Post-Election Reflections

Hopeful America Votes For Change:

As many of you know, over the last five months, I’ve worked as an organizing fellow and field organizer for the Barack Obama Campaign For Change in Dona Ana County in Southern New Mexico. Throughout this wonderful and intense experience, I have forged many new, close relationships and learned a great deal about myself as an activist and leader. With Tuesday’s triumph, I, along with millions of other Americans, feel an unprecedented sense of joy and hopefulness. Along these lines, the main conclusion that I draw from this campaign and its result is as simple as it is profound: anything is possible. To be sure, working on the campaign has been one of the most meaningful, formative experiences of my life, and I’d like to share with you some of the experiences I had along the way.

In 2004, Dona Ana County went for Democratic Presidential Nominee John Kerry by 2%; in 2008, Dona Ana went for Senator Obama by a resounding 16 point margin. Not only that, but, largely due to the efforts of the Obama field team in the county, as well as effective coordination with other candidates, every single Democrat who contested a race in this year’s election, won, including Congressional candidate Harry Teague, whose victory over Republican challenger Ed Tinsley represents the first victory by a Democrat over a Republican in this race in nearly 30 years. Moreover, due to our aggressive voter registration efforts, the Obama ground team in Dona Ana registered over 1,000 voters in the final two days of the registration period in early October, and was part of a broader effort across the state by the Obama Campaign to register 30,000 voters in a 30 day period, which we exceeded by 5,000. All told, when the networks called New Mexico for Obama on Tuesday night, we had produced an effort that resulted in an entirely blue Congressional delegation, as well as the widest victory margin of any swing-state across the land. Our ground game in Dona Ana County played a vital role in this success.

I also had the privilege of establishing the first presidential campaign field office in the history of Hatch, New Mexico, a small agricultural town at the northern tip of Dona Ana County, famed for its reputation as the green chile capital of the world. Hatch and the surrounding communities of Garfield, Salem, Rhodey, and Derrey, which, when taken together, encompass a larger area known as the Hatch Valley, has a total population of just under 2,000 people. I remember feeling excited when my regional field director, Allison, sent me an e-mail requesting information about the Hatch office for Campaign Manager David Plouffe, who was interested in our efforts because, apparently, Hatch is the smallest municipality in the country to host an Obama field office. Setting up shop in Hatch, I believe, powerfully illustrates the Campaign For Change’s sincere commitment to reaching out to communities not traditionally involved in presidential politics. This, to be sure, played an important role in helping us succeed in New Mexico, as well as other states.

Farm and migrant workers make up the majority of this population, with many undocumented laborers traveling to the valley during chile season to get jobs that others will not take. During my time as an organizer in Hatch, I had the opportunity to speak with several small-scale farmers, who, in the wake of a severe lack of meaningful immigration reform, had had a dickens of a time finding legal labor to tend their crops. At a time when millions of Americans feel a disconnect between their everyday lives and policies enacted by the government, it was powerful for me to see how public policy done right, and wrong, played a meaningful role in Hatch farmers’ lives.

Looking at things from a more day-to-day vantage point, my responsibilities as a field organizer included employing the Obama Campaign’s neighborhood organizing model to build localized teams to optimize voter turnout for Senator Obama in more than 20 Dona Ana County precincts. My ‘turf’ included parts of Northern and Eastern Las Cruces, as well as areas between Las Cruces and the Hatch Valley, which, as mentioned earlier, was also part of my territory. The neighborhood organizing model is based on a method of organization made famous by César Chávez and the United Farm Workers Movement more than forty years ago. The idea is that people working within their neighborhood can communicate a message more powerfully than, say, a television commercial, slam attack advertisement in a newspaper, or critical newspaper article. Some of the tactics my teams and I employed to reach as many voters as possible was holding regular canvasses (or door-knocking), conducting weekly phone banks, as well as doing tabling and holding regular house meetings for undecided voters. Before October 7th, a great deal of my work centered on registering new people to vote. After much work, I can happily conclude that, the neighborhood model, which gives people very specific roles in, and ownership of, a portion of the campaign, represents the most effective method of campaigning that I’ve seen. I feel convinced, no doubt, that this type of model will be utilized by President Obama to mobilize support around many of his initiatives and ideas.

Over the last five months, I’ve had the opportunity to make history, but our work is far from complete. I left my students in Church Rock, New Mexico, to be part of a movement that would change the way people look at, and are affected by, politics and public policy in our country. Now, I will return to Washington, with hopes of being on the front-lines of shaping policy that will create the type of systemic change needed to bring new hope and opportunity to communities like Church Rock and other, similarly situated areas across the country. Immediately, I plan to go to work for the good offices of U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, a noble lawmakers and true champion for the State of New Mexico. In future, I’d love to work directly for the new administration, particularly within the area of foreign policy. Drawing back to my main conclusion coming out of this election, I know that anything—anything—is possible.

Though our efforts were not perfect and our work far from easy, I feel as though my team in Dona Ana County was part of something upon which future generations will look back and say, ‘that was the moment when the youth of the United States took back its future. It was a time when people of all walks of life stood up and said, ‘we deserve something more, our country is better than this, and now is the time for us to create the change we need’’. What one saw last Tuesday as the television cameras roamed over tearful faces in the audience in Grant Park as President-elect Obama took the stage was an outpouring of emotion from a country that finally decided to take control of its own destiny. Yes, we can- and, yes, we did!

