The Red T-Shirt

Today was just one of those days where I found myself with racing thoughts, mixed emotions and lack of relishing my current situation.   Luckily, I came across an article written by a friend,  Jonathan Kalan,  about "endless possibilities and opportunities" that occur in our lives. He lined out his life story in a nutshell and brought it together by stating that it's the people and connections he has made that brought him to this present state.  "Revolution is whatever you want it to be, and it's wherever you want it to go. It's there, waiting for you, And the people you meet, from the mundane to the most inspiring, are the ones who will unlock it, break it open, or help you find it".  We all know this, but sometimes we need a reminder.  His article was able to spark this reminder but again I slowly sunk back into the sliding feelings.

As I sat around pondering my sense of being at our family friend's home, my eyes suddenly caught the T-shirt of their house help. This young girl with a strong face flashed her delicate smile at me as I asked her "Judy, where did you get that shirt from?", proudly she spoke, " I got it at the Kwangari market, for 100 shillings, Mama".  The Kwangari market is near the Kwangari slums where she lives.  My jaw was on the ground.

The red t-shirt that she got for a little over $1.00 was the very same one that I had when I was a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My alma matar logo and team name written right across it.  Here I was at some random home in Kenya meeting a random person with the very same T-shirt that I had once wore.  This brought back memories of Jacqueline Novogratz memoir "The Blue Sweater". I was having my very own "Blue Sweater" moment.  Granted I didn't write my name on the tag like Jacqueline, so I couldn't verify  if it was MY red T-shirt, regardless there it was worn out with the nostalgia that the logo gives me.  Some can argue that such a thing is common, but what are the chances that I would come across this very T-shirt I once wore as a student, on this very day? I was awestruck!

The words of Jacqueline spun in my head:

 " The story of the blue sweater has always reminded me of how we are all connected. Our actions -- and inaction -- touch people every day across the globe, people we may never know and never meet. The story of the blue sweater is also my personal story: Seeing my sweater on that child renewed my sense of purpose in Africa."

I suddenly had my sense of purpose renewed. These reminders are necessary, that we are all connected in a world that appears so emotionally disconnected.  Empathy, love, and emotional connection are vital for our ever changing world.  I took Jacqueline and Jonathan's words in, and let myself absorb that moment as I talked to her about the red T-shirt. I reflected on all the things that happened to me in the last few years to get me to where I am today. Some very hard to still grasp and some I'm very grateful for, regardless they all had an impact. The Red T-shirt reminded me of impact and connection.  Despite never liking my University colors or logo, I was pouring with excitement at the mere sight of it. Today I had my own mini revolution, now on to make a bigger one.....

The Red T-shirt and lovely Judy! 

Tell us a Story......

As a child I had few toys and games to entertain myself with, I kept myself busy by listening to stories of my mother or other elders around.

I would immerse myself in these stories and at times they were so good that I would try to reenact them.  The most famous of all is the story of my mother and I coming to America. This story highlights my mother's plight, struggles and strengths.  

I find myself telling this story a lot lately. Especially since I've begun this fellowship. Before I wouldn't share this story widely, to the point of avoiding questions or sometimes even pity.  I wasn't ashamed of my history, I just didn't fully understand the impact I could have when telling a story.  I used to think things like this are solely for the purpose of entertainment and once it's over it leaves the listeners mind. I didn't know how to convey myself to make the listener realize what my stories mean.  In short, I was a bad storyteller.  

Over the years, I worked on this skill. I always had it in me but I just did not know how to do it. Finally I had a chance to truly put myself out there and test my story telling skills. This was for our annual Investor Gathering at Acumen Fund. I had one minute and 30 seconds to tell a story about myself and why I'm in this fellowship.  My fellow fellows all had extraordinary, inspiring and funny stories to share in that minute and half. 

 I felt like my story, though good, was conveyed very dull-like by me. Even the weeks of listening to various stories from the founder of Akilah Institute for Women and her students to the homeless in the Bronx to Jacqueline Novogratz herself, I still felt like I couldn't merely inspire my listeners the way they did.  

I worked hard and when that faithful day came on November 10, 2011 I went on stage and told my story. A minute and a half was certainly not enough time to tell my life story but I was finally able to convey myself and why I'm here.  With gaining the strength and courage to get up and say it I have since begun the art of mastering my storytelling skills.  

In the Masai Village the Masai children gather around, John our trusty and excellent guide, to hear  a story. 

I find myself in Nairobi cafes and couches talking about why I am here today. I talk about Acumen Fund and the model, the stories of Sproxil and how they are changing lives and of course my own stories.  I find my listeners drawn, engaged and sometimes emotional about them.  

