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Meanwhile, back in Oregon!

7/11/2016

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I recently joined over 5000 women, men, and youth activists from around the world at the Women Deliver Copenhagen conference this summer. I was inspired by how many individuals have devoted their time, talent, and wealth to help women gain access to healthcare, education and other basic human rights. When I returned to Portland, I attended the World Affairs Council of Oregon Pan-African youth event. Young leaders from Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana and beyond, all shared with Oregonians about the most pressing issues in their communities, and proposed innovative solutions. So many of their challenges echoed those I heard in Copenhagen—girls’ access to education, reproductive health, clean water. Often the underlying challenge for girls and youth is being deemed valuable enough for the world to invest in them.

And it reinforced for me the reason I am here at the W.A.C. as the Director of Marketing and Communications. Whether at a conference, a global journey, or at an event here in Oregon—seeing the world through the eyes of another is the first step to understanding the nature of our challenges—and to finding solutions that work for everyone. The World Affairs Council of Oregon’s youth programs, international visitor exchanges, and thought-leader speaking events, all have the power to catalyze the relationships which I believe are at the heart of any social change.

I welcome you to reach out to me with your ideas and input—what are the issues that matter to you as a Global Oregonian? What global relationships have changed your life? I look forward to hearing from you.
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World-Oregon; Oregon-World!

5/6/2016

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Dear Friends,
 
For the last decade, living surrounded by Oregon's lush beauty and vibrant communities, I have had a dream of helping Portland seize the mantle of a truly globally-connected city. This is a town of travelers; international academic leaders; nonprofits and foundations serving humanity on distant shores; and corporations who value social justice and sustainable global growth. From this home-base, Half Sky Journeys has been an instrument for engaging women leaders across borders through meaningful travel. From Cambodia to Rwanda and beyond, we've witnessed the beginnings of life-changing relationships between women leaders and supportive advocates.
 
I have been seeking ways to accelerate global awareness for social change, and I'm thrilled to announce a new role that brings momentum to this dream. In addition to connecting women leaders through Half Sky Journeys, I will now proudly serve the World Affairs Council of Oregon as Marketing & Communications Director. With an energetic staff and a new forward-thinking President (Derrick Olsen), it's an exciting time to help this time-honored organization reach a wider and more diverse audience, both locally and globally. In a period of such deep ideological divisions in our own country, I know that as we look to the women, men, and youth leaders of the world—widening the context in which we see ourselves—the seeds of understanding can grow. World Affairs Council is devoted to providing this kind of connection for Oregonians and our visitors. http://worldoregon.org/
 
Next week (alongside thousands of leaders from over 150 countries), I travel to the Women Deliver conference in Copenhagen, Denmark http://wd2016.org —the world's largest conference on the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women in the last decade. I can't wait to meet these global change-makers and hear their stories, and provide an opportunity for others to learn about how their work and relationships could expand through a customized Half Sky Journey. I will also be seeking fascinating individuals to participate in the International Speaker Series of World Affairs Council (which has hosted global heroes like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Jane Goodall, Queen Noor of Jordan, the Dalai Lama! and so many more).
 
My life continues to be an incredible journey surrounded by inspiring people. I welcome your feedback, and would love to hear the stories of what happens to be making YOUR life more wonderful at the moment, whatever that may be.
 
With enormous gratitude,


Ila R. Asplund, Founder & CEO
Half Sky Journeys LLC
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April 17 - Adventurers: Save the date!

3/29/2016

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WHEN:
Sunday April 17 from 5 - 7 pm
 

WHERE: 
Shout House @ 210 SE Madison, Ste. 11, Portland, Oregon 97214
http://www.shouthousepdx.com/

WHAT: 
Please join Ila Asplund at a fun Portland event for adventure-prone global souls!
Half Sky Journeys will present footage by Kate Raphael (Studio Kate) from our recent Rwanda trip.

Peter Frick-Wright will also share from his Outside Magazine article on jogging clubs in Burundi!

