgeable staff in South Africa. I will be forever grateful, for the learning thus far. In two months, I have experienced an emotional roller coaster; however, my experience has been plentiful. The only thing that scares me is how fast time is flying by.

In two months, I have accomplished many additional tasks that Information, Advocacy & Training unit as well as Women for Change can benefit from, long after I am gone. (Essentially the idea of sustainability)

I have undergone internship orientation with all units within Women for Change.

I have created a four page Child & Youth document- The document discusses issues of gender based violence and its lasting effects on children. I included information on what to do if you or someone you know is a victim of gender based violence. It also has articles about youth and small income generating activities. There is articles of youth role models who have done positive things for their community.

I have worked with my supervisor Lumba to print 3000 calendars. The Calendars display the theme “The Zambia We Want”. The calendars show photos of rural people demanding their five basic rights. 200 of these calendars have made it to Senanga which is a rural area ten hours away from Lusaka, near the border of Angola.

I have written a 50 Year Anniversary letter, to United Church Women on behalf of Dr. Sicaswe Congratulating them on their 50^th Anniversary. United Church Women was the first funder to ever work with WFC. This was a huge honor to be able to do this.

I have created an Information data base, this includes updated information in respect to all of Women for Change’s donors, partners, local NGO’s, International NGO’s, academic & research institutions.

I have done some fundraising for Women for Change with some help from Alberta, Canada.

I have been fortunate to participate in meetings in respect to National Birth registration, and providing input and examples of how Canada does this. Many Zambians have not been registered to Zambia. It is your right, to be born to a Nationality, and to be born with a name. This is not Universal and Women for Change is hoping to be able to sensitize rural areas on the benefits of registering their babies.

Those are just the tasks I’ve accomplished. The learning I have done outside of these duties, is far beyond what I ever expected or could have hoped for. The exciting thing about this internship, is that the learning never stops. I can’t believe I am half way through. I still have so much to learn. I couldn’t be more happier with my internship placement and I truly believe in Women for Change’s ripple effect, and its so great to be apart of something great, something bigger!