There’s something about being part of The G.R.O. Foundation that I have been consistently unable to express in these blog posts. There is truly a feeling behind it all. What that feeling is exactly I can’t quite say. It could be the tempered optimism for the world or the shared belief that we are all engaged for reasons beyond what we can see at this moment. Maybe it has to do with the continued strength of the program initiatives in Lesotho. Since I first arrived last April the months drifted by and our fledgling organization has taught itself to walk through sheer determination.

A contemplative post is usually reserved for the ends of each year but I do not want to spiral into a list of previous achievements or inflated future projections. The G.R.O. Foundation is an example of a collective of individuals that have joined together to engage with the world in a different way. That sounds romanticized but it is obvious that there is nothing romantic about poverty, hunger, or the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The way forward only reveals itself through hard work and active engagement. The long days and countless hours truly are paying off as those around us take notice. G.R.O. has been able to secure grant funding and, thanks to your engagement and the tireless efforts of our G.R.O. Canada Team, we are in the process of wrapping up our most successful Gifts of Hope holiday campaign to date.

Last night we gathered together here in Hlotse – Jean Margaritis, James White, Carolyn Beukeboom, and myself - for a monthly update with our core G.R.O. Canada team in Toronto. At the end of it all - after the spreadsheet line items, the numerous dropped connections, and the continuous “sorry, can you repeat that’s” – you could tell everyone was drained. But, as I leaned back in my chair I watched the others in the room and you could see it in their eyes. They all felt the spark, too.

Sallang Hantle.

Jason Clark

jclark@grofoundation.org

www.twitter.com/GROjasonclark

Posted under Notes from Lesotho