In 2012 when I attended my first International Center’s Gathering, hosted by the Findhorn Foundation that year, I was so excited to find out that there were over 50 such centres around the world! At that time, I was merely dreaming Tiriji, the Eco Center I was intending to create in Meru, Kenya.
At the Gathering therefore, you can imagine my curiosity to find out and learn what others were doing at their Centers. I started looking online and visited Findhorn a number of times to learn more about programming, fundraising, marketing and communication, food and guests service. I really loved the eco-buildings and other systems different Centers set up to build sustainable systems and low carbon foot prints.
In 2017 I attended the Hawaii Gathering and I was even more inspired from all I learned from other participants. I was interested in learning how to use social media to market various Centers’ work. Different Centers were focusing on different aspects to inspire people to live grounded lives. I learned a lot about opportunities and challenges of creating intentional centers. Funding was top on the list of challenges. Overall, I was more inspired than discouraged to make my dream come true. I was inspired by people’s commitment to creating these amazing spaces where people could come to find rest and peace from all that their busy lives have created for them. People’s transformation from merely being in a peaceful and ‘grounded’ space inspires many to continue doing what they do although funds are scarce.
Spending time learning about creating spaces that inspire healing for people’s troubled hearts and minds; set up programs that open the minds and hearts of people; and offer living spaces that are environmentally friendly is a gift to a hurting world and people with little hope. These spaces are oasis in the desert of people’s woundedness, places where they come to find who they are and are invited to choose healing for themselves and their loved ones.
I have now created part of Tiriji Eco Center. We are already hosting events there and these events have been very transformative. However, the Center still has a long way to go before it becomes the centre I dream it to be. Nevertheless, I am so inspired to continue building – funds as scarce as they are – because it is so inspiring and humbling to intentionally be present to creating a sacred space where people come to find healing and wholeness. I therefore travel to Omega Institute in May this year to continue my journey of learning and self discovery as I co-create with others a sacred space that will bring healing and wholeness to many people.
I look forward to meeting new people, learning more about things I need to learn as we continue building Tiriji and build relationships with people who have been on this path longer than me and have gems of wisdom to share with me. I have for the longest time been wanting to go to Omega Institute. I look forward to learning from their many, many years of experience and programming so that I can enhance my Center here in Kenya. I also hope to make more friends who might one day come to support us in creating this amazing space for our people.
Travelling from Kenya the bursary fund of the Holistic Centers Network has been incredibly generous in supporting my participation in these Gatherings. I encourage you to donate to the fund so that we can extend the learning even further and welcome more people from around the world!
For me, attending the Centers’ Gathering is part of my journey to stepping deeper into my rootedness. It is a grounding of my Ubuntu as I recognise the many ways that we used to live that are now calling to be brought back to life. These ways do bring healing and wholeness to people, the land, plants and all sentient beings. I feel blessed to be part of this awakening!
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