|
March 22, 2010
Wistfulness fills my heart as I write this letter. Last October 3rd I began a very long and very winding tour around this country, speaking to thousands of folks about the lessons I learned from the children of Mehan and Sitara orphanages and the Afghans who direct them. This was something I had not planned. In fact, upon my return from Kabul I had no plan at all. The speaking tour seemed to take on a life of its own. You are the people who made it happen. Sixth graders to a room full of octogenarians, Democrats to Independents to Republicans, rich people and poor, you showed me what is universal about our identity as Americans. We are not, by and large, who they say we are in the news. I did not see the so-called cultural war. You are thoughtful, caring, giving and inquisitive. You are warm of spirit, funny and feeling. You inspire me to do more, to walk forward, or as Farzana would say to fall, and in falling to be given wings.
Now that part of this journey is over. I prepare to leave March 11th for Italy where I will give a presentation to the Italian supporters of AFCECO. I will also visit Mahbooba and Farzana who are going to school in Milano. I will proceed to Kabul on March 17th. I will bring with me the money you gave, $15,509 (including $25 I won thanks to my New Orleans hosts putting my name in a Super Bowl pool) that will go toward educational needs of the children.
Please feel free to join me by continuing to reading this open journal.
I will continue to add an entry once a week from Kabul. Please note that Omprakash Foundation is in the process of updating its web site. This may change the way you navigate to my journal.
And please do encourage anyone interested in volunteering anywhere in the world to glance at the resources available on the Omprakash network.
I have many memories swirling through my mind from these talks. The following is a list of the venues I attended on this tour. Please accept my most heartfelt thanks. You are a part of a broader, deeper family. Presentation Venues included the following:
Mansfield Middle School, CT
EO Smith High School, CT
Brookfield High School, CT
Hamden Hall Country Day, CT
Frontier Café, Brunswick ME
Pacific Ridge School, CA
Francis Parker School, CA
Club Excel, San Diego CA
Kearny High School, CA
Alpine Middle School, CA
Addison Independent newspaper full article Oct. 29th issue
Casa de las Campanas senior retirement community, CA
Middlebury College, Middlebury VT
Bonny Eagle Alternative Education, Hollis ME
Longfellow Elementary, Brunswick ME
Brunswick High School, ME
Riverview Topsham ME
Bowdoin College, ME
Granby High School CT
Granby house lecture with the Bracket family, CT
University of New Hampshire
Taft School, CT
The Sun, Westerly news article, Dec. 7th issue, RI
Westerly, RI Library
Charlestown, RI Chamber of Commerce
WBCQ Radio interview, RI
St. Pius School, Westerly RI
Rotary Club of New York City, at the Harvard Club
Pomperaug School District #15, CT
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, NY
Summit School, Winston-Salem NC
Whitestone Retirement Community, Greensboro NC
Quail Village Retirement Community, Pinehurst NC
Cypress Village Retirement Community, Raleigh NC
Flagler College, St. Augustine FL
Stetson University, DeLand FL
Interview for Orlando Sentinel
Home gathering at Pauly’s in Lake Worth FL
Night Heron Grassroots Activist Center, Lake Worth FL
Orange County Library, Hillsboro NC
Full interview on The Bill Press Show, Capitol Hill, Washington DC
Hotchkiss School, Lakeville CT
Litchfield High School, Litchfield CT
Edgewood Retirement Community, N. Andover MA
Tulane University, New Orleans LA
Bainbridge High School, WA
Evergreen State College, WA
Bainbridge Island Library, WA
Philips Exeter Academy, NH
Please log in to post a comment!
|
