a little sentimental

so as i sit here packing and sitting in a virtually empty house, a part of me is sad. i just feel a little sentimental and like i need to put on some Patsy Cline and feel sorry for myself. i am leaving my city, my town, my little bungalow. all i gladly give up. but in this moment i am already missing the ATL. the plan is to leave for Mozambique in September. i am so grateful to have rented out my house and so delighted to be moving towards my new life. but on this day i am just sad. i have grown up in this city in a way. i know her so well. atlanta. she is Southern and charming and entertaining and we fit. home to Margaret Mitchell and Martin Luther King, Jr. home to me. i like her and she likes me. we get each other. i have parts of her memorized. i do my best to enjoy her to her fullest and all she has to offer. i savor her Gardens, her music, her food. i spent ten plus years working under her Gold Dome and all that that culture involves, i boast her area code. her address. i write her name daily. i have pounded her pavement. i have literally ran from her top to her center in the ATL half-marathon. twice. i owned season tickets to her opera. so i am simply sad. she is what i know and i flow to her rhythm and live life to her traffic patterns. every time i ever leave, i look forward to her skyline welcoming me home. the front porch of my bungalow. Behold, He does a new thing. a new city, a new life, new friends, a new porch, new entertainment, new cuisine, a new job, all await me. and this warms my heart. but in this moment i could cry in my Coca-Cola. i could almost forego my vegetarian lifestyle for a Yellow Dog from The Varsity with a Frosted Orange. it's that bad. it will pass. the call of my new home is louder than this familiar voice. just in this day and in this moment it is hard to say goodbye. but her land is in my blood just like Katie Scarlet's and she will never be far from me. honestly, i can't think about it right now. "if i do i'll go crazy. i'll think about that tomorrow"....

Bolivia 2011

For more photos click on my Photo Album

the need

Dear Friends,

How the journey began:

Ten years ago I drove to Atlanta on a Wednesday afternoon for two interviews, one with the Georgia House of Representatives, the other with the Peace Corps. I was hired by the General Assembly on the spot.  Yet, in the past ten years I have been to Africa, Central America, and Asia, all continents radically changing my worldview and my perspective on most everything.

Since 2007, I have been working alongside a non-governmental organization (NGO), Iris Ministries, volunteering, visiting and helping in small ways. On a recent trip to Mozambique, I shared my dream with them to create a vocational school.  My dream is consistent with their vision for this part of the world and they have graciously agreed to partner with me on this venture.

To prepare, I have been reading economist’s findings on how economic development and job creation are crucial to eradicating poverty. There is a vast need for a skilled labor force and African youth need to be equipped and empowered to create self sustaining businesses. Iris has agreed to build a two-room school for the purpose of training and equipping youth.  I have received donated curriculum and have a team of volunteers in place to help. We have students who are anxious to learn.

After considering all NGO options available to me, Mozambique feels like home. I have friends there. They know me. I trust them. They are allowing me to dream, to plan and to create. The entire organization is operated by volunteers and feeds 30,000 people a day. They provide orphans, educate children, hold medical clinics, drill wells, establish sustainable village models and so much more. They have invited me to come and be a part of this work as Director of the Vocational School. There is nothing else I would rather do.

What I will be doing:
Essentially I will be working in an orphanage, training and equipping children ages 14-18, who will eventually have to move out of the orphanage and into village life. We want to teach practical job skills and have hands on training clinics in areas such as mechanics and brick making. In addition, I anticipate the school becoming nationally certified to train community health workers and teachers.  Because tourism is a growing industry in the area, we can serve as a training center for businesses to equip our students in the area of hospitality. In addition, we will teach English, the language of business. The potential for business influence and training is limitless!

The next step:
I have arranged for a group in Durban, South Africa to conduct two week long clinics teaching practical job skills. A doctor from New England wants to come and bring microscopes and train these young adults in medical diagnostics as lab technicians.  Hotels in the area that are short-staffed need waiters, receptionist and housekeepers have offered to hire our graduates.  An Oklahoma banker has agreed to help write curriculum to teach basic accounting and money management principles.  I simply need to go, teach and administrate.

