*The Smoke That Thunders* The ICA has tried to have a global conference in Africa for many years and now we have finally done it. People from 20 countries (10 from Africa) gathered in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to look at how we all are responding to the times we are living in. At these conferences one is always shocked by the people one meets and the projects one visits. Although the Falls, the smoke that thunders, is amazing. I was struck on the first day by a Maasai women fully dressed in her tribal garb. We broke into our working groups, and I found we were in the same group, Climate Change. Her name was Josephine Ndirias from Kenya. She turns out to be the Executive Director of the *Mukogodo Girls Empowerment program*. It turns out she is from Nanyuki, Kenya. I had been to Nanyuki to visit the ICA Canada project, ilnqwesi, and had lunch with one of the Maasai leaders, Saaya, who turned out to be Josehine’s cousin. “My goodness, what a small world.” It turns out that Josehine’s work is the continuation of the Maasai work started by by Asha Spencer and Miriam Patterson many years ago. Asha and Miriam were there in Nanyuki for a year. We spend the next couple of days chatting about people we knew- Josehine’ still talks with Miriam Patterson on a regular basis. And we went through all the people I use to know: the late Vice President Biwott who use to demand money and vehicles from ICA if we cared about our lives. I was totally startled by Josphine and our meeting. We could have spoken together for the whole Conference. Conferences do that for you- the people you meet! Over 100 people to meet in person. Wow, 4 from China and one from Hong Kong plus 15 from Nepal. But not only the people but the projects you visit! We visited *Ele Collection* (www.elecollection.co) whose purpose is to Remove all Plastics. They have women plastic bottle collectors all over the Town/Park collecting bottles. They pay them by the pound. The Ele-Collections says its goal is to clear Victoria Falls and the National Park of Plastics. Ele processes the plastic bottles into building and road material which they sell. This all came about from the owner and a friend walking in the National Park and being attacked by an elephant. The owner’s friend was killed. They finally killed the elephant. When they opened the elephant’s stomach, they found it was full of plastic bottles. No wonder the elephant was mad! Ele Collection is about saving the animals from the scourge of plastics. Ele is a business who gets a lot of support from local companies and is constantly expanding. We were all struck by the methodology and skills shown. They claim they are the only local plastic re-cycling system in the world. We had to come all the way to Victoria Falls to find them. On the way to Victoria Falls I read two books. Just finished Paul Kingsnorth book, *Against the Machine, on the Unmaking of Humanity*. He points out that we are facing “increasingly impossible lives in the high-tech globalized world that has resulted from the consumer economy”. We are slowly being capture by a world that is unreal and losing a sense of being human. This second book, *Inspiring Transformative Change*, is on image shift and its focus on enabling group processing is what will allow us to rediscover the real world of personal interaction and human consciousness. The *Change* book is written by Elise Packard and Jane Stallman. It will come out in early 2026. Great Conference- the people and projects were worth it. Conferencing is an amazing way to find the Human Element in Global Development! Go Africa, where we all find our roots! Dick Alton, lives with ICA’s Greenrise Community, helps manage ICA USA’s Global Fund and way too involved in the Methodist Church’s Net Zero by 2050. Getting ready for his 84th birthday. *Southern Africa is gifted with * On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com> wrote:
-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?
Wonderful to hear about your experiences and encounters with others, Dick. Current realities actually happening give us courage to carry on. Thank you. Blessings, Sharon saf1220@gmail.com c: 503.807.7385 On Sun, Nov 9, 2025, 8:39 AM Richard Alton via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*The Smoke That Thunders*
The ICA has tried to have a global conference in Africa for many years and now we have finally done it. People from 20 countries (10 from Africa) gathered in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to look at how we all are responding to the times we are living in. At these conferences one is always shocked by the people one meets and the projects one visits. Although the Falls, the smoke that thunders, is amazing.