My Fellowship with the Obama Campaign

I am now two days into my fellowship with the Barack Obama Campaign. Specifically, the initiative in which I'm involved is called the 'Obama Organizing Fellows' program. The program is comprised of roughly 3,600 activists from across the country who will spend the next six weeks of their lives working in 22 states, from New Mexico to Virginia. The program's objectives multi-faceted and inclue coordinating voter registration drives; recruit, coordinate, and retain volunteers for the Obama Campaign; do voter outreach; and organize Obama events and rallies, to name just a few.

In New Mexico, there are 41 fellows. After completing our three-day initial training in Albuquerque, we'll be deployed with our small groups (roughly 8-10 people) to you region. I will, happily, be stationed throughout the program, in my hometown of Las Cruces. This, I feel, is optimal for several reasons. First and foremost, I have a good knowledge of the political dynamic within Las Cruces that will allow me to help my fellow small group members come to understand and mobilize in Las Cruces. Also, I will be a benefit to the Obama Campaign because I have established relationships with leaders within Las Cruces and can begin to utilize them immediately to support the Obama Campaign. Being in Las Cruces is the best place for me to help the campaign as an Organizing Fellow, I believe.

Secondly, I am excited to be stationed in Las Cruces because it offers a chance to see and spend quality time with so many wonderful friends! I am staying with Tim and Thea Hand, who are, basically, second parents and true family to me. I envision hours of fierce competition over the ping-pong and scrabble board, as well as with Theo's son, Ryan, on the tennis court. There are so many other good friends and acquaintances with whom I'll have the pleasure of enjoying the NM summer in the coming weeks that it makes me giddy.

Supporting a movement to change the world by working for the Obama Campaign and spending time with some of the people about whom I care most in the world- I cannot imagine a better summer.

I will keep you posted on my experience with the Obama Organizing Fellows program, as they transpire. For now, I'll close with this- go, Tiger!

Cheerio,

--Daniel

On the Cusp of Completion...with so Much Left to Go

What a Difference a Year Makes!

A Year in the Life of a Young Teacher:

Reflections after a Long and Ongoing Journey





School Year Concluding:
In roughly 14 hours, the final day of Church Rock Academy Elementary School's academic year will begin. Approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes after that (we do half-day Fridays), it will end, and take with it the most formative nine month experience I've yet encountered.

My first year as a teacher has been filled with ups and downs, no faces, emotions, and triumphs, but, at the end of the day, one thing has remained consistent, that is, my core belief, as well as that of Teach For America, that every single child has an inherent and tremendous ability to achieve outstanding things academically. As I spoke at today'd 5th grade graduation ceremony and peered behind me at the 35 students who will, next year, move on to a new and bigger school, I couldn't help but wonder if my teachings, antics, and constant overtures encouraging them to live with passion, patience, and commitment would endure as they headed off on their final bus ride from CRA. I believe they did.

It will not be easy to say goodbye to the current crop of fifth-graders, though I find extreme comfort in the fact that, next year, I will welcome into my classroom roughly 20 of the 4th graders with whom I forged close ties this year. You see, our school, wonderfully, has received a funding allocation that will allow us to bring in one more 4th grade instructor, which prompted my principal, Principal Schuster, to make the decision to go from a rotating schedule, to self-contained classrooms. In plain English, this means that, unlike this year, fourth and fifth graders will only have one teacher for their core subjects next year, as opposed to the current schedule of taking social studies and writing with me and working with Ms. Young and Mr. Mendrop for their reading and mathematics, respectively.


An 'All-subjects' Teacher:
I'm extremely excited about the change! Not only will I have an opportunity to continue on with students with whom I've already established a solid framework of trust (and, let me tell you, one of the most important lessons I've learned as a teacher this year, is that moving forward academically with one's students happens MUCH more when there exists a level of mutual trust), but I will also have a chance to delve deeper into my students lives, get to better know their story, goals, worries, fears, and enjoyments. Moreover, I am itching to become an 'all-subjects' teacher, finding the prospect of teaching reading and math particularly intriguing, as they dictact so much in terms of how well our students do in their overall academic maturation.

Indeed, next year will be a great challenge in terms of planning, which I hope to do much more efficiently and effectively in 2008-09, and I've already set to work, breaking down my standards and writing a daily math world problem booklet (which all CRA teachers will utilize next year, per a strategy recently created by our school's 'Math Goals' team, chaired by my dear and outgoing colleague, Andrew Mendrop, who'll depart from CRA in pursuit of a middle school teaching job in Medellin, Colombia- buena suerte, amigo!). Next year will push me in new ways as a teacher, but I'm extremely excited and motivated by the challenge.

This Summer:
In other and, I think, extremely exciting news, I received official word on Monday that I've been accepted into the 'Obama Organizing Fellows' program. What this is is a country-wide initiative launched by the Obama Campaign to train a new cadre of field-level political organizers to promote the campaign in their areas during the weeks and months leading up to Election Day. The application process, I learned, was competitive, and I am thrilled to have received an opportunity to join the campaign in this important way.

The program lasts six weeks and kicks off with a 3-day training in Albuquerque on 14 June (there are several other trainings taking part across the country around this time, as well). From there, Obama's New Mexico Fellows will deploy to their parts of the state to set to work. I will be in Las Cruces and work alongside Obama staff to learn how to do effective political field organization Obama style. We will organize volunteer canvassers, events, press releases, and more. I plan to receive a call in the coming days from a program representative to brief me more on specific logistical issues and am extremely excited to begin. Si, se puede!

