When asked the question  “What is my dream job?” my answer is “a meaningful and fun way to combine my love and interest in art and art-making, my business skills and my deep commitment to community building”. You can then guess that I am delighted and grateful to be working at BuildaBridge where these three areas of my interest and experience come together every day in all that BuildaBridge does and touches. 

I recently returned to Philadelphia from a 3 year project in Charlotte, NC, where I was involved in a start-up Quaker Friends School. Returning to Philadelphia is coming home to me. I so missed my community of friends, family and colleagues, along with the vast diversity of people, culture, thinking and experiences here in Philadelphia. 

My background spans more than 25 years of working with nonprofit organizations, community service agencies, schools and Fortune 500 companies. I am an artist, educator, marketer and project manager. Prior to joining BuildaBridge I assisted my husband who started the first Quaker Friends School in Charlotte. At Friends School of Charlotte I taught art, assisted in the classroom and managed and coordinated the daily operations and administration of the start-up school.

by Alina Tudose

Money News Network, a program of BuildaBridge's Life Arts Academy that teaches financial management through drama, is currently running at New Directions for Women Inc. from February 18th until April 1st. New Directions for Women Inc. is a non profit organization located in Germantown that provides residential services as an alternative to incarceration for 25 female offenders who are eligible for early release.

During the seven week program, participants enjoy interactive skits performed by BuildaBridge actors, group discussions, and financial consulting that will aid in financial success. The program is unique in its presentation of the curriculum and the form it takes: interactive mock game shows and a mock soap opera that establish a fun, lively atmosphere where skills are developed on a relational level.

The implementation of Money News Network was made possible through a grant from United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.   Pictured are the cast of the MNN led by Lisa Jo Epstein (right).

Last year, I came to Kenya for the first time. I stayed in a nice Guest House that was gated off and full of fellow travelers. I rode in Land Rovers around the City. This year, I came alone, without a group and decided to stay for three weeks instead of one. I also decided to stay with a Kenyan family instead of in a hotel or Guest House. And, to get even more of the experience, I ride public transit or walk and I go to the local market instead of the mall. I am experiencing urban Kenya!

I have been here now for 5 days and it has taken me that long just to adjust to the food, time change, and cultural differences. I will try to blog each day now, but this will be the longest one since it covers the five days I have already been here. This will be my personal reflections and experiences. I have had such a hard time staying awake during the day that I have not taken the time to get many pictures on my travels outside the house, so I will try to get more of those starting today and add them here.

I am beginning to think that, although week-long international trips are exciting and beneficial, one almost needs a week of simply getting used to time and culture before beginning any work. I am staying with Gideon and Cecilia Ochieng. They live in a beautiful house that is connected to three others. The house is full of sunlight and the sounds of cleaning in the daytime and the sounds of laughter at night. It is a three story house with a rooftop balcony and TV room, four bedrooms, an office, kitchen, living room and dining room. Their daughters, Gabrielle and Samara are probably two of the most beautiful children I have ever seen and are a joy to play with.

Gabrielle is six and is teaching me Swahili one word at a time. She is very smart and reminds me of a mini adult. Samara is four and full of energy. Her laughter makes anyone feel good and is a sound I will never tire of. Cecilia is beautiful and young (she's my age!!). She is welcoming and fun and when I am talking to her, I feel like I've known her my whole life. She is strong, smart, and full of wisdom. We spoke for a long time last night and I felt at home in the conversation. She is a global thinker and sees the world the way I do. Gideon is witty and reflective. He is quiet much of the time, but is wise in his speech. There are things about him that remind me of my grandfather. He seems to know a lot about the world and it is clear that he cares very much for people, especially children. His sister, Marta (sp?) also lives here. She is strong and silent. She is the first awake to prepare breakfast for the family and make sure everyone gets fed and out the door in time. She works hard all day cleaning the house, cooking the food, and helping in anyway that is needed. She is beautiful and quiet.