I was struck on the first day by a Maasai women fully dressed in her tribal garb. We broke into our working groups, and I found we were in the same group, Climate Change. Her name was Josephine Ndirias from Kenya. She turns out to be the Executive Director of the *Mukogodo Girls Empowerment program*. It turns out she is from Nanyuki, Kenya. I had been to Nanyuki to visit the ICA Canada project, ilnqwesi, and had lunch with one of the Maasai leaders, Saaya, who turned out to be Josehine’s cousin. “My goodness, what a small world.” It turns out that Josehine’s work is the continuation of the Maasai work started by by Asha Spencer and Miriam Patterson many years ago. Asha and Miriam were there in Nanyuki for a year. We spend the next couple of days chatting about people we knew- Josehine’ still talks with Miriam Patterson on a regular basis. And we went through all the people I use to know: the late Vice President Biwott who use to demand money and vehicles from ICA if we cared about our lives. I was totally startled by Josphine and our meeting. We could have spoken together for the whole Conference. Conferences do that for you- the people you meet! Over 100 people to meet in person. Wow, 4 from China and one from Hong Kong plus 15 from Nepal.
But not only the people but the projects you visit! We visited *Ele Collection* (www.elecollection.co) whose purpose is to Remove all Plastics. They have women plastic bottle collectors all over the Town/Park collecting bottles. They pay them by the pound. The Ele-Collections says its goal is to clear Victoria Falls and the National Park of Plastics. Ele processes the plastic bottles into building and road material which they sell. This all came about from the owner and a friend walking in the National Park and being attacked by an elephant. The owner’s friend was killed. They finally killed the elephant. When they opened the elephant’s stomach, they found it was full of plastic bottles. No wonder the elephant was mad! Ele Collection is about saving the animals from the scourge of plastics. Ele is a business who gets a lot of support from local companies and is constantly expanding. We were all struck by the methodology and skills shown. They claim they are the only local plastic re-cycling system in the world. We had to come all the way to Victoria Falls to find them.
On the way to Victoria Falls I read two books. Just finished Paul Kingsnorth book, *Against the Machine, on the Unmaking of Humanity*. He points out that we are facing “increasingly impossible lives in the high-tech globalized world that has resulted from the consumer economy”. We are slowly being capture by a world that is unreal and losing a sense of being human. This second book, *Inspiring Transformative Change*, is on image shift and its focus on enabling group processing is what will allow us to rediscover the real world of personal interaction and human consciousness. The *Change* book is written by Elise Packard and Jane Stallman. It will come out in early 2026.
Great Conference- the people and projects were worth it. Conferencing is an amazing way to find the Human Element in Global Development! Go Africa, where we all find our roots!
Dick Alton, lives with ICA’s Greenrise Community, helps manage ICA USA’s Global Fund and way too involved in the Methodist Church’s Net Zero by 2050. Getting ready for his 84th birthday.
*Southern Africa is gifted with *
On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com> wrote:
-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor? _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Dear Colleagues, This is an update on dates and itinerary from the team coordinating a 50th year celebration of the Maliwada HDP. This celebration includes a visit to Maliwada and a collegial reflective time at the Parekh farm stay in Nasik. Day 1: Jan 31 evening: Gathering in Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar) – visit overview Day 2: Feb 1 9.30am: Celebration event at the temple in Maliwada, followed by a walkabout and lunch Afternoon: visit Daulatabad Fort on way back to Aurangabad Evening: reflections, meet Indian colleagues Day 3: Feb 2 Sightseeing options including in Aurangabad, Ellora or Ajanta or the school that the then EG attended Dinner in Aurangabad Those who want to visit both the Ellora and Ajanta Caves are encouraged to arrive at least a day earlier. COLLEGIAL GATHERING IN NASIK Day 4: Feb 3 9 am: Road trip to Nasik (180km 3-3.5 hrs) Afternoon and evening of reflective conversations in Nasik Day 5: Feb 4 departures Thus far we’re 12 ICA colleagues from outside India with several additional colleagues yet to commit, about 12-15 ICA colleagues from within India, and about 10 Maliwada residents. The exciting news is that amongst those attending there’ll be about 7-8 from the then emerging generation cohort who attended primary school in Aurangabad. Our major next step is to plan accommodation and transport logistics so anyone keen to join please email Hiraman Gavai on hsgavai@gmail.com <mailto:hsgavai@gmail.com> or Dharmalingam on dvinasithamby@yahoo.com <mailto:dvinasithamby@yahoo.com> or Kevin Balm on balmkevbin@gmail.com <mailto:balmkevbin@gmail.com>
