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I arrive at Touching Tiny Lives based in Mokhotlong, Lesotho (that’s Southern Africa…ps) and am in the most remote place I have ever been in my life. There isn’t much here. Donkies and horses roam the streets or street, would be more accurate. The ‘shops’ are mostly made of corrugated tin and plastic bags. The people are all bundled in thick blankets as the mountainous topography cools everything down drastically. Among the chaos, TTL sits purposefully and organized at the edge of town. Their mission:
Touching Tiny Lives Foundation is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting children and families that are struggling to cope with the ravages of HIV/AIDS in rural Lesotho. Local personnel, assisted by international volunteers, provide essential care to severely malnourished, critically ill, or orphaned babies. TTLF provides outreach health services, nutritional supplements, medication, and continued social support to children, pregnant women, and caregivers in their village communities.
I have come to volunteer for the month. On my first day on the job, I quickly realized Mokhotlong is not nearly as remote as the places TTL’s Outreach team set off to everyday.
8:30 am Monday, the Outreach team and I pile into a pick up truck and set off to check up on TTL’s clients. The street that I mentioned earlier is paved, not smooth but it’s a start. It quickly turns into a dirt road. That dirt road turns into a path with potholes the size of a blowup children’s swimming pool. And that path turns into a mountain that would not be considered suitable for driving by anyone’s standard. After a quick hike to our final destination we arrive at a smoking rondaval to track the progress of a chubby little baby – a good sign. As my eyes water from the smoke I try to adjust. I inventory the room – some pots and pans, a few suitcases, a fire pit. In one day I have adjusted my perception of nothingness.
With no fancy Western-style marketing strategy, no big colorful posters around town, the people of Mokhotlong know and respect TTL. Their approach is simple, straightforward and effective. With a staff of 29 locals, TTL manages to spread their cause through a vast network of invested neighbors, medical clinics and hospitals and both past and current clients.
The crisis of modernity has greatly influenced many tribal and traditional societies in Africa rise out of poverty. A slow and steady approach to change may help ease this delicate transition – a pace that TTL functions well in.
Their success and willingness to travel where many others would not dare have earned them a spot as DON’T BE A BUM’S third featured organization.
WELCOME TTL!
The Sanctuary, located on the island of Koh Phangan, Thailand, is just that – A Sanctuary. A mecca for yogis and lost souls alike, this mini village begins a few feet away from the turquoise waters of Haad Tien and extends back to include bungalows, activity centers and a Tea Temple to satisfy anyones chakras. This resort/spa/detox center offers daily yoga and meditation, body cleanses and any other healing workshop imaginable. Make sure to check their website, as the schedule varies constantly.
You can stay for a day, a week, or forever with programs and restaurants to keep your senses titillated. But don’t feel out of breath just yet, the beach, food, and abundance of pillows and hammocks is perfectly conducive to hanging with a tea. Chill out and self reflect or say hello to a stranger. Chances are they will have an intriguing story. Lesser intriguing guests, however, include the multitude of pestering flies. Only other minor complaint is the beach. Although the water is clean and vibrant, the sand is not the silkiest. But after traveling much of Thailand, The Sanctuary’s facilities are among the best – as long as the Four Seasons, Hawaii isn’t your reference point.
Dwellings ranges from dorms to two storie houses which means prices range dramatically as well. You can’t book in advance but take the risk. There is a lot to gain and a little to lose as there are other resorts minutes away. The Sanctuary welcomes all, even if you haven’t scored a room.
This is a place where the ‘locals’ are not only the Thais but the lovers who continually return. I’ll be back and I’m sure I’ll see some familiar faces when I do.
Sometimes I feel as though the world is deteriorating, moving backwards not forwards. With each new invention or technological outbreak comes the opportunity to become more detached. An opportunity to use something or someone as a scapegoat for the development of disease or some other misfortunate event. Philosophers and the general populace alike have arrived at the same realizations for thousands of years. Now, among all the excess, it is becoming increasingly difficult to sift through the over abundance of stimuli to arrive at the same epiphanies as Plato, Socrates and your Mom.