​​https://www.outsideonline.com/2062806/worlds-most-dangerous-running-club-burundi

Sponsorship by Base Camp Brewing Company!

RSVP or ask a question: email hello@halfsky.org


details:

AN INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES
FEATURING LOCAL ADVENTURERS AND FILMMAKERS
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For more information, please contact Phil Busse:
pwbusse@yahoo.com or (503) 975-4545

Portland is home to modern-day adventurers that would make Shackleton envious and Sir Edmund Hilary blush. Surfers, climbers, whitewater kayakers, guys who have walked north to south across Africa and gals who lead trips to Rwanda and Cambodia. We are excited to host an inaugural lecture series that presents some of these curious men and women, talking about their adventures, opening up the frontiers of imagination and hopefully inspiring others to jump into their own adventures. Each evening presents a locally-produced adventure film and a local adventurer presenting an engaging, multi-media presentation about his or her experiences.

April 10: Shane Von Schlemp, long-distance hiker
A computer engineer, Von Schlemp took off on a pioneering trek across the newly charted Oregon Desert Trail, a grueling and lonely 800 mile trek that snakes throughout the high desert of eastern Oregon.

April 17: Peter Frick-Wright, radio producer; and, Ila Asplund, Half Sky Journeys
A radio producer and journalist, Frick-Wright recently launched The Outside Podcast and also presents his currently-on-stands article in Outside about an extraordinary recent trip to ethnically-divided Burundi, and “the world’s most dangerous running club.” Joined by Ila Asplund, showing footage from her recent journey to Rwanda.


May 15: Joe Kurmaskie, adventure cyclist
Six-time author, Kurmaskie is also known as the Metal Cowboy for his cycling adventures that include being chased by elephants in Zimbabwe and racing up Mt Hood in a July snowstorm. Presenting his latest book, A Guide To Falling Down.

May 22: Julian Smith, journalist
Selections from his memoir, Crossing the Heart of Africa

Hosted at Shout House, 210 SE Madison (under the Hawthorne Bridge), all presentations begin at 5 pm. Admission is free. Events are sponsored by Base Camp Brewing Company.




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This is what connection looks like.

3/16/2016

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Check out our latest e-news, here.

It's all about the release of our latest video, and YOU are invited to view it here! Enjoy.
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So... "How was your trip?"

1/11/2016

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photo by Maria Bruggere

​It’s been just one month since the last day of our December 3-11 2015 Rwanda journey.

With the holidays, many of us have barely transitioned into “Reality Re-entry” mode! As we do, our friends and family are asking: “How was your trip?” Several travelers have told me how hard it is to answer this question—to summarize the huge-ness, the range of emotions, the sights, the people and new friends.

It’s easy to answer: “Amazing!” but this never feels exactly right.

For me personally, there was a moment (during a quick post-program sojourn to Uganda) that embodied my trip experience, and echoed the lessons from and interactions with our Rwandan women leaders:

I’m walking through the red dirt slums at sunset. The smell of roasting maize competes with stagnant rain puddles. The sound of drumming grows louder as I approach. Neighbors are gathered in a rare bit of open space, families cheering a small troupe of dancers, young and old, practicing in their plain clothes. I stop to appreciate, just long enough for the dance troupe leader to zero in on me and beckon me to the center of the dance. I’m terrified, but can’t refuse. We look into each other’s faces and smile. She holds my hands to teach me as our arms mirror each other (and I attempt to move with a fraction of her skill and ease!).

It's a lesson. And it's pure joy.

​The women we met in Rwanda—healers, teachers, mentors, students, innovators, governors—each one we met took us literally or figuratively into their hands, looked into our faces, and shared moments of generous exchange. Their stories, their wisdom, their struggles, their laughter. From morning to night for over a week, we looked to them and to each other as fellow travelers—seeking to receive, to understand, and to give something of ourselves. 
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photo by Kate Raphael @ Studio Kate

​This happened over and over—and it’s the impossible-to-explain magic of the journey.

So. How was your trip?