Hello, This sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate the dedicated expenditure of care for India and Maliwada by ICA. We were fortunate enough to take a similar journey in 2019. We visited Aurangabad and Nasik as guests of the dear Parekh family. The Maliwada visit was so amazing. We, who were not involved in the Indian work, were greeted like heroes and received as colleagues on the journey. We were touched beyond words. The Ellora Caves are astonishing. The place is a marvel and certainly one of the wonders of the world. Nasik Farm is a place of deep hospitality and caring. The Parekh family continues to care for the local situations where there is need. They are loving to everyone and the farm is beautiful with flowers and orchards all around. Good luck to all taking this opportunity to see transformation. Grace and peace, Jack and Louise Ballard From: Dialogue <dialogue-bounces@lists.wedgeblade.net> On Behalf Of Kevin Balm via Dialogue Sent: Monday, November 17, 2025 1:20 AM To: 'Colleague Dialogue' <dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net>; 'Order Ecumenical Community' <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> Cc: balmkevin@gmail.com; 'Hiraman Gavai' <hsgavai@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Maliwada 50th year celebration update Dear Colleagues, This is an update on dates and itinerary from the team coordinating a 50th year celebration of the Maliwada HDP. This celebration includes a visit to Maliwada and a collegial reflective time at the Parekh farm stay in Nasik. Day 1: Jan 31 evening: Gathering in Aurangabad (Sambhajinagar) – visit overview Day 2: Feb 1 9.30am: Celebration event at the temple in Maliwada, followed by a walkabout and lunch Afternoon: visit Daulatabad Fort on way back to Aurangabad Evening: reflections, meet Indian colleagues Day 3: Feb 2 Sightseeing options including in Aurangabad, Ellora or Ajanta or the school that the then EG attended Dinner in Aurangabad Those who want to visit both the Ellora and Ajanta Caves are encouraged to arrive at least a day earlier. COLLEGIAL GATHERING IN NASIK Day 4: Feb 3 9 am: Road trip to Nasik (180km 3-3.5 hrs) Afternoon and evening of reflective conversations in Nasik Day 5: Feb 4 departures Thus far we’re 12 ICA colleagues from outside India with several additional colleagues yet to commit, about 12-15 ICA colleagues from within India, and about 10 Maliwada residents. The exciting news is that amongst those attending there’ll be about 7-8 from the then emerging generation cohort who attended primary school in Aurangabad. Our major next step is to plan accommodation and transport logistics so anyone keen to join please email Hiraman Gavai on hsgavai@gmail.com <mailto:hsgavai@gmail.com> or Dharmalingam on dvinasithamby@yahoo.com <mailto:dvinasithamby@yahoo.com> or Kevin Balm on balmkevbin@gmail.com <mailto:balmkevbin@gmail.com>
This trip was an important highlight of the year for me. The attached reflection was primarily written for my personal journal but then, with a few alterations, I thought it might be something that could be shared with others as a brief update about my current activities. However, if you find the text too distant from your interests, then you might just enjoy skipping to end to view some photos via a quick scan. Read as much or as little as you desire! Terry 
Hi Terry and Pam! What a journey it has been for you, then and now. Thank you for sharing your reflections. G&P, Jailu and Jesse On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM Terry Bergdall via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
This trip was an important highlight of the year for me. The attached reflection was primarily written for my personal journal but then, with a few alterations, I thought it might be something that could be shared with others as a brief update about my current activities. However, if you find the text too distant from your interests, then you might just enjoy skipping to end to view some photos via a quick scan. Read as much or as little as you desire!
Terry
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Thank you, Terry, for sharing these observations and the great programs! Congratulations to both you and Pam for the love and care you have extended in your service and relationships in Zambia. Blessings, Sharon On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM Jailu Navarrete via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
Hi Terry and Pam! What a journey it has been for you, then and now. Thank you for sharing your reflections. G&P, Jailu and Jesse
On Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 8:19 AM Terry Bergdall via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
This trip was an important highlight of the year for me. The attached reflection was primarily written for my personal journal but then, with a few alterations, I thought it might be something that could be shared with others as a brief update about my current activities. However, if you find the text too distant from your interests, then you might just enjoy skipping to end to view some photos via a quick scan. Read as much or as little as you desire!
