It has been amazing to be here to watch things fall into place. While here, I have paused as I am in awe about these serendipitous moments. I wrote yesterday about awareness, actions, and serendipity. Nothing serendipitous happens without action, and serendipity is never recognized until after the fact.

There is something magical about movement. As a drop in an ocean creates a ripple, an action causes a ripple effect. What has amazed me about this, is often times these action aren’t even really connected. They are actions happening on the opposite sides of the planet, yet in some mysterious way, they are very connected.

In Goz Beida we met Jairo. Jairo is a young man from Ecuador who became aware of a need in the camps, food. So what did he do? He packed a bag, took a year off, and came to Goz Beida to create a greenhouse that could be implemented in the camps so refugees can grow food year around. (Very inspiring, reminds me of another person who came out here six years ago when he saw a need – he is not quite as young though).

Back in California, Gabriel’s friend Azra had heard of the short rain season this year and her action to help was dropping off a bag of vegetable and herb seeds. Gabriel, not knowing exactly what he would do with them, put them in his suitcase. Then after meeting Jairo, he mentioned his big next stop is getting seeds to test. Suddenly, it all became very clear. Two people, from two different places created action, which somehow was all connected in order to provide better food for the refugees.

I was also amazed today as Yakoub said he has been out of the camps for the last few months and returned just last night. We also had the experience of Adam moving to Camp Djabal, moving there in time to help with the Human Rights library. All of these being perfect moments that happened to fall right into place.

Without action, things become stagnant. It is when we make movement that the universe and others can begin to move, bringing together a perfect symphony of actions that make real change in the world. Take that next step, make that next movement or action, no matter how small it may seem in the grand scheme, for it is a ripple that will create other ripples that soon becomes waves crashing upon a shore.

Jeremiah

The Team has made it to Goz Beida, the closest town to refugee camp Djabal and their home for the next few days.

Here are the first images from the UNHCR compound and Djabal itself. You may spot some familiar faces.

Continue reading “Photos: Road to Djabal” »

Have you ever had that feeling of being trapped by life? Being in a situation and it seems like no place to go? For most of my life I have always had this feeling of being trapped. I could be in a room full of people, in a conversation, a job, a city, or whatever it may be. This overwhelming feeling of being stuck in life without any options overcomes me. During such times, it’s difficult to see a vision for myself, or ways out of complicated situations. I know this feeling is all in my head.

Right now, however, for millions of Darfuri refugees (and internally displaced) there is a reality of being trapped, being held in an open prison. These Darfuri refugees live in camps with no walls, yet most are powerless to leave. As one camp teacher described it today, it is an open prison.

Most people have no ability to leave and have been in these camps, a few square kilometers, for eight years. Those who can leave, do so by risking their lives as they head back into Darfur.

Another major problem described by the teacher today, was the fact when the kids finish secondary school, they have no place to go. The local government does not recognize their high school degree, nor can they return back to Darfur. They are forever held in an open prison with very few options. They can work farming for three months a year and that is about it. It’s no wonder why so many ask at a young age, ‘what’s the point to secondary school?’

It’s a honor to be out here working with the partners we have on these school programs. Along with Darfur Dream Team, we are working on solutions and we appreciate all of your support. Thank you.

Miah

My return trip to Chad has been a bit surreal.  The last time I was here,  I was evacuated from my N’Djamena hotel by French military in an armored HV after two days of rebel attacks on the city – and one very intense moment as the rebels plastered our hotel with their machine guns. My teammates and I  eventually made it out of the country via a French military plane to Gabon, a country to the southwest of Chad.  Yet despite being in great physical danger, I don’t see this as the most dangerous moment of my life.  Some may say I flirt with danger, but I say otherwise.

What do I see as being truly dangerous? Losing passion in life, being complacent or not believing in yourself and forgetting who you truly are. Possibly numbing oneself with food, drugs, television, or entertainment to make it through the day instead of living life.  It is playing with fire when you stop following your dreams and you forget what is most precious to you.  It is dangerous to accept life as it is; to play small and ignore that inner voice that is pushing you to your life’s calling.

So while visiting Chad and the refugee camps brings a bit of an inherent risk, I feel I am more likely to lose myself, my wife, or my family by tuning out rather than by following my passion and living my dream life.

However, following your dreams does come with some discomfort. My bag (the majority of my food and clothes) did not make it here to eastern Chad.  Our plane was too small to accommodate all our luggage, which was mostly comprised of basic necessities for the team and tech equipment for the refugee camps.  In a mad scramble at boarding time, we had to quickly decide which bags would stay and which would go.  So with only two days of clean clothes, I either need to figure out how not to sweat in 100 degree desert heat for 8 hours straight – or my bag needs to get here soon.

Thank you all for all your support and joining us on this journey. We spend tomorrow in the camp and I am looking forward to it.

Jeremiah

i-ACT footage from the 2006 battle of N’Djamena:

I come along quotes on a daily basis. Most are worth quoting and I see the inspiration behind each of them, but rarely does a quote stick out to me like the following quote by Steve Jobs,

“Once you discover one simple fact; and that is everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you. And you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use. Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”

Steve Jobs