Transmission

Hey! =D

It's been eight weeks since I landed here in Bohol and what can I say, I am having a ball! Everyday, I am realizing this is where I belong, this is everything I have dreamed of and I am just thankful to the Universe, the Sprits and the Dance for bringing me all this experience!

EARTH DAY
We celebrated Earth Day last 4.21 - 22 with a little fun event for the out of school youths in the area.

They camped in for the night last 4.21, unfortunately I miss this part because I was not feeling well. (I think I ate too much peanuts that night!)

The following day was the proper event, Tito Joe and Sister Avillina from Cebu had a little eco workshop. It was in Visayan but I was able to pick up that OIKOS is a greek word for HOME! How cool is that?!? :D

We also organized some games like scavenger hunt for recyable items, banana eating contest (my idea of course hahahaha!), some marathons and a vegetarian cook fest!

It was a great opportunity to talk with the kids, get to know them, know what keeps them busy, what food they eat, etc.We capped the day off with them taking an oath as an eco youth member of Oikos, so they are officially a part of us now :D

See Earth Day photos here http://iamsacredspace.multiply.com/photos/album/6


Here are some projects we thought of :

- Tito Joe is giving them a part of the land where they can build a volleyball court. We also got them a ball. (the local government gave us some funding for this day)

- invite them on BIND gatherings. There were a handful of girls in the group and we think they will really enjoy BIND. Will invite them on our sessions come June, when school starts

- a Tribal Music Workshop for the boys (and girls for that matter). We think this is a good way for them to keep busy, also we need a local Tribal band here for gatherings. Perhaps we can invite the cebu band to come here for a week long workshop. First we have to source out instruments.

- Health and Nutrition and Vegetarian Cooking Workshops - I think I can do this :)

- Permaculture Workshops c/o Tito Joe

- Massage Workshops, Teta Kalimasada, Crafts, Public Speaking, Acting, etc etc

The idea is to teach them a skill that they can use either to get a job or to help out in Oikos. As more and more people comes in here, we will need extra help and I think the kids will welcome the opportunity.

But more importantly, this workshops will build their confidence (it was really hard for me to connect with them in the beginning because they where shy), connect them with people from all over the world and just make them feel good about themselves! We cannot put them all in school (only one! more details on this later! hahaha =) We have plans of building a Waldorf style school anyways and I think we can start now. We just need a plan, teachers and students. I think we have the last two already and it's just a matter of time before we come up with the first.

Let's start with having two weekend workshop a month. I can do one or two workshop, Tito Joe can teach them organic farming and when you come and visit on June, we can do a workshop for them. From there we can discuss who to invite as mentors for future classes.

I have some people in mind also who can teach as volunteers (meaning we dont have to pay them at all, they will even shoulder their transpo). A photographer/painter friend Jon (Juan!) has been wanting to visit and detox. He is a fine arts grad from UP and hasn't done anything like this in his life. I think he will enjoy teaching (like I am discovering now)

And of course Tom and Lee, my Brit friends from Cebu, they've been teaching orphans for years now and hands down they are way better teachers than I. They are very good at connecting with boys especially, they would teach English, Martial Arts, Soccer etc. They are planning to visit on June too, they are also very keen on joining the community and "plant potatoes", I would love for you to meet them. =)

And we can invite a couchsurfer from couchsurfer.com once or twice a month to teach. Everyone has something to teach, as I am discovering now you actually learn by teaching!

The idea is to introduce to them role models that they can look up to. I am not saying that they don't have role models here, I am just saying if I didn't meet the people I met along the way growing up I wouldn't be who I am now. =)

This are just some ideas I am throwing around. Would love to hear your feedback, lets put this project in our pipeline.( And I am expecting to hear from each and one of you. Only PI has been replying to my transmission and sometimes a one liner from Marwin. Would love to hear your ideas too :)

I think I'll park my keyboard for now but expect another tramission from me soon, I have some great photos of Oikos and BIND so you will see the work and transformation we are doing here. Also I wanna discuss with you the gardener/worker I've decided to put in school. He is tito joe's distant relative and he is looking for a scholarship as he really wants to go to college. He's been helping on the building in Oikos for months now and has been working here in BIND the past weeks to take care of the huuuuge garden (i think its 5 hectares), it's just fair that we shoulder his schooling. It shouldnt cost more than 2K a month and I think I can take care of it, will probaly just ask help from you guys once in a while when there is additional costs in school. Will discuss this more on my next transmission.

I just want you to know that I love you, you inspire me and that you are always a part of everything that we do here. Cant wait for you guys to come home.

Oikos = Home


In Love and Dace,
 Agent LJ