Sunny Marrakesh makes my face a bit red - I finished sunscreen and haven't bought new one. So if I forget to buy it tomorrow, soon the face will be the same colour as all the buildings.
About one month is left, I still have some things to see, some things to finish, some stories to add to my traveller's journal. And I already miss the country, I could imagine myself renting an appartament, driving motorbike and spending evenings near the ocean. I don't know what Russia has for me as an experience, I am even scared, to tell you the truth.
The whole day was spent for walking, cooking and zero thinking. I went to bed at 5 am because couldn't stop reading "The kite runner" which Alyssa left to me. The book that made me cry at every 20th page, that helped me understand how much I have learned in Morocco, that again brought the topic of orphans - it is kind of too much for the past 2 weeks. First Anya, then me, then Pasha, now the book. But when I have smth BIG in mind, I feel more secure about my personal future. Because it is more important - WHY to live than where. I mean this answer 'why' helps me to fight for 'where' and 'what to eat'.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
What matters
After I draw with permanent marker russian letters on my keyboard, this blog haven't been updated, however, I am writing more and better in russian now.
What made me back?
Recently I found wiki about SBV business plans competition from Ashoka (or it was Artemisia), which you can join with a team of minimum of 2 ppl. Yes, I have quite long list of "dream team' potential members, but not all of them can read in russian, so in order make it easier for everyone to follow some of my ideas (which in mind are tagged as 'international'), i decided to be back.
But it is not the major reason.
Some of you heared about russian intern in Morocco who is living and working in "charity association for girls in difficult situation" or smth like that. To make the long story short - I finally completed my dream to go to orphanage, look around and think how my future work will impact the future of the kids. The whole thing turned to be deeper that just small "research", but what's more important, it has pushed me to read more, think more about very specific actions that I gonna take. Soon.
So, I got new pieces of the puzzle and now is trying to put them together.
I slept just for few hours last night - we came late from Fes with Alyssa who came to visit me in Morocco, then I put her in train at 7 a.m. and has been surfing in the internet - randomly. At the certain point of time 'surfing' always brings me to UNESCO web-page. I haven't been reading news since December...and you know what?
How much more sense everything has now for me!
Yes, I know what is sub-saharian Africa. Yes, I see the huuuuge difference between upper-middle class i am hanging out with and girls from poor families in association. I have been asking myself - what's gonna happen to them next? Yes, we are bringing interns who teach english and cultural diversity; yes, kids have a bit more chance to get job with basic english, but what kind of job? In a bar? In the hotel? Cleaning the houses? I am not against this kind of job, I am against having NO choice. Just because you were not lucky enough to be born in upper-middle family, to graduate from high school and enter fancy ENSG or IIHEM.
When I now see in the report the illiteracy level in some countries and quality fo education in other, and lack of teachers, it makes me think about reasons and consequenses, not just the fact itself. And emotional connnection with girls from charity makes me think about actions.
Actually, this is why i was writing that I would bring EVERY aiesecer 'to the field' , to SEE and TOUCH the issues we are aimed to solve directly or indirectly, now or in future. It is MUCH more difficult to skip the action if you know the name of the girl you could help (Fatim-Zahra). It is not just 'performance assessment', but kind of human assessment. Yes, I believe in "discover and develop potential" through whatever stuff, but also in a smaaaaaaaal space in busy schedule for the direct actions.
Talking about "having a chance" - what else makes sense is the advice that Martin from Microsoft gave me at IC in Turkey: yes, internships are cool, but look at the existing programs and think how to increase the impact. He meant ICT, I feel the power only now.
Example is simple - through internet we can give access to children to soooo many high-quality things - starting from online lessons to special blogs and testimonials where success stories or advices can be given. 'You are not alone' is the name of PBOX in SPUEF, but if kids from Latin America, Africa, Asia etc could feel the power of network and support from this network, the name would have such a BIGGER sense.
So, lets imagine that each orphanage/poor village in mountains has enough laptops and internet connection. What r the options?