Fellow journeyers from this trip (and other adventurers from near and far), I’d love to hear:  How are YOU answering this question?

Stay tuned! For the rest of January, we’ll be breaking down the day-to-day, play-by-play moments of the Rwanda Journey in photos and stories, culminating in a video snapshot of who, what, and how we came to love Rwanda in our short time there. 
I can’t wait for others to experience the jewels that created this AMAZING  whole, which certainly exceeded the sum of its parts.

Murakoze! ("Thanks" in Kinyarwanda!)
​-ila
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Introducing Half Sky Journeys 2015 Fall Term Interns!

12/1/2015

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Get to know Michelle Hy and Rebecca Brown, Internistas Extraordinaires!

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Michelle Hy

Michelle Hy is in her final year working on her B.A. in Applied Linguistics at Portland State University. A Portland native brought up by Asian parents, she's spent the last couple decades accruing a love for travel (with much thanks to her travel-happy grandparents), language, and The Phantom of the Opera. She's excited to be working as an intern for Half Sky Journeys spreading the word for Rwanda 2015. 

What ignited your passion for empowering women worldwide?

Being raised by a single mother who didn’t so much preach feminism as lived it. She taught me to be independent in my material and mental wealth. And as a “millennial” brought up in the technological age, I have had access to more information on the world than any generation before us. With all this data, we can solve problems like never before. Gender equality is an important issue to me because, well, it directly affects me. To fight for the right of all women to be equal citizens of the world is fighting for my right, too. There’s so much untapped potential and I want to do my part in unleashing that beautiful, powerful resource in us.

What's one of your favorite places you've traveled and why?

Angkor Wat, Cambodia is a surreal place for its history – both glorious and tragic. I had never been to a place such as Siem Reap, so to see real poverty in the flesh for the first time was perception-altering. At 15, it made me uncomfortable and made me question various political and social structures that create such a disparity in living quality. Getting a glimpse at the life of people who live half way across the world from me, in addition to being surrounded by the historical aesthetic of the largest religious monument in the world, gives me chills from time to time when I think of that trip. Those three days were spiritual, unsettling, and will likely stay with me the rest of my life. 
​
Where would you like to visit next and why?

Let me through a dart on a map and that’s where I’d like to go next. The whole world is there for the viewing and I would like to see as much of it as I can in my lifetime. But if I had to consciously choose, I would love to explore China first. I am a born and raised Portlandian, but my family is from Taiwan and China. I’ve visited family in  
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As an agent for positive change, what is one of your dreams for the future?

The re-discovery of our social roots as human creatures. I want to see people re-unite in tribes, communities, families – whatever you want to call them, as long as they’re sustainable. As cheesy as it sounds, the best way to solve global problems is through working together and getting social cohesion back on the top of our priority list.



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Rebecca Brown

​Rebecca Brown is a new intern on the Half Sky Journeys team. Originally from Washington State, she spent her childhood moving all around the western US, which is probably where her need for continued travel and exploration came from. She's now lived in six states and two countries, including two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eastern Ukraine. She's an absolute addict when it comes to coffee, podcasts, cross-stitching, and travel.
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What ignited your passion for empowering women worldwide?

​Education has been the ignition switch for me. I've been involved in education, both in the US and abroad, for over 10 years now. I believe that education, both the systematic and the informal, lays a foundation for a full life. I have seen what happens when women have the tools, knowledge, resources, and freedom to achieve. They do! And when women achieve, the world achieves. When the potential of women is unlocked, we are all unshackled.


What's one of your favorite places you've traveled and why?

​That's such a hard question because all of my trips have been great for one reason or another. South Africa was my first solo trip and it was amazing to be able to just go with the flow, meet new and amazing people, explore a beautiful country, and generally just do whatever I wanted at all.

Puerto Rico was spectacular because I used that trip to introduce my much younger sister to the joys of travel, which she had never done before. We both had wholly new experiences and got to bond in a brand new way.

