Music Needs No Passport

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine came to ask for our help putting on a "Star Academy" talent contest in an elementary school. Our association made a small contribution, its not always our favorite way to be of assistance, that of serving as just an economic provider, but indeed its what people here are normally interested in when you are an NGO here. We are trying to change that culture but for the meanwhile a foreigner means money and that stereotype is not easy to get rid of. It was really great to see lots of different associations, groups and schools come together to work on the project, its not something that you see around here a lot. Most of the time the resources are so scarce and everybody is competing to look better than the next one that nobody really wants to work together and its sad because in the end the children (the ones all of this is really for) are the ones who lose out.

Here is a video of the group that was created during the contest:

The director of the school was excited to see that I had shown up. She herself is convinced that the school experience shouldn’t just be rote learning but also a chance to have fun, discover ones abilities, and to develop one’s personality. She also expressed to me her perspective on the limitless power of music.

She said:"For example your association, they are Spanish, they are Christian (interesting fact - anyone from a “Western” country (no matter which one) is referred to in the arab dialect as a “Christian”, which is obviously preferable to the other term used for western foreigners, the pejorative "gouri", meaning non-believer) and they don’t speak Arabic. But I saw them this summer go into a room full of children and in 20 minutes they taught a song to a group of young Moroccans. Through that song they shared laughter, taught values, and without directly communicating with words they could overcome the borders that separate the two cultures. That is the beautiful thing about music, is that its international." I agree. It’s a feeling in the heart and a move of the feet, for a smile or a clap is enough to pass through the most hardened of hearts. Music needs no passport; it has no boundaries and triumphs over prejudice, racism, and hatred. And that is the beauty in music and in the work that we do.

Group of Volunteers Who Helped To Make It All Possibe

It was also a chance for the kids to show solidarity with Palestine and especially with the children with whom they share the same age but who can't find protection inside of a school building, much less walking to school, or even less sleeping in their homes at night.

For the kids it’s a reality, knowing that kids their age, kids that they can connect with, can't even go to school because of the fighting so it makes the experience of going to school even more special for them and they cherish the opportunity. Here is the entrance of the school…powerful.


Before the party got started there was a presentation five minutes long of the most awful and heart wrenching photos of deceased children that I have ever seen. The little girls were crying and honestly, it was unbearable to watch. I recorded the video and actually thought it would be moving to post here on the blog but I have decided not to. As hard as it was for me to see it, I couldn’t bring it upon someone else to watch it. And if you are still with me, allow me to explain.

I know that the last three weeks in Palestine have not been easy for anyone close to the Arab/Muslim world. Honestly, I don’t know how to feel, almost I prefer not to think about it except in my prayers. Its my own way of being in more of a positive energy field (if you can follow me) for I know that god is the all knowing, the all powerful, and the all forgiving...and for me to give the most I can in my life and work I have to channel my frustration in another direction, channel it into something positive instead of holding onto anger and rage. Its not just in Palestine, its all over the world, its in ourselves, so for me the fight is not there in Gaza its in the hearts of man, its in our distracted souls, and so there I prefer to do my battles.

Welcome to Larache

And this is where i live for all of those who have imagined what its like over here...

And while its beautiful and picturesque, life is a bit harder and colder than it appears on film

But the people are happy

and thats the secret of the "poorer" people of the world

and perhaps thats why I like it so much

peace

Doing Something About It

There have been a number of protests here in Larache in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians. They have been permitted and well received by the authorities. Which is unlike the Spring of 08 when an unofficial protest by students for Palestine was broken up violently by the police. It was here that I saw middle school students being slapped violently, hit with batons, and thrown into police vehicles. A hard sight to see and a constant reminder of which side the Moroccan government is on when it comes to the Palestinian question.

Now, this freedom is not necesarily anything new and in fact Islam itself calls for a responsible, conscious citizen who doesn't hesitate to denounce bad governance and the suffering of its people. Yet, there is so much pent up anger and aggresion in this part of the world due to an increasing poverty, less and less social mobility, and a continuously corrupt and irresponsible government that with the help of Europe and the US keeps a iron tight grip on its people and their freedom. This is all done in the name of world economics, the fight against terorism, or whatever the evil of the current moment might be. So, it was beautiful to see this outpouring of human emotion and spirit behind last night's march.

It is the first one that I have seen since I came back from America. I was impressed by the sheer quantity of people that had come out for the march. People here are generally disinterested in any civic activity and they would prefer to sit on the sideline and ridicule those that do stand up for something than actually join in and participate. But Palestine is different. And it showed last night...there must have been at least 1000 people there tonight, and it was a tremendous show of support by the Larachi people for the Palestinians. You may feel the intensity in the air and feel as though there is something violent or dangerous going on but the strong emotion simply manifests the pain and the suffering that the Moroccan's are dealing with, for they are so close to feel the pain of the Palestinians but too far away to do anything about it. And its frustrating for them. At least here they have a peaceful and positive way of showing their feelings. Here's the video.

