Tuesday, August 11, 2009

"Spilling the Beans"

"Spilling the Beans"

About a month ago on a sunny July day in Kenya a group of us invited over 200 people to work at International Villages-Hopewell. This was the plan, work 44 hours a week for a month, never be late and work honest, get paid-nothing. Than do the same thing, another 44 hours of honest work, never be late for another month and receive the equivalency of $20 USD. Than do the same thing, for a 3rd month and this time receive $40 USD. Than, maybe there would be more work and maybe there would be no work.Today we are days away from the first month being completed and 117 people show up everyday to work on time, work hard, and havnt gotten paid a thing. And now its our turn to follow our part of the bargain.Today I went to a meeting and "Spilled the Beans". While that usually means a secret, today it was 117 beans in a bag, each bean representing a person, with a family, that has kept their part of a bargain...and now those people with their families and livlihoods sit on the shoulders of us.

Today I am spilling them and asking you to help. We need 117 people to stand up and say, "I got one worker for 3 months, heres my $60!" And we need this in the check in the mail...by August 18th. Please can you help? Can you find a friend to help too? Check out my photo album for pictures of the people that are working...3 months of work for $60. Thats less than a night out...

Please make checks payable to:
Wrestling the World
15 Swift St
Edgerton, WI 53534

Or if you want to pay by credit/debit card call:Phill Klamm (262) 492-0303

Together I know we can do this in 7 days!
Proud to be your friend...thanks for helping me with the beans!

Oh PS, met with some friends tonight and they picked up the first 11 beans! Including one amazing family that took care of 8!!!













































Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Brochure

Cover-
Inside Cover- Letter from Exec Dir
P1- Table of Contents
P2- How it all started
P3- Why it continues
P4- What to expect
P5- From pictures to people a sample itinerary
P6- Volunteer options
P7- same
P8- Tourism options
P9- same
P10- Sponsorship options
P11- same
P12- accomodations
P13- Pricing and payment schedules
P14-
Inside Back Cover
Back Cover

Summer 2010 Dates

Projected Dates for Summer 2010

Trip 1 5/9 to 5/22
Trip 2 5/18 to 5/31
Trip 3 5/27 to 6/9
Trip 4 6/5 to 6/18
Trip 5 6/14 to 6/27
Trip 6 6/23 to 7/6
Trip 7 7/2 to 7/15
Trip 8 7/11 to 7/24
Trip 9 7/20 to 8/2
Trip 10 7/ 29 to 8/11
Trip 11 8/7 to 8/20

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Whats next...

As a to do list for myself and anyone else that wants to follow:

IV-Hopewell
Sponsorship for IV Workers...120 as of today...Chad "the man" Prater
Announce Summer 2010 Trips (Goal: sell 30 in August, 100 total)
Summer 2010 Brochure...Andy "The Graphic Design Miracle Maker" Goff
International Villages Publicity Plan...www.paigestringer.com
Local Speeches and Meetings...Brian Forss
IV logistics...James Yegon
Rosetta Stone...Phill
Laptops...Phill
Internet Access @IV-James Yegon
December Trip-Chris Dupre

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sweet home Kenya!