- ah, yeah, teachers gonna steel them
- ah, yeah, kids will find out about games and porn fast and will not study
- etc.
So, we need to have people to
- control the usage of equipment, software and online content
- create the content
- teach basic ICT things
- teach kids how to write & read
- teach kids foreign language
- manage the network in order to capitalize on it
- manage the people in the roles mentioned above
If we have this, it shouldn't be such a big problem to find partners and sponsors.
Here is the opportunity for global organization which has access to high-quality human resources with high mobility, isn't it?
And when I think what kind of impact it may have, it takes my breath away.
Numbers in UNESCO reports.
Choice that people have.
My Fatim-Zahra who could teach dancing, design clothes or become a good director of charity association. Why not?
What made me back?
Recently I found wiki about SBV business plans competition from Ashoka (or it was Artemisia), which you can join with a team of minimum of 2 ppl. Yes, I have quite long list of "dream team' potential members, but not all of them can read in russian, so in order make it easier for everyone to follow some of my ideas (which in mind are tagged as 'international'), i decided to be back.
But it is not the major reason.
Some of you heared about russian intern in Morocco who is living and working in "charity association for girls in difficult situation" or smth like that. To make the long story short - I finally completed my dream to go to orphanage, look around and think how my future work will impact the future of the kids. The whole thing turned to be deeper that just small "research", but what's more important, it has pushed me to read more, think more about very specific actions that I gonna take. Soon.
So, I got new pieces of the puzzle and now is trying to put them together.
I slept just for few hours last night - we came late from Fes with Alyssa who came to visit me in Morocco, then I put her in train at 7 a.m. and has been surfing in the internet - randomly. At the certain point of time 'surfing' always brings me to UNESCO web-page. I haven't been reading news since December...and you know what?
How much more sense everything has now for me!
Yes, I know what is sub-saharian Africa. Yes, I see the huuuuge difference between upper-middle class i am hanging out with and girls from poor families in association. I have been asking myself - what's gonna happen to them next? Yes, we are bringing interns who teach english and cultural diversity; yes, kids have a bit more chance to get job with basic english, but what kind of job? In a bar? In the hotel? Cleaning the houses? I am not against this kind of job, I am against having NO choice. Just because you were not lucky enough to be born in upper-middle family, to graduate from high school and enter fancy ENSG or IIHEM.
When I now see in the report the illiteracy level in some countries and quality fo education in other, and lack of teachers, it makes me think about reasons and consequenses, not just the fact itself. And emotional connnection with girls from charity makes me think about actions.
Actually, this is why i was writing that I would bring EVERY aiesecer 'to the field' , to SEE and TOUCH the issues we are aimed to solve directly or indirectly, now or in future. It is MUCH more difficult to skip the action if you know the name of the girl you could help (Fatim-Zahra). It is not just 'performance assessment', but kind of human assessment. Yes, I believe in "discover and develop potential" through whatever stuff, but also in a smaaaaaaaal space in busy schedule for the direct actions.
Talking about "having a chance" - what else makes sense is the advice that Martin from Microsoft gave me at IC in Turkey: yes, internships are cool, but look at the existing programs and think how to increase the impact. He meant ICT, I feel the power only now.
Example is simple - through internet we can give access to children to soooo many high-quality things - starting from online lessons to special blogs and testimonials where success stories or advices can be given. 'You are not alone' is the name of PBOX in SPUEF, but if kids from Latin America, Africa, Asia etc could feel the power of network and support from this network, the name would have such a BIGGER sense.
So, lets imagine that each orphanage/poor village in mountains has enough laptops and internet connection. What r the options?
- ah, yeah, teachers gonna steel them
- ah, yeah, kids will find out about games and porn fast and will not study
- etc.
So, we need to have people to
- control the usage of equipment, software and online content
- create the content
- teach basic ICT things
- teach kids how to write & read
- teach kids foreign language
- manage the network in order to capitalize on it
- manage the people in the roles mentioned above
If we have this, it shouldn't be such a big problem to find partners and sponsors.