Here are some things that make homes in Kenya different than homes in the United States:

1. Showers: You have to turn a switch on for hot water in the shower. The water is VERY hot, so you decided each day of you prefer that or cold water. I've done both and don't mind either. There is not always running water in the house. So far, I have been lucky and we've had water everyday. Still, I am conscience of the economy of it all and I take very short showers in comparison to the ones I take at home. I am also only washing my hair every three days. This seems to actually be good for my hair and it is feeling much softer.

2. Electricity: This is also something that is not always working. I have been lucky here too and it has not gone out yet. The house is so full of windows and light that you barely need any electricity during the day. I wake up each morning and pull my shades open instead of turning on the light. When I leave the room, I turn everything off. Each electric outlet has a switch that you only turn on if you are using that outlet. from an environmental standpoint, Kenyans are way ahead of us on conservation. I think we could learn a lot from them and I hope to take what I am learning home with me. In many ways, I am realizing how wasteful we really are.

3. Floors: When you enter a Kenyan home, you take your shoes off. There are rows of shoes inside the door. The floors are stone and tile and very clean. I walk around in my socks and they have yet to be dirty. In my own home, this is definitely NOT the case. (Kate and Kirsten, expect me to suggest some changes when I get home :-).

4. Laundry: For the most part, laundry is done by hand and hung on lines on the roof. This has its challenges considering it is still rainy season, but it seems organic and real to me. I am due for clean clothes myself and will do laundry today or tomorrow. I'll take pictures for those of you who are shocked that I am doing this by hand :-). When I am on the roof looking over all the houses and lines of clothes, I see beauty. The brilliant colors that line the roofs dance in the warm Kenyan breeze and are a treat for the eye.

5. People: Kenyan culture is all about community. In the home where I am staying, there are three other homes attached by a common courtyard. When I walk out the front door, I can take a few steps and walk right into Cecilia's sister's front door (which I have to do if I need a microwave). Between homes, people greet each other, talk about their day, and share resources. Homes are open and welcoming. there is a constant flow of people in and out of the house. I find it hard to imagine that anyone ever feels alone. I sometimes have an empty, lonely feeling in my own house when my roommates are not around. Here, I feel safe, warm, and never alone. In general, people seem confident, real, and open. Last night, Gideon introduced me as the newest family member. I feel like he's right because they have made me feel more at home than I have ever felt visiting others.

6. Sounds: In the morning, you can hear the call to worship from the local Mosque. I don't understand what they are saying, but it is beautiful and goes perfectly with the twilight of early morning. Roosters replace alarm clocks here. They do a great job of singing in the morning and then they bless us throughout the day as well. Throughout the day, one can hear music from neighboring houses, women singing as they work, and a local dog who never ties of whimpering. Cars and people are constantly coming and going and the loud screeching and bang of the front gate indicates that someone is home.

One last note: I am quite proud of the fact that I have now taken public transit several times. Public transit consists of Matatus and Hoppas. Matatus are small vans that carry people from stop to stop much like a bus. They are numberd in the front, covered in pictures of rap stars and Jesus, and usually have American hip hop, reggae, or Kenyan hip hop blaring from the stereo systems. People are stuffed into them until they can't fit any more and there are often young men hanging from the side who take the fares and help people on and off. They typically cost 10-20 shillings (14-26 cents). You must get on and off them very quickly and it is important to know what number you are supposed to get on so you don't end up in a part of the city you've never seen before. Hoppas are similar except they are larger and much like a bus in the states. Sometimes, there are men selling things like cookies on them. they are, honestly, a little less intimidating :-).

Today, Diaspora of Hope (DOH) is an annual BuildaBridge project that engages the transforming power of the arts to bring hope and healing to vulnerable children in the tough places of the world.  International Artists On Calls (AOC) disperse to join local artists at the site.  Together, the AOC and local artists lead a one-week Arts for Hope camp, which serves up to 100 children from the ages of eight to fourteen.  The artistic discipline practiced during the week is determined by the talents of AOC and of the hosting artists.  In the past, Arts for Hope camps have explored creative writing, music, dance, drama, culinary arts, and visual arts through mural painting, mask making, fabric art, and weaving.  Arts for Hope camps conclude with a public celebration, which is presented by the students and their teachers to families, friends, and the community.

