Almost a decade ago I started Niteo Africa society to do education projects in Uganda, Africa.  It is an integral part of my life and my family’s life.  Often people are curious about my journey, so as I travel this summer, I’d like to share some of my process…raw…and real.

Sometimes I am compelled to action by…

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 Compassion for the gravity of poverty…

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Or, because the liquid black eyes and smiles draw me in…

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 into connection…

Or because I believe in Africans with hope and who create their own future…

…And I believe in abundance and that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and has the potential to overcome!

I urge you to reach out to a local organization and do what you can to get involved.  As my colleague and friend, Rhonda Draper, recently remarked, “When you give it changes others. When you get involved in a local organization, it changes you.”

I am on my way to Uganda with two volunteers from Kelowna.  We’ll arrive in Kampala early on June 25.  Our goals for the trip include the following:

• connect with our partners: those leading our literacy centres and literacy initiatives.
• discover where the next centres will be.
• attend the grand opening of the 6th literacy centre in Gulu.
• through interviews, explore the challenges and opportunities for growth that presented themselves over the past year.
• support our Country Director, Sam Turya.

Niteo began almost a decade ago.  This is personally my tenth trip to Africa.  Niteo has taken over 60 volunteers to Uganda.  We serve thousands of children each month at our literacy centres.  

During each of my trips I create intentions and thoughtful points for reflection.  My central question for this trip is “Why?”  Why do these trips year after year?  Why Uganda?  Why this type of investment: books and reading?  Why Niteo?  I’m not afraid of these questions.  The questions are sacred and beg for answers.  They are the questions every leader faces.

I know that poignant and powerful answers will emerge.  My travelling companions, Dylan and Rachel, will also be contributing to these reflections.  We will record them for dialogue.  The answers will inform and invite the next season to emerge in new and creative ways, providing new solutions and extending the work further than the previous dream!  I hope you’ll follow our blog both here and at www.niteoafrica.org.

How are you involved in international development?  What has it meant to you and your family when you’ve connected cross-culturally?  How can we nurture a sense of connectedness around the world?  Why is that important for our children?  What do you feel helping looks like?

For the sake of the children,

Karine

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