Life at TCL...

As you know I am in Sri Lanka and I have been a little out because I have been helping my grandparents-in-low to structured their life at their home.
But I did not came today to talk about my grandparents-in-low but to tell a little about my life at Theological College of Lanka 
The College was inaugurated in 1963 by the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church and the Baptist Church. Later the Presbyterian Church joined the federation to educate the new clergy in the environment of Sri Lanka and their own Languages; Sinhala & Tamil. It is believed that language is the vehicle of culture and when Christians begin to think, speak, preach, pray and write in their own languages, they soon become familiar with their cultural values and begin to appreciate them in the practice of their Christian faith. This new step was foreseen by all the churches as an attempt to produce indigenous theology by people who are being educated in Sri Lanka.  
It has been a very good experience to me and Devaka. However it is very hard for the students, principally to those who are marriage. The students have so many activities all day long, leaving almost no time for their families. Some family have came to live at campus with, but others not and the one who did not came has little opportunities to get together though the academic years.
It is impress the amount of activities that the students have to became a community leaders. I only think that the college only need to remind that the first community in life is the family and the students even the ones that are not marriage should spend more time with their own family time by time. But this is my opinion.
Here are some activities that I have been doing.

                                                                       College Day!

                                      Getting experience on the street of the Perahera in Kandy.

                                           I did not have space for my legs. It is really tie.

                                        This is a really experience through the people side.

If you want to came and have all this experience it is great, but I will advice you to have R$ 4000 or R$6000 that is around $40 and $60 to have a comfortable seat.

Welcome to Sri Lanka!

Sri Lanka is a country famous for the production and export of tea, coffee, coconuts, rubber and cinnamon, beside of the very tested spice foods. The natural and beauty of Sri Lanka led on the title The Pearl of the Indian Ocean. The island is laden with lush tropical forests, white beaches and diverse landscapes with rich biodiversity with a wonderful population. The country lays claim to a long and colorful history of over three thousand years, having one of the longest documented histories in the world. Sri Lanka's rich culture can be attributed to the many different communities on the island. The official language is Sinhalese, Tamil and English are also spook in the country. 

I will be leaving on the campus of The Theological College of Lanka in Pilimatalawa. It is so wonderful and I have all the green around the house. They have a ecologic process of garbed, which use the organic things to fertilizer the land to product their own fruit and vegetable. There are around 15 families beside the single girls and boys.    
Hope to have you enjoying Sri Lanka with me. 

Walk For Hunger!

Thank everybody who give me support to do the difference to people's live. The Project Bread is always open to who is looking to do the difference.

I did the 20 miles this year and I am thanks to my dear friend which gave me all stimuli and never gave up on me, walking on my side all time. Calling " We can do it!"

Thanks to everybody who participated with prayers and donations.

Thank you so much.

See you now in Sri Laka where will be my next stop.

Take care all of you and keep going with your goal. 

 Together We can do it!    

 

http://www.projectbread.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1933943&pg=personal&fr_id=1150

How to blame without think two times?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cri7aQHRT7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xtkpO7ZqU

In the January news everybody was paying attention to the Tucson shutting. I would like to know how many thought why and try to answer this question or changed the mind after read the story of the shutter in the first page of the New York Times. It was sad to see many innocent people lose their lives, however it was also sad to see a young, and talent boy losing his future as a member of the community for a fanatic act.

Sometimes it is so easy to blame someone for the losing people lives. Who should we blame for such loose of so lives in the wars? Who should we blame for so many lives lost in suicides? Who should we blame for the lives taking every day for a piece of bread?

In February a great Revolution came across Northern Africa which the people is fight for their freedom from the dictator government, taking so many lives, when the government should be the one to protect their people came to the position of killing them to keep the power.

Who should we blame at this case besides of the tyranny of one corrupted government?

 In March an earthquake hits Japan, killing millions. The expected most technological country in the world that should be prepared to this situation was devastated by the surprise of the nature.

Who should we blame in this case, the nature or God?

Why do not we blame ourselves for being so selfish and paying attention only to our bellybutton, playing God instead trying to help each other? Why is it so ease to point our finger to our neighbor instead of being conscious that we are also guilty? Why is it so important to make sure that our brothers and sisters will not be the first, “we will”, instead to give to him or her tools to work out their problems?