Musical Ensemble Trip Well on the Way:
One week from today, I and eleven young and talented musicians, will depart for Washington, D.C., in a culmination of five months of wild preparation. Many thanks go out to all of you who've supported the efforts of the Church Rock Academy World Musical Ensemble to make good on an invitation from the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian to come to D.C. to perform. We will saddle up just after 8:30 a.m. on a two-day journey to the capital, with a stop in Chicago to change trains.

Upon arrival will head to our hotel and gear up for Sunday big performance, which will take place at 2:00 at the NMAI (all those in the D.C. area are heartily and enthusiastically encouraged to attend this wonderful performance)! We'll rock the house, dine on what I'm told is delicious cuisine inside of the museum and then retreat to the hotel for a celebratory evening of swimming, discussion, and, I'm sure, no shortage of unforeseen activity. On Monday, we'll tour the Capitol, courtesy of Senator Bingaman's Office (I should say that this trip was born with the thought of our youngsters walking wide-eyed into the hallowed Capitol Rotunda- we'll depart from Senator Bingaman's office on the 7th floor of the Hart office building, a floor that, ironically, is shared by Senator Obama- will we see him? Well, we're hoping por un milagro!), and then head of to the Smithsonian's Air and Space and Natural History Museums, before saddling up once more and making the long trip home. We plan to arrive back in Gallup on the evening of Wednesday, 11 June. All told, our journey will run for six days and take us clear across the country and back. I can't wait!


A Year to Remember- More Importantly,
A Year to Use:

Progress means taking the experience you and others have had and turning them into something good. I've learned and experienced a lot this year and can honestly say that I'm wiser, tougher, and more engaged as an educator, young person, and, more generally, human being. Two critical lessons I learned during college seem particularly relevant at this writing: first, be flexible.; secondly, know well the most core of your values. We need to stay flexible in the pursuit of our future plans, while at all times staying true to those core values we hold most dear. For me, this means doing whatever I can to ensure that every person (seriously, everyone) has a real and equal opportunity to fulfill their inherent potential. Some days, I know exactly the way in which I will fulfill this noble calling; on others, the path seems less clear. Still, the most important element remains knowing what is right and, though you'll inevitably slip up, err, and become discouraged, never letting anyone convince you that your vision is wrong, impossible, or silly.

It seems that we hear a lot of 'cants' this day in age. A black man can't become president. Low-income students can't achieve educationally. Balke can't teach. While the third still has an uncomfortable element of truth to it, despite my persistent efforts every single day to make it less so, I now find comfort in my ability to laugh at the nay-sayers, to cast aside pessimism as unfounded, and to dismiss claims that some battles just can't be won. Iin my students' actions and achievements, I find unquestionable evidence in support of the supposition that anything and everything is possible. Come to my classroom. Meet my students. See progress in action through THEIR great talents. It's been a wild ride. I've been privileged to attend.

Cheerio, and please take some time to review the pictures below, which illustrate some of the fun, challenge, and utter formativeness that has been my life over the last twelve months.

Enjoy!

Reflections: In three weeks' time...

In three weeks' time, I will complete my first year of service as a Teach For America Corps Member. Looking back on all that has happened during the last year, from graduating from college on 21 May 2007 to entering the classroom for my first day on 14 August to watching Barack Obama give a life-changing victory speech in Des Moines, Iowa on 03 January to watching ten of my students rock the house this very afternoon in a performance in preparation for their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. to play at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, I can say undoubtedly that the person who sat down to write entry one to this blog in Moody Towers at the University of Houston upon my entry into the TFA program is both the same and different from the one who currently writes posting 57.

Reflecting on all the amazing experience, people, and thoughts that have entered my mind and life over the past twelve months, I become almost overwhelmed by emotion. I've learned so much, and, with each new lesson, realized how much more I still have to learn.

The most important lesson I've learned this year is that there exists a fine line between talking and doing, action and rhetoric, and at many points during the year, I've not known on which side I stood. However, a lesson of equal importance I've become more aware of over the last three hundred and some days is that, in my life, my number one goal is to stay true to, and act on, my ideals. One's ability to do this reflects on their true level of integrity, honesty, passion, and commitment. If I can meet this goal, I will have had a successful life. Did I discover the meaning of life this year- in a way, I know I have.

Perhaps there's too much to recount in writing, but I'd like to go over the highlights of what has perhaps been the most significant year of my life to date.

The Classroom:
To a teacher, students are everything, and for me it's just the same. You think about them, talk about them, and a perhaps distrurbingly regular basis, dream about them. Teaching is not an endeavor of instant gratification- one often do not see the fruits of one's labor until quite a while after it's been done, if ever. In this sense, teachers operate on an unabiding faith that what they do is both important and worthwhile. Good teachers know that any child, regardless of background has an inherent potential to achieve great things as a student and person. I wrote this on day one, I'm writing it today, and I'll write it on day 1 million. If anyone objects, I invite them to visit Northwestern New Mexico, where over 80 TFA Corps Members help their students perform miracles in their classrooms everyday. The right to learn is universal- no one deserves any more or less than another to have every opportunity to optimize and make good on their personal talents. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated that, 'I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the inter-related structure of reality.' He was right. We each have a role to play, a calling to support one another that cannot, will not, and should not end. Those who resist do so at their own peril. Those who assent rule the universe- they truly do.