For more information please contact Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesitas tener Javascript activado para poder verla .

On October 17th, Greater Philadelphia Cares  lead the call to improve Philadelphia's public schools by painting classrooms, restoring playgrounds, and creating green spaces. BuildaBridge took part in Philadelphia Cares Day, a marathon day of service that gives children attractive and more functional learning places in schools located throughout the School District of Philadelphia. BuildaBridge has been partnered with the School District since 2002, providing programs to children and families coping with homelessness in emergency and transitional homes.

At 7:30am on Saturday, October 17, I faced the cold rain, and set out to Fairmount Park, the kick-off point for the 16th Annual Philadelphia Cares Day.  There, I was met by five other BuildaBridge volunteers—which is a big turnout considering the absolutely miserable weather!  From Fairmount Park, we received our site assignment—Prince Hall Elementary School in North Philadelphia.

When we arrived at Prince Hall, I knew BuildaBridge and Prince Hall were a match.   There was a community-painted mural on the building’s exterior, and the school’s entrance had a beautiful mosaic. Immediately upon entering, there were paper-mache fish hanging in a sea of streamers; and the hallways were covered with murals painted by students of influential African Americans, scenes from Egypt, and athletic events.  The murals show that Prince Hall loves art, but there were other areas where they were lacking.

BuildaBridge and other volunteer groups helped Prince Hall Elementary School restore their library.  At the start of the morning, the library was bare. Empty shelves filled the room.  The books that were shelved were outdated—their covers were faded, and they were not books that I, as a child, would have had any interest in reading.  I first found the library to be upsetting—children may not develop a passion for reading and learning because they did not have access to quality resources.  But, half way through the service projects, countless new and gently used, donated books were unpacked.  And, by the end of the day, the majority of the shelves were filled with award winning children books, young-reader chapter book series, and fun-to-read books on science, nature, and history, particularly African American history.  The site of the library upon the end of the day was truly rewarding, and Philadelphia Cares Day proved to be successful.

Veterans For Peace 

Philadelphia Area Chapter 31 

Annual Dinner 

Saturday, October 24th  

6 pm refreshments; 7 pm dinner 

Merz Hall at The Stevens Center of the 

Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion 

Entrance: 2111 Sansom Street 

Discount parking at E-Z Park on 21st Street, just north of Chestnut St 

You must get your parking ticket stamped at the Lutheran Church 

Celebrating a year of activism with friends and allies 

Speaker: Paul Socolar 

Founder/editor of The Philadelphia Public School Notebook 

The $1000 Eugene Bloomfield Peace and Justice Award 

will be awarded to Charlotte Castle, an extraordinary 

22-year-old international activist with BuildaBridge 

Plus music & entertainment 

Delicious chicken dinner with vegetarian option 

Soft drinks, beer & wine for sale 

For information: 610-832-7028; 610-564-7628 

Tickets $40 each; two for $70

Please RSVP soon at 610-832-7028 or Esta dirección de correo electrónico está protegida contra los robots de spam, necesitas tener Javascript activado para poder verla  

Or send a check made out to:  Veterans For Peace, Chapter 31 

Send it to:  Thompson Bradley, 11 Price’s Lane, Rose Valley, PA 19065 

Guatemala: $1600
Work with children from La Limonada, one of the poorest neighborhoods in Guatemala. In conjunction with the Center for Transforming Mission in Guatemala, artists will travel by bus from Guatemala City to the beach community of Puerto Barrios for a 5 day Hope inspired arts camp.

 

Kenya: $2000
In conjunction with the Inspiration Center, work with the children of Mathare Valley in Nairobi. Mathare Valley is one of the toughest places in Africa where children have experienced abuse, civil unrest, hunger, disease, and extreme poverty. Use your art form to work alongside local artists to teach approximately 20 children.

Egypt: $2000
Work in conjunction with Arts for Community, an arts organization in Cairo, Egypt. It is an exciting opportunity to serve children who often survive by non-legal activities, have low literacy rates, are exposed to daily abuse, and are ignored by society. Join us by
using your art form to bring about hope in the lives of children in Africa’s largest city.