My list of firsts (Part 2)

My list of firsts continues. Some of these are experiences only possible in Australia. Others are activities I've not done back home, even though those activities are there also. Here is part 2: 

-first time holding a baby crocodile 

-first time eating crocodile ("croc bites," like chicken nuggets but made from crocodile)

-first time swinging a golf club (well, at least in the last 25 years)

-first time meeting a person of aboriginal descent

-first time learning about aboriginal culture and history in Australia

-first time touring an Australian Rules Football stadium

-first time on a catamaran

-first time seeing the sun set over Australia

-first time visiting a national park of another country

-first time I've pushed myself physically this year 

-first time attending country music event (singer Kim Koole) in another country

-first time visiting a parliament - and I meet the Madame Speaker of Parliament 

-first time participating in ANZAC day, a service similar to the U.S.'a Memorial Day

-first time wearing virtual reality goggles

-first time seeing the International Space Station fly across the sky

Our trip is a bit shy of the halfway point. Expect two or three more lists of firsts.

To Be Worthy

"We must strive to be worthy of the legacy that has been given to us."

Those were the words of the chaplain presiding over Darwin's celebration of ANZAC Day (or at least I think they were - it was 5am and I was feeling a big groggy), a national holiday meant to commemorate Australia and New Zealand's soldiers lost, and soldiers serving.

His words gave me pause. It sparked a moment of reflection. Am I worthy of the legacy that has been given to me? Am I as deeply grateful for it as I should be?

This legacy - the world I was born into - was truly given. But 100 years ago, that legacy was far from certain. Australians seem to have a deep sense of this. And nowhere was that more apparent than during the dawn service for ANZAC Day.

In Australian state capitals and cities across the nation, ANZAC Day is an increasingly celebrated occasion. People set their alarms for ungodly hours and pull themselves out of bed for a dawn ceremony. They bring their families to parades and cheer the service men and women as they march with heads held high. They toss some steaks on a grill and take "gunfire shots," a put-some-hair-on-your-chest drink of rum and milk.

But, most importantly, they remember. They still mourn the loss of ANZAC soldiers who lost their lives at Gallipoli. They speak with pride of Australia's heroism in France during World War II. People of Darwin, with eyes overhead, explain the city's plight as Japanese bombers - the same who attacked Pearl Harbor - wrecked havoc on their city. For the people I've met, these events don't feel as if they existed on some distant date in some distant past. They're as real and emotional as if they happened yesterday.

As me and my teammates approached the gathering crowds yesterday morning, it was the silence that struck me most. Although over a thousand people were gathered, they stood together, whispering softly or not saying anything at all. Slowly, the sunlight filtered through the quiet dawn. A bugle sounded, wreaths were laid at the cenotaph. I found the entire ceremony to be unexpectedly moving, to be quietly powerful. This was not a glorification of war, but a time to unite in remembrance of shared sacrifice.

I didn't anticipate it, but ANZAC has suddenly become the highlight of this trip for me so far. I so admire the Australian's shared sense of history, of pride. In ceremonies around the world - and indeed at Gallipoli itself - Australians are moved to tears to remember the loss of Australian lives over 100 years ago. I find that to be remarkable. And, I'm inspired. I hope that I, in turn, can feel such a connection. They've reminded me that everyday, I should strive to be worthy of the legacy - of democracy, of diversity, of freedom of speech - that so many have fought to give.

Loser Party

ANZAC is the Australian New Zealand Army Corp and those belonging to that Corp are remembered as the most heroic and valorous of all Oceanic men. During World War I, the ANZACs fought at Gullipolli, where they staved off wave after wave of Turkish fighters.  The stories of the Battle of Gullipolli are horrific and tragic, with men dying one upon another and piles of people pock marking the beach.  To commemorate that day, among others, Australia celebrates ANZAC Day, the equivalent to our Memorial Day.  In Darwin, the whole town shows up for a dawn service to pay their respects to veterans.  I even heard a man on the phone wake up his friend at 5am and verbally force him to come down to the Cenotaph, the local memorial spire, erected for just such an occasion.  The day is held in great reverence and brings with it many memories and special occasions, including playing Heads and Tails (it's only legal on ANZAC Day).

But one glaring fact appears to smear all of this: the ANZACs lost that day on the beach in Turkey.  Despite their great efforts and sacrifice, history records an 'L' for the Allies.  So why celebrate a great loss of life and limb that ended up having little impact on the war effort?  Who throws a party when they lose?

The damn Australians, that's who.  They don't celebrate strength (though they have it) and they don't reward bragging (though they have a lot to brag about); they honor sacrifice over victory.  This morning as the sun rose over the ocean, I witnessed an entire town stand up for character and virtue and saw them pass it on to their children though ritual, a concept ebbing away from American culture.  As my team and I laid a wreath at the base of the monument, watched by tens of thousands on tv, we had the great privilege to take part in that.  Perhaps we might remember this day and pass it on to our children though a ritual of our own, and sow the seeds that soldiers started that day in Turkey on a beach much like the one that called to us nearby.