Still, I've much to learn about good teaching. I need to plan better and more, get better control of my classroom management, establish better systems, create and provide better assessments, track in a more effective way, and a laundry list of other items that will enable my students to make greater gains in year two than they did in year one. Still, having spent one year in the classroom, my desire to develop as a teacher is more intense than ever. I know what I need to do, and I have better tools now to do it.

Coaching:
Coaching high school tennis has been a wonderful and enriching experience for me this year. After spending a school-day in a classroom with 4th/5th graders whose behavior is often less than stellar, it is always a treat and beautiful contrast to come to a setting in which I feel extremely at ease- the tennis court.

I came into my first of coaching at Gallup High School with extremely high expectations for a program that has not traditionally had them. After years of playing tennis in an extremely competitive setting, demanding serious effort and progress is simply programmed into my mind whenever I approach the game (coach, player, or fan). In the beginning, I struggled to understand how my players' mindsets could be so different from mind, especially when I saw such greatness in them in terms of potential. They had contented themselves, in past years, to practicing, having fun, and getting trounced in matches. That was unacceptable for me. I believe that, in anything one does, one should and must have fun. However, I also think we cheat ourselves (and waste time, quite frankly) whenever we demand less of ourselves than our best. Instilling in my players a mindset of victory and desire to make strides on the court was a long but, it seems, successful progress. We employed a concept I called the 'killer instinct'. This came from my mom, actually. When I used to play, sometimes I would play very well, get myself in a position to win, and let that be enough. I would go that extra mile and allow myself to taste the glory of victory (which means fully capitalizing on your capability). Finally, as I ended high school and entered college, I got over this and started, in big, close situations, to demand that I step up and clear the peak. Victories resulted, and I became a much more satisfied tennis player because I knew I'd given matches everything I had and not cheated myself. This lesson extends into my teaching and demands of my students. It's not enough to learn and do something haphazardly- you owe it to yourself to take your skills all the way.

Anyhow, my players have slowly gotten this message and earned some pretty impressive victories. This Friday, two of my players on the girls team will compete in the state doubles tournament, and my top girls singles player received a scholarship to player tennis for Western New Mexico University. One of my guy players is now thinking of college because of the focus his tennis progress has instilled in him. To think that I've made a positive impact on these and other players on my team means the world to me.

Church Rock World Musical Ensemble:
Some of you know of, and have kindly given money to, the Church Rock Academy World Musical Ensemble. This is a group of special, talented young 4th/5th graders, whom, over the last year have developed incredible musical skills, taken their act on the road to many prestigious locations across our state, and now will travel to Washington, D.C., to perform at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of the American Indian. Randy Markham, our musical director, began working with these youngsters in September, starting nearly from scratch. Not only did the students take immediately to the music, but, before long, they were dazzling audiences from locations far and wide.

In November, I reached out to the Smithsonian to see if they'd be interested in having our ensemble come perform in the capital. As an intern for Senator Bingaman during college, I lead tours of the Capitol for groups of young Native American performers, who'd come to the capital to perform at the National Museum of the American Indian. I remembered fondly the look of absolutely wonderment in their eyes as I lead them into the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol and thought, 'My kids deserve this.' From that thought, that vision came five months on insanity- fundraising is not easy! However, I am proud to say that, somehow, we've raised just enough funds to make this trip, and on 05 June we will saddle up on an Amtrak for a cross-country adventure to Washington. What better way is there for my students to see the country and see the incredible thing that hard work, discipline, and outright passion for an endeavor can earn someone. Hopefully, their horizons will be broadened, their minds inspired, and their sense of possibility expanded. More importantly, hopefully they will know, when they perform in this prestigious setting, that their culture as young Navajos is something in which they should find an extreme sense of pride and excitement.

(Friends- we're still taking donations- Church Rock Musical Ensemble; P.O. Box 40; Church Rock, NM 87311- shameless, I know!)

Gallup For Obama:
Senator Barack Obama has the potential to change the world and history- of this, I am convinced. For this reason, I brought together 40-plus Obama supporters from across McKinley County to support the leader's campaign in New Mexico's Democratic Presidential Caucus on Super Tuesday. Working with a phenomenal staffer from the Obama Campaign, we knocked on doors, made phone calls, registered voters, and, ultimately, pulled Senator Obama to a near victory in our county, one in which Clinton was supposed to storm. This, no doubt, played an important role in making the Land of Enchantment Super Tuesday's closest state. Now, our governor, soon-to-be senior Senator, Democratic Party Chairman, and elected superdelegate have pledged their support for Obama. I believe that the work we did here in McKinley County through Gallup For Obama made a significant impact on this process and am proud to have been a part of it. I look forward to playing my role to ensure that NM goes blue for Obama in November!

Iowa in January-brrrr....
Speaking of Obama, I was able to work for his campaign in Des Moines in the two days leading up to Iowa's Democratic Caucus, as well as on Caucus Day itself. In one of the most frantic 72 periods of my life, I knocked on doors in the frigid Iowan winter, made hundreds of calls, delivered campaign gear to Caucus rooms, drove four older ladies, three of whom who'd never Caucused, to show their support for Senator Obama, and, basically froze my ass off. Still, what I won't remember about this incredible trip were the many brushes with frost-bite, but the amazing sense of empowerment I felt marching downtown with the other young progressives who ran Senator Obama's operation in Des Moines, watching other supporters, many of whom were of African American descent, drive by, honking their horns and feeling the same exact sense of freedom we did. History could be, indeed had been, changed by the passion, intellect, and downright grit of committed people dedicated to a better future. Our emotions hit their peak as we entered Senator Obama's victory party in a large stadium downtown. Listening to a high-school drumline proudly beat their instruments, we knew we were, quite literally, standing in the midst of history being made. A better day for this country was on the way. Those who said things like this, ultimately, couldn't be done had been proven wrong. More than five months later, Senator Obama, after following a road that has been anything but smooth, is on his way to the Democratic nomination for President and, I believe, the presidency itself. Yes, we can, folks- yes, we can!