​Poland in the winter was like walking in a real-life snow-globe with cobblestone streets and wrought-iron lamp posts.​ Leaving my previous home of two years and crossing from Ukraine into Poland looking out the window of a train very literally took my breath away.

I could go on and on...

Where would you like to visit next and why?

​The list is long, for sure, but at the top is Vietnam. My grandmother is from Vietnam and I grew up with her stories that I long to see in real life. It would be magical to travel that country with her.
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As an agent for positive change, what is one of your dreams for the future?

​Free, high-quality, and equal public education for all of our children. Education is empowerment. Sharing knowledge and experiences with our children, and encouraging them to generate their own, plants so many seeds-- curiosity, empathy, perseverance, hope. All children deserve that. I want to be a part of making that dream come true.
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What to Wear—The Rwanda Edition

11/14/2015

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A fun list of advice that we just sent to our Rwanda travelers. There's some good advice for traveling in Rwanda—and some for anywhere! Big thanks to stylist Meg Gallager and writer/travelista Steph Zito for contributing. Get the abbreviated shop list on Pinterest.

You asked! We answer! Easy breezy packing!
View this email in your browser

Hey, Traveler!

Dear Friends,

I know lots of you have questions on the just-right combination of clothing to bring. Two great women (Meg Gallagher, a personal stylist, and Steph Zito a travelista extraordinaire) came together to help me offer you super useful tips on what to bring and ways to look and feel great when you travel. Read on for all the details plus links to examples of items you can nab for yourself.
 

PACK THIS: RWANDA


How do you look good, dress appropriately for an unknown culture, and fit everything you need for two weeks into a single suitcase--without compromising your style?

Packing for a big international trip, like Half Sky Journeys Women and Leadership adventure to Rwanda can be a challenge. How do you decide what goes in the bag and what stays home? 

We brought stylist Meg Gallager [meggallagher.com] and travel aficionado Stephanie Zito [wanderingforgood.com] together to curate a Rwanda packing list just for you.
 

Top Tips


Forget everything you know about packing for your annual beach getaway. You’ll want to follow these tips to be ready for Rwanda.
 

1. Pack Light


You need way less that you think. Seriously. Pack light and then take out a few things. You don’t need a fancy new outfit everyday, and you’ll want empty space in your bag for holiday shopping! 
(Think handmade jewelry, woven baskets, colorful African fabrics, Rwandan coffee, and wood carvings. Even if you aren’t normally a big shopper you’ll want to buy gifts from Rwanda’s women’s cooperatives—and you’ll be visiting right in time for holiday shopping! Check out this Rwandan handicrafts collection if you need some inspiration to pack light.)

2. Pack Smart


You are packing for style, weather and culture. Rwanda is the land of 1,000 hills and the climate is unpredictable. You can expect sun, humidity and rain with hot days (in the 80’s), and cool nights (in the low 60’s). 

The trick to smart packing is Layers, Layers, Layers, and strategically coordinating your separates so you can mix and match a few pieces into multiple outfits. Think lightweight, non-wrinkling clothes that can hold up to sun sweat and rain (make sure they aren’t see through). Natural fabrics like linens and quick drying cotton blends are smart choices. While long sleeve and pants seem counterintuitive for hot weather, covering up is appropriate and can be cooling as it protects your skin from the sun by day and mosquitoes by night. 

2. Pack for Transit


If you’re used to traveling light, you should be able to get everything you need for 2 weeks into a carry-on. If you do check your luggage, that's ok— you’ll want to be sure you have your go-bag for the plane packed out with the right supplies for multiple long haul flights, layovers, and jetlag. (You’ll also want to check international baggage allowances for all the different airlines you’ll be flying on your journey—for both checked and carryon bag weight limits).

Keep everything valuable in your carryon as well as printed copies of your itineraries, your passport and your yellow fever card. 

For the plane pack a few extra layers, a scarf, and some socks to stay warm. Make sure you’ve got an eyeshade, earplugs, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications you take regularly (you’ll be traveling a full day or more), and some snacks (nuts and KIND bars do the trick). Pack your toothbrush, extra contacts, minis of any toiletries you need to freshen up between flights (< 3 oz.), and a change of clothes. 