The Conflict In Gaza Touches Morocco Too!

As one might expect, the town here is up in arms over the massacre in Gaza. People feel that they are being targeted specfically because they are Muslims and it seems as if there whole culture, their religion, and their way of life are all under attack from Israel and its powerful ally, the US of A. People are glued to their TV sets and their computers with a continual 24 hour bombardment of horrifying, graphic photographs of children maimed, schools destroyed, and wailing mothers. What is it in ourselves that enjoys watching violence? What is it that attracts us to disaster? Is it a way to make our lives seem a little bit less chaotic? Are we just bored and looking for something to amuse us? Students of non-violence know that if a massacre is averted and people saved it will not receive nearly as much attention as a grisly murder of a family of five, although it is just as important to tell both stories, I am convinced that there is something more attractive about Negative News than Positive News...and I'm not sure as to why that is. But I think it speaks deeply to the consciousness and state of mind of our society.

Here too there is something that attracts the viewing public to watch other people suffer and something awful that doesn't let you get up from your seat. Compounded by the feelings of impotence and powerlessness that the Moroccans feel, helpless to do anything to help the Palestinians. Their only recourse is anger and disgust for Israel, America, and their own governments. Yes, one's imagination and thinking positive can be powerful things, perhaps life changing but a lot of people here are trained to think in a negative mindest. And it has been programmed in by generations and generations of repression by the government, the elite, and the Western governments that created and supported them. Honestly, its rare that I find someone here in this small city that has a positive outlook on his situation in life or believes that he or she can make things better. In America we are constantly reminded of the power of change, of dreaming, of the possibility to make things better but here the reality is more cold and social mobility is practically impossible. So the message doesn't really get through. It has perhaps been one of the hardest tasks of my job here, to get the kids I work with to believe that they can change their lives, their neighborhoods, and their city for the better. Its hard to get someone to believe when the present seems all too dark for a bright future. Any ideas how you help someone to believe, help someone to dream, help someone to think positive?

Putting the culture back into "Culture Shock"

After a month of vacation I am back in Larache, Morocco.    At the first sight I was shocked by how different everything appeared after an entire month away from here.  People that have lived here or in other parts of the world can attest to the way life here can have a tremendous power over what one feels is "real" or "normal".  In Morocco, it might seem perfectly normal to be befriended by someone, and in ten minutes you are already being swept off your feet as you are taken to his house and served one of the most delicious meals you have ever tasted.  Whereas in another place it may not only seem strange but even dangerous!I feel as though before I left my eyes and my soul had become numb to the world around me.  Now, when I hear the muzzein call the faithful to prayer I turn off the music to enjoy a sound that is once again mysterious and inviting, the colors seem more brillant, the smells more alive, the smiles more real, and now more often, I look to the heavens with hope.  I think that I spent the last year running around without stopping for the entire year.  Without stopping to breathe a little bit, without enjoying the sun or the wind in the afternoon and doing this I lost my spirit, my positiveness, and myself.  I based all of my decisions and my work solely on my love for humanity and my own "good intentions" and it is only now that I realize that sometimes pure intentions are not enough in this world and that some will not hesitate to take advantage of someone who easily opens their heart to others.  This doesn't mean that I have to change who I am or that I have to adapt myself to the ways of this unjust world just that I want to say that I am beginning to understand how to protect myself and have success in my job without sacrificing who I am or the person that I strive to be.   Perhaps this year, I will take a bit of air, breathe now and again, and whenever necessary take a look up at the sky and dream.  

Finally, I have come to accept that I am not here to erase a thousand years of hate, distrust, and bad blood between these two peoples, between these two countries, between these two religions.  I just want to help Tareas Solidarias-Caravana Por La Paz provide their service of solidarity and love to the people of both countries.  I am not here to save this neighborhood, this city, or even this world.  And just saying it makes me feel as though the weight I have been carrying the past year has been lifted off my back.

 Peace and Love 

PeaceLoveTruth

Just another soul...doing its thing to reach what is destined for it in its lifetime.  And, it is peace love and truth that I want to live by and is my obligation to mother earth and the divine that constantly surrounds me.  I am James McCallum Grove, 26 years old, and I work for a spanish NGO Caravana Por La Paz that sponsors educational programs and intercultural programs between children and adults in Europe and Africa.  A Caravan Of Peace bringing the two continents closer together and doing our part to remove all the hate and distrust that has separated the two populations for just too too long.  It should be a beautiful journey so stick around...and keep smiling.

Peace