Here is the opportunity for global organization which has access to high-quality human resources with high mobility, isn't it?
And when I think what kind of impact it may have, it takes my breath away.
Numbers in UNESCO reports.
Choice that people have.
My Fatim-Zahra who could teach dancing, design clothes or become a good director of charity association. Why not?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chatting
Wow, I have 1 person who is reading my blog - Ira Ruseva! Thank you, I will try to write smth worth reading:)
For example, yesterday I found myself sitting on the table while my neighbour - intern from Russia, Yulia (young blond nice girl) was fixing the windows (it was cold and windy, so we bought lockers). Nothing special? Ok, follow the thought:
I changed wallpapers at MC kitchen before MCP term (I went to the market, bought them, glue, came home and organized the process).
I (IIIIII!!!!) was doing such kind of stuff. Always. 100%. Is it personal growth - stop worring about everything and let someone else to be "a man"? Ha-ha, whatever. I feel guilty sometimes, but it is significant improvement - dont consider every earthquake as a personal failure.
Guys, I really admire Marjam, I would call her "pure wisdom" which is nothing more than ability to admire, learn and be grateful. Babe, your writing is amazing. If you need a reference for a book "5 steps to absoute happinness" (which you will write one day and which will become the first book ever which make you happy even when you read it), let me know. I cant guarantee that I will become a Very Important Person so soon, but we can always write smth like "Siberian monk" under my picture (lies, but ppl like it).
Yes, random. We all know, that stories we have "in the pockets" from inside of our jackets, closer to hearts, so noone can steal them, are much more simple and quite "spicy": no mint sirup, but a big spoon of misunderstanding, loss, pain, disappointment. After we accept, smile and love - only then become attractive as "spiritual teachers". But will you buy a book with disclaimer "fail, cry, be happy" until you have already fall and cried?
Someone is pretending to be deep. Yes, right. Sorry, I am back to every-day-life.
So, day after tomorrow is SALARY - such a sweet word. Still nothing is clear with my work/internship, so a huuuge amount of money will be spent for basic food as bread and milk. Btw, white bread is VERY tasty here.
I need to live the country in 1 month, because I dont have visa, so the closest destinations to go for few days and come back are Spain, Italy and France. But it seems that I am going to Italy because of visa and tickets. ha-ha. All roads lead to Rome (or how it says?) If the plan works out, I will see a lot of beloved ppl and come back to catch Ira in her Moroccan trip.
Sounds good? Yes! Even the thing that I havent decide about my "future plans" doesnt make me feel worse.
Born to be random, right:)
For example, yesterday I found myself sitting on the table while my neighbour - intern from Russia, Yulia (young blond nice girl) was fixing the windows (it was cold and windy, so we bought lockers). Nothing special? Ok, follow the thought:
I changed wallpapers at MC kitchen before MCP term (I went to the market, bought them, glue, came home and organized the process).
I (IIIIII!!!!) was doing such kind of stuff. Always. 100%. Is it personal growth - stop worring about everything and let someone else to be "a man"? Ha-ha, whatever. I feel guilty sometimes, but it is significant improvement - dont consider every earthquake as a personal failure.
Guys, I really admire Marjam, I would call her "pure wisdom" which is nothing more than ability to admire, learn and be grateful. Babe, your writing is amazing. If you need a reference for a book "5 steps to absoute happinness" (which you will write one day and which will become the first book ever which make you happy even when you read it), let me know. I cant guarantee that I will become a Very Important Person so soon, but we can always write smth like "Siberian monk" under my picture (lies, but ppl like it).
Yes, random. We all know, that stories we have "in the pockets" from inside of our jackets, closer to hearts, so noone can steal them, are much more simple and quite "spicy": no mint sirup, but a big spoon of misunderstanding, loss, pain, disappointment. After we accept, smile and love - only then become attractive as "spiritual teachers". But will you buy a book with disclaimer "fail, cry, be happy" until you have already fall and cried?