 

 

How you can participate:

I have made a two year commitment, but cannot do the work alone. I need your help. I am looking for individuals and businesses to help support the work and join in the endeavor. There are many creative ways that you can assist in this project, some of which could be hands-on training in your particular field.  Your involvement could also provide inspiration for those who may be facing a life of hopelessness. Philanthropic contributions from businesses and individuals allow efforts like this one to change a nation, a city, a village and a life.

 I am in need of monthly support of approximately $2,000 to cover costs of living, including travel and medical insurance expenses.   

5 supporters @ $100, 20 supporters @ $50 and 16 supporters @ $30 monthly would meet this need. However, larger one time donations of $1000 and/or $500 would be extremely helpful, especially in initial preparation, helping to meet my immediate needs.

Any donation you can make to help me achieve this goal is deeply appreciated.  If you need more information or have suggestions or ideas, please feel free to contact me @ jgracedavis@gmail.com or 404-312-0479.  I hope to post updates here weekly. Thank you!

 
Blessings.

                   

Tax-deductible donations payable to

ALF

℅ Jene Davis

7406 Reed Creek Highway

Hartwell, Georgia 30643

Electronic Donations via PayPal payable in boxes in the upper right hand corner.

www.irismin.org
 

"The key to poverty alleviation is economic growth and the creation of employment for all".

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Africa, 2007

the vision

Photography by Michaela Potterbaum
Music by Brock Human

bolivia trip

We went back to the University Thursday and met with 4 different classes to help them with English. Many speak it incredibly well. We giggled when a girl asked us if the word "friends" is pronounced "friends" or "fraaaands", as we must have said it with our Southern accents. It was interesting to learn about their culture and their generation. Most all students live at home until they are married, unlike our 18 year olds who move away to college and after graduation are out on their own. And of course they are shocked to meet two girls in their 30's unmarried with no children. Food is a huge part of their culture and they all asked us what we liked to eat and what local foods we had tasted. They are incredibly polite and respectful and listen to anything you have to say with attentiveness and interest. And they all have Facebook!
That evening we stopped at the Hipermaxi and bought cookies and went to the home of a woman in Missael's church. It was just a small gathering of professional women of all ages. Jana shared her testimony and we all gained a new "fraaaand". It was really beautiful to sit and share with women of a different culture and find we are not very different at all.
Yesterday we went to the Elderly Center and they organized a game of soccer! We played in a tiny field in front of the center and all the elderly pulled up chairs and watched as we poorly kicked the ball around and sweated. Even the old men served as goalies! That was fun. We then went to the Salon since Jana and I had heard the nicest salon in town offers $12 hair cuts. I washed that grey right out of my hair for half of what it would have been at home. Today we are going on our first real shopping excursion downtown. Then we are going to Rolando's parents to spend the day and celebrate Rolando's July birthday with him and his family before he leaves tomorrow. Photos are slow to post, but I got some really good ones yesterday. More to come.

Yesterday we went to the local university and got to help teach English. Dad taught them to say y'all. They took notes. We also got to go to downtown Santa Cruz to the opening of an art show. Today we are going back to the elderly center to take donations. This morning I am going to the dentist, yes, the dentist. I am becoming a big fan of Bolivian health care. Then tonight, my friend Jana and I are going to get $12 hair cuts at the best salon in town. More soon.

Bolivia 2011

On Saturday we went to an elderly center. It is this beautiful facility in El Torno, outside of Santa Cruz. The elderly can come here and gather and have a free meal and medical care.They gather to sing and worship and be together.  They want to build dormitory style facilities for them to come and live. Most are indigenous Quechua. They are such a beautiful people. They have recently applied for a grant from the Japanese government for funds to build the dorms. While we were there a businesswoman from the city came and donated medicine. All the women, even the really old ones, have long thick black hair that they wear in braids. They dress in colorful clothing and average about four feet tall.