In the Tucson shutting we got to know the life of a young boy with dreams and talent for music, good with math and an excellent science student. He had his differences and thought different of his friends and this was enough reason for the community and friends to isolate him as a freak.

Let’s see our point of view:  We do not like who think different of us. We do not want our children being a friend of someone so strange. We do not want a crazy person in our community. He can be a bad influence. He can bring problem to our school.

Let’s see what could happen if we looked from his view:  What is wrong with him? Did he have problem at home? Did he have a good relationship with his parents or family? Did his mother was the only support he have as say in the article?  Did his friend condemn his actions instead trying to understand? Could his girlfriend have a better support talking with someone trying to help for been close to him and get to know how he felt? The school punched him out, could the direction help to solve the problem or it is better to shutting down the problem? The bank thought he is crazy; could the bank talk with the authorities in order to get help for him?

The community helped him to become isolated. Nobody wants to have him as a friend, boyfriend, student or client. He did not have a role in society. However at the influence of his leaders, “his government”, he decided to do something to have the attention he thought he deserves.

The United Stated has been an example to many countries. Before I came to this country I got to know many problems as pervert, marginalization and criminalization as my country. However I got a worth picture from the United States, as I came here I can see closer all this problem and I usually have more fear walking on the street of my neighborhood than walking on the alley of the “favela” where I used to leave.

The United States have such good education to help other countries to develop, however I see the importance of not doing this in order to keep at the “top”. The United States have such problems as a third world problem, however hi sells only the good part, making immigrant think that “here are the land of freedom and opportunities”.

I see the violence and pervert of my country as an effect of the corruption in the government. I see the problem in many countries as inappropriate education and opportunity for all. I see the human egocentrism taking place of mercy and love to your brothers and sisters.        

I have been thinking a lot about what I can do to build a better world to my children. I have been giving my time to help my friends, my community, my family and anyone who look at me as a friend and someone that are able to understand and listen to them without judge.

To my follow, look to the world around of you, what can you do to make the difference?

Love, Peace and allots of payers to all,

Kalinka.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/us/16loughner.html?emc=eta1

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2011/04/07/japan_earthquake_tsunami_government_lifts_warning

http://blog.cleanenergy.org/2011/04/07/japan-nuclear-disaster-update-april-7/

http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch?query=Revolution+came+across+Northern+Africa+&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=sub

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/04/07/world/americas/AP-LT-Brazil-School-Shooting.html?emc=eta1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU

Não reclame de sua vida

Can you see the difference?

                                                   
   Who is this beautiful boy, with a peaceful smile in his face?  He looks so happy and full of life!


                                           
Is this the same boy from the previous Picture?


What change? What could us do for make a difference in his life? Could him be our boy? What is happening with our families and children?

Upcoming my analysis and my opinion based on observation and experience in different societies, cultures and people. How it is important  to understand, respect and sometime love the differences. 

The Human Nature!

I have been thinking about how much we spend making war, and why.

            I come to the conclusion that human is a destructive anima by nature.

            I cannot understand why such energy which we could use to transform the world into a better place. We struggle to get more power. Taking, land from the poorest and killing the weak to take their goods.

            It seems to me that some measure success with what they own. Some feel that the more expensive, the bigger and better things are important and make them feel important and sometimes replace love with material things.

            For me, I have lost everything as a teenager. I learned own to live without unnecessary stuff I do not need material things and do not want the biggest, newest or best. Sometime people get frustrated with me because they do not see me taking things for which do not see the need. A huge television… for what do need it? It just takes up more space. A really loud stereo, why? I do not need to hear it down the street, only in my home. A new car, they are a pain to maintain and are costly. I can walk or ride my bike which is good for my health or use the public transportation that is good in Boston. 

            I cannot honestly say why many need more and more, just that it puzzles me that many people are never satisfied with what they already have. But what makes me so sad is that I would love to have more to have more to share. I already share what I have and I feel so full of love. This makes me not need or wish for more things. I hope people can read and feel touched though my words. I hope they can start to volunteer, to share what they have with those who do not have anything. I believe that through actions you can be happy and feel full of love.

            I dedicate this thought to my friends and family who understand my opinions and my choices.

            I love you all.     

 

Happy New Year to All!