So, I went to Norway
I went on my first international flight all the way up north to the countryside of Norway! And it is all thanks to my love for zines.
A mutual friend of mine and Samir’s got me this opportunity. This is the power of someone saying your name in rooms you aren't in. Someone thinking of you when an opportunity comes up. Someone who is so trusting of your work and passion, enough to put your name forward for a life-changing opportunity. This to me is about the opening of a door simply because they believe I belong on the other side of it…
I think I underestimated how much of our lives are shaped by these small acts of advocacy. The introductions and recommendations. “I know someone who would be perfect for this.”
That's how I ended up in Norway as one of the first fellows of the ORIGOKA pilot programme.
This experience has been deeply transformational! It has offered me an understanding of what it means to be part a global community. One of the reminders is that creating space is not only something I want to do for other people. I need it too. Space to think. Space to question. Space to imagine what could exist before I know exactly how to build and execute.
And all of these contemplations gave me the confidence and self-belief that yes - I can be audacious in my dreaming and visioning for a better world! And yes - I can totally be resourced and inspired by humans from all parts of the world, with lives and experiences different to what I know. Travelling is such a blessing and I am truly blessed to have experienced a slice of Norway with a group of amazing humans.
HIGHLIGHT: MY ZINE WORKSHOP
I facilitated an interactive Zine Workshop for my fellows. Watch this reel I posted on IG to see their stunning creations. I loved this moment because I have now expanded my facilitation work to an international group, and introduced zines to some who will now incorporate it onto their projects and work… yay!
BUILDING AN eco-system
Throughout all of the sessions with the AMAZING facilitators, I started to see just how important being part of an ecosystem like Origoka is to being a well-resourced activist and practitioner. There were definitely moments where I was completely out of my comfort zone — debating, public speaking, putting myself and my ideas out there. And yet, those uncomfortable moments ended up opening something up for me. I started thinking about podcasting as a really powerful medium for my work right now.
Sometimes the things we resist are exactly the things we need to move towards.
This whole experience in its entirety was about getting out of my comfort zone, and saying YES to opportunities that could literally change my life!
Consider me RENEWED, NOURISHED and CHANGED…
