We were told, “there is no existence without co-existence”...

We were reminded “that we are the stuff of Africa” We were encouraged to practice Mandela’s belief that “education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.”

This was a lot to hold in my head and my heart. It is still is.

To continue to learn and embrace my own history…the history of others…the history of the world. One story. To not forget. To strive to be better. Strive to make the world better.

What can I change? There is only me to change. On the plane, on the safari, in the garbage dump…seeing the world stretch out before me…and being both afraid and inspired. I was afraid of why I could not move… I could not help those women and children wash their hands. I could not help serve the soup. I could not make myself look in the hungry eyes of the children.

I was stuck. I was afraid. But watching the Athenian and Indian youth serve, and smile, and touch. It gave me hope that maybe a change can come. It gave me hope to get out of the car and dry my eyes.

To see the people coming together even if only for one meal. To look inside and see what hurt so much about that day. To move beyond my anger at what is – and hope.

There is no existence without co-existence, we are all the stuff of Africa.

Tu eres mi otro yo. You are my other self…I just have to be brave enough and loving enough to see you as I see myself.

What can I change? What can we change together?

No one can go back and make a new beginning, but we can start today to make a new ending.