Posted by Victoria Trabosh on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 @ 02:30 PM
My work in Rwanda has changed my life. The Itafari Foundation and its work are a
gift and a challenge.
My perspective on
what is possible, the true meaning of the strength of the human spirit, my understanding
of inhumanity and its consequences: these ideas are no longer esoteric. (Though I still know so little). But I also clearly know that if we choose to
step out, before we are “ready”, we can accomplish the extraordinary.
This morning in the New York Times Magazine, the profiles
were the stories of people who died in 2009 who changed the world in one way or
another. I was reading about the passing
of Alison Des Forges in February 2009 as written by Elizabeth Rubin.
In the 1980’s Des Forges joined Africa Watch and was one of the first to warn
of the coming cataclysm in Rwanda. Her
personal friends died in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. While she tried to warn the U.S., the Europeans,
and the U.N., her voice was faint in warning in comparison to the world’s
conversation that the genocide was an African problem. She must have suffered deeply knowing she was
unable to force a world to turn and look upon its rwandan brothers and sisters.
After the genocide she continued her work in Rwanda. When the International Criminal Tribunal for
Rwanda was established, she traveled back and forth to the court in Arusha,
Tanzania to serve as an expert witness and strategist for the prosecutors. A five foot lion of a woman. And one of whom I had not heard except in
context to her book Leave None to Tell
the Story: Genocide in Rwanda –
Human Rights Watch et FIDH – 1999 – ISBN 1-56432-171-1.
Her comments were equally critical of all sides,
including the Rwandan Patriotic Front which overthrew the genocidal leaders and
went on to establish a stronger more peaceful country. Her criticism lead to her twice being refused
entrance into the country. I understand the
reasons by the Rwandan government and yet know that the result of her work has
helped Rwanda in the long run.
The same can be said of the movie Hotel Rwanda. It turned out (sadly) that Paul Rusesabagina was
not the man portrayed in the movie, yet the movie led to a great awareness of
the genocide. The movie allowed all of
us to look back on the horror that was partially created through our lack of
action. And because of that, I have no
criticism of the portrayal at the time.
So I do what I know I must do. Take the best, and leave the rest. Des Forges was not perfect. The movie was unknowingly flawed in its
portrayal of an ordinary man. Yet, we
cannot ignore what comes from extraordinary efforts to change the world.
Instead of dismissing someone or something in its
entirety, we should continue to have conversation. Enlighten those who are in the dark. Thank those who take a lonely stand. Be thoughtful in our approach to what is
foreign to us. And know we must never
give up on what we are most passionate about.
We must never believe that we can’t make a difference. That it’s too hard. That no
one cares.
That no one cares. Impossible in its logic. If you care, that is enough.
I enter 2010 with a renewed sense of what is
possible. 2009 was a very tough
year. I was unable to go to my beloved
Rwanda. Yet our work continued unabated
through the Itafari Foundation. Good and
compassionate people stepped up to make a difference. I am also blessed to call some of some of the
finest people I have ever known my friends, though they live 10,000 miles from
me.
Happy New Year. Be renewed.
Set impossibly high goals – and then work (not hope) to reach them. Can you imagine what the new year can bring? I can.
It will bring the extraordinary – and it will be accomplished by you and
me.
Posted by Victoria Trabosh on Wed, Dec 23, 2009 @ 12:31 PM
No, I cannot tell you
what came over me. But I can tell you I
was scrolling through Twitter this morning and contemplating a Starbucks non
fat peppermint latte and began to write a poem on twitter. I still don’t know why – except that it
amused me. And 14 tweets later (at <
140 characters each) I composed the following.
It’s not all work –
every day. Sometimes, it’s just about a
little joy. Merry Christmas to all – and
may your holidays be merry and bright! (BONUS: John enjoyed poem as I was composing and tweeting from bed so much he went out and got my nonfat peppermint latte!)
The Day Before the Day Before Christmas by @vhtrabosh
It
was the day before the day before Christmas and all through the home - it was
time to start stirring- now where is my comb?
The
stockings were hung, my gifts mostly wrapped. Does John need a leather jacket?!
No, he'll say 'take it back!'
