From the dangerous zones of Afghanistan to the comfort of his Lamorinda life, Budd MacKenzie is a tireless traveler working for reconstruction and long-term development. He is a man who wants to change to world, or, on a most modest scale, a man who wants to bring permanent development and freedom to men and women living in regions of Afghanistan where an uncommon journey has taken the man who was President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and 2003-2004 Lafayette Citizen of the Year. Over the past 6 years, his non-profit, “Trust in Education” (TIE), has achieved results that would make any international NGO proud.
MacKenzie commitment started with an article he read about Greg Mortenson (Central Asia Institute) and the schools he was sponsoring in Afghanistan. TIE agreed in 2004 with the villagers of Lalander (16 miles south of Kabul) to construct a secular school for boys and girls. Politically engaged, MacKenzie believes that no nation should topple another’s government, without taking on in the reconstruction that follows. “Our commitment is clear,” says MacKenzie, “be part of the rebuilding effort.”
His way of changing the world is “village to village”. First TIE gave funds to pay for teachers ($80 a month per teacher) and build a school including the girls who had been kept out of the education system for years under the Taliban’s regime. MacKenzie’s first cause in Afghanistan was educating the women. “Even now in the villages I cannot talk directly to the women, when I arrive they disappear at the back of the house,” he says. MacKenzie confesses that there is no better way to appreciate women than having to deal only with men. The Afghan government has affirmed its objective of educating women, but in reality, when cuts are made it is to girls’ education. Girls in school are about 1/3 of their male counterparts and most parents don’t see the need for girls’ education past the elementary level, if at all.
In Lalander and neighboring villages now TIE pays for 27 full time teachers, more than half of the 839 students are girls, a new school has been built, with swing sets. All has been done in cooperation and with the support of local leaders and the Afghan Department of Education. “One key to success is to involve the villagers and their leaders in the process and to make the program transparent and verifiable,” says MacKenzie.
The second cause is “food-cloth-shelter”. “Once I got involved and after visiting Afghanistan, there was no pulling back,” said MacKenzie. “Working for education is working for the future,” he adds, “but these people have seen their country devastated, their economy ruined, all has to be rebuilt.” On these issues as well MacKenzie is working in partnership with local experts and authorities, while learning to avoid the risks of corruption.
The results are remarkable. TIE has enabled the plantation of over 22,000 fruit trees, continues to financed the purchase of seeds and fertilizer for 140 farmers, has provided 300 sheep (5 per farmer for 60 farmers) through its microcredit program, has provided 5600 lbs of clothing, blankets and other items, gave the money for the material to build 4 bridges, has transferred the technology of a hydraulic ramp pump that does not require electricity or gas with the help of Solano Community College students, is working on a dam that will prevent the snow run off from flooding land farmed by over 50 families. “The purpose is not to sprinkle emergency help, but to engage in a long term strategy of development that will bring independence to these people,” says MacKenzie.
Along the way MacKenzie and his team decided to support the Aschiana Project, a well organized and controlled program that sponsors Afghan street children and send them back to school. An estimated 60,000 children work on the streets of Kabul, begging, selling gum, looking for scrap metal, shining shoes, and doing whatever it takes to survive. For $20 a month, parents commit to sending their child to school instead of the street. “Our permanent project managers in Kabul help follow up each of every of the kids, making sure they indeed go back to school,” says MacKenzie. This personal one-on-one engagement has been very successful with some of Lamorinda elementary schools that now sponsor one or more children. MacKenzie is even thinking of setting conference call to make the relationship even more personal.
The man needs continuing support. School of all levels are encouraged to pick up the idea and sponsor a number of school age children in Afghanistan. Over the years they will get to know them, and see how they grow up. MacKenzie gives regular talks all over the community to present his results to those who have donated and raise interest of new partners. His next speaking engagement is on September 9th at the Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church at 8:00 a.m. “I’d like many people to come and hear what has been done,” says MacKenzie, “bring a friend, and ask questions, I’ll be there just for that.” The address of the engagement is 10 Moraga Lane, it’s opened to the public, a $3 breakfast will be served, RSVP to Bob Prindle 631-1142. For more information go to www.trustineducation.org
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Bodhi Seed Camp, Awakening Young Minds
For the first time, the Buddha Gate Monastery of Lafayette proposed a camp for children age 5 to 15 where they learnt to meditate, Buddhist values and Chinese culture, mingled with more traditional fun activities. Quite an unusual experience in Lamorinda!
The Buddhist Monastery is nestled on a peaceful property at the northern border of Lafayette. The camp proposed from August 2 to 7 for 80 kids was full. Classes were taught by the Abbess, Master Jian Sheng, herself and many other volunteers. Evan Cushing was the head of the T.A.s. A native of Lafayette, he is a college student majoring in philosophy and religion. “The children were amazing,” he said, “most of them had had no previous experience of meditation and/or Buddhism. Some hated it at first, but they got taken by the Abbess story telling abilities and through her guidance learnt to quiet their bodies and mind. After 2 or 3 days they got the knack of it and loved it.”