I would encourage our readers to do a little digging of their own on both the ANZACs and the bombing of Darwin during World War II.  Their stories are as moving as our own American stories and are a steady reminder that we did not stand alone in that great fight.

Lessons from Timor Leste

Timor Leste was not on my mind when I was first invited to apply for this Group Study Exchange (GSE). I recall hearing only Australia when this professional development opportunity was forwarded my way. Two members from the Australia group traveling to America were Timorese from one of the Timor Leste Rotary Clubs. So as part of the exchange we were going to Timor Leste - it finally stuck in my head. 

I did my research on Timor Leste. I learned of their recent struggle for independence. I read short articles about their current journey towards reconciliation. I googled the websites to the places we were visiting to try to gain insight on the challenges and opportunities of an emerging economy...and and emerging nation. 

But secondary research cannot replace on-the-ground learning. The visuals of poverty I saw while I was there reminded me of poor rural communities in the U.S. and Mexico I've visited that seemed forgotten by time. Every place has a story, and a people who can teach you or remind you of valuable life lessons. For me, this is what I took with me from Timor Leste: 

1. Learn without judgement: It was difficult, but necessary, to ask questions from the locals without asking "why." I did not want to be judgmental - both so as not to offend and also so as not to limit my perception of what was happening from my lenses, my "why's."

2. Humble services vs. saviorship: I was only in Timor Leste for two days. My humble service during those two days was to share what I knew about economic development and youth education. If I am fortunate enough to be of service to the team in Timor who I met, it will be just that, humble service. I don't need to save anyone, just serve in creating community and economic conditions that allow people to reach their own potential. 

3. Limitations to our service: There is a limit in what we can and should do while serving others. Self-determination is a pillar of Chicanismo (Mexican-American political and cultural movement which reached a peak in the 1960's and 1970's) and it was obvious it is a pillar for the Timorese people as well. At one point we had a young man tell one of my traveling companions that they didn't need "us" in Timor. I would disagree to some extent - a small emerging nation can benefit from international advisors on governing and capital to ignite economic growth. Yet, I could understand his desire to see his people achieve these milestones on their own. 

Now Timor Leste is firmly on my radar. I left inspired by the Rotary club members working to build wings at a local clinic and distribute donated furniture to a school for young adults. I was inspired by both the hope and actions of the young waiter who had learned English in preparation for his job at our hotel's restaurant and was helping other employees practice their English after work. As in other communities, the pace of educated youth may outpace the creation of local jobs - this was a challenge I heard from a couple of people. 

I spent some time trying to communicate with our driver and an 11 year-old boy, both of whom did not speak either English or Portuguese (official language of Timor Leste). As we gestured and cobbled together a conversation where I learned our driver liked American country music, I was reminded of the challenges and excitement of building community. I have high hopes for Timor Leste and its journey to greater democracy and prosperity. 

Restaurant along beachfront.

Entrance to airport from arriving plane.

Rotary Club member, Judite, in Dili, Timor Leste.

Large outdoor classroom at SOLS 24/7.

Learning about other local economies

Darwin reminds me of St. Paul - it's a mid-sized city with small town charm. But it's different, of course. The average temperature right now is around 90 degrees with around 70% humidity - and it's fall down here. There are other similarities and differences, which is why this Rotary exchange program has been very educational. 

Over the last couple of days our team has immersed itself in learning about Darwin's business community. At the moment, tourism and oil refining are the two industries that stand out the most to me. 

Listening to business owners I hear themes common back home. One conversation with a private airline business operator included the pressures the business is facing from competition from both nonprofit and government entities also operating small air services - these two other sectors exist for their primary nonprofit and government purposes, but also take on traditional for-profit work as a means of achieving sustainability.

One large oil and gas extraction and refining project is located in Darwin. The company is trying to meet a quadruple bottom line - make a profit for shareholders, hire and contract equitably, be environment responsible, and be socially responsible to the community. How is it doing in all four areas? The answer of course varies on who you ask. But what is evident is that Darwin has banked part of its economic future in the energy industry and residual economic activity from this sector.

Another business visit was to a social enterprise working to train aboriginal community members and improve job skills, create job references, and establish a work history. The business is a gallery and cafe located in a historical building. This business is positioned to maximize its social impact. Is it sustainable? We never got to that part in our conversation.

And, how can I leave out the crocodile park that conducts research and educates the public about the value of crocodiles. Crocodiles are part of the ecosystem, and they can be harvested for food products (I tasted the croc bites) and their skin can be sold to fashion businesses. This strategy converts the crocodiles from nuisances that eat cattle, to animals that provide sustenance and economic opportunity to entrepreneurs in Darwin. 