Hippocrates, the Father of Western Medicine “advocated diet as the chief way to prevent and treat heart disease” (pg 345) and now in the new millennium Colin Campbell and his son, Thomas, are too. The China Study written by the Campbell duo has been coined as the “most important book on nutrition and health to come out in the last 75 years”. Although it may not be the easiest read as the arguments are backed by scientific facts and jargon, it provides an easy, affordable and attainable way to a healthy lifestyle – EAT A PLANT BASED AND WHOLE FOODS DIET. Campbells’ facts are undeniable as they have gathered primary and secondary research from hundreds on studies. This isn’t another fad diet book selling a ‘guaranteed to get skinny’ drug or shake, or a dehydrated meal in a box. Campbell is a scientist, had his share of altercations with humongous food industry leaders and is a healthy 70 something year old. Together, the Campbells, present scientific facts as well as blatant corruption and influence the food industry and drug company moguls have over medical school curriculum, school lunch programs and even the World Health Organization.
Our society has gotten so accustomed to believing that there is a pill or a surgery to solve all our medical problems but have neglected the most simple way to combat such prevalent diseases as cancer, heart disease and obesity – DIET.
My background is not in the sciences but common sense and intuition and The China Study guide me to believe that adhering to a plant based and whole foods diet is basic and brilliant. “It costs very little, harbors no risks and put the control back into [your] hands” (Pg 339). Why would we poison our body with foods that look far from food and medicine that is expensive and often pulled from the shelves within 25 years for proving to be more deteremental than helpful?
Grab a copy, in fact grab a few, and pass then around to the people you love.
This could be a lifechanger.
In less then two weeks I take off on a once in a lifetime backpack trip to South East Asia and beyond. ONCE IN A LIFE TIME! Those few words come with a ton of pressure and a lot of research.
Voluntourism may seem like a cute righteous moniker but its end result is often detrimental to local communities in developing nations. So how do you find the perfect balance? A foreign adventure with exposure to developing nations, as well as an opportunity to help?
Not the easiest entity to find.
So, it was a treat when I stumbled upon PEPY, a beautifully transparent organization that basically did the research for me.
PEPY is a wonderful social venture that is comprised of two subdivisions working harmoniously together. PEPY Ride is an international non-governmental organization with idealistic views and realistic practices.
PEPY says “we want to live in a world where everyone has access to quality education, increased health and environmental awareness. Through our programs in Cambodia, we are committed to making improvements in education, the environment, and health by investing in a local team of dedicated leaders and connecting them with the tools to help deliver the changes they want to see in the world”
How do they do it? With PEPY Tours. PEPY Tours offer custom or pre-packaged tours throughout Cambodia and South East Asia that help fund PEPY Ride. They believe ‘travel should be adventurous, educational and fun but also benefit local communities.’
 Courtesy of www.pepytours.com And so do I! I have just submitted my application to PEPY to tag along on their week long March Experiential Tour. The tour includes visits with their NGO partners, local schools, the usual tourist destinations and volunteer activities.
PEPY’s financial structure is clearly presented. In addition to a set fee, there is also a fundraising component of $500 that directly supports the non-profit/Pepy Ride.
In an effort to raise $500 I will be hosting a fundraiser Wednesday February 10th, 2010.
Everyone’s invited to get PEPPED ABOUT PEPPY!
There is no mandatory donation for guests so don’t feel obligated to reach into your pockets if they’re feeling a little lighter then usual.
While running around, trying to frantically get through January 15th’s ‘To Do’ List, I was finding it harder than usual to focus. I couldn’t really identify the source of the anxiety and sense of distraction but I’ve felt it before. In an attempt to shake it off, I walked to my local coffee joint. Then SMACK! I was hit by the sight of a shelf stocked with rubber gloves. (not to fret, it was a figurative SMACK! not one that left a five star on my face)
And then I realized, HAITI! I couldn’t focus my efforts on my ‘To Do’ List because Haiti’s devastating misfortune was demanding my attention.