Israel and the West Bank:
Injustice, beauty, and revelation. I felt many things during and after my excursion to the Middle East over spring break. The chief of which was a reaffirmation in my mind of my desire to be on the front lines on shaping U.S. foreign policy. I'll not say too much more on this because people who hope to be in a policymaking position in this country cannot speak all too openly on U.S. policy vis-a-vis Israel and Palestinians.

Still, my tips was incredible. I saw the historic wonders of Old City in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Hebron; the beauty of the Mediterranean in Yafo, south of Tel Aviv, the vibrancy of Palestinian families in small villages and large cities across the West Bank; danced in a Muslim wedding ceremony (not too well- but it was rockin'!); lost in a fiercely contested ping-pong match before a crowd of twenty-five energetic, engaged onlookers after that very wedding (what a night!); saw the Security Wall weave its way in and out of Palestinian communities; saw Yasser Arafat's tomb; had guns pointed at my head at checkpoints; spent countless time with a Palestinian development banker and microlender whose family hosted us in our journeys in and around Ramallah (wonderful people- another family to me- dear, sweet people whom I miss deeply); and so, so much more. I shalln't soon forget this experience, nor will its impact on my future plans be blunted.

I want progress. I want people from everywhere to experience the liberation that some, albeit a minority, of Earthly citizens feel when they know that they can achieve anything they so desire. One year one, I'm deeply rooted. One year in, I'm more passionate than ever about inciting the type of change necessary to create a world in which everyone can realize their fullpotential. And one year in, I'm more aware that there's SO much more I need and want to do.

Yes, I am truly teaching, learning, and leading in New Mexico. Thank you all for your support , friendship, and love. I will try my best to do everything I can. I trust you will do the same.

Posting 4- Ramallah: A Day on the Job with Anwar- 03 April 2008

Amy had to part with us early. She was to attend a meeting at AMIDEAST, an educational institution with offices across the Middle East (http://www.amideast.org/programs_services/advising/ramallah/default.htm), for a meeting regarding opening a partnership between the University of Montana, Amy’s school, and AMIDEAST and, more specifically, creating exchange programs on both ends. Amy and I planned on going in with Anwar to his central office and watching the man at his work. I was particularly excited to watch this person whom I’d traveled, observed, and, basically, lived with over the past three days operate within his professional element. With that said, after a hearty run, during which I passed both the Beth El Israeli settlement and a Palestinian refugee camp, Alicia and I saddled up and, along with Anwar, were out the door, heading to his office across town (by the way, Ramallah is a sprawling city, much of which is perched upon a hill, as is Anwar’s flat, with homes and businesses spread out and many buildings quite similar in appearance. Also, some of the buildings were so large that it was difficult to know if a single family lived there or if, as is more likely the case, they served as apartments for several families).

Anwar’s office was much as I’d expected- sheik, simple, but altogether stylish. He had everything he needed: a laptop, meeting table, dining table, and impressive library perched atop a lovely bookshelf. On his desk, a picture of his three daughters no doubt made the grueling hours of pouring over expenditure and repayment reports more bearable (these reports’ benevolence depends to a large extent on the condition of political stability in the West Bank and Gaza, and so Anwar’s job in recent months has been quite challenging; still, Faten has managed to operate profitably dating back to at least 2005, the most distant year for which I saw data). He set straight to work, responding to mounds of e-mails, speaking with fellow staffers, but still managing to find time to joke and speak with us. We learned that he would be meeting with a representative of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals team in Palestinian Authority-controlled region. Apparently, the agent was hoping to win a partnership with Faten for a new initiative to help blue collar workers in the West Bank and Gaza formalize their operations. The EU had been designated as the primary funder, and Faten’s good name and reputation would provide a valuable asset to the man’s proposal.

Shortly after the lunch, his team arrived. They brought with them posters advertising a law recently passed by the PA emboldening and expanding the rights of women in the workplace (I happily took one of these home with me as a souvenir, though it became quite an object of inquiry and mystery amongst security guards at the Tel Aviv Airport, who were curious as to why I would bring home a poster with text in Arabic given my lack of knowledge in the language). The meeting ran long and, conducted primarily in Arabic, largely went over my head. Still, my discussion with the UN Rep. before the talks began led me to conclude that he was a hard-working, passionate man, and I felt he had a clear and good mission to expand the opportunities of small Palestinian business actors to formalize. A strong proponent of economist Hernando De Soto’s theory on formalization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hernando_de_Soto_(economist)#Main_thesis), I believe that expanding the legal rights of economic actors represents a great way for them to earn a secure, sustainable living. When the meeting finally ended and the contingent departed, I felt confident Anwar would agree their proposal. Still, he had many qualms and said he needed to think about it but probably would not agree. He said that he received many requests like this that were high on plans but lacking in details, as he claimed this one had been. I felt disappointed but understood that a person in Anwar’s position, with a world of good intentions but an extremely limited budget, must make difficult decisions such as these. I reckon making these types of tough, but ultimately necessary, judgments represents a key component of effective business. I am still learning in this area.

