The Journey

Most of us started in the states, and it has been a multi-leg excursion.  South Bend – Chicago-London-Emtebee-Gulu.  All total 15 hours over two days, will it be worth the trip?

I don’t know about all the others on this journey but there are some of us that had no idea what lay ahead or what to even expect.  What will the people be like, what will the temperature be, what will the places we visit will be like and what will folks think of us are all questions that were going through my mind.  I know for me I had no point of reference whatsoever.  Yes, I’ve seen the charity advertisements on late night TV, but that couldn’t be what it is ALL like?  Yes, I’ve seen movies like Out of Africa, but come on – that is just a movie and not about current times.  I’ve seen the videos our literacy partner Invisible Children has produced, but that can’t be what it is like now, things have changed, right?

So for some of us, we had no way to be prepared for this trip.  I chose before coming not to think about that.  I chose to realize that this was an opportunity of a lifetime and I was taking it.  For me this was fulfillment of a life-long dream.  I always said I wanted to go to Africa before I was fifty…I only missed it by a couple of days!  (OK now everyone knows how old I am)

The journey was topped off with a 5 hour drive from Kempala to Gulu.  We travelled through several villages, passed many primary schools, crossed the Nile and even saw monkeys.  I have to say by the time yesterday ended…I felt complete and the actual trip hadn’t even really started.

On the Ground

I can only say that this has been so far an amazing experience and I am only 3 days into it.  I can only equate it to other places I’ve been by saying it is like some of the less developed islands I’ve been to in the Caribbean.  However, for most of those trips one had the resort to go back to at night or the cruise ship, so in that way, being and living among the people has been eye opening to say the least.  Accommodations are superior I’m sure, but if you are expecting someone to turn down your bedding or bring you room service, that just won’t happen.  In fact if the generator stays on while you are getting ready for bed, and there is water in the shower you are doing well.

Please don’t think this is a bad thing.  It isn’t, who needs the lights when they are sleeping and a trickle will do what you need it to in the shower.  I’ve figured out the mosquito netting, and realize why the room comes with flip-flops…so I figure I’m ahead of the game!  Food has been awesome and I’m happy to report that you don’t have to worry about the water when it comes to coffee…warm milk mixed with instant coffee…again, does the trick.  OK it isn’t Starbucks, but I have to say this morning sitting on the porch with this wonderful group of people hearing the roosters….it had to be the best cup I’ve ever had.

We set off today to visit 4 schools with our partner Invisible Children.  All were secondary schools or as they refer to here senior schools.  Apparently most of the government and past NGO support has gone into primary schooling.  Invisible Children has made a decision to invest in secondary schools and universities with programs like Schools for Schools and Legacy Scholarship Programs.  These programs deal with funding a particular students studies, building libraries or improving water systems within the boarding schools.  They have done and continue to do great work here always keeping in mind sustainability and giving those that are receiving the ability to carry it forward and make it grow.

I have to admit one of the things I was worried about was that I would be depressed seeing the conditions people live in and seeing the lack of books in the schools, but I don’t find that I am feeling at all like that.  I’m excited to see that things are being done to correct a situation that has been fueled by war and displacement.  I am happy to know that perhaps in a very small way I have done something by working where I do that may be helping.  I also find that the people here are happy.  Interestingly enough, one doesn’t need what we in the western world think we do.  Family is important here, friendship and community reign supreme.  Definitely a reality check for me!

Tune in again…

– Maura Varian, Managing Director, UK Operations

Check out the earlier Africa trip posts:

On the ground in Africa
Africa Trip: Day 1, Audrey

We wanted to do something that would sum up all the wonderful things we discussed throughout the week and emphasize our spirit of team work, and community involvement.  In an effort to follow our hearts and do something that makes a difference but at the same time challenge us and be enjoyed, we decided to spend the 19th as the first ever company wide BWB Community Outreach Day!

(Casey, head of Pricing, taking “Outreach” a little too seriously)

Locally, our offices in NY, GA, and CA have done things in their respective communities.  We here at the warehouse have also become more involved with the community through green festivals and literacy groups, but we had never done something to this large a scale. We opened up the activities to anyone that wanted to join.  With over 100 employees and 5 different destinations, it was a logistical challenge to say the least.  However, we had the most perfect weather, local school buses to transport us around, and wonderful organizations to join.  It is amazing what you can get done, when everyone pitches in!

Over 100 employees from the warehouse, Georgia, California, New York, Texas, North Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, and Pennsylvania joined in the fun.

(the first round of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall)

First Stop:  Habitat for Humanity was finishing up a project close to the warehouse.  They had built a house for a family, and had landscaping, a garage, and interior work to still be done.  28 BWB employees spent the day completing the project and the hammering never stopped!!!

Kreece doing Quality Control on a decidedly non-six sigma job

(Hippie) sod tilling, courtesy of Abby

Everyone putting up a frame, not just an Amish thing!

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2nd Stop:  Northern Indiana Food Pantry is a distribution center for many of the local food banks.  45 employees from BWB broken out over 3 shifts went to work sorting food, checking dates, and helping Northern Indiana Food Pantry prepare to distribute many pallets of food to locations throughout the area.Competition broke out over the 3 shifts as to which team sorted the most and judges are still out on that decision!

3rd Stop:  Habitat for Humanity ReStores are retail locations where Habitat sells those materials they recycle from their job sites and resell to support all their good work.  12 employees went to work at the local store here in town.  They were put to work setting up displays, moving product and helping to sort and stock.  The “do-it-yourself” types on staff will be making this store one of their stops when completing another project at home…everyone should!  They have some incredible things you won’t be able to find anywhere else.  Look for these stores near you as well:

http://www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx

4th Stop:  City of Mishawaka local parks are something the city takes pride in and they give us welcomed “green space” that our employees as well as others in the community enjoy.  50 workers were dispatched to weed, lay down mulch and pick up debris in some of our area parks keeping up our commitment to the environment.

5th and final Stop:  Literacy Council of St. Joseph County is one of our favorite local groups.  BWB employees have not only volunteered for their adult tutoring program, but we went to work to help them tackle some outstanding tasks at their office in downtown Mishawaka.  4 staff members went over to help with filing, cleaning out closets, setting up bookshelves and packaging up children’s “giveaway” packets complete with books and learning material.

BWB appreciates all these organizations, their hard work and how they contribute to the community.  We wish to thank them all for letting us join in.  Not only did it give the employees here at BWB a day out of the warehouse and fun times spent with coworkers, we were also able to pitch in and help the community.  There isn’t a better way to spend the day!

Maura Varian, Acquisitions Support Manager, hatched a brilliant plan earlier this year. One day, she thought, “Hey, we collect books. We sell books. And, most of us even read books. So, why don’t we help people learn to do what we love most?” And, today, that plan is a step closer to fruition.

As of last week, 11 Better World Books employees have graduated from our local literacy council’s tutor training program. The employee-tutors will be utilizing the company’s new volunteerism benefit for this program. In essence, they’ll be compensated for their time as if they were working away in our distribution center. For Better World Books, providing direct service — be it tutoring, painting houses, or playing with children with disabilities — is just as valuable as receiving, scanning, and shipping books. In the end, it’s all about creating a Better World.

And, Maura’s not done there. In an article which was released today by the South Bend Tribune, she is ready to take her dream of local literacy even further, saying I’d “like to see the partnership grow to eventually allow the company’s own employees who have issues with literacy to get the help they need from the Literacy Council while they’re on the job.”

Thanks, Maura, we’re right there with you!

For the full article, click here.