small world

(from marc in bangladesh)

a few days ago one of our volunteers ('allia' from australia) was walking through the market when she encountered another foreigner. being that this isnt common they struck up a conversation. after an exchange of pleasantries and contact information they bid each other farewell. i followed up with an introductory email referring him to our website and inviting him to join us at our base in rayenda any time he (or his colleagues) might be in our area. i am always eager to make people connections, always looking for a "fit" for HODR, always looking for "that meeting" (where we exit high-fiving over the future success of our affiliation).

i didnt hear from allias' contact. then, one day as i was working, my phone rang displaying an unrecognized number. it is risky to have a cell phone here. "friends" call. the typical dialog is as follows: "HELLO?, hello. THIS IS RAKIB, IS THIS MARC? this is marc.. HELLO. HOW ARE YOU?, i am fine, how are you?HELLO WHERE, HELLO, MARC? WHERE ARE YOU? i am working. WHERE ARE YOU? i am in rayenda. OK BYE. ok, bye rakib, OK BYE" in this case i answer, it is a western voice (easy conversation), the voice of clint (from america) and we have a great conversation. it seems we may have similar interests and establish a meeting time for the next day.

during our meeting we find more and more common ground. his "team" (banded together by profession but based all over) has been assessing in bagerhat division and especially sharonkohla upazila. they have small projects that they might be able to fund, but are concerned about implementation. they are wary of local contractors. their funding would go much farther if they didnt have all the labor costs and the difficulties over poor project management. the excitement is growing, there is eye contact that indicates a kinship. i ask about funding, connections, short term plans, long term plans... all of the usual talking points. there is a connection of kindered spirts who are striving to do the right thing, to help, to help those who need it most, without the need for credit or recognition, to do it because it needs to be done. it is eery and gooseflesh inducing.

in my mind i have a question, that with the right answer, will be the cement to hold a team effort together. if i was playing cards, i had an ace, or a one-eyed jack and it was time to play it.

"so, clint hanna, you mentioned working in cambodia, do you know piper campbell?" he replied "yes, she is a rising star and she is my boss!" my reply is obvious to those reading this....."piper campbell is your 'boss' and her father is my 'boss', he is the co-founder of our NGO."

small world, sometimes to the point of inducing tears.