For long layovers pack a bathing suit (some international airports have swimming pools!) or exercise clothes—a trip to the hotel gym or pool is a magical way to rejuvenate between flights. Packing a change of clothes for one day in Rwanda is also good insurance in case your bag takes longer to get to Kigali than you do.

WHAT TO WEAR


You’ll want to dress practical and professional for your time in Rwanda. Forget everything you’ve read about dressing for Africa—leave your travel vest, safari hat, zip off pants at home (unless you’re actually adding a gorilla trek or a safari on to your trip).

Kigali is a pretty modern town and people get dressed up to do business. We’ll be meeting with organizations and government officials, and you’ll want to dress the part while being sensible for rural conditions, and prepared for the weather.

We’ve included links to some styles we like to give you ideas, but check your closet first. You don’t need to go out and buy a fancy new expensive wardrobe (save your money for those Rwandan souvenirs).
 
Short sleeve, long sleeve or ¾ length shirts. Stylish t-shirts, tunics, and linen blouses work well. Sleeveless and cap sleeve shirts are okay for layering, but no strapless or thin strap tanks and camis. Four to five tops in different colors enable you to mix, match, and layer to create multiple outfits from a few basic separates. [We love brands like Athleta for easy to wear silhouettes and anti-wrinkle fabrics] 

WHAT TO WEAR


Skirts and pants in neutral colors (think darks and earth tones) are the perfect base for your layered tops. Very light colors will get dirty quickly on rural adventures. Think long skirts, linen trousers, cute wrinkle free pants.

Dresses. If you prefer dresses to separate combos, a simple neutral maxi dress makes a great base paired with a scarf or jacket to cover your shoulders (knee length or longer, please).

Business Attire. You’ll need one complete professional outfit for meetings with high-level hosts. Think something you’d wear at a business meeting in your home country—but travel friendly. Rwandans take pride in their appearance and most people in business and government are smartly attired. Wearing appropriate clothing shows respect. (idea: knee length pencil skirt with sleeveless funnel neck, paired with a blazer)
 

Tip: A wrinkle free blazer can quickly upgrade an outfit to professionally appropriate.


Statement piece: If your suitcase feels full of boring separates, pack one statement piece that shows off your personality and makes your neutrals pop. A big scarf with fun colors, a fun printed wrap or sweater, a chunky piece of costume jewelry. 

Light sweater. Kigali can get chilly in the evening, but you don’t want to lug around a big jacket. A light sweater you can pair over your layers will keep you warm and add texture and dimension to your basic pieces. 

Loungewear and pajamas. You won’t have a lot of time to laze around the hotel, (You’ve got things to see in Rwanda, lady!), but you’ll want casual layers to keep you warm in the evenings, and to keep the mosquitoes away. Pairing yoga pants with a long sleeve lightweight tunic that covers you backside is appropriate. Long sleeve, long leg pajamas also do the trick to keep you warm or cool (and keep the mosquitoes away).

Tip: Long sleeves and long pants sound hot, but can actually keep you cooler in the sun, and protect you from pesky mosquitoes at night.

SHOES


Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes are critical. You’ll be walking on dirt roads, uneven ground, and maybe even in the mud if it rains. 

Note: Running /Hiking footwear is okay if you’re going on a safari or trek, or planning to exercise on the trip, but athletic shoes, sporty sandals and flip flops are not appropriate for professional meetings and site visits. (Try Keen, Teva, or Merrell to find walking shoes that are both functional and fashionable). 

Dress Shoes: Bring one nicer pair of shoes to wear with your professional outfit. These can be fashionable sandals, pumps, or nice looking comfortable flats (like Tieks) 
Basic flip flops or shower shoes are a good extra to wear around the hotel, shower or pool. (Tip: Bring cheap ones you can leave behind)

Tip: Shoes take up SPACE! Minimize the number of pairs of shoes you pack by coordinating your primary walking shoes with the color scheme of your layering separates. (I.e. if you bring grey shoes, only pack separates that work with grey)

Accessories:


Fun scarf for layering, modesty, and keeping you warm on the plane or cool Kigali nights. 