Similar to my childhood days, I like to find myself on the other side, the listener.  There are so many stories to be heard. From the Nairobi taxi drivers complaining about traffic, bad roads and corruption to the expats telling me about their mission, goals, dreams and favorite local joints to the single mothers sitting on the side of the streets waiting for a cleaning job at someone's home or office.  I know my life will be touched and hopefully I can touch lives by the stories I have yet to be told and spoken.  

Everyone has a story...What's yours going to be today?

The video from the Acumen Fund's Investor Gathering! (Tamsin I know you love that I posted this!) 

P.S. My fellow fellows have some fond "stories" from the title of this post!  ;-) 

A Community...A Family

As the truck in front of us hooted its way through traffic, a huge cloud of smoke came towards our car. Quickly the taxi driver and I rolled up our windows to avoid the toxic cloud in our car.  Ahh.. Nairobi traffic, How I missed thee? Yes even the pollution that has made me sick a few times already...ok well maybe not that much.  It had been nearly 5 days since I stepped out of my apartment so there was something so exhilarating about merely sitting in the dreaded evening rush hour traffic.  I was on my way to the Acumen Fund Global Fellows candidate dinner. Global interviews have begun for the new class of fellows and this time I'm on the other side. As I sat through the jam watching the people outside scramble to get into the local buses or matatus I started reflecting on where I was a year ago.

I had just returned from India mid January 2011 and made my way back to Iran.  I was excited to see my family but even more excited at the idea of getting ready for my Acumen Fund interview set in mid-February in NYC. I was so nervous because I wanted this fellowship so bad. I remember always repeating to myself, "be yourself and give it your all". I figured that as long as I show how deep my passion runs for this line of work I can at least walk away knowing I was true to myself and the interviewers.  Well it worked! 

I arrived at my destination and was greeted with some familiar faces. I was suddenly overwhelmed by excitement and joy as it had been a while since I merely communicated with anyone outside of work. Hugs were exchanged, and the immediate "where have you been?" were fired.  As we waited for the candidates to arrive I found myself content, a difference of where I've been emotionally in the last week. As the evening went on, I tried to get familiar with some of the candidates. As usual they were pretty extraordinary individuals. 

We started off dinner by sharing our infamous Acumen Ah-Ha moments. I was overwhelmed with a sense of community and family, as each member of the Acumen Family stood up and shared their Ah-Ha's. It was so refreshing to hear that I am not alone, even in my thoughts on this sector and in my emotions in this current stage in life.  

Being at home, alone, consecutively makes you lose sight of what you have right around the corner and what your original goals are. Cabin fever has heavily kicked in along with self-doubt and reverse confidence in work and myself. Just the emotional roller coaster of being in a new country brings on the self doubt and out with the ambition and drive. 

Remembering that we are here to not only help others but help develop and grow ourselves is an important thought I have to keep in the forefront of my mind and emotions. Positive results will come as long as I keep my moral imagination and confidence in myself. Spending the evening with my Nairobi family and community helped restart this. Now I must do a better job at  keeping in better contact with my community here.  

A village on the far Southern coast of Kenya working together as a community to grind maize to  provide food for their families. They grind anywhere from 40kgs to 60kgs per day! That device was very difficult and cumbersome to work with but as a community they took turns, helped each other and achieved their daily goals.

*The title of this post is an excerpt from a children's song typically sang before meals in Montessori classrooms: "Look around and you will see community, a family, we are brothers sisters all...."

Mambos From Kenya!

I'm finally here!

I can hardly believe it myself as I feel like I've been waiting for this to happen for such a long time.  

I've been here for a week now and I've already immersed into the Kenyan lifestyle, or so I like to think. I have very poor connection and will get my high speed internet next week (yay!). Therefore I will keep this entry simple and quick.  

In the meantime let me highlight some of the interesting and cool things I noticed.

•  Do NOT ride a public mini van, Matatu, unless you are a pro or well situated. Almost got robbed but fought for my wallet back. Made for an interesting welcome and story but definitely learned my lesson.

•  Traffic is horrible! I thought I could buy a bike and cycle my way around here. Not possible as walking is hardly possible. Quite the disappointment. I guess I have to save my cycling days for the countryside. 

•  Kenyan women are stunning; their hair, skin, eyes, etc.,...striking!

• The smog is nearly as bad as Tehran. I have gotten sick on two occasions already. Luckily it rains a lot to clear the air for a little bit.

•  The counterfeit market here is strong and growing. Saddens me but makes my purpose of being here more worthwhile as I work with Sproxil www.Sproxil.com, to combat counterfeit prescription drugs and consumer products that are a menace to health and safety.  I'm very excited to be doing this work! 

 I will try to keep a goal of updating this at least once a week and if I don't then call me out on it. 

Pictures and the such will be here soon!

Till then.....