 On Tuesday afternoon Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, was struck by an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of over 7.0. As buildings collapse the number of people affected are on the rise. CNN has estimated millions to be affected and the death toll in the tens of thousands. Photo courtesy of: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/earthquake_in_haiti.html Earlier that morning, I had read that charity:water is partnering up with Partners in Health to load a full plane of supplies that will take off from NYC to Haiti on Tuesday January 19th. Items included, blankets, soap, tents and GLOVES!
With a new surge of energy I decided to try the simplest from of fundraising…asking.
So with no schpiel planned I simply asked the barista if she had any extra gloves to donate to Haiti. To my surprise, I got a YES. That was easy! So off I went with two boxes in hand to try and gather more supplies.
Next stop, Russ & Daughters, one of NYC’s last remaining appetizing shops and one of my favorite establishments in the city. After stocking up on dried fruits and nuts, I asked Josh, a fourth generation Russ, if had any extra gloves. Another YES!
Only a few blocks away, was a walk in clinic. With an extra hop in my step, fueled by the yummy trail mix, a la Russ & Daughters, and positive reactions so far,I asked them the same question. JACKPOT.
They filled up three boxes of gloves, gowns, surgical lubricant, alcohol wipes, blood glucose monitor and the list goes on.
 Special Thanks to Manuel Velazquez, M.D., P.C. and Josh Tupper from Russ & Daughters Lessons learned:
- ask and you shall receive, well maybe not always, but what’s the harm in trying
- sometimes it IS that easy –why not try it out?
- let opportunities guide you astray
- ‘To Do’ lists are wonderful if accompanied by the clause ‘do not follow me blindly’
You Can Do It Too
To add to the cargo jetting off on Tuesday, you can drop supplies at charity:water (200 Varick St. Ste 201 in NYC) during these times:
Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
The Ananda Ashram shifts towards sustainability through the Ananda Harvest.
I recently read that delving into 8 minutes of deep meditation daily can increase ones brain size. Although 8 minutes may seem like an easy feat, meditation is one of the hardest exercises to conquer… for me at least.
For those of us still struggling to ignore our overly stimulated minds and reach a sense of heightened relaxation, The Ananda Ashram, located in Monroe, NY, offers a perfect balance of yoga, meditation and now FARMING!
If your mind resembles an erratic maze, with your thoughts running amuck, chances are, silencing those thoughts will prove to be like a maze with no end.
Some yogis use chanting as a way to focus ones energy on repetitive mantras in order to calm the mind. These yogis use farming.
I was introduced to The Ananda Harvest by one of the founders of the farm, David Gottlieb. Gottlieb with fellow founding farmer Jerri Chou, among others, saw an opportunity to start a farm, escape from the city, and help decrease the amount of money the Ashram was spending on food.
I got a chance to chat with the two Brooklynites and here’s what they said:
Why did you decide to start the Ananda Harvest Project?
We didn’t even know we WERE starting it at first. It all started when a group of us started visiting Ananda. It was this amazingly peaceful place on such beautiful land. We started wondering why it wasn’t being used to produce anything and got to thinking how great it would be to start a farm and grow veggies on the land! We started building the idea and then began the actual garden with friends. It’s been a beautiful exercise, not only in body, but community, and personal growth.
Who is involved?
There’s a group of us (mostly creative, eco/socially conscious people from the city). We’re programmers, communicators, designers, etc. But it would never have been possible if not for the original farmer of the land, Dave Washburn, and his son, Matt, who have been holding down the fort up there!
What can we expect to see in 2010?
There’s a lot coming. There’s been so much excitement! We’re planning on building an additional cabin for people to stay in and holding a workshop on how to build that cabin! We’ll be planting in the spring and expanding our growing to more areas of the Ashram. We’re also looking to host all sorts of courses including permaculture, beekeeping, etc. It’s going to be a jam packed season of growing!
Is there any synergy between the farm and the yogis that visit the Ashram? If not, do you plan on creating any?
Definitely. The whole concept is based on meditating with your hands. So many of us need a place of peace and where we can create something tangible. That’s what this farm is for us, a meditation. Not to mention that all yogis are welcome to pick up a pick and help dig and we’ll be encouraging those who visit to partake in the amazing and extensive series of courses at Ananda.
How can we help?
We’re always looking for help, supporters, or just visitors. For more information you can check out anandaharvest.org and sign up for our newsletter. Or feel free to send us an email at hello@anandaharvest.org.