Cross body bag or a fashionable hip purse to keep your valuables close and in front of you when you’re in a crowded market.
 
Passport Wallet to tuck away your passport, money and yellow card safely 

Change Purse to keep your spending money apart from your documents

Hat and Sunglasses for protection against the sun. A packable, crushable hat will keep its shape (like this one from TravelSmith) and keep the sun out of your face. 

Light Rain Jacket: You’ll be traveling on the cusp of rainy season and you’ll want to be prepared with something lightweight, breathable and waterproof that packs small so you can carry it just in case. The NorthFace Venture meets all these specs and as a bonus comes in whatever color you love. 

Adaptors and Converters: Electricity in Rwanda is 230/240 volts at 50Hz and electrical outlets use plugs with two round prongs. This voltage is double the U.S. which means you’ll need a converter to plug in any appliances like a hair dyer or flat iron if don’t want yours from home to explode or melt! Most electronics and battery chargers for phones, cameras and computers are 110-240v compatible so you’ll just need the adaptor in order to fit the plug in the socket (you can double check voltage by looking at the tiny writing on the battery charger or power cord). Hotels won’t have extra of these, so you’ll probably want to bring at least one or two of these. 

(Note: You will probably need different adaptors while in transit—check travel-adaptor.com to find which adaptors you’ll need for each country where you have a long layover or overnight en route. A universal adaptor should do the trick.) .
Tip: Don’t keep all your documents and document copies in the same bag. Load a digital copy of your passport, yellow card and critical information (itinerary, credit card numbers) to a password-protected place online for easy access (email, Evernote or Dropbox work well)

Toiletries:


Medications including prescriptions, malaria pills, and over-the -counter meds or supplements (things that might come in handy include: melatonin for jetlag, Imodium, and ibuprofen)
Sunscreen and serious bug spray
Feminine products
Anything you use everyday and can’t live without. (Can you really not live without it for 2 weeks?)
 

DON'T PACKTHIS

What Not to Pack


Plastic: Plastic Bags are banned in Rwanda and you don’t want your luggage searched or anything confiscated because you’ve got them in your luggage. If you normally use Plastic Bags or Ziplocs to sort your belongings when packing, opt for reusable packing cubes.

Short, tight and revealing: Rwanda isn’t the place to show your sexy side. Remember, you are there to see, and not to be seen. Short, tight and revealing clothes are not culturally appropriate. Even if they aren’t inappropriate where you live, they are too casual for most scenarios here. Leave your strapless, camis, shorts and mini-skirts at home, please. The way we dress shows respect to our hosts.

Flashy Jewelry: Rwanda is relatively safe, but it isn’t a place to bring your diamonds and your over-the-top gear. Fun costume jewelry is fine, or bring your basics and plan to accessorize with some new handmade Rwandan jewelry.

Anything You Don’t Want to Lose or Ruin. You can live without anything for two weeks. Don’t want to waste your time in Rwanda worrying about something getting lost, broken or stolen. 

Most importantly, don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure. If you’ve got this, everything will turn out okay no matter what is in your suitcase!

Happy Travels!
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A poem by Imtiaz Dharker - "Half The Sky"

10/19/2015

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This is one of the most powerful expressions of the phrase "women hold up half the sky" that I've ever heard. Please pause to listen and to share!

And she is carrying half a truth.
And she is carrying half a lie.
And she is carrying half of tomorrow.
​ And she is carrying half the sky.

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Rwanda & Capacity-Building: Where the Magic Happens

10/1/2015

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Travel offers us the capacity to see things a different way, overcoming perceived limitations in our work and relationships.