Terry
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
-- saf1220@gmail.com c: 503.807.7385
Thank you, Terry, for a very interesting report/update.Ann On Monday, November 17, 2025 at 11:19:19 AM MST, Terry Bergdall via OE <oe@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: This trip was an important highlight of the year for me. The attached reflection was primarily written for my personal journal but then, with a few alterations, I thought it might be something that could be shared with others as a brief update about my current activities. However, if you find the text too distant from your interests, then you might just enjoy skipping to end to view some photos via a quick scan. Read as much or as little as you desire! Terry _______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net
THANK YOU DICK! I'm feeling blessed already by this conference I did not attend. Peace, Sunny *Sunny Walker * *She/her/hers* *On **Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) tribal land* Certified Facilitator (Also Certified ToP Facilitator) ToP Methods Mentor Trainer - Upcoming Courses <https://www.top-training.net/w/> Virtual Facilitation Collaborative Senior Facilitator sunny.sunwalker@gmail.com 303-587-3017 For diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging inquiries: sunny@diversityinnovators.com www.diversityinnovators.com For virtual facilitation inquiries: sunny@virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com www.virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 9:39 AM Richard Alton via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*The Smoke That Thunders*
The ICA has tried to have a global conference in Africa for many years and now we have finally done it. People from 20 countries (10 from Africa) gathered in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to look at how we all are responding to the times we are living in. At these conferences one is always shocked by the people one meets and the projects one visits. Although the Falls, the smoke that thunders, is amazing.
I was struck on the first day by a Maasai women fully dressed in her tribal garb. We broke into our working groups, and I found we were in the same group, Climate Change. Her name was Josephine Ndirias from Kenya. She turns out to be the Executive Director of the *Mukogodo Girls Empowerment program*. It turns out she is from Nanyuki, Kenya. I had been to Nanyuki to visit the ICA Canada project, ilnqwesi, and had lunch with one of the Maasai leaders, Saaya, who turned out to be Josehine’s cousin. “My goodness, what a small world.” It turns out that Josehine’s work is the continuation of the Maasai work started by by Asha Spencer and Miriam Patterson many years ago. Asha and Miriam were there in Nanyuki for a year. We spend the next couple of days chatting about people we knew- Josehine’ still talks with Miriam Patterson on a regular basis. And we went through all the people I use to know: the late Vice President Biwott who use to demand money and vehicles from ICA if we cared about our lives. I was totally startled by Josphine and our meeting. We could have spoken together for the whole Conference. Conferences do that for you- the people you meet! Over 100 people to meet in person. Wow, 4 from China and one from Hong Kong plus 15 from Nepal.
But not only the people but the projects you visit! We visited *Ele Collection* (www.elecollection.co) whose purpose is to Remove all Plastics. They have women plastic bottle collectors all over the Town/Park collecting bottles. They pay them by the pound. The Ele-Collections says its goal is to clear Victoria Falls and the National Park of Plastics. Ele processes the plastic bottles into building and road material which they sell. This all came about from the owner and a friend walking in the National Park and being attacked by an elephant. The owner’s friend was killed. They finally killed the elephant. When they opened the elephant’s stomach, they found it was full of plastic bottles. No wonder the elephant was mad! Ele Collection is about saving the animals from the scourge of plastics. Ele is a business who gets a lot of support from local companies and is constantly expanding. We were all struck by the methodology and skills shown. They claim they are the only local plastic re-cycling system in the world. We had to come all the way to Victoria Falls to find them.
On the way to Victoria Falls I read two books. Just finished Paul Kingsnorth book, *Against the Machine, on the Unmaking of Humanity*. He points out that we are facing “increasingly impossible lives in the high-tech globalized world that has resulted from the consumer economy”. We are slowly being capture by a world that is unreal and losing a sense of being human. This second book, *Inspiring Transformative Change*, is on image shift and its focus on enabling group processing is what will allow us to rediscover the real world of personal interaction and human consciousness. The *Change* book is written by Elise Packard and Jane Stallman. It will come out in early 2026.
Great Conference- the people and projects were worth it. Conferencing is an amazing way to find the Human Element in Global Development! Go Africa, where we all find our roots!
Dick Alton, lives with ICA’s Greenrise Community, helps manage ICA USA’s Global Fund and way too involved in the Methodist Church’s Net Zero by 2050. Getting ready for his 84th birthday.