Answer’s Contributed by David Gottlieb and Jerri Chou
Founding Farmers at Ananda Harvest
www.anandaharvest.org <http://www.anandaharvest.org>
There is no escaping the holiday buzz- the windows, the songs, the random Santas roaming the street and malls (depending on where you find yourself during the holidays). As much as I would like to avoid adding to the hundreds of billions of dollars Americans are projected to spend on the holidays this season, people still need their presents…right? Whether it’s your doorman, bestie or pup’s manicurist Global Goods Partner’s has a present for everyone.
 Image Provided By Marie Claire Andrea Global Goods Partners is a Non-Profit dedicated to alleviating poverty in marginalized communities worldwide. They offer women-led, community based organizations and artisans access to the United States markets through online product sales, marketplaces, and retail outlets. Global Goods Partners reinvests their proceeds by offering technical and grant support to its partners in order to help these ambitious women strengthen their programs and enhance their lives and their communities.
On December 17th, GGP invited the public to SHOP FOR CHANGE: A Fair Trade Marketplace set up at the Urban Zen Center in New York City. Products included recycled art greeting cards from Uganda, men’s silk ties from Cambodia, and cozy hats and scarves from Bolivia.
 Image Provided By Marie Claire Andrea It was the perfect, one stop destination for all of my holiday shopping – guilt free. All the products are fair trade, beautiful, decently priced and your purchase will make a difference.
Sad you missed it? Check out www.globalgoodspartners.org to grab some last minute Holiday treats.
Whether your are roasting chestnuts on an open fire, sipping Pinã Coladas on the beach or nothing quite as glamorous, the Holidays often bring some down time. So, if you enjoy spending that down time curled up with a book – check out our list of books that will surely inspire you.
1. Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time
By: Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
2. A Billion Bootstraps: Microcredit, Barefoot Banking, and the Business Solution to Ending Poverty
By: Phil Smith & Eric Thurman
3. Half the Sky
By: Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
4. The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor in an Interconnected World
By: Jacqueline Novogratz
5. There Is No Me Without You
By: Melissa Fay Greene
Can’t think of what to buy for the person who has everything? Try donating to one of the causes mentioned in the books.
The Unpretentious Supper Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina
 - backyard garden
Greeted with a kiss on the cheek and a warm embrace, you feel as though you are walking into a close friends or relatives house, not a stranger’s. So, owners and couple, Diego and Sanra Felix don’t remain strangers for long.
Casa Felix, located in Chacarita with no signage, could be easily overlooked. But once you step inside, it is everything but ordinary. The concept is simple yet genius. Open only Thursday – Saturday, Diego and Sanra open their homes and their hearts to 12 guests per night for a 5 course, pescatarian meal/masterpiece. The evening begins by a tour of their home-cum-restaurant and casual drinks in their garden. Guests, owners, waiters, and chefs all mingle over tasty cocktails learning a little bit more about each other and how they found out about this ‘secret’ restaurant.
I immediately gravitate towards the garden and start asking questions. Diego and Sanra maintain 2 garden beds in which they pluck tasty herbs and veggies to incorporate into their menu. Oh and they aim to cook with as many local ingredients as possible. I love them!
The meals are seasonal and change often but here’s a peek:
1. Welcome Drink : Kumquat infused Pisco
2. Botana: Black bean and plantain empanada, huacatay guacamole
3. Salad: Arugula and spinach, hulled wheat, tomato gratin, beet and chañar dressing
Intermezzo: Apple granita
4. Main Course: Grilled surubí in mesopotamian broth with aguaribay, manioc, fresh fennel and flower salad
5. Dessert: Blue corn muffins and passion fruit cream
 - cucumber ravioli
The presentation is stunning and the taste even better. Diego ensures you know exactly what you are eating and why. Offering explanations for the night’s inspiration and indigenous Argentine techniques used throughout the preparation of the meal.
Diego and Sanra are far from bums.
NEW YEARS RESOLUTION: travel to Italy, find myself a charming vegetarian cook/farmer, start an Italian branch of Casa insert my man’s name here.
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