Someone is pretending to be deep. Yes, right. Sorry, I am back to every-day-life.
So, day after tomorrow is SALARY - such a sweet word. Still nothing is clear with my work/internship, so a huuuge amount of money will be spent for basic food as bread and milk. Btw, white bread is VERY tasty here.
I need to live the country in 1 month, because I dont have visa, so the closest destinations to go for few days and come back are Spain, Italy and France. But it seems that I am going to Italy because of visa and tickets. ha-ha. All roads lead to Rome (or how it says?) If the plan works out, I will see a lot of beloved ppl and come back to catch Ira in her Moroccan trip.
Sounds good? Yes! Even the thing that I havent decide about my "future plans" doesnt make me feel worse.
Born to be random, right:)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sun is back!
I love sunday morning in Rabat - when the streets are empty and white city is full of sun.
I feel better, finally, so can take Yulia to medina, look for the prices in dance academy and prepare for the PROPER new year celebration (russian style) tomorrow or on tuesday.
Life is getting better, after a week of being sick, a bit disappointed and simply freezing in appartement without central heating.
It seems that I am starting to teach english next week (hopefully!) so will have a bit of extra-money and valuable experience (which I must get if I want to start my own school in future).
On Tuesday I met one of the alumni, who works in media agency - 2,5 hours talking about media, western sahara issue, documentaries, photography, movies. It seems that I take for granted all the amazing people and discoveries I met and faced in Morocco.
Anya told that fairy-tale needs another chapter, so i wrote it yesterday (extremely ego-centric, as usual), but the important shift is that the end of one story is actually the beginning of another one. It doesnt necessary require from the hero the CHANGE. There is no 'new life in 2009', every day is a change.
I feel better, finally, so can take Yulia to medina, look for the prices in dance academy and prepare for the PROPER new year celebration (russian style) tomorrow or on tuesday.
Life is getting better, after a week of being sick, a bit disappointed and simply freezing in appartement without central heating.
It seems that I am starting to teach english next week (hopefully!) so will have a bit of extra-money and valuable experience (which I must get if I want to start my own school in future).
On Tuesday I met one of the alumni, who works in media agency - 2,5 hours talking about media, western sahara issue, documentaries, photography, movies. It seems that I take for granted all the amazing people and discoveries I met and faced in Morocco.
Anya told that fairy-tale needs another chapter, so i wrote it yesterday (extremely ego-centric, as usual), but the important shift is that the end of one story is actually the beginning of another one. It doesnt necessary require from the hero the CHANGE. There is no 'new life in 2009', every day is a change.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Cold evening in Rabat
New Year has started with quite a few love stories, the feeling that I love someone so much follows me on a rainy day in a bus to suburb, in our cold flat when I am staying home because I am sick, when I am chatting in a strange mix of english and french with shopkeeper whom we always buy bread from. This feeling has a lot in common with grattitude to God for being alive, for having one more second, one more day, few words from the other side of the ocean...
If you ask, how much time in Morocco before...to personal, sorry.
So, almost 2 months I am here, so far it has been new, amazing, difficult, cold, soft, funny, "nice" - we call it that way, right, kid? "Cool" - and this way, right, Simo?
Connections - this is the right word. I am lost in all these threads which tie us together, I dont remember who belongs to whom and it finally makes everything easier: here is me, here is world, I love you, world.
The story about our live in Morocco is on the way - with all its cocktails, all hugs, all sunsets, all tears, all walks through medina.
If you ask, how much time in Morocco before...to personal, sorry.
So, almost 2 months I am here, so far it has been new, amazing, difficult, cold, soft, funny, "nice" - we call it that way, right, kid? "Cool" - and this way, right, Simo?
Connections - this is the right word. I am lost in all these threads which tie us together, I dont remember who belongs to whom and it finally makes everything easier: here is me, here is world, I love you, world.
The story about our live in Morocco is on the way - with all its cocktails, all hugs, all sunsets, all tears, all walks through medina.
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