I believe that Faten offers hope for Palestinians. It offers economic assistance to those who have talent and ambition but lack the financial resources to expand their vision. We all know that people living in desolate economic conditions can be driven to do crazy and, often, destructive things. With Faten offering market-based solutions to these problematic situations, it seems as though its efforts should be boosted more by lawmakers in Washington in the form of increased funding from its principal backer, the United States Agency for International Development. After a day on the job with Anwar, I concluded he is a passionate, effective banker, and his group’s vision for, and commitment to, a better life for Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza represents the right way forward for this troubled area, all too often let down by the constant wrangling of ineffective, often out of touch political figures.

Ken and Kathy Kloeppel: Living Life the Right Way

Ken and Kathy Kloeppel were married in 1978, thirty years ago. They met as young teachers at Sandia High School, actually beginning work at the school on the same day. Remarkably, twelve days after meeting Kathy, Ken knew that she was the one for him, proposed marriage, and, having received the answer he wanted, the young couple began making plans for their wedding (Ken, if there’s some secret to your success in courtship, I suggest bottling and selling it, my friend- it could help you get that woodworking shed you so desire!).

Both Ken and Kathy had upbringings in and around New Mexico, with Ken moving around New Mexico and the Texas panhandle as the son of an oil company representative and Kathy growing up in Albuquerque’s South Valley. In their childhoods, both Ken and Kathy seemed to have learned the value of hard work, family, and optimism, qualities they strongly exude and that anyone they meet quickly picks up on. The first time I met Ken and Kathy was at a recital for their daughter, Jenna, a good friend of mine from George Washington University. From the first minute, I could tell that each of Jenna’s parents were happy, energetic, and kind people. I liked them instantly.

I’ve come to know Ken and Kathy better through various stopovers in Albuquerque during which they allow me to park my van in front of their house as I make my way off for one type of trip or another. Whenever I stop in, I enjoy marveling at Ken’s latest paintings (he is of professional quality and presents and sells his work at many local vendors, as well as arts shows throughout the Albuquerque area). He obviously takes pride in his work and the locations he paints. Ken loves visiting and exploring New Mexico’s myriad beautiful natural areas and often simply packs up his truck, finds a road, and spends a day sketching, painting, and reveling in our state’s breathtaking scenery. Ken even gave me a poster, which features one of his paintings and hangs proudly in my room now. I hope that Ken will be able to visit my classroom later this spring to present a lesson on paining and art, more generally, to my kids, who love the subject.

Kathy was a dedicated school counselor before retiring four years ago (Ken retired ten years ago). She is a friendly, warm, and compassionate person, qualities that carried through to, and are quite apparent in, her daughter. Whenever I pass through, Kathy always sees to it that I have everything I need and is a great discussant. I love hearing her talk about Jenna because she is so proud of her. She seems to enjoy nothing more than watching her daughter grow and develop. I hope to take so much pleasure in watching my children grow.

Ken and Kathy bought their home, which is neat, well-decorated, and a place in which it is extremely easy to be comfortable, in 1988. After three years of teaching, Ken had saved up enough money to make a down payment on a home of his own, and when he and Kathy married they sold their houses (she had managed to buy one, as well) and moved into a smaller home a few blocks away from where they currently live. There is nothing flashy or fancy about their house, but they simply have everything they need and have obviously taken pride in keeping the place up during all these years. It’s inspiring and exciting to note the way in which Ken and Kathy take so much joy in life’s simple pleasures: painting, reading, discussing, cooking, and television, to name just a few. While she was never an artist herself, Kathy is Ken’s top critic, and he insists that his work is vastly better because of it. She makes me realize things I never would have, he says, and they show me a painting hanging in the living room that Ken was ready to throw out before Kathy made some suggestions and is now one of her favorite of his works. I asked Ken about the couple’s economic success over the years, and he said that simply keeping your head down and not over-extending on your resources is a recipe for happiness. I agree. It’s a simple and powerful argument. He said it amazes him sometimes how much people try to live beyond their means, when the best things are not really that costly. Many people say that, but, in the case of Ken and Kathy, it is really meant. Here is a couple that is healthy, happy, and content. These are everyday heroes, folks. They’ve raised a successful daughter who is passionate and deeply committed to doing her part to improve the world. Excitingly, they’ve given Jenna every opportunity to succeed, and, even more importantly, a sense of gratitude that makes her thankful for these opportunities and capable of fully utilizing them. It’s a pleasure to know Ken and Kathy Kloeppel. They represent a case study in living life the right way.

Posting 3: Jayousi- A Night to Remember, Friday, 04 April 2008

Leaving Ramallah was not easy. I’d made such good connections amongst Anwar’s immediate family, which consists of a strong, hard-working wife and three, brilliant, funny, and talented daughters, one of whom is quite mischievous and gives Anwar fits. Still, as I left the flat in Ramallah after a wonderful morning run through the hills around his home and past the Beth El settlement and a refugee camp from which I met two boys, who asked me if I was Israeli. It was a good, challenging run, and I made my way home in time for a hot shower (which was nice but made me fell somewhat bad because Anwar’s family, like most Palestinians, have water tanks on their roof that are refilled once per week, making water resources quite scarce) and breakfast of, you guessed it, pita and hummus. It was good to be with the family (almost all of them as one had already left the house for exams at her university) one last time during the trip.