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Here in Oregon, forest fires have been blazing all summer. On a particularly hazy day, I smelled that rich, warm, throat-scratching scent—and instantly I was in Indonesia with a plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) on its way. We’ve all had that moment—a smell, a sound, a word transports us to another place in time. ​

A fascinating article came out in the Atlantic recently, by Brent Crane, entitled “For a More Creative Brain, Travel.”
​Link http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/03/for-a-more-creative-brain-travel/388135/

It’s not too surprising that “new sounds, smells, language, tastes, sensations, and sights spark different synapses in the brain and may have the potential to revitalize the mind.” In essence, “psychologists and neuroscientists have begun examining more closely what many people have already learned anecdotally: that spending time abroad may have the potential to affect mental change.”

One of the benefits of our Journey to Rwanda is the opportunity to build capacity for new ideas in a short amount of time.

So often we feel stuck in problems that we just can’t seem to transform. Maybe it’s a habit that we repeat even if it is
counterproductive (hello to my post-gym buttermilk donut!). Maybe there’s that One Person at work who just plain bugs you, or worse yet creates contagious negativity on your team—and it remains avoided and unresolved. On a bigger scale, why in the world are there still so few women represented in positions of authority and decision-making? I mean really, people!!! Most of us in our hearts feel that equality is essential. And yet the implementation, the steps to get there still elude us. 

Human beings need to see and hear from others who have faced the same challenges and have overcome them. We need each other’s stories in order to invite our own creative solutions. And we need to hear them without tuning out or hiding in our own stuck-ness—to listen with all of our senses instead. But “engaged listening” is hard. It’s not just a switch we can turn on. And yet, when we take the leap to surround ourselves with new-ness, magic happens.

“Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms,” and “Cognitive flexibility is the mind’s ability to jump between different ideas, a key component of creativity.”

This is why I am so excited that on our Rwanda journey, we are creating a space for the exchange of stories between thoughtful and skilled leaders, in a completely fresh environment of sights, sounds, smells, and strangers. We’ll learn about why Rwanda is lauded as THE success story in the developing world today—and we’ll hear it directly from the people working to make it so. It’s essential that countries like the U.S. take time to examine why Rwanda has highest representation of women in government (on the planet!), or why two decades after genocide, Rwanda is a booming hub for social innovation, environmental conservation, and technology.

Companies and organizations who seek “capacity building” are usually thinking in very specific terms—e.g. growing skill sets and resources be a bigger, stronger business. But before this is possible, our brains need to be ready and open to receive those new ideas. I am convinced that the bold but simple act of removing ourselves from comfort and familiarity grows something important and rare in our abilities to perceive new information, and our own place in the world.

I see this analogy of Capacity Building in my mind’s eye in a line from a favorite poem by Richard Kenney, about the birth of his child,

“...the close cosmos / Opened that day, and a great pleat opened in my heart.”

It might look from the outside that our plates are just too full. For some,  the thought of going to Rwanda—the loss that has happened there, the distance, the unknown—it seems like it could be all too much. Yet I know without a doubt that when we take the time to relate to one another through a journey experience, connecting across borders as real people, sharing our lives and our skills—a positive transformation is inevitable. A “great pleat” opens—something that was folded inside of us all along, expands.

For more information about how our Women's Leadership Journey to Rwanda can benefit your team members, board, or other group stake holders, please see the information below or email us at leadership@halfsky.org

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Meet one Amazing Rwanda Delegate—Rebecca Rodskog!

9/10/2015

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Today's e-news features our friend and co-traveler, Rebecca Rodskog. She answers questions about why she's hopping aboard the December Journey!

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Rebecca, why did you decide to join us in Rwanda this December?

Simply put, I know it will be life-changing! I’m at a time in my life and my own personal development where I’m seeking experiences that can push me, break me out of old patterns and into a new ways of thinking, so that I can be a more positive contributor to my family, my work, and the world.

Why now?

As time goes by and my children grow, I’ve felt more and more how important it is to be a global citizen—especially to be part of women worldwide helping each other. It seems like—what better way to do this than actually go, see, and meet real women leading change across the world?!
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