While Darwin and its  state (Northern Territory) are unique one economic thread that's common with the Twin Cities is that both towns are working intentionally to have enough jobs for the youth in the community and working to improve their city's quality of life. I did not have to travel half-way around the world to learn this. But I am glad I did. It's been helpful to gauge how innovation in our city compares with other cities and learn economic strategies from other which may be solutions back home.

(I am currently in the city of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia.)

Series of Firsts (Part 1)

Series of Firsts (Part 1)

"This trip will be a life-changing experience." I heard these words repeatedly as I applied for the Group Study Exchange (GSE), prepared for this trip, and arrived in Australia. "You got to do this," said my friend Noemi. "This will change your life," said my team leader Mark. My host family has also reminded me that I won't be the same after this trip. 

And I couldn't agree with them more. Change doesn't always come in big bursts. Small, incremental changes can have a cumulative effect on how you see and experience the world. For me, this trip has included a series of "firsts." Firsts that are incrementally widening my view and experience of the world. Firsts that are making me deal with little insecurities and my introverted tendencies. And firsts that make me think of different ways in which I can advance social good and build social capital. So here is a list of firsts for me during the first few days of my GSE trip to Australia.  

-first time traveling overt the Pacific Ocean

-first time living abroad for a month - something I've wanted to do for a long time

-first time in a double decker plane

-first time using bathroom on a plane 

-first time flying over night (the night seem to never end with the time change)

-first time sleeping for an extended period of time on a plane, approximately 6hrs

-first time in Australia

-first time traveling with group of friends or colleagues outside of U.S.

-first time writing blog

-first time I had to stand in line and be sniffed by a dog - at customs

-first time in Brisbane (airport)

-first time in uniform with my GSE team

-first time in the Southern Hemisphere 

-first time eating warm food in plane

-first time dealing with jet lag

-first time stewardess hit my knee with the beverage cart while I was sleeping

-first time in a long time I did not sit in a window seat 

-first sunrise over the mountains in Dili, Timor Leste 

-first visit to an orphanage 

-first history lesson of Darwin's and Timor's involvement in WWII

-first time meeting a U.S. Ambassador (Timor Leste) 

-first time drinking Timorese coffee in (a growing industry in Timor Leste)

-first time saying Portuguese greeting - bom dia (good morning)

-first time - well, at least in a long time - trying to have a conversation with someone when neither of us speak the same language

More to come. 

The Promise of Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is a stunningly beautiful place. Sandy beaches, gorgeous coral reefs, lush, green mountains. 

It's also a country with a deep history of violence and subjugation. 500 years of Portuguese colonialism, decades of Indonesian occupation, and civil unrest following independence in 1999 have left a deep and jagged impact on the land and its people. And yet, it seems, change is happening - and for the better. 

Here in the farthest corner of the world (from us), a quiet but powerful shifting of the tides is underway. Timor Leste has a thriving and strengthening democracy. The youth of Timor-Leste are passionate about the environment. Timorese coffee beans - purchased by the likes of Starbucks in droves - are giving the country a foothold in agricultural exports. Timorese seem to welcome development and partnership with international governments. And a strong tourism industry - remember those sandy beaches? - seems inevitable. 

So what accounts for all these remarkable changes? It depends on who you ask. According to the US Ambassador and her staff, it's forgiveness. "Timorese people have an incredible capacity for forgiveness," said one official during our visit to the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday. "They want to move on, to work together." 

And what about development? According to USAID, they've played a hand, too. "We're very proud of our work on coffee here," they said. USAID has a a wide scope of projects in the country, Other country governments have programs as well, including Australia and Portugal. People around the world are invested in this place.

Scores of international entities monitored the last election, helping to ensure a safe and peaceful process. Remarkably 70% of the population turned out, often waiting in lines for hours upon hours, and walking far distances just to be able to exercise this newly gained right. If only our own system enjoyed this type of dedication.  

But as my teammate Jon noted, it is the Timorese people who truly deserve the credit. After dozens of bloody and heartbreaking years of the fight for independence (the history of which we delved into at Dili's Resistance Museum), they're determined to make the best of their freedom. 

There's no doubt that Timor-Leste has a long way to go. It's one of the poorest countries in the world. Health statistics are some of the lowest anywhere, with high rates of malnutrition and maternal mortality. 

And yet. There is a promise in Timor-Leste. A promise of a bright future, of a people who are picking themselves up from their bootstraps. I hope someday to return and see even more smiling faces, strengthening infrastructure, healthy kids, people striving for more. And visitors wanting a slice of those sandy beaches. I know I do. 

