Roadside Stand

Wednesday July 24^th, 2013

I did a long walk to the side of the road today to see how my mom, her design team and my scholars were doing with their roadside stand idea. When I got there they hadn’t started cooking yet and there were no customers. I was a little worried that they might have none. I prayed as I walked home that they’d have a few at least.

When my mom came home in the evening she was beaming with excitement and pride. They sold out of their food and there was still a line of people waiting. My mom kept thanking me and I just kept telling her that it was her team’s idea and they made it happen. We just helped bring them together and provided a space to voice their ideas. I’m excited because this is a tangible result and outcome of how our presence here has transformed something in this community. I’m so excited to see what comes of this project and everyone else’s.

I started my mat today at my grandma’s house next door. I think she was very surprised of how long it was taking me to make progress. She started helping me wrap reeds. The mats are usually made from reeds found in the fields and little kids snack trash wrappers. Once woven together it creates a beautiful spectrum of color.

My body feels heavy

As fire burns across the village

Crick crick snip snap

Goes the bushes

As I have no idea what lurks beyond

The child will not stop crying

I ask but he will not say what is wrong