9 April 2010

Workin' it in Hong Kong

Good afternoon from Honkers!

Here’s a bit from life, love, work and living life loving work. After
proofing this, it doesn’t seem as entertaining as usual… but that’s how life
has been. Not boring by any stretch of the imagination, but a steady pace of
good ‘ole fashioned productivity. I wanted to share a bit more about some of
the stuff I’m working on, I hope these act as unalienating notes and windows
into my life.


*Burundi Benevolence*
The majority of the work we do here at Crossroads,
as you may know by now, is equipping grassroots organizations around the
world with quality-donated goods (everything from incubators to pencils). A
particular shipment of humanitarian aid I am currently working on is for
Burundi, equipping two different organizations.

One of them works in social enterprises, the other with
orphans and combating HIV/AIDS. Prior to their shared shipment, they didn’t
know of each other.

Now, those of you who have known me over the past 10 years or so know that
if there’s one thing I love, its networking people and organizations to see
everyone reach their fullest potential. Well, these two organizations have
been so enthusiastic since we have connected them and are now talking about
partnering together to further each other’s work! It is so great to see
grassroots organizations not only equipped with the physical means to do
their work well, but also with the essential networks and partnerships that
are so valuable in the world of development. Now my challenge is to find the
funds to ship these goods to Bulawayo! We are never bored.


*Lusaka Love*
Another recent shipment funding challenge that came across my desk was a
shipment to three consignees in Zambia. We were short $6,000usd for the
inland transportation, as Zambia is a landlocked country and transportation
for containers over land in Africa is often just as expensive as the ocean
freight. Each of these organizations are rather small and could not come up
with the funds on their own. Well, after a brainstorming session with a
Zambian friend of mine on staff here (which included maps, files,
applications, searches and lots of deliberation) we drafted an email to each
recipient with ideas of how they could partner to raise the funds. With some
trepidation I sent it out, knowing this is asking a lot of people already
struggling financially. However, within 24 hours I heard from each of them
that they had all spoken and decided to raise the funds! Now, their
container that has been loaded and awaiting funds in storage is ready to be
shipped!

This is so vital, not only for my own encouragement (as our office daily
faces the task of raising tens of thousands of dollars for shipments), but
for the ownership and incentive of the consignees. Yes, they already work
tirelessly for the people in their communities but now there is the added
responsibility for the goods’ arrival, as well as combating issues of
aid-dependency in developing nations.


*Shipping Shape*
Another development in my office adventures is that I get to work up in our
Shipping Department two afternoons a week. We are very short-staffed here
(hint hint, nudge nudge), so I am relieving a bit of the burden in that
office by handling communication with the grassroots orgs and consignees
world wide helping them work through shipping logistics, fund raising and
customs clearance and stages of the shipments. This is all sorts of fun.
Just yesterday I was in communication with Nepal, Zambia, Cameroon, India,
Kazakhstan, the Philippines, Burundi, the Gambia, Uganda and Haiti. There’s
a little geography quiz for ya!


*Familiar Farming Fun*
As random as my life’s paths may seem, I assure you, it all makes sense when
you look at the big picture (that’s what I keep telling myself). I am in a
place right now where I am processing what has been and trying to find the
right perspective before making decisions on my next step. Yes, I still have
6 months here, but we all know how time flies.

Such perspective took over last week while I was visiting some local farms
in Hong Kong. It was so great to see how things like my work with a
Community Supported Agriculture group in San Diego had equipped me with the
knowledge and drive to come along side the small buy mighty local-organic
food movement here. See, it all comes full circle! Also, some friends of
mine here are also embarking on Window Farming projects, which is exciting.


*Cantonese and Candor*
Yep, I can now sing “It’s a Small World” in Cantonese. This comes in very
handy, I’m sure… though I have yet to find myself in such a situation. Good
thing I am also learning numbers and other basics every Tuesday night!
I’ve continued to enjoy playing guitar, jamming and singing with all sorts
of musicians here, been knitting, planting, cooking, growing, gluing, sewing
and projecting up a storm! Plenty of the international staff here indulge in
these simple pleasures with me and it makes for such a rad community that I
really connect with on multiple levels.


*Housesitting Happens*
Currently, I am housesitting for a family here on staff while they are gone
for a few months. I still live a 2 minute walk from work, but get to share
my flat with two cats instead of two humans. If you have followed my
facebook or flickr, you may have noticed there have also been a number of
battles between the kingdom of the creepy-crawlies and I. I would like to
formally announce that I have officially won.


*Clarity in California *
My recent trip home was an amazing recharger and a dose of medicine for my
soul just as I needed it. It also helped me realize that I am exactly where
I should be, doing exactly what I am made to do. Any motivations I have ever
questioned for coming to Hong Kong were put to ease. It is an amazing
feeling to know you are on the right path, especially after walking through
the valleys. Thank you to everyone who has stood by me through it all, I
can't tell you how much you mean to me.

For all of you whom I was able to connect with while I was home in February,
thank you, it was an amazing time of rest, nurturing, love, skates,
sunshine, quality time, familiarity and straight up goodness. For those of
you who I didn’t manage to connect with, know that if I could have I would
have included about 10 more hours in each day… Its ok though, San Diego will
always be my motherland and thanks to my stellar family, I will always have
good reason to return. We will see each other again.

I'll end here. Much love to you all. I hope you are well and that Spring is
bringing rebirth and new growth in your life. All things new.

Love,
courtney


Go in peace.