Episode 9 Anna Msowoya Keys, Humanitarian Entrepreneur
Release Date: 02/19/2018
Episode 365 Honoring Joanna Macy
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor Joanna Macy, PH.D, author, teacher, a scholar of Buddhism, systems thinking and deep ecology. Joanna died last week at the age of 96, and I trust that her respected voice in movements for peace, justice and ecology will live on in my heart and in the world. Whether you know her rich contribution to our consciousness or she is new to you, I invite you to learn about Joanna Macy. See how she might touch your heart and inspire you to awaken, stretch, and live more fully. Check out the show notes for links to her website, interviews and books. Enjoy...
info_outline
Episode 364 May Kindness Prevail
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, the word that stands out from my 3 weeks away is KINDNESS. There were so many random acts of kindness that I experienced while traveling in Vietnam and Bali, from people I know and cherish, as well as from strangers. So today I pause, reflect and absorb how powerful it is to receive and give kindness. Our small acts of kindness are often returned with humility, gratitude and graciousness. Kindness generates more kindness. May you offer kindness to anyone you come in contact with. May you receive the gift of kindness, even from unexpected places. May the kindness we...
info_outline
Episode 363 For Presence
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, as I travel from Vietnam to Bali, I offer John O’Donohue’s blessing “For Presence”. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, may you take a moment to pause and tune into being present. Be present to your surroundings, to your body, to your thoughts, to your feelings. What a gift to pay attention, to open up to appreciation, gratitude and compassion. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention. May you be present to the mystery of being alive. Enjoy the podcast!
info_outline
Episode 362 For The Senses
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I share another John O’Donohue blessing, called “For The Senses”. My senses have been sweetly awakened and nourished on my travels. Wherever you might be this summer, I hope you are noticing the gift of your senses. May your senses breathe in all the wonder and beauty around you. May your senses illuminate sensations that stimulate and nourish you. May you be uplifted and inspired by nature, people, food, travels, experiences and all that enlightens you. Enjoy the podcast!
info_outline
Episode 361 For The Traveler
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode I offer a blessing for those who may be traveling this summer. I feel blessed and deeply grateful to be spending 3 weeks in Asia this summer. I’ll first be in Vietnam for 10 days and then traveling to Bali to visit my son, Wil, who moved to Indonesia in December of 2023. I recorded some short offerings before I left, so my listeners can still receive their weekly episodes. Wherever you might be this summer, I hope you are able to listen and continue to be uplifted and inspired by nature, people, travels, experiences and all that enlightens you. May...
info_outline
Episode 358 Nandini Austin
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
My guest today is Nandini Austin. Nandini, a British Indo-Mauritian, now living in the Hudson Valley, is a performer, workshop facilitator and certified Holistic Ayurveda Coach. Nandini masterfully blends ancient wisdom with her modern spirit of wellness in a workshop called “Temple Goddess: Global Dance and Ayurveda Retreat”. Temple Goddess will be at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY starting Friday evening July 4th through Sunday afternoon July 6th. From Chaka Kahn’s “I’m Every Woman” to Fleetwood Mac’s “A Woman of a Thousand Years”, two songs that reflect...
info_outline
Episode 357 Hold Our Ground
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe the uplifting event I attended in my community to honor and celebrate Tom Chapin’s 80th Birthday. Tom, his family, his music, the special guests, the stories and the social justice woven throughout the evening, were magnificent. I didn’t realize how much I needed to experience something so joyful and inspiring. As Tom’s step-daughter, Jessica Craven so beautifully articulated: “I was reminded once again…of the profound power of the arts, community and family to heal and uplift. It’s never been more important to make sure we’re immersing...
info_outline
Episode 356 Birthday Blessings
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I honor someone special in my life, Jenn M, whose birthday is Tuesday May 20th. I describe some of the qualities I admire in Jenn and give a shout out to her 8th grader, E, who typically listens to my podcast on the drive to school. Thanks E, for being my youngest listener. As I celebrate Jenn and the dreams that are stirring in her heart, I share John O’Donohue’s blessing “For Longing”. May it resonate for the birthday gal as well as all of my listeners. May we each honor the longings in our heart and trust that our longings are aligned with our soul....
info_outline
Episode 355 Beltane
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I describe and honor Beltane, the Celtic festival of spring. Beltane is rich with magic as we celebrate the fertility of the land, the potential for new life and the abundance of nature. With the following weeks of May, into June, I encourage you to find your own way to honor Beltane. We are invited to be intentional about what we are planting inside of us for future growth. Delight in the late afternoon sun rays, the stunning cloudbursts and rainbows of this season. It’s no coincidence that we celebrate mother’s day around the same time we thank our Mother Earth...
info_outline
Episode 354 Childer of Wonder
Enlighten: Uplift & Inspire
On this week’s episode, I talk about my love for the word wonder. Wonder slows me down, drops me into curiosity, and then opens the rich doors to gratitude. Even as a senior citizen, I consider myself a child of wonder. Let the magnificent gifts of Spring re-ignite your sense of wonder. Check out the show notes for links to hear the poignant words of Dot, a 96 year old woman who strives to live in awe and to the timeless wisdom of Rachel Carson’s The Sense Of Wonder. May we embrace what it means to be a child of wonder. Enjoy the podcast! Links: IG:
info_outlineFor February's Black History Month we are featuring 4 amazing African-American women. This week's guest is Anna Msowoya Keys, a humanitarian entrepreneur and community organizer. She began her career as an advocate for women and children in African conflict areas, first through Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and then with International Refugee Committee (IRC), that took her to Burundi, Rwanda, Mozambique and Malawi. She witnessed the heart-wrenching turmoil and crisis during the genocide in Rwanda.
She eventually dated her best friend and colleague at IRC, John Keys, who later became her beloved husband. After Anna and John married, Anna left her African homeland and moved to the United States - something she had not imagined she would ever do. Anna opened the unique shop Chibekeni, in her new community of Nyack, NY, which showcased beautiful handmade works from African artisans. The shop helped Anna bridge her African roots with her new American home. Chibekini allowed Anna to raise funds for her home country Malawi, as the AIDS epidemic wiped out a whole generation of young parents, leaving thousands of children orphaned. Four of Anna’s sisters died of AIDS, compelling Anna and John to take financial responsibility for the education of 10 of her nieces and nephews.
Anna shares the story of attending her fourth sister’s funeral, where many children she didn’t know arrived. She discovered that these children were orphans and showed up because they were starving and they knew there would be food at a funeral. That inspired the beginning of Maloto, a non-profit, community based organization that started out feeding a meal to 20 children once a week, and now feeds 350 children a warm, nutritious meal 3 times a week. Maloto has expanded to include after-school programs, an early childhood class, a primary school and an international secondary academy. Having just celebrated its 10 year anniversary, Maloto’s mission is to feed, educate and empower the children and women of Malawi.
Anna expresses her deep gratitude for the support of her Nyack community, as well as people like the NBC broadcaster Tom Brokaw and his wife Meredith Brokaw, who have served on her board of directors and devoted time, resources and love to support Anna’s vision.
Links:
Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
NBC Today Show Feature: Maloto's Kwithu Kitchen in Malawi
NYTimes Magazine “Portraits of Reconciliation: Rwanda 20 Years Later”