After breakfast, we moved. The plan was to stop in at some villages and towns before ending up at Anwar’s boyhood home of Jayousi, a small village north of Nablus. The first stop I recall was at a moderately sized city call Qalqilyah. Qalqilyah has something of a notorious reputation because it has only one entry point and is entirely (literally) surrounded by the security wall. To get a better idea of how this looks, examine the shape of the upper-case ‘Q’ I typed in the name of the town. Now, pretend the small line coming out of the ‘Q’s’ bottom is the road leading up the town. The place where the line hits the circle is the checkpoint, and the circle is the security wall, which encloses, that’s right, the town. This is how Qalqilyah looks. The checkpoint at the entry into Qalqilyah is open for roughly 50 minutes per day. The city does not have a mature, well-functioning hospital. For advanced medical treatment, its citizens must travel Nablus. Between Qalqilyah and Nablus exist 11 checkpoints. If you can get through the checkpoint going out of Qalqilyah, it can take an hour or more to get to Nablus. I would imagine that an ambulance carrying a woman in labor has an extremely difficult time navigating the pass from Qalqilyah to Nablus quickly enough for the patient to receive proper care quickly enough.

As we moved through the city of Qalqilyah, we observed empty streets filled with boarded up building and sleepy sidewalks. What we were told was once one of the West Bank’s busiest commercial centers had been largely abandoned. Ghost towns refer to places in the U.S. that were, at one time, bustling hub of economic activity but that, for one reason or another, had largely dried up and become depressed. We have ghost towns in New Mexico. Qalqilyah is a ghost town in the West Bank.

Once we moved from Qalqilyah, we started to move closer to Jayousi. Earlier, when Anwar began looking for the turnoff from the highway, Anwar became a bit dismayed as the road was covered in rubble and impassable. We, instead, had decided to proceed to Qalqilyah to see that city, find a way to Jayousi, and then, we later returned to a city called Azzoun, near where the previous turnoff to Jayousi had been, and began to make our way toward Jayousi’s village. Finally, we found our route and slowly, but surely, entered Jayousi, a small town whose streets are littered with small grocery stores, houses, and a mosque. Finally, we came to the house of one of Anwar’s brothers, Manour. We hopped out and greeted Manour, a tall man who spent time working in the states before returning to the West Bank. We were to store our things and sleep in the home of one of Anwar’s brothers who lives, primarily, in Israel, working as a taxi cab driver. He’d been one of the few who had gotten the special permits required for Palestinians to enter and work in Israel after the Second Intifada began. The house was large, multi-storied, well-decorated, and comfortable. After a brief talk with Mansour in his house next door, which was similarly, large, nice, and comfortable, we began to move down the street, further out of town, towards the fields that Anwar’s family used to work. Rows and rows of olive trees lined the space, and Anwar began to tell us more warm stories about spending hours under the sun with his family working the fields as a boy. Before long, we also came to a greenhouse that, we were told, was ran by an older man who’d received a loan from Faten and was now doing quite well. The farmer came out to greet us, and said hello with great respect and warmth to Anwar, which is true for about everyone we saw in his hometown (he’s like a king there). We were then able to enter the greenhouse and pick out a selection of vegetables, including tomatoes and goodies with which to make a fresh salad for lunch. As we emerged from the greenhouse, the farmer’s wife had prepared for us some sweet, piping hot tea, which we sat down and drank under a warm, clear sky, overlooking Anwar’s family’s fields and enjoying an altogether pleasant scene.

After the tea, our real adventure began, and, again, I ask readers to proceed with an open and even-handed mind. Our next stop was at a home directly across the street from Anwar’s brothers’ houses. Apparently, the owner was the husband of Anwar’s cousin and had had a recent stint in a West Bank prison (no walk in the park by anyone’s measure). As soon as we entered the home, the former inmate ushered us in graciously, immediately, of course, offering tasty coffee, which was followed by fresh fruit juices and chocolate. Straight up—it’s fun to visit Palestinian households! As we sat down, the talks, as they so often did during our stint in the West Bank, turned to politics. Our host expressed a longing for Israel to return to the border established before the War of 1967, also known as the ‘6 Day War’. He, moreover, lamented the violent state of affairs currently besetting Israeli-Palestinian affairs and expressed a strong desire for a turn to a more peaceful time.

Now, consider this.

Before we entered Anwar’s cousin’s husband’s home, Anwar made it clear to us that he had spent time in a Fattah (the Palestinian political party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas) prison because he was a Hamas (the Palestinian parliament’s ruling party). Hamas has drawn the ire of many throughout the world for its stated desire to eliminate Israel. Knowing this, I questioned our host further on the issue. He claimed, and said he was walking the official Hamas party line in this, that, were Israel to return to the borders established prior to the 6 Day War, which are the borders advocated by U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, then Hamas would lay down its arms. I found his comment thought-provoking. As I left the house, the reality dawned on me that we’d just had a reasonable discussion with a Hamas party member. We were never in danger. We were never antagonized for our country of origin. In fact, I like to think that our conversation at least helped all parties better understand one another. It’s interesting what can be accomplished when folks simply sit down with one another for an honest and open discussion.

It was supper time. The smell of barbecue emanated from an open grill firing away in front of Mansour’s house. Babies and young ones sauntered in front of the house, basking in the glory of the cool, evening air. One of Anwar’s friends, whom, he told me, had something of a mental disability came by and began talking politics and soccer. He told us soon after beginning his commentary, that he’d recently one the Palestinian soccer championship, though, judging by the skills he’d soon display, I must say that I doubt this is the case. Still, I found his company enjoyable.

