We are now in our 7th day together...
We are now in our 7th day together, and it feels like our group is deepening into a community body. During our first days we made our camp our own, naming it “Aldeia Global” (Global Village in Portuguese). Yesterday we opened our common altar, beginning with a prayer for the water and prayers sent from our donors. Our meetings are full of cultural flair, with Samba music spilling out and songs from all cultures. During our first days we took time to hear from each person and project. Now we deepen into our study material, as well as go deeper into the stories. Many of the stories are shocking, we practice staying open to let the violent reality move us while staying connected to a vision of peace. Ismael, a cooperation partner with Global Campus Palestine, shared his path and inspiration for peace work. “I was shot in the head, one bullet came out my mouth. I hoped it would kill me, but it didn’t. I was blinded for six months. In this time, I made a decision. From now on I want to dedicate every breath, every moment of my life to peace and love.” “I know my suffering is not disconnected from the situation in Colombia. We need to build bridges from human to human. I am not a religious person, but I believe that if god exists he exists in the heart of every person. Everybody has the potential to become a prophet of love… One day there will be no borders. No more passports. The passport will be our hearts.” We have the feeling we are witnessing our vision becoming reality. We see the effects of the last years work in the stories that come, and we are truly co-creating this education time based on the questions and intentions coming from the group. In addition to our common times we meet in small groups, dealing with the group dynamics or political questions of the different projects. We see a readiness to enter fully, and make the most of this month together. Our ‘Aldeia Global’ is in the Solar Village, the technological and ecological Testfield of Tamera. We have begun working together in the mornings, participating in caring for the environment, tending the compost toilets, the biogas and compost. We work together with the co-workers of the test field in the kitchen, and questions about food autonomy and nutrition are explored through learning how this research group operates. Every evening we gather in a ‘Global Circle’ together with our hosts in the Testfield, and here it becomes visible that the intention for this experimental model to become a global education place is being actualized. In our first circle someone brought in the project of Biosphere 2, a closed system complex ecological experiences designed to research our planet’s ecology, ‘the Biosphere’, and explore how we as humans can live in harmony and abundance as stewards. Yesterday we saw many women speak in the Global Circle, and Hellem from Sao Paulo spoke about her inspiration to work with the women of her slum and transform the situation of violence against women. When we see each other speak and reveal ourselves and our visions, it feels like each person becomes more beautiful before our eyes. With so much moving, we are grateful for the power of community, the joy of coming together, and the expression of life through music and dance. Last night our Palestinian group held an evening in the cultural center, teaching us Dabka dancing, a beautiful aspect of the Palestinian culture. The group explained to us how the dance was used during the First Intifada as a form of popular resistance to encourage the spirit and inspire hope. The Dabka brings men and women together and demonstrates mutual Support. Fayez, a farmer and cooperation partner with Global Campus Palestine, is leading a project and education center for organic farming and teaching about food sovereignty as an act of resistance. He was a Dabka teacher during the revolution, this is how he met his wife. The sharing of this dance brought us all a lot of joy and energy. We greet the Palestinian soul, under all the pain there is this deep essence of life and joy…