That same day we drove up the hill from the center and went to a very modern restaurant, a resort and had dessert. It was such a stark contrast from this modest facility among the Quechua to high end resort among the elite of Bolivia.


On Sunday we went to church and then to lunch at buffet style restaurant where Rolando says only the elite come to dine. I think we paid about $10USD per person. The tables were filled with rice and plantains, beans, corn, tomatoes, fresh chili sauces and salsas, and lots of chicken and beef prepared in a variety of ways. There was also a dessert table. It was full of bright colored custards, but nothing to write home about. The restaurant had hammocks hanging underneath. The Bolivians are serious about their Siesta's and I have embraced the custom.We then went to a small house church and just spent time practicing my Spanish/Portuguese mix and meeting new friends.

Downtown Santa Cruz is fairly modern and reminds me of a small European town, with small bistros and Western style shops. We Americans still have it all at amazing prices and nothing will ever beat our Outlet Malls, TJ Maxx and Target. I love going to the market wherever I go. We went yesterday and I bought coffee and quinoa!

Today we went to a Catholic orphanage. I was prepared for the worst and although they were special needs kids with severe disabilities, they are incredibly well cared for and loved. There were other young teenage girls there helping the nuns to play with and entertain the children. The grounds were beautiful and the entire place was stunning. We simply smiled at them and hugged and kissed them and held them and prayed. I never know quite what to do with all that, in my mind and in my heart. What do you do with that?

We are now back at the casa embracing the Siesta.

"stop and go traffic"

Tourism in Mozambique!

Mozambique President joins leaders of global tourism effort

Jul 08, 2011 MADRID, Spain & LONDON, UK - “We support tourism as an area of major importance in our agenda to fight poverty,” said Mozambique’s President, Armando Guebuza. The President was speaking after joining the UNWTO/WTTC Global Leaders for Tourism Campaign (Maputo, Mozambique, June 28, 2011).
“Given its impact in terms of jobs and income and considering its multiplier effects in other areas of the economy, tourism has proven to be a sector of high relevance in the socio-economic development of our country,” said President Guebuza.
President Guebuza received an Open Letter from UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) President & CEO David Scowsill highlighting travel and tourism as one of the most effective solutions to today’s global challenges.
During his official visit to Mozambique, Mr. Rifai also met Prime Minister Aires Ali, who reiterated the government’s commitment to tourism. "We are fully committed to the development of tourism in Mozambique, as the government has recognized the sector as strategic for the overall development of the country," he said.
“Mozambique has unique resources to advance tourism and make of it a real driver to improve the lives of its people. Moreover, it has the political will to do so. This is confirmed by President Guebuza joining our campaign, but also by the fact that tourism is extensively featured in the government plan for the coming years,” said Mr. Rifai. “The plan identifies tourism as a strategic sector in the socio-economic development of the country, contributing to job creation, income generation, and the strengthening of national unity.”
David Scowsill, President & CEO, WTTC, said: “The tourism potential of Mozambique speaks for itself, with 2700 km of tropical coastline, a variety of ecological systems that are rich in species and a rich historic cultural heritage, but most significantly, the Mozambican government has recognized the opportunities for economic growth and job creation through tourism.”
“The total contribution of travel and tourism to Mozambique’s GDP, including its wider economic impacts, is forecast to rise by 6.4% each year over the next 10 years. By 2021, travel and tourism will support over 700,000 jobs in Mozambique,” David continued.
With over 2 million international tourist arrivals in 2010, Mozambique is becoming one of the most important destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa. International tourism revenues of US$1 billion represent 9% of Mozambique’s total exports.

Source: wttc.org & unwto.org

online giving

all donations are now tax-deductible! you can give online via the links on the right. the "subscribe" button allows you to give automatically each month. just let me know if there is a specific increment you would like to donate. the "donate" button allows you to make a one time donation. you will receive an end-of-year statement from Abundant Life Fellowship, my sweet friends who are letting me use their non-profit to help raise support. all proceeds go to the administrative costs of running the vocational school and my living expenses. thank you for your help. 

jgracedavis@gmail.com 

404.312.0479