How does an activist stay focused? It depends what they are focused on.

Today I got this message from James Devine... sent out to a large group of friends:

Hello all,
I recently came across an interesting article on Rebel Press involving the role that major NGOs play in perpetuating such disqualifying structures as: a meritocracy based on personal monetary investment in said NGO, capitalism and the dehumanization that is imposed on society by this system and how major NGOs operate under auspices similar to multinational corporations.

As some of you know, a portion of my activism has been dedicated to Amnesty International for several years now and although I am not 'reconsidering it' I do continue to question what I see as the increasingly hierarchical structure of my organization and the intense branding campaigns that are promoted by Amnesty. Although we do 'good work' I question whether it is actually effective humanitarian work when it comes to affecting change in the communities that Amnesty activists operate in.

This is an invitation. It would be excellent to hear your opinion on this matter because I do value what you wish to say. If you would rather talk to me about this in person, no problem. If you would rather delete this message and avoid eye-contact, that also is fine. There is no obligation or censorship here.
This is the article mentioned:
http://www.rebelpress.org.nz/imminent/nine/critiqueofngoism.html

Ps: I do agree with some of the points the author makes, but by no means all of them.

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I wrote back:



This is the topic of the day... and our lives, as we are talking about this in our organization here in Uganda, creating schools and orphanages.

One director we are working with is under fire as he asks the world for funding, but he doesn't live with the kids-- he lives in the capital city. He could be asking for knowledge to teach the kids how to better live off the land and create paradise there. They don't have power in the village at this time, yet he seeks computers to teach skills. He is very likable, and doing what he honestly feels is best, but there are many people who want to help the kids, who don't want to pay for him to live in the city.

I am in Kampala, the capital, currently at the university computer lab. I don't enjoy the city vibe and would much rather be in the village... in the mountains, swimming in the river, eating from the land. I am here online, talking to you all, as the director I am speaking of often is in this very place, as communicating our messages and lessons learned to the world is very important. Gerald, Liane and I will crash at this directors house tonight before heading out at 5am on bus to an orphanage Gerald operates in western Uganda. The fact that this director lives in Kampala is now saving us all money. There's two sides to everything. It's just not one way. We all have roles to play.

When I started reading the article linked above, I had to stop as a guy named Sam started talking to me. He is starting a marketing company, and said he has offers to work for other people, but he rather do his own thing, even if he makes less money. He said his father never made any money until he worked for himself, from age 40 until he died at 45.

Sam had a lot to say about how money has corrupted people from the top of government to the churches, and how people with money can do anything, "but if you don't have it you can't have sugar or shoes. You could have two wives here if you can afford it, but it doesn't work that way with white girls."

I told him that I am planning a gathering of activists at the Mbale Resort Hotel(who may sponsor it), and land owned by the hotel, where we will create a demonstration farm to share ideas on how we can work together--- so communities are not dependant on the money system.

Sam said there is a radio station here called WII-FM ... which stands for What's In It For Me? He said that we will come to the gathering if they understand what is in it for them. True enough.

A couple days ago, I was on the land where the hotel wants to create the demonstration farm, which is already being used by local farmers, who are digging where they wish, as the hotel doesn't care if they use the land at this time. The land is heavenly to me, loaded with massive boulders and next to towering cliffs, with a 300ft waterfall. See: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=356164&id=906200533&l=2754ef8c4c

I had spent the evening watching a dozen monkeys climb the cliff in the last rays of a golden sunset, then hiked in moonlight looking at monster slugs that looked like Jabba the Hutt, and camped in a large cave under boulders with chatty groundhogs. In the morning I hiked the mountain and spent the day repelling down. When I reached the ground, and dozen kids came running to congratulate me saying, "Well done!" We walked to the waterfall where I pumped some life-giving source into my bottle, and then down to the farmers who were filling large bags with fresh picked greens. I asked a farmer if I could take a photo of him working. "I want money" he answered. I told him I was going to use the photo to bring people there who would help him grow crops more effectively, and that would bring him more money. He was happy with that answer and allowed me to take photos. He wanted to know what was in it for him. What is in it for me? I want to spend winters in this beautiful place, playing on rocks and learning to grow crops. And the kids... the kids are so much fun!

So back to the situation with the director of this one non-profit. I wrote a report talking about everything that has gone down here, and people around the world who have been supporting the project are not happy and are voicing their thoughts in a thread like this one on facebook. This is all part of what should be happening. This is not the end of the project, as it still has kids to serve and people in place. I'm still going to keep working toward the dream and others will as well.

The "director" has an important role to play, as does everyone in the circle. Being an egalitarian, I don't like the term director. I prefer to call myself "community organizer" of the action hero network, even though I could be called the director of projects, but really, the action hero network has no membership, or any paid staff. I make money by selling hammocks I sew and use funds from these to fund projects.

The problem is in transparency or the lack there of... and accountability to everyone else... as equals. I am coming into this project with a different view, so even being part of their meeting and seeing how that was run, with Chairman, director and headmaster(all male) speaking first for a couple hours, and I don't remember hearing from the two ladies present at all.... this was frustrating.

I said I wouldn't be giving more money to the school through the director. The Chairman and headmaster said they will set up an account that would only be accessed by a few co-signers. I had planned to fund the school by having them make hammocks, which I would sell online and at festivals, and they could sell in local markets. I had given them sewing machines, taught hammock making and sent $600 to buy fabric as seed money. There was little effort to make hammocks or a business as far as I could see.

