Recently, Theresa was invited to speak at a seminar for young women at Chipulukusu, a local community center. It was an event focused on supporting young women in envisioning and creating their future. She was asked to speak as someone who has come from a very economically challenged background and has gone on to serve her community in meaningful and successful ways.
Theresa brought a group of young women from the Kantolomba community with her, giving them the opportunity not just to listen, but to experience themselves in a larger world of possibility. It turned out to also be a wonderful moment of synchronicity with something that has recently begun back at the Kantolomba property.
After the seminar, one of the young women wrote to us: “We were told that it’s good to dream and that we need to work hard on our English language, as that is the universal language that will take us where we want to be in society. We had different speakers during the program who have been able to accomplish something through speaking English well, just like Aunty T. We’re excited to take this back to Kantolomba, to our new program.”
A few weeks ago, in recognition of the need to breathe new life into the English language learning on the property, the team came up with a novel approach: English Buddies. It was delightful for us to hear them describe the process—recognizing it as a perfect parallel to our Reflective Listening Buddies program and especially Keeping Commitments Buddies.
In the program, young women who have been to college are paired with others who are strengthening their English skills. Each person chooses a word or a sentence to focus on, based on their level. Then, as they move through their daily work together, they practice—not just their own word or sentence, but by hearing and engaging with one another’s.
It’s wonderful to hear the enthusiasm in their voices as they report the fun and excitement this has rekindled in English language learning on the property. It’s the process of Sangha—those who walk the path together, in recognition that we cannot get there alone.
There’s an African proverb: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” In all corners of Sangha, it seems we’re choosing the joy of the latter.
Gasshō
jen