Giving Back

In 2009 I took my first trip to Burkina Faso, Africa.  It was an incredibly powerful, heart opening journey.  I felt like, for the first time I could exhale.  All my life I knew in my bones that it was possible for humans to exist in a way with each other that was truly empowering, life affirming and cooperative.  That it was possible to live in such a way that is selfless and for the good of the whole community.  When I stepped foot on the African soil I felt that reality.  I remember taking in all of the sounds and colors and energies that were new and old to me.  It was overwhelmingly beautiful.  The first day I was in Ouagadougou these two children ran up to me with light pouring out of their eyes, such bright spirits, simply greeting me with joy!  I inhaled that reality and was in awe.  I knelt down and in feeling the intense sun and noticing the sweat on the children I looked to their mother and asked if I could offer them water from my bottle.  She agreed.  I offered it first to the girl.  She turned up the bottle and drank and drank.  I’ve rarely seen a child drink water like that.  And then I offered it to the boy and he did the same.  While he was drinking it struck me deep how thirsty they were.  While he was drinking the mother interrupted to say to me, “Don’t forget to save some for yourself,” while smiling a generous smile.  That moment changed me.  It triggered grief in me so deep.  It touched something so deep inside.  The awesome selflessness.

Burkina Faso, Africa is known to be one of the ‘poorest’ countries in the world.  Yet while I was there I never cold hold that awareness in my reality because of the abundant spirit that exists in the people.  So generous and so gracious.  Over and over I had encounters where people would welcome me into their homes and treat me like family, offering whatever they had equally amongst us all.  This, for me, was true beauty.  Humanity in its highest expression.

That trip changed me deeply.  When I came home after being affected by such generous souls I felt inspired to give back, to dedicate to give back in any small way that I can.  I’ve found that it feeds the cycle of reciprocity and positive change.  Recently, I had the honor of meeting 2 amazing human beings, totally dedicated to reciprocity and service.  Their names are Esu and Ina and their foundation is called Barka Foundation.  They also have been deeply affected by the people of Burkina Faso, Africa.  When wanting to give back, they asked the women of the village, “what is it that you need most?”  Water is the response.  Without water we can’t have peace.  So they dedicated their purpose, bringing clean water to 500 villagers in Burkina Faso.

10 percent from each private session that I do with people go towards Barka Foundation, towards bringing peace through water.  I feel this feeds the cycle of reciprocity and healing.  If you are inspired to make donation to Barka Foundation or want to understand more about what Esu and Ina are up to, their website is http://www.barkafoundation.org They are also on global giving.  It’s a super easy way to make a large or small contribution.  Everything helps!  http://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/content/search.html?q=barka