The children confirmed, “It is hard to concentrate on nothing,” said Uma who will be attending 6th grade at Stanley Middle School, “you make sure your body is completely still and after I really enjoy the calm.” She plans to continue the practice, especially before tests. “I like to sit still,” added 10 years old Irene.
The young T.A.s enjoyed the camp as well. 15 years old Alan Deaton who will be a Junior at Miramonte had never had any exposure to that culture and practices, he said “Once I was able to do it, it was cool, it felt really relaxing and I was truly focused afterward.” Deaton was interested by the whole camp, and, even if he does not think he would become a vegetarian, enjoyed the values that were taught.
Meditation is a technique that is central to the Buddhist teaching. “Meditation is a way to raise awareness and reveal one’s true nature,” said the Abbess, “in our busy lives our minds get scattered. Meditation helps to re-center inward.” She was very impressed by the children who came to the camp. “They were very active and present,” she said, “they followed guidance and participated eagerly.”
Meditation was just a part of the daily activities of the children. They experienced Tai Chi, Dharma instruments, candle making, mosaic, gymnastics among other activities. The Monastery did not require any payment for the camp. “This is Dana giving,” explains Margaret Goglia a Moraga resident who has been involved with Buddha Gate for 2 years, “one gives without expecting anything in return.”
Parents can make donations, according to what feels right to them or they can help with the camp. Uma’s mother, Lafayette resident Shalini Agrawal expressed her gratitude for the experience, “there is nothing quite comparable in the area,” she said, “the Buddhist teachings are not exactly our culture (her family is Hindu), but the values are universal and very centering.” The mother appreciated the opening to a different culture that the camp offered her daughters.
For the Abbess, the purpose of the camp was to plant a seed. “In Taiwan, our Venerable Master Wei Chueh created a children camp many years ago.” She remembers the story of a student who had been to the camp as a kid, and who, as a young adult met with challenges that drove him close to deep depression. “He was able to draw from the happy memories he had kept from his youth camp to re-center his life and he wrote a beautiful thank you letter to the Monastery,” she remembers, adding, “when a seed is planted you never know when it will mature and flourish.” During the year, the Monastery offers on going classes for children and adults, for more information go to www.buddhagate.org.
The Buddhist Monastery is nestled on a peaceful property at the northern border of Lafayette. The camp proposed from August 2 to 7 for 80 kids was full. Classes were taught by the Abbess, Master Jian Sheng, herself and many other volunteers. Evan Cushing was the head of the T.A.s. A native of Lafayette, he is a college student majoring in philosophy and religion. “The children were amazing,” he said, “most of them had had no previous experience of meditation and/or Buddhism. Some hated it at first, but they got taken by the Abbess story telling abilities and through her guidance learnt to quiet their bodies and mind. After 2 or 3 days they got the knack of it and loved it.”
The children confirmed, “It is hard to concentrate on nothing,” said Uma who will be attending 6th grade at Stanley Middle School, “you make sure your body is completely still and after I really enjoy the calm.” She plans to continue the practice, especially before tests. “I like to sit still,” added 10 years old Irene.
The young T.A.s enjoyed the camp as well. 15 years old Alan Deaton who will be a Junior at Miramonte had never had any exposure to that culture and practices, he said “Once I was able to do it, it was cool, it felt really relaxing and I was truly focused afterward.” Deaton was interested by the whole camp, and, even if he does not think he would become a vegetarian, enjoyed the values that were taught.
Meditation is a technique that is central to the Buddhist teaching. “Meditation is a way to raise awareness and reveal one’s true nature,” said the Abbess, “in our busy lives our minds get scattered. Meditation helps to re-center inward.” She was very impressed by the children who came to the camp. “They were very active and present,” she said, “they followed guidance and participated eagerly.”
Meditation was just a part of the daily activities of the children. They experienced Tai Chi, Dharma instruments, candle making, mosaic, gymnastics among other activities. The Monastery did not require any payment for the camp. “This is Dana giving,” explains Margaret Goglia a Moraga resident who has been involved with Buddha Gate for 2 years, “one gives without expecting anything in return.”
Parents can make donations, according to what feels right to them or they can help with the camp. Uma’s mother, Lafayette resident Shalini Agrawal expressed her gratitude for the experience, “there is nothing quite comparable in the area,” she said, “the Buddhist teachings are not exactly our culture (her family is Hindu), but the values are universal and very centering.” The mother appreciated the opening to a different culture that the camp offered her daughters.
For the Abbess, the purpose of the camp was to plant a seed. “In Taiwan, our Venerable Master Wei Chueh created a children camp many years ago.” She remembers the story of a student who had been to the camp as a kid, and who, as a young adult met with challenges that drove him close to deep depression. “He was able to draw from the happy memories he had kept from his youth camp to re-center his life and he wrote a beautiful thank you letter to the Monastery,” she remembers, adding, “when a seed is planted you never know when it will mature and flourish.” During the year, the Monastery offers on going classes for children and adults, for more information go to www.buddhagate.org.
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