It’s hard to believe it’s been 39 days living in my tent on the roof.
Yesterday in an interview, King5 TV’s morning anchor Carolyn Douglas asked, “What’s the toughest part about living up here?” My response, “the wind.”
The last three days I have cursed the wind. I have been buffeted by rain driven into every cranny by what seems like the angry hands of Zeus hurling insults. The 50 ft tarp covering my tent flew off during the storm. Rain soaked everywhere before I finally captured a corner to secure the tarp.
So this is what the labor in Labor Day means.
By then it was 3:00am Monday with no full night’s sleep in sight for the third day in a row. The last straw came when I made a mad dash to the porta potty only to find my bathroom structure had collapsed with the flimsy “roof” barely attached. With what little dignity remained I sat in the rain thankful at least that it was too dark to be seen. At that moment the roof decided to collapse on my head.
I finally gave in. I took off my shoes, my wool socks and my knit hat. At 3:00 a.m. I danced around the rooftop in the rain. Go ahead and laugh. I did. Deep, breath-gasping, belly laughs. And it felt terrific. And I felt exhilarated.
I celebrated our capacity to handle whatever comes our way. And the choices we make to get through whatever happens with humour.
Sometimes you just have to accept what is. Like things one cannot control in other cultures.
I remember my naiveté, trying to tell my African colleagues in Mali, how the practice of paying bribes to police can only be stopped if one quits paying bribes. Silly me.
We were driving home from a field visit to the branch office of PIYELI savings and credit institution for which Kaaba is CEO. The light was just beginning to fade as we reached the capital city, Bamako. Of course my white face could still be seen in the car. As frequently happens, we were stopped by the police. The look on the officer’s face could only mean, “hand over money and no one will be delayed”.
Zachary and Kaaba exit the car, driving papers in hand. Lots of gesturing and shaking of heads. The bribe dance has begun. Ten minutes pass. Fifteen. Suddenly Kaaba and Zachary are moving quickly to the car, “Allons-y, Allons-y” and we’re driving off quickly.
“What happened? What happened?” I ask, my heart pounding with indignation.
“We paid him off and he let us go. Because it’s dark, we slipped him a 1,000 cfa note instead of 10,000 cfa and he doesn’t know it yet. We’re getting as far away as we can before he discovers it.”
At this point with my clearly superior, great white Western logic, I express that perhaps the practice of bribes would end if people would stop paying them. Kaaba and Zachary exchange patient looks and Kaaba says, “You explain it to her, Zachary.”
“If we don’t pay, he takes my papers. To to get them back, I must take a day off of work for which I am not paid, to go to court. I wait the whole day for my case to be brought before the judge. If I want it to be heard that day, I pay off the clerk. Then I pay off the police officer. Then I pay off the judge who then gives me back my papers. So what would you have me do? Follow your logic or mine?”
As we pulled into the office the rain began to fall in torrents. I took off my shoes and danced in the rain.
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Hi, I'm Carol. I'm living in a tent on the roof until 1 million people each donate $1 to the Fabric of Life Foundation and share how they are making a difference in their world.
September 11th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Hi Carol,
I haven’t come by to visit yet, but I will! We’re back from Kenya and getting ready to head back to Edmonds CC next week; the work with the Cura orphanage is inspiring… and I can’t wait to get together with you again to chat. In the meantime, I’ll keep checking in on you electronically. Thank you for your good work!
Hayden
September 15th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Hi there Carol,
I am very late to the party and just now found out what you are up to. What a wonderful and adventurous and I might add crazy idea you have going on. Just like you
How perfect!
I will get this posted on my blog here in the next few days and help where I can.
Enjoy that Northwest weather!
Cheers!
September 17th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I just saw the interview on Komo 4 and what a wonderful person you are! Keep your chin up and your feet dry. Good luck and may God calm the winds for you tonight and guide you always.
Carol Greco
STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN HONOR OF JUDIANN GRECO-HUGHES
September 17th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Hi Carol, I watched your interview on King 5 tonight and have to say that you are an amazing person. I love that you are willing to give up so much to help others. May God assist you in your journey of being able to collect $1 million to donate. God Bless you!!!
September 18th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Carol,,I saw your set up on T.V. and there are so many others that are living under tarps and less right here in our state and that situation with the homeless really bothers me.The truth of the woman that you taught to work with fabric is heartbreaking. I too once has to sell myself because I just didnt know what else to do. Someone like yourself came along and showed me how to get cleaned up and get a job. A real job…you are a wonderful woman to help out the woman and show them a craft that will give them the freedom and pride that they should of had in the first place. Thank you Carol
September 18th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Carol ~ First heard about you from Sarah Sweeney (I’m the VP at the WWCAHT she founded) and then today had the fortune to see your story on King 5. Your information is getting posted on my blog and I intend to swing by your shop and see how much of what we use/need I can start purchasing through you. We all have our place in God’s plan and what you are doing in yours is absolutely amazing. It will be an absolute pleasure if He grants me the opportunity to get to know you better. I will be getting in touch soon in the hope that I can learn more from & about you. Blessings!!!!
September 18th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Thank you for sharing about Kaaba and Zachary,not an easy life, yet they find ways to accept and move forward making a difference in their country. There the rain came leading to your dance. Here on the roof, things beyond your control happened, and you decided to dance! Others in the world have much to teach about resiliency. Still, they need our help so they can uplift themselves. I’m thrilled that King 5 has broadcast 4 minutes about the cause today. Hooray! They are a great partner to help spread the word.
My hope is that we can get other dancers like Ellen Degeneres to take notice! I’m with you, supporting you! Sharing with others too!
Blessings,
Diana