*Southern Africa is gifted with *
On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com> wrote:
-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor? _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Yes, I would love to hear even more--Diann On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 5:41 PM Sunny Walker via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
THANK YOU DICK! I'm feeling blessed already by this conference I did not attend.
Peace, Sunny
*Sunny Walker * *She/her/hers* *On **Arapaho, Cheyenne, Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) tribal land*
Certified Facilitator (Also Certified ToP Facilitator) ToP Methods Mentor Trainer - Upcoming Courses <https://www.top-training.net/w/> Virtual Facilitation Collaborative Senior Facilitator sunny.sunwalker@gmail.com 303-587-3017
For diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging inquiries: sunny@diversityinnovators.com www.diversityinnovators.com
For virtual facilitation inquiries: sunny@virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com www.virtualfacilitationcollaborative.com
On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 9:39 AM Richard Alton via Dialogue < dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
*The Smoke That Thunders*
The ICA has tried to have a global conference in Africa for many years and now we have finally done it. People from 20 countries (10 from Africa) gathered in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to look at how we all are responding to the times we are living in. At these conferences one is always shocked by the people one meets and the projects one visits. Although the Falls, the smoke that thunders, is amazing.
I was struck on the first day by a Maasai women fully dressed in her tribal garb. We broke into our working groups, and I found we were in the same group, Climate Change. Her name was Josephine Ndirias from Kenya. She turns out to be the Executive Director of the *Mukogodo Girls Empowerment program*. It turns out she is from Nanyuki, Kenya. I had been to Nanyuki to visit the ICA Canada project, ilnqwesi, and had lunch with one of the Maasai leaders, Saaya, who turned out to be Josehine’s cousin. “My goodness, what a small world.” It turns out that Josehine’s work is the continuation of the Maasai work started by by Asha Spencer and Miriam Patterson many years ago. Asha and Miriam were there in Nanyuki for a year. We spend the next couple of days chatting about people we knew- Josehine’ still talks with Miriam Patterson on a regular basis. And we went through all the people I use to know: the late Vice President Biwott who use to demand money and vehicles from ICA if we cared about our lives. I was totally startled by Josphine and our meeting. We could have spoken together for the whole Conference. Conferences do that for you- the people you meet! Over 100 people to meet in person. Wow, 4 from China and one from Hong Kong plus 15 from Nepal.
But not only the people but the projects you visit! We visited *Ele Collection* (www.elecollection.co) whose purpose is to Remove all Plastics. They have women plastic bottle collectors all over the Town/Park collecting bottles. They pay them by the pound. The Ele-Collections says its goal is to clear Victoria Falls and the National Park of Plastics. Ele processes the plastic bottles into building and road material which they sell. This all came about from the owner and a friend walking in the National Park and being attacked by an elephant. The owner’s friend was killed. They finally killed the elephant. When they opened the elephant’s stomach, they found it was full of plastic bottles. No wonder the elephant was mad! Ele Collection is about saving the animals from the scourge of plastics. Ele is a business who gets a lot of support from local companies and is constantly expanding. We were all struck by the methodology and skills shown. They claim they are the only local plastic re-cycling system in the world. We had to come all the way to Victoria Falls to find them.
On the way to Victoria Falls I read two books. Just finished Paul Kingsnorth book, *Against the Machine, on the Unmaking of Humanity*. He points out that we are facing “increasingly impossible lives in the high-tech globalized world that has resulted from the consumer economy”. We are slowly being capture by a world that is unreal and losing a sense of being human. This second book, *Inspiring Transformative Change*, is on image shift and its focus on enabling group processing is what will allow us to rediscover the real world of personal interaction and human consciousness. The *Change* book is written by Elise Packard and Jane Stallman. It will come out in early 2026.
Great Conference- the people and projects were worth it. Conferencing is an amazing way to find the Human Element in Global Development! Go Africa, where we all find our roots!
Dick Alton, lives with ICA’s Greenrise Community, helps manage ICA USA’s Global Fund and way too involved in the Methodist Church’s Net Zero by 2050. Getting ready for his 84th birthday.