I will guide volunteers to this beautiful location on the slopes of Mount Elgon, and take them on adventure tours for which I will be paid, so I can sustain this lifestyle of organizing service projects. This is my challenge, as I want to bring everyone here, but it takes a lot of time and energy to organize and commit to being here when others want to come. So, I am going to make a living doing this here in Uganda, and Mexico-- calling it Endless Summer Camp-- providing opportunities for rural people and international travelers to experience cultural exchanges. That's how I am going to be an activist and participate in the monetary system... along with selling hammocks that I sew myself.

When someone gives me money that is a straight up donation, I will take photos showing where all that money went. A couple people are doing that now, and it is going into my personal bank account, and I am spending that money on their behalf-- and giving them proof. The problem is that I can't do that for long or with large amounts, or income tax agents may start breathing down my neck. I have an umbrella organization that provides tax status for US donations, but I have not been using that much lately, foolishly.

What makes things happen? People and ideas. With skilled people and vision, we will make gardens out of mountains and have energy to play on them. There is the issue of flights overseas and motorbike taxis... as we do need funds for these. So we need both-- the heart for people and hands on the land.... and the brains to figure out the economics and politics that we have to deal with, cuz we can't stay in our little dream bubble of living in the world we want all the time, if we want to travel the planet as it is.

On the bus here from Mbale, I read most of Ben Carson's book THINK BIG. Ben, the back cover says, is "a man who has transformed himself from a ghetto kid into the most celebrated pediatric neurosurgeon in the world." The entire book is about the people and ideas that have helped him become the man he is.

Ben quotes Clearence Day, "The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man:nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall; nations parish; civilizations grow old and die out. After an era of darkness, new races build others; but in the world of books are volumes that live on still as young and fresh as the day they were written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead."

And Henry Brooke Adams, "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

The other book I borrowed from Lawrence's bookshelf is THINK & GROW RICH... as I am seeking to heal my relationship with money. I say "heal" as there is an element of hate... it is a feeling of disdain that I hold as I walk crowded, polluted streets, where it seems everyone is so busy going where they need to go... just taking care of busy-ness-- every man and woman for themselves. It seems we are slaves, but we do it to ourselves. That's just one view. On the other side of all the chaos, it is amazing this ant hill called Kampala works as well as it does, lacking infrastructure of highways and space for vendors or crafts people. As John Lennon says... "It's all there.... if you look deep enough." (see the video on this page: http://www.actionheronetwork.net ). Most of all, I want to be free.

Another book I found on Lawrence's shelf is called GET MOTIVATED IN 30 Seconds OR LESS, by Ethan Musolini. I struck gold coming upon those pages! An entire morning was spent sifting and placing nuggets into my journal. Little gems like... "Simplicity is freedom" ...can change a persons view and make them feel rich without a cent.

Check these:

"Give birth to what is kicking in you. Unless you let it out, you'll kick yourself for letting it die "unbirthed".

"Knowing yourself gives you an aura of relaxation and confidence. Spend time discovering the inner you. And the true you will spring forth like a shining star."

"Give what you have and the universe will give what you want tenfold. Giving is living."

I emailed Ethan and got a reply back from his secretary asking when I could be scheduled to meet with him. I'll ask him to meet with us at the Mbale Resort Hotel for the gathering of community builders.

On the bus here, I heard the lady sitting next to me on the phone planning a conference. Freda Amuron is a senior community development officer for the Nakapiripirit local government, and her mother is head secretary of Makerere University, where I sit now. People held BBQ chicken wings on sticks up to the bus window. She bought one and asked if I wanted one.
"How much are they?" I asked.
"$2500 shillings" she answered.
"That's ok..." I returned.
"I'll buy it for you..." she replied, and did. That is proof to me, she is what her card says.

I have met others randomly like this here, such as Weyusya Joseph, a senior community development officer for the Manafwa district local government, who was buying food at shop where I was standing and introduced himself. He helps young mothers develop crafting skills.

Evonne and her son Simon are here from the UK, creating a vocational school on land they bought near Mable. I met Evonne as she was using the net at the Mbale resort Hotel, and a couple nights ago I had dinner at their house and got a shower after coming down off the mountain.

Mukhobeh Moses has been trying to hook-up with me for two years... even today he was asking to meet as he is in Kampala now. Moses is Executive Director of Randa United Farmers Group in Bududa, the next closest mid-size town to Bunabumali.

Today at lunch, walking back from making a chapati burrito in the market, I saw a logo on a truck that read Coalition Advocacy for Rural Development, and stopped to talk with Medard Kamujuni. I mentioned composting toilets and rocket stoves and he is eyes lit up. "A rocket stove we made is here in the back of the truck," he said pulling of a tarp to show me. I told him about creating a gathering of people like us and he said he'd be there.

The first words in my journal today were: "It's all about people coming together. Organization is everything. We may not have it all together as individuals, but together we have it all."

James, keep the faith, and keep riding in critical mass. What you do makes a difference. The smallest act is better than the greatest intentions. You sending this email today is inspiring. Thank you... for being, and doing!

Liane Lippart just arrived here in the computer lab and proof read the essay this email has become. She is a Canadian living in New Hampshire, and was volunteering at a Good Shepard Primary school in Lukaya, Uganda. Liane will be going with us tomorrow to Tugume Gerald's God Cares Orphanage in Western Uganda. We'll stay there a few days to play with the kids and record what that's all about, and then come back to send Casey Yerxa off on the plane with hammocks made by Grace Ayaa and ladies at Life In Africa. The next day we pick up Stefan Guy from Alberta, Canada at the airport, and we all go to Bunabumali for another month. None of us have a lot of money, but we are learning a lot and doing what we can.

Ethan Musolini has it right when he says, "Collective intelligence and wisdom is unstoppable. It's power!"