Some Day

“Keep on pushing for what is right, what is just; [and] keep on being unafraid. You are armed with exactly what is needed to take on these challenges. You are the generation I’ve been waiting for.” ~Mia Farrow at We Day Alberta

It has been an unusual week. I have attended three awareness/fundraising events within five days. Not an easy thing to do, considering where the funds are needed, and the stories that are shared in order to help us understand why the funds are needed. Three separate events, two humanitarian organizations, all connected …

At a Women’s lunch, hosted, in part, by my friend Carolyn Torhjelm, we heard from Mama Leah about the “Me to We Artisans” program (Free the Children). She has been with the program since it started a number of years ago. The artisans make beautiful jewelry and accessories that are sold globally. She told us of the life changing importance of being able to work and support her family.  Now, she leads over one thousand women in the Me to We Artisans project!

Later in the week, our keynote speaker at a Canadian Humanitarian fundraiser, Dr. Samantha Nutt, spoke about the lives of children in developing countries. “Do you know what the number one predictor of child mortality is?” she asked an enraptured audience. “How many of you think it is food?” Several hands went up. “Access to medical care?” My hand went up. “Clean water?” People were nodding all around the room.

“The thing that changes infant mortality the most, is the ability of the child’s mother to make an independent living.” ~Dr. Samantha Nutt at "Hope for Tomorrow" dinner

Faven and I attended We Day, which is held once a year for 16,000 enthusiastic youth. It is a concert, a story telling, a testimonial, and an awareness campaign all woven together. It is dynamic. It is loud. It is life changing for our youth and the adults who accompany them. It is electric inspiration.

“The light of your eyes lights so many lives.” ~Mustafa at We Day Alberta

At two of the events I attended, we heard from Faith and Juliette, two youth from Kenya who have benefitted directly from the support of Free the Children. They were lovely and humble and well spoken. One part that bothers me about sending funds to those in need is that we (the audience; the givers) are seen as the ones who have made the difference, when in fact it is each Faith, and each Juliette the world over who have made the difference for themselves. Yes, money is necessary, but we are so much less committed to change than they are—aren’t we? I am profoundly uncomfortable with their praise and thanksgiving, but immensely proud that they have chosen to do well with what they have been given.

You have “abilities that when awakened will develop and lead to future success. Unleash your destiny.” ~Tom Jackson at We Day Alberta

At We Day, Faven and I met some amazing people. Serendipity brought us together with a mom and daughter who we are so thankful to have met. Hopefully it is a life-long connection. There was a strong message to our youth: BE YOURSELF . . . acknowledge your own strengths and struggles . . . remember that worthiness is not something to be found out “there”, but within yourself. These are hard messages for someone who has had profound struggle in her life; for someone who doesn’t yet have the confidence to believe in herself; for someone like Faven.

“I’m here to tell you that we can turn our weaknesses into strengths. Rock your differences!” ~Ashley Murphy at We Day Alberta

“You are worth it!” ~ Silken Laumann at We Day Alberta

A profound realization hit me this week at the Hope for Tomorrow dinner benefiting Canadian Humanitarian. Dr. Richard Northcott, (founder of CH) talked about humanitarian aid; he informed us that everyone asks the same question, Is humanitarian work really making a difference? Yes, it is. Later in the evening, Dr. Samantha Nutt spoke too of humanitarian organizations; she said that it is not always possible to help everyone, so “we” have to look at projects that “keep the largest number of people from dying”.  Imagine if we had to live under those kinds of circumstances.

“If you’re really passionate and persistent, you can go out and make a difference and change this world.” ~Spencer West at We Day Alberta

Faven with Spencer West

Each event I attended was different. A couple of events revolved around food, wine and speeches. One was geared to women, one was geared to youth, and one was geared to adults. All were geared to those ready to donate (time, talent, funds), but more importantly to those ready to contemplate socially informed actions.

The message that came across at all three events is:

TAKE ACTION.

No action is too small.

“Why not? Asking why not leads to greater opportunity than asking why.” 

~Carolyn Torjhelm

“Someday”

“Set me off here I go,

straight into tomorrow

Our dreams are waiting

on the other side

Someday

At the edge of our life

Someday

Starin’ me in the eye

I’m gonna break through

Get to the medal

Someday

Today”

 Lyrics by Neverest, 

performed at We Day

Photo: Yohannes Flemons