The
cats are still sleeping, I've got a lot to do. But first I think I need a
Starbucks non fat peppermint latte (wouldn't you?)
So
off I head in my car, John still asleep, I see the strangest thing and shout
"what the bleep?!"
There's
Santa in the ditch, his sleigh upside down. No one's even stopping! No
reindeers around!
I
pull on over "Santa, why so blue?" He glances sadly at me, and says
"oh, @vhtrabosh, it's you"
"Do
you notice no one tweets of me? That Santa's not topic hot? No one remembers I
come back every year whether they speak of me or not?!"
As
an executive coach I knew right away-Santa's having a crisis of confidence-so
what do I say?
"Santa,
not everyone remembers to thank those who do good - to tweet about happiness
and joy as they should"
"Christmas
Eve is tomorrow- there's still time to spare. So quit feelin' sorry for
yourself and get up in the air!"
As
magic would have it, the reindeer appeared! They righted the sleigh, Santa
combed out his beard!
He
looked at me fondly-said, "you're just the best- here's a Starbucks gift
card- thanks for letting me get that off my chest!"
As
I watched him take off I knew he'd be fine, but it's important to tweet about
him at Christmas time.
I
heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight: "Happy Tweetmas to all - it's gonna
be alright!"
Posted by Victoria Trabosh on Mon, Dec 07, 2009 @ 11:40 AM
And yes, it was cold enough for me too.
This past weekend I worked at the Itafari Booth at the Lake
Oswego European Market selling the baskets of Rwanda. From 9-4 on Saturday and 12-4 on Sunday, I
stood in our little booth and talked about the amazing women of Rwanda. The amazing resiliency of the Rwandan
people. What an amazing gift of $25 for a goat can be
for a child headed household. The
amazing difference that can be made with such small amounts of money when
applied in thoughtful ways. And how damn
(for those of you that don’t swear, that’s a coaching expression!) cold it was.
And it was cold. We
were in a tent but the bottom of the tent left about a foot gap. Saturday, the temperature began around 31°F
and over the course of the day reached 42°F.
Though the tent had this gaping hole, the sun came out; there was no
wind in the morning and a slight wind in the afternoon from the NNE of 8
mph. That evening I went to event and by
the time I headed home at 10pm the temperature was back down to 37° and the
wind was still gusty at 7 mph. (felt like 26°F) COLD. But I was bundled up and could hurry to my
car and then to my warm home.
Yesterday John and I arrived at the booth at 8:45am to a
much harsher situation. 34°F with winds
from the ENE at 16mph. (wind chill made
it feel like 24°F) The wind was picking
up our side of the tent and then slamming it back down. John secured it as best he could and then we
went out for a hot breakfast with our friends from Seattle – returning at
noon.
The sun came out but the wind continued to blow. Shoppers hurried by our booth, everyone
looked and felt COLD. We were all
remarking about the weather. A bit too
cold for the European festival we wanted.
And the coldness came through my underclothes, by sweater, my coat, my gloves,
my hat, my socks, and my boots. And all
I could think about was the homeless in Portland. Who were experiencing the same weather,
without ANY of the comforts I know.
Maybe a blanket, maybe a coat, hopefully a hot meal; but for
many, another night on the street. I
really can’t imagine being in the weather that we’re experiencing and being
much colder than I was yesterday - ALL
day - with no relief.
So I’ll do something about it. I’ll do what I can which is give a donation
to the Portland Rescue Mission who every day choose to help our homeless. I care not for your opinion on how they got
there, if they deserve it, and if they could do more to help themselves. That’s not the point of my point. My point is that I want to help the homeless
be warm.
Today is colder than yesterday. It’s 23°F with a wind chill that makes it
feel like 9°. So doing what I can is
what I must do.
Take an opportunity to complete your charitable giving this
week. Charities are really hurting this
year. I know. The Itafari Foundation has received considerably
fewer contributions – and we’re not alone.
You are welcome to give to us: Itafari Foundation. If you’re giving needs to be more local,
consider Portland Rescue Mission. If you’re
outside of Portland, who in your community could use some help? With whom do you resonate? What causes are dear to your heart? Now is the time.
Give a gift. Make a
difference. And bundle up: it’s cold out there.