Afrikadey

Last weekend was the Afrikadey Symposium [Aug 12] and Festival [Aug 13].  Doing the Symposium with Mikiyas was quite the experience.  It was held at Calgary's Main Branch Library down town.  Over 100 people were there to pass judgement watch and learn.

We got there early for the reception and a chance to meet the other speakers.  I was nervous at this part as I knew who some of the big named people were.  It felt weird to know that I was meeting some truly professional and learned stars.  But after the first introduction and five seconds of chatter, I felt totally at ease.  Of course, it helped that she wouldn't look up from her solitaire game on her phone and was shocked to hear that this young boy would be speaking, having no faith in it all with her rude comment.  I wanted to smack her.  Instead, it made me feel that we could do this and she really was no better than us just because she was famous.

The rest of the night was fantastic.  Mikiyas and I were first, which did make me a little nervous.  It also made me think "Good, everyone will have gone home forgetting about the little people and our fumbled presentation.".  The mediator was hilarious and it helped to make us comfortable on stage as well.

Mikiyas did a fantastic job.  Absolutely fantastic, and he kept people laughing.  And the woman with little faith, she laughed and thought he did terrific too.  Before leaving she gave me a hug and was pleased to see what a difference we can make.  [Showed her, didn't we!]  I can't upload the video because it's too large.

At one point during my speaking, I wasn't sure if I came across as bragging about what we do.  It bothered me for the next two hours of sitting onstage [of which Mikiyas did awesome at in just sitting and waiting for it to end!].  When one woman spoke about how many people she helps etc it made me think I'm not even close to bragging when you hear that!  But I was really comforted that our message came across properly when the open question period ended up concluding with questions and very positive comments to Mikiyas and I.  It didn't end with the stars.  It ended with the little people.  I think this is not because of what we do or who we are, but because the people can relate.  They can help in smaller ways than building and starting schools.  They can help without writing books, singing on stage and touring the world.  They can teach their own children now so compassion becomes a part of them as a child, not something to learn as an adult.  They can make a difference as a family, not a star.  They can relate to doing something one small step at a time.

Don't get me wrong though.  The other people on the panel taught amazing things.  They gave great encouragement and voiced many very good points.  It was quite a treat for everyone in there to be able learn from them.  And they are incredibly talented. 

After question period and dismissal, we answered many questions from people, giving them further information about specific projects and even advice on how to talk to their own kids.  It really was quite the experience.  To have the amazing opportunity to teach others and be on the same playing field as incredible stars was quite uplifting.  We walked away feeling blessed in so many ways.

The next morning Mikiyas and I went for a walk.  We talked a lot about the things we learned.  He asked questions about some of the African traditions that were discussed by some of the panel.  He asked about men versus women rights.  He felt strongly that boys and men should never hurt a woman and that men are not better than women.  He concluded our walk with a very insightful statement: "The good and beautiful traditions of Africa should stay and the bad traditions should be punished.".   

We headed out to the Festival after our walk.  We enjoyed the heat, some music and tried new foods.  We were able to buy pure shea butter from Ghana.  Mikiyas really had no interest in the music though - he preferred frisbee and spent a huge chunk of the day practicing.  He's become quite good at it.  He did sit and listen to one musician, and only one.  Ara Queen of the Drum.  She was on the panel with us the night before.  We hit it off with her very well.  Ara is from Nigeria and is a beautiful woman, both inside and out.  Mikiyas asked if we could go say hi to her so we snuck back stage past security and he was embraced with the biggest hug.  "Aunty" Ara is truly wonderful and we will miss her.  However, we've already been emailing up a storm and I believe she will be a part of our lives forever.

Although you don't see Lyle's name mentioned above, he was there.  He is very much a part of everything that happens [including holding our coats].  He may not be front and center, answering the questions or managing Mikiyas' interview time slots, but he is a crucial and important part of everything.  But for him, none of this would have happened.