Tag Archives: Inspiration
Like Obama
Posted on February 28, 2009 by Barak in Africa | No Comments
I’m famous now. I don’t even bother to avoid the inevitable. I just introduce myself as “Barak… like Obama” and make cheesy jokes about being his white brother. Doesn’t matter – people love it and I make instant friends. These women were absolutely priceless – from Obama’s nearby village and all three living out incredible stories as they battle AIDS in their community and in themselves. Stepping into their homes (behind me in the photo) I could only sit in awe of what they struggle with daily, and yet their hope is self-evident. If only I could bottle it and bring it home with me. We need it here desperately.
Road to Manhood
Posted on September 04, 2008 by Barak in Asia | No Comments
Two brothers driving the family sheep to a nearby spring. Although it’s easy to gloss over the simplicity of this story, it depicts something truly remarkable. How many of us would allow an 8 and 10 year old wander miles from home unaccompanied? How many of us would allow them to be in charge of a major portion of our family’s assets? Livestock represent the entirety of a pastoralist’s wealth; it’s the only possession they have that is of material value. And so on the shoulders’ of these two boys rests the family’s investments from which they will trade, buy food, pay for school, purchase clothing, medicine and anything else required for basic survival. The journey to manhood begins early and is shouldered with an ease most of us in the West can barely comprehend. I turned away to climb into my air conditioned Land Rover and grab a bottle of ice-cold water from the cooler. They walked the rest of the way to the oasis and drank from a spring polluted by the feet of thousands of dusty animals. It’s an injustice of immeasurable proportions.
Inspiration
Posted on March 16, 2005 by Barak in Asia | No Comments
Disabled ex-Khmer Rouge soldiers work together on a community livestock project I taught in Veil Thom
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