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Reflections on Building Community |
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Written by Rubi Jorgensen
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Since recently moving to New England, Ray and I have enjoyed multiple opportunities to attend events in Cambridge, sponsored by both the Berkana Institute (www.berkana.org) and the Society for Organizational Learning (www.solonline.org). One such opportunity was a “Berkana” day with Margaret Wheatley and associates. The day began with this quote by Koffi Annan, former Secretary General for the United Nations: “The future of the world depends on women.” That opening statement startled me and I realized immediately that this was going to be a unique learning event. From that point forward, the day was filled with uplifting music, poetry that filled my heart and stories that gave me courage to make changes in my world. Many of the stories resonated with me, but there was this one above all for me. It was the story of Wangari Maathai’s as shared by Margaret Wheatley. Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the Green Belt Movement, grew up in the highlands of Kenya. Kenya was an area of abundance where fish flourished in streams, fig trees dotted the hills, and the people tended their beautiful gardens. Over the years, more and more land was cleared, causing the Kenyan landscape to be transformed. As happens to many students, Wangari’s homecoming from an American college was stark and devastating. She found the village gardens empty, streams dry, the people malnourished, and virtually all the trees gone. Her devastation caused the construction of a singular question: “What could I do to return my homeland to state of beauty, hope and promise.” In answer to her question, Wangari decided to act. She formed a small group of village women and planted seven trees; two lived. Undeterred, she and her small team committed to planting more. Over time, other village women joined her small group and the trees began growing. In their community alone, six hundred trees were flourishing after a few years. Her activism inspired the Greenbelt Movement, which mobilized Kenyan women to plant over 30 million trees since 1977 that provide fuel, food, shelter, and income to support their children's education and household needs. This effort started over thirty years ago in a small village in Kenya. It reminded me of the famous quote by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” As the day ended, I started thinking about my role in supporting and developing community in my own backyard. I look forward to engaging others in conversation about roles and responsibilities in my community.
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