*Southern Africa is gifted with *
On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com> wrote:
-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor? _______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
_______________________________________________ Dialogue mailing list Dialogue@lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/dialogue-wedgeblade.net
Dick, This was a lovely reflection on the Global Conference held in Africa. Somehow, the personal reflections tell me more than the written reports! So glad you are well and continuing your support for Africa and its many elements. Ruth
On Nov 9, 2025, at 8:38 AM, Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com> wrote:
The Smoke That Thunders
The ICA has tried to have a global conference in Africa for many years and now we have finally done it. People from 20 countries (10 from Africa) gathered in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to look at how we all are responding to the times we are living in. At these conferences one is always shocked by the people one meets and the projects one visits. Although the Falls, the smoke that thunders, is amazing.
I was struck on the first day by a Maasai women fully dressed in her tribal garb. We broke into our working groups, and I found we were in the same group, Climate Change. Her name was Josephine Ndirias from Kenya. She turns out to be the Executive Director of the Mukogodo Girls Empowerment program. It turns out she is from Nanyuki, Kenya. I had been to Nanyuki to visit the ICA Canada project, ilnqwesi, and had lunch with one of the Maasai leaders, Saaya, who turned out to be Josehine’s cousin. “My goodness, what a small world.” It turns out that Josehine’s work is the continuation of the Maasai work started by by Asha Spencer and Miriam Patterson many years ago. Asha and Miriam were there in Nanyuki for a year. We spend the next couple of days chatting about people we knew- Josehine’ still talks with Miriam Patterson on a regular basis. And we went through all the people I use to know: the late Vice President Biwott who use to demand money and vehicles from ICA if we cared about our lives. I was totally startled by Josphine and our meeting. We could have spoken together for the whole Conference. Conferences do that for you- the people you meet! Over 100 people to meet in person. Wow, 4 from China and one from Hong Kong plus 15 from Nepal.
But not only the people but the projects you visit! We visited Ele Collection (www.elecollection.co <http://www.elecollection.co/>) whose purpose is to Remove all Plastics. They have women plastic bottle collectors all over the Town/Park collecting bottles. They pay them by the pound. The Ele-Collections says its goal is to clear Victoria Falls and the National Park of Plastics. Ele processes the plastic bottles into building and road material which they sell. This all came about from the owner and a friend walking in the National Park and being attacked by an elephant. The owner’s friend was killed. They finally killed the elephant. When they opened the elephant’s stomach, they found it was full of plastic bottles. No wonder the elephant was mad! Ele Collection is about saving the animals from the scourge of plastics. Ele is a business who gets a lot of support from local companies and is constantly expanding. We were all struck by the methodology and skills shown. They claim they are the only local plastic re-cycling system in the world. We had to come all the way to Victoria Falls to find them.
On the way to Victoria Falls I read two books. Just finished Paul Kingsnorth book, Against the Machine, on the Unmaking of Humanity. He points out that we are facing “increasingly impossible lives in the high-tech globalized world that has resulted from the consumer economy”. We are slowly being capture by a world that is unreal and losing a sense of being human. This second book, Inspiring Transformative Change, is on image shift and its focus on enabling group processing is what will allow us to rediscover the real world of personal interaction and human consciousness. The Change book is written by Elise Packard and Jane Stallman. It will come out in early 2026.
Great Conference- the people and projects were worth it. Conferencing is an amazing way to find the Human Element in Global Development! Go Africa, where we all find our roots!
Dick Alton, lives with ICA’s Greenrise Community, helps manage ICA USA’s Global Fund and way too involved in the Methodist Church’s Net Zero by 2050. Getting ready for his 84th birthday.
Southern Africa is gifted with
On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 10:29 AM Richard Alton <richard.alton@gmail.com <mailto:richard.alton@gmail.com>> wrote:
<IMG_0141.jpeg>
-- Richard H. T. Alton ICA Global Fund United Methodist Creation Care The Last Chapter T: 773.344.7172 richard.alton@gmail.com <mailto:richard.alton@gmail.com> Make Plain the Vision, Habakkuh 2:2 Won't you be my neighbor?
participants (10)
-
Ann Ensinger Ensinger -
ballardica＠gmail.com -
balmkevin＠gmail.com -
Diann McCabe -
Jailu Navarrete -
Richard Alton -
Ruth Gilbert -
Sharon Fisher -
Sunny Walker -
Terry Bergdall