Gong Goes Global

Salehe, Me and UVa Cap

Jacqueline Novograt’s The Blue Sweater in many ways was the final push for me to come to Africa.  But I never imagined I would have my own “Blue Sweater” moment.  Go here to read more about it!

I am guilty of reading too little. It‘s not that I don‘t like to read, but somehow excuses always find their way into my schedule. But a few days ago, I came across a project called Around the World in 80 Countries. The author of the website dared herself and others to read 80 books written by authors from 80 different countries. And while that is all a little too ambitious for me, it did inspire me to start my own reading project. 

The goal is to read a book set in every country I have been to.  And while I feel the strongest desire to start reading a Tanzanian novel, I have decided to begin at my life’s beginning…

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Shanghai Girls

My first book is Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It is a story about Pearl and May,  two sisters living the life of “beautiful girls” in 1930s Shanghai.  Their world of extravagance and elegance initially hid the signs of impending war and death looming over the city, but  eventually life as they knew it collapsed around them.  The story follows the sisters through their escape from the Japanese, detainment at Angel’s Island to their attempts at reconciling the tragedies and secrets of their lives.  (more…)

Two weeks ago, my plane descended over Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital of Tanzania. It is a coastal city blessed with some of the most sublime (and accessible) beaches I have ever stepped foot on.  The city center is a vibrant mesh of different cultures and is no less of a wonder to behold… A Masai woman selling tribal jewelry in front of an Indian café serving tea next to a mosque playing prayers over its loudspeakers which is the only thing drowning out the honking of dalla dallas (local buses) imported from China.  All the while, kangas, saris, burkas and Manchester United t-shirts color the streets…

But it is the warmness of the people that I find most appealing.  (more…)

The biggest hazard of leading a nomadic life is never finding a home. And though the changing environment satiates the hunger to savor new sights and sounds, it also makes it impossible to cast the anchor of our hearts in one particular place. Nowhere is this more evident than in China.  (more…)

My last stop is China.  During my 10hr layover in Beijing, I met up with Richard, Julia and Chris.  We caught up over delicious Mongolian food and fire shots! We talked about their progress in school and my plans for Africa.

I headed to Xiamen the next morning, (more…)

I was pulling my suitcase up a hilly Vancouver street, when I was suddenly stopped by a bright light peeking up from behind a gap in a row of buildings.  The glass skyscrapers of downtown Vancouver were reflecting the warm orange hues of the setting sun and created a spectacular view.  The downtown panorama was only made more sublime by the buildings juxtaposition against a backdrop of gentle mountains.

But there is no allure of a place like that of its people and so I have to thank Serena and Kenley for making my trip to the city perfect. 

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Kiva is a p2p microfinance online platform that allows individuals to lend to low-income entrepreneurs all over the world.  For $25, anyone can lend interest-free to less fortunate individuals who have been marginalized by the formal financial sector.  And though the non-profit runs on a beautiful and simple concept, successful execution of this concept is ridden with difficulties. The organization strives for complete transparency, but is prone to high levels of public scrutiny.  Critics argue that there is much room for human error and fraud, and they are completely accurate.  Where does your money really go?  How is it being used? What really happens on the fields? Enter the Kiva Fellows.

On Sept 21st,  49 individuals came together in SF to begin the training for a  journey.  These individuals could not have been more different but for a desire they all shared. This desire is to engage themselves in the grassroots movement that is Kiva.  These 49 comprise the 9th class of Kiva Fellows (KF9) and will be spread across South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.  And I have the honor of being a part of this group. 

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My week in California started in San Diego.  The minute Mike and I touched ground, we rented a car and drove to the sandy coast.  With only one night there, we decided to feast by the breathtaking coast of La Jolla.  Wow.

We made our way up the sunny state and found ourselves at the home of Mike’s relatives.  Our wonderful hosts (and their four colorful dogs) definitely made a impression on me.  Without delving into details, I realized that though I am dreaming of big plans in Africa,  the kindest acts can be done at home and be surprisingly simple in concept.

A day later we were in SF.  I’ve always enjoyed its hilly streets and how the breeze carries with it a heavier scent of “aquatic life” (think clams and seaweed).  Unfortunately, this is where Mike and I had to part ways.  Him back to The City and me off on my new path.

The Blue Sweater documents the experiences of Jacqueline Novogratz, the patient capitalist who founded the non-profit venture capital firm, Acumen Fund.  It had me by page 10. Novogratz is an alumni of UVa, who completed a bachelors in economics while there. After graduation, she moved to NYC to pursue a lucrative career at Chase Manhattan.  Though her cushy job took her around the world, she eventually came to the realization that she could do more from the field.  Thus at age 25, she went to Rwanda to work in microfinance. Sounds familiar? (more…)

The three days spent in sunny Miami was bliss. After an incomprehensibly chaotic week, it was nice to have a few days to laze around on some really pristine beaches. On land, Mike and I tore down South Beach on our little black beast of a scooter. At sea, we explored the sapphire waters with our snorkels. What really hit the spot was meeting up with Thai… on his bday no less! We celebrated with juicy steaks and Miami margaritas that dwarfed our faces. Too relaxed to write so I’ll let the pictures do the talking…