I Dreamed It
From the moment I dreamed of Creativity Tribe, I knew I wanted it to make a difference in this world. I chose the word tribe to describe the gathering of people I wanted to work with because I wanted us to feel like we mattered to each other, that we were a community, and that we stood for something together that might mean more than standing for it alone. I felt like the word paid homage to some of the world’s most creative people, those who live close to the rhythms of the Earth and who don’t separate their way of life from a life with creativity. People who know creativity is life itself.
As the time to launch Creativity Tribe moved closer, I found things falling into place around the original dreams I had. Sometimes they seemed to come out of the blue. But one by one, the elements came together. That was especially the case with my intention to offer a way for the Creativity Tribe to do something meaningful as a group.
The Gift of Giving
In July of this year, I attended a drumming workshop led by Helen Bond and Fodé Cameron. Helen is an American who became interested in learning West African drumming after taking lessons in the states with drum master Fomoudou Konaté. Helen followed him to his home village of Sangbarella in Guinea, West Africa to more fully understand the drums and to connect with the true spirit drumming plays in the culture. She met Fodé there. She quickly fell in love with West Africa and its people.
As Helen returned from her trip, she ran into a friend, Amy Lusk, who had been there. They talked of some ways they could see helping the village. They told the story of their trip to Sangbarella to various people they met and before long people started offering to help. Sometimes they offered a bit of money, other times, supplies. Helen and Amy eventually created a non-profit to manage the aid they were giving to the people of the village.
The work they have done through The Benkadi Project is inspiring. I especially love that the project offers support and service but does it so that the village chooses the help that is needs rather than having outsiders come in to tell them how to live their lives. This way is more empowering. As Helen explained how they give and what they give, I knew I wanted use Creativity Tribe to help spread word about that goodness to more people.
Giving Together
Over the next year, I would like to work with you to make a difference in the lives of the people The Benkadi Project serves. I have so much I want to share about giving in this way. I will be sharing my thoughts with you in blog posts and listing those posts here so you can keep on track. Expect periodic opportunities to give in creative ways, my thoughts about why I chose The Benkadi Project, and updates on the work Helen and Amy are doing.
I hope you will join me in this endeavor, either as a contributor or as a voice, spreading the word about lending a hand. Let’s raise a bit of money and awareness. It will feel good….for us and them.
Embrace Motherland Rhythm Community
- Read about the 1,825,000 days of clean water Helen is making happen on her latest trip.
- Read about how Rachél met Helen… Rhythm Wisdom {drum lessons}
- Learn more about The Benkadi Project, check out their Newletters from year past.
You can also ….
Get the Details of the Water Initiative
Follow Benkadi Project on Facebook