Here I sit in Nairobi (Wilson no details please)...its 5 am and I have been on the computer for at least an hour. The trip half way around the world has gone very smooth. 23 Midwesterners (actually 1 Kentuckian) decided to travel to Kenya to see the world, go on safari, and volunteer in a small place called Baruti just outside Nakuru.
We started early and were hosted by a great staff at Damons in Janesville WI USA than to Van Galder where we had 2 people who were not so happy that 23 people and all their luggage wanted to travel during their shift...Ohare went well other than, of course, I was the guy who got screamed at by security because my loving wife put a bottle of water in my bag for later :) and I forgot to put my hair gel in a clear plastic bag. Literally I was screamed at. But hey, I live with and deal with at-risk youth! "You Cant Hurt Me" LOL
Chicago was great grabbed a burrito $8! and than headed to London. London was a busymess or a zoo I would say...have one traveler who has a hard time getting around so that was one challenge, another person got sick (she is fine and no Im not saying who it is, just trust me, she is fine!), as I was walking with her she was yaking in a small ziploc and some lady almost walked into her, it was the most hilarious look Ive ever seen...than the lady told all her friends and they watched her puking as they went down the escalator...priceless! Than we had the lady who upgraded us to Club World. I have no idea what these tickets would have cost but they were priceless...she said my dad was inbetween Jodie and I and than kinda looked at us snickered and said, "He can move if he like or satay if he likes that too" and a wicked grin crossed her face. So than I almost started puking. Whats up with these Londoners...funny people I tell ya.
Than it was heaven on the flight for the 3 of us that got moved...literally free champagne and wine, lobster, beef filet, fancy deserts, chocolate bar, the whole deal. Jodie fell asleep waiting for her food as she was holding her mouth shut. Not quite sure why she was holding her mouth shut, but as dad and I were talking he pointed to her and sure enough there she was...LOL the beds were amazingly comfortable and here I sit wide awake because I slept too much on the plane. I tried some cottled cream? a scone? pea jelly? (its like cold pea soup jello) yep not sure who eats that but they served it to us.
British Airways gets huge props here...I 100% recommend them, they are amazing. The staff on the ground at Heathrow and especially the plane were nice. In fact very nice. Can you imagine nice plane staff? Oh did I tell you my dad broke his glasses already? Yep, as he was out cold in the fancy seat he forgot his glasses and they fell off his face...someone stepped on them...Im pretty sure we can get those fixed in Nakuru.
Its an amazing group of people these 23 people who are together...we havnt had bonding time yet other than a layover in London and a meal in Janesville...but the travel tomorrow, safari, and than the dinner and fire afterwards will do its trick. If you have a loved one on this trip, I would encourage you to post to this blog and tell everyone how great your loved one is. Pitera, Im not sure if you read this blog or not...but you better post.

You see when people get together and go outside their comfort zones to grow amazing things happen...not just to that person but also to the people around them.
Come grow with us, it will be a journey of funny and sad, heartfelt and overtired, but when all is said and done...this time more will be done than said!
OH! PS...if anyone is out there and can get us some insulin that would be great...we are pretty sure someone stole the one bag that is missing and unfortunately it was probably the most important bag. Dont worry though we are prepared...there is more meds in a different bag and we have connections to the hospital in Nakuru. All is good...rest well tonight our friends around the globe as you are dreaming of Lions and Elephants and Cheetahs, Rhinos, and Leopards we will be in God's great wonder called the Masai Mara...during one of the most amazing times in the year...THE GREAT MIGRATION. Wildebeests watch out, Zebras move over...here comes a bunch of people from the cheese state! Oh and one from Kentucky, does anyone know anything about Kentucky?

In London

We're safely in london!
Highlights:
  • one person puking in a ziplock
  • 2 people getting patted down by security
  • running out of boarding passes in o'hare
  • Phill having to throw away his hair gel in o'hare going through security
  • Sandy saying, "You're gonna lose your pants if you keep dancing around like that" to a poor man that couldn't speak English and was trying to communicate that he lost his shoes.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Running Away In Kenya

Today I can't help but focus on Running Away.

Ah, in a few short days I will be on a plane heading to the Great Mystery known as Africa, more specifically East African Kenya. It is going to be dry, very dry, moderate temperatures low 80s as the high and the nights will drop into the 50s. Dry, dust will be everywhere...

Once based in Nakuru, after the 1st Masai Mara safari, I will be running with my Kenyan friend James each morning. As a large individual, currently 295...just lost 36 pounds in preparation for the trip...I am guessing I am going to be working very hard to stay up with James a small fast Kenyan who loves to run! While this will be great exercise and a wonderful stress release...I am also looking forward to seeing places in Kenya that I would not be able to see from a large van.

What will I see on my runs with James? To be perfectly honest, I have no idea, I just know that I am looking forward to it immensely.

Dont forget to follow the trip on Twitter. If you are a Twitter user follow restlintheworld...dont forget to get the updates to your mobile phone! There wont be many each day, but you will want to know as soon as they are happening...

If you are new to Twitter, dont get scared!
Just send: follow restlintheworld
to: 40404