East Timor doesn't need our help

When we stepped off the plane in East Timor, the air was thick with humidity, jungle flora, and a hint of poverty.  We flowed through the airport, hopped into a van, and experienced our first adventure in Dili traffic patterns, which consists of daring right turns, driving in the opposite lane, and much honking.  We stayed in the American hotel, a plush 6 floor tower in a gated shopping center. We then drove outside of the city to see the beach and some local village and sites, including an old Portuguese fort from a couple hundred years ago: it sat crumbling as the jungle continued to overwhelm it, cannons still fixed out to sea, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Just 18 years ago, East Timor became a country, throwing off Indonesian rule in a bloody escape to freedom and poverty. Only 7 years later, violence erupted again. Over the past 30+ years, an estimated 400,000 Timorese have died.  The current population of the island is 1.2 million. They need agriculture, industry, and constant economic growth.  But they don't need help doing it.  Or so I was told by one 17 year old.

I never learned his name.  He's a student at SOLS, an international educational cooperative that is focused on bringing up the next generation of change makers in developing countries.  He asked me, "how do you feel coming to my country?" I told him I felt hot, but that wasn't what he meant. After a bit of questioning, he finally rephrased his question: "why have you come here?" I told him I came to learn and to meet his country and people. He didn't understand. I must be there to help him and make him in my image, undoubtedly. That's how it works, in his mind. But he made sure I knew the reality of it: he doesn't need or want my help.

And I realized he was right. The people of East Timor are resilient beyond measure, having survived the brutal occupation of Indonesia.  They are resourceful, using the jungle and ocean to it's every advantage.  they are thoughtful, kind, hard working, and most all determined and fiercely independent.  I recall having seen a similar people from just over 200 years ago, a people incensed over taxation without representation and the incurrent violence filling the squares of their cities.  We could learn a lot about ourselves from the Timorese.  And, hopefully, they can learn from us, even if they don't need it. 

Preview of the first few days

My journey to and through Australia begins today. I board my first flight at 2:30pm today and then have two more flights to our final destination, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

Our team’s first few days include our flights, adjusting to the time change, followed by a two-day trip to Dili, Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is a small island nation a short flight away over the Timor Sea. I personally am not very familiar with this country and am looking forward to learning about their people, the country’s economy, history and anything else the hosts will share with us.

In particular I am interested to hear how a small island nation works to create and maintain a sustainable economy. A couple of our visits while in Dili will include conversations with a leader of a local clinic and a representative of a social enterprise.

The social enterprise, SOLS 24/7, is a solar energy company which designs, builds, and maintain solar energy systems. The company dedicates 80% of its net profits to educating underserved communities. We’ll be hearing from the Deputy Director of SOLS 24/7 in Timor-Leste. SOLS 24/7 works with 3,000 in 47 branches in the country.  (http://www.sols247.org/)

I’m curious to learn if the social enterprise trains underserved communities for jobs with the company. Does it install solar energy systems in communities lacking other energy infrastructure? What’s the scale of the operation – is it a multi-million dollar enterprise? A billion dollar enterprise? How are civic leaders engaged in determining where the company directs its purpose-driven activities?

Lastly, I do know Timor-Leste has had a long journey to independence. I’m looking forward to our visit to the Timorese Resistance Archive & Museum, and humbly hearing and learning about Timor-Leste struggle for independence and democracy. (http://amrtimor.org/amrt/index.php?lingua=en)

Australia, here I come!

In a little more than a week I board my first trans-Pacific flight to Australia. Wow! I wasn’t sure if this day would come for me. A few months ago I began a self-granted sabbatical. My position at a previous employer was eliminated and I needed to look for another job. More than that, I felt I needed to explore what would be a next phase in my career.

During this time to rest, recharging and renewal, I was convinced by a friend of mine to apply for the Rotary Club’s Group Study Exchange (GSE). My friend, Noemi Treviño, had participated in a GSE to India a few years back. She had been encouraging me to apply for several years – reminding me every time that GSE was a life-changing opportunity. But due to work and family commitments, I had chosen not to apply – until this year.

I’m grateful that I was selected for this year’s Group Study Exchange to northern and eastern Australia. After much thought and consultation with friends and colleagues, I’ve decided to pivot my career path and focus on helping nonprofits build internal capacity to advance their mission, including creating or growing earned revenue strategies that lead to greater sustainability, autonomy and social impact. This educational trip to Australia will give me an opportunity to talk with government officials, civic leaders, nongovernmental organizations leaders, and others about both economic opportunity strategies for low-income communities, and the role which cross-sector partnerships of the leaders mentioned above play in fostering greater economic inclusion and prosperity.

I will be beginning a new job when I return from our Australia trip (yes, his means the sabbatical will be over). This soon-to-be-announced next step in my career moves me forward in my vocation to support purpose-driven organizations. Now, it’s time to finish my preparation for this trip so I can gain and share the most possible with our new friends and colleagues in Australia.

--Mario Hernández