We began another wonderful meal as the sounds of evening set in upon Jayousi. The evening call to prayer rang out, and the town was alive with movement. We knew that, on this night, we were in for a special treat, as a large wedding ceremony was to take place at the central mosque. Alicia and I’d witnessed a Muslim wedding during our first night in the region in Jaffa, and we were now ecstatic about the opportunity to observe one in a more intimate manner. We savored our dinner and found particularly tasty the salad that was made with the fresh vegetables donated us from the greenhouse run by the Faten loan recipient with whom we’d met earlier. As the meal concluded, we shook our heads in near disbelief at how nicely we’d been treated and welcomed in this community.

Before the wedding, we stopped off at the home of another of Anwar’s brothers, which was located near the mosque. At this stop-in, we had the special treat of meeting Anwar’s mom, an 83-year-old woman who’d no doubt seen more than anyone’s fair share of change and hardship, but, in her family, had also known immense joy. Anwar’s mother greeted us in unrestrained Arabic, either unaware of, or unconcerned by, our utter lack of ability to speak or understand the language. In either case, we were fundamentally charmed by this warrior of a woman. Of equal charm was Anwar’s 12-year-old niece who was as eager as anyone I’ve ever encountered to display to Alicia, Amy, and me her developing knowledge of the English language. We talked with her about her school, our families, our homes, as well as the Middle Eastern version of ‘American Idol’, the name of which I forget (help Alicia and Amy…). It struck me as interesting that this young, dynamic person would be so eager to display her knowledge of English and Western culture. I think that we like to focus exceedingly on the cultural differences that distinguish us instead of honing on the attractive point in our unique traditions (not that I necessarily think American Idol or like-minded shows in the Middle East constitute the best that Western Culture has to offer!).

Again, we moved. As we approached the wedding ceremony, our suspicion that women and men would be separated was confirmed. Alicia and Amy decided, then, to observe the evening’s ceremonies from the roof of the building in which we’d visited with Anwar’s mother. I, however, had my sights set on the celebration’s dancing festivities. Anwar advised me that we’d wait until the show really got going, letting the excitement truly take hold. I stood with him in the plaza near the mosque and observed amazed as, literally, dozens of people came up to shake his hand, kiss his cheek, or both. The man was truly in his element in Jayousi (perhaps the launching ground of a future presidential bid?). The action intensified. A quarter sang enthusiastically to fast-paced music as young men moved into a circle, and, as an incredibly synchronized unit danced in a way that reminded me somewhat of River Dance. They locked arms and began pounding their feet furiously on the dancing platform. I wanted in.

Kindly, Anwar connected me with an older man who runs a small, animal farm across the street from Mansour’s home, which we’d briefly stopped in at earlier to take in the sights (and smells- good times). The man spoke reasonably good English and began giving me instructions as to how I could hold my own in the circle. Our arms locked, he began taking me, slowly, through the motions. When the time came to join the circle, we pounced. I eased my way into the dance, working hard to stay focused and keep pace with the young men around me. A ringleader of sorts seemed to be leading the group, ensuring that no one entered the circle at an inappropriate time and also dancing and clearly enjoying himself. Dancing, it seemed, set these folks free in a way that I’d not yet observed. Sometimes, subdued, often pensive, I’d not yet seen a group of Palestinians let loose in this manner. It was awesome, harmonious, and altogether beautiful. I feel funnily and pitifully behind in the pace but enjoyed myself tremendously. I’d just taken part, first-hand, in a Muslim wedding. I marveled at the unforgettable nature of my trip.

After joining Anwar to give a financial contribution to the groom to set him off on the right track in his marriage, I began to make the walk home. I advised Anwar to go ahead, as I’d like to take in the sights at a slower pace. At this time, something unbelievable happened. I poked my head into a small building, in which I observed a ping-pong table and two young warriors going at it, pounding the ball back in forth with the speed and precision of professionals. Anyone who knows me knows I love few things in life more than some good pong. I entered the room and, in time, made my way to the table. Restricted by language, we connected through the harmony of the game and began to move in stride, hitting the ball back and forth, back and forth. Slowly, onlookers began to trickle in off the street. By the time the game had begun, a good twenty-five adolescent and young men had crowded the ping-pong hall to observe the looming battle.

Not to toot my own horn, but I don’t lose much in ping-pong. In fact, dating back to last year, I could not recall having dropped a game (aside, ironically, from one match against a player of mine on the Gallup High School tennis team, who is, ironically, Palestinian and from Ramallah). The game developed, and the room divided roughly evenly, with nearly half the crowd supporting me, the newcomer, and the other half supporting the native son. After each point, roars came out of the enthusiastic crowd, emboldening our play and pushing us to reach deeper and deeper into our skill set. I took the aggressive, but my opponent proved to crafty and defeated my 21-16. I played freakin’ awesome, but he was too much. I made my way out of the hall on a high, hugging and shaking hands with several of the onlookers. I couldn’t believe this was happening. A Muslim wedding, ping-pong in rural Palestine- was this a dream. After being escorted by five young local residents and giving a brief commentary on the merits of Senator Barack Obama and what he would bring to the realm of foreign affairs as president, I reached Anwar’s brother’s house, brushed my teeth, closed my eyes and tried to convince myself that my dreams could be half as wondrous as the day I’d lived in the West Bank.