“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
—African proverb
One of the most remarkable things about the project in Kantolomba is its longevity. In the nearly 20 years we have been part of the community (it was 2005 when we first asked Theresa how she would like us to begin to assist her community), we have seen many organizations come and go. The work of transformation is an immensely rewarding, often hard-going, hugely challenging journey.
Build Your Own Bridge Walk wrapped up with an inspiring celebration call on October 23. An array of events were held around the country and internationally.
Some gathered at a native-plants nursery and were treated to a drawing class; a group of three- and four-year-olds played the drums and sang along with the welcome song sent by Theresa and the team; several fun movement classes were offered; others had a traditional walk across a local bridge.
Team Athens approaching their bridge
Some beautiful raffle items offered at one event
A painting offered in a silent auction 
Selling cards at a Craft Fair.
We often talk about how fortunate we are to have the community of Kantolomba to partner with in mutual transformation. Bridge Walk season is the time when we get to most tangibly experience that transformation. The Sangha process of supporting one another as we each built our Bridge Walk events this year was a beautiful experience of how far we can go when we walk together.
As one participant wrote in, "This has been an amazing opportunity. I've been describing it as a 'practice intensive.' From the moment I said yes, and continuing beyond the end of the event, there was so much to see about the process. Thank you for the invitation to participate, and the support to follow through!"
In the celebration call, another participant reminded us of the image of birds flying in V-formation when she expressed her gratitude for the process of Sangha: "I would like to humbly offer to this Sangha that I love that this year I was able to be in the front, and that is because I have flown with this Sangha as long as I have. I have been at the back and you have carried me. The heart’s longing has been there all along and this year it just so happened that this is how it unfolded. Gasshō to all of the Sangha."
And, the miracle is that that transformation has immediate impact in Kantolomba. If you haven’t already seen it, take a look at some of the projects the Bridge Walk efforts will fund this year. As the funds began to arrive, the team lost no time in getting started. Here is an update on some of those projects.
An unexpected, bonus theme emerged in this year’s Bridge Walk season—an enthusiasm for starting now, to plan for the 2025 Bridge Walk. Again on the support call, one person described sending thank you notes to those who participated in her event only to receive replies along the lines of, “No, thank you! When are we going to do this again?”
Thank-you cards one organizer sent to the event participants
Another person wrote in, "My experience with Bridge Walk 2024 was so heart-opening that I’m inspired to begin fundraising for next year.” And she said she decided to do a bridge pose in her yoga practice each day between now and the 2025 Bridge Walk and to put a dollar in a jar for Kantolomba each day she keeps the commitment. 
The jar is already filling!
Thank you to all who participated in the Bridge Walk this year; you provide great inspiration to us all!
For some, the end of the year is a time of charitable giving. Please spread the word among family and friends that you know of an extraordinary community doing extraordinary work who can put generous donations to immediate, good use!
And stay tuned for a fun Be the Love raffle in February in continued support of our Sangha in Kantolomba.
Gasshō
jen c.