With less than an hour until we leave our office for the airport, I wanted to take a moment to tell you all a bit about this amazing trip we are going to be taking. So many have asked us “What will you be doing in Ethiopia?” Well, the easiest way to give an answer is start by explaining what we do here. What IS YouthInkwell?
YouthInkwell is a nonprofit company in Pasadena whose mission is to help kids use their writing and art to change the world. Over the past three and a half years, we have published four books, the collective work of 49 artists, writers, photographers, and editors. Through book sales, we have been raising money to build water wells. But while all that has been going on, we have been doing something even more incredible (at least I think so). We’ve been challenging kids to be leaders, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. These young people, ranging in age from 10-18, formed a Youth Leadership Board that has been leading the charge to run our organization: handling fundraising, public outreach, book sales, finances. The idea behind YouthInkwell’s activities is a simple one: give kids the tools to take on the world. Now, all of the kids we work with are enthusiastic YouthInkwellians, but it’s fair to say that not all are jazzed about building water wells. I mean they “get” it, but digging for water doesn’t necessarily INSPIRE them. That’s okay. In many ways, the fundraising for wells has been a bit of an exercise for them — we give them a cause and show them how to support it — so that, when they discover whatever cause it is that shakes them to the core, they’ll know just how to dive in and tackle the issue head-on…without fear or helplessness.
Many of the kids have been inspired by the building of wells. And that’s a big part of why we’re taking this trip. One of the kids (I call him “kid” with a wry smile on my face as he is now twenty-years old, taller that I am, and frequently giving ME advice) has recently shared that he is considering the pursuit of water engineering. Henry illustrated the book I wrote when I first returned from Ethiopia four years ago, and it’s pretty neat that he is coming on this trip with us. I think for him and me in particular, the point of the trip is to see what we started together in that nearly empty office with nothing but a table and cucumber green chairs.
I know many people have wondered why we’re doing this. I am hopeful that the others who are traveling will speak independently to their motivations for coming on this trip. For myself, I can say the reason is the same as the one for starting YouthInkwell in the first place. I mean really. If I just wanted to build water wells, we could’ve built a lot more than we have with the resources we expended in creating this company. But the building of the wells is only one part of our story. We are investing in a journey of inspiration. And I believe anyone who has ever gone to a job he/she loathes or worse, greats with indifference will understand just how valuable inspiration and passion can be.
It is my hope that after this trip, there will be a solid group of dedicated citizens of the world who will endeavor to make the world a bit better. It truth, I think they have already begun to do. At least, they have certainly made my world better. This is going to be their story.
So why Ethiopia? Why not?
Wish us a safe flight. It’s going to be a long one.
More later.
