Inspirational Monday videos inspire others towards positive action in their communities. We hope that by watching these videos others will find ways that they too can get involved in their communities by through creative and innovative solutions! We can inspire hope through action!

Podcast Listening Party!

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Kate McKenzie

Over the last few months, I have been working tirelessly with my current Gr.8 students to create podcasts. Their mission was to go out into Calgary and expand their worldview. They had 20 tasks to complete ranging from trying a new type of ethnic cuisine to taking a new form of transportation. It was amazing to see my students tackle new experiences head on and look for ways to explore everything Calgary has to offer! Too often we fail to see the wonder and beauty that’s in our own backyard so it has been awesome to have the chance to see Calgary through a new light!

We partnered with Calgary 2012 GIGYYC and Danielle Nerman from CBC Radio to be able to create 16 podcasts! We will be sharing each of these stories this Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Alice Jamieson Girls’ Academy at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

Happy Playlist

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Kate McKenzie

I created this playlist for those days when everything seems to go wrong. Sometimes we all just need a little pick-me-up or something that will help us smile when we really don’t feel like it. So many songs out there just talk about what we’re missing in life or all the difficulty. So, I wanted to put a playlist out there of some of my favourite artists (and those shared by many of you) that remind us why life’s good too. Enjoy!

Click here to link to the playlist.

Inspirational Monday – Cardboard Bicycle!

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

Amazing idea by Izhar Gafni filmed by Giora Kariv. Using a completely new engineering philosophy to create a bicycle that is economic, environmental and innovative! Izhar demonstrates that we can make our communities better by following what we are passionate about and making it a reality!

Inspirational Monday: Culture Hub

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

Tinto Tintero is a cultural hub in Medellin, Colombia. I was so impressed to hear how Dave, a former teacher has, with the help of his partner, Monica, started a business model that is not only financially successful but is also making their community a better place! They have found a way to merge their passion for art, culture, literature and music all within one location. Through their efforts, they are transforming their community by providing opportunities for culture and offering a diverse array of options for entertainment throughout the week. But it is not only culture they are offering but also a public space devoted to building a strong sense of community.

Film Competition

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

Here was the challenge: Make a film and three photographs each on a specific theme, in a limited geographic area all in one day! So after an intense brainstorming session over breakfast and coffees, me, Sadie and Hilary took off to put our Vietnamese, film-making and creativity to the test. How could we come up with something creative, short (only 90 seconds) and something that reflected some of the humorous situations that were always happening in Vietnam? Added to the challenge, we had to start with the sky, end with eyes, include a dress, a white shirt and a man searching for a woman in a shop somewhere in our film.

This video was our finished product for the Maraxuan Competition and voting will take place throughout the week at Eté Resto Cafe in Hanoi, Vietnam. I would love to see this idea of encouraging creativity, exploring your own city and bringing people together used by more organizations! My hat’s off to Eté for coming up with such a great concept!

Colombia Highlights

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

Well, I’ve been having troubles with my blog photo gallery so to view more of my photos highlighting my time in Colombia click here.

Inspirational Monday: Passing the Puck

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

I believe that sport has an amazing ability to teach where lessons and talks fall short. For me, sport has often been a metaphor for understanding greater concepts and has helped me to learn how to live in community with others. Whether it was playing Rugby, running in Track, or just getting people together for a game of frisbee I believe there is an amazing power to learning through games and fun! See how Alejo from Colombia is bringing a new sport to his city and how it is uniting people and building leaders!

Responding to Kony 2012

Posted on March 11, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

As many of you know a film has been widely circulating on Youtube and through social media called Kony 2012 while I have been here in Uganda. I wanted to respond to the film and to provide some tools and resources to others who would like to understand the multiple perspectives involved in such a complex issue. These two films will hopefully help to shed some light on what my experience has been here in Uganda and what Ugandans think about the film. Please don’t just take my word for it, I have included below some other links you should check out, including the link to the original movie that spurred all of this discussion. Looking forward to hearing back from all of you!

Gifts Locked Up

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

”Mizungu,” yelled 50 children as they raced towards the land rover. I got out of the vehicle and 50 more appeared from nowhere and suddenly I was in the middle of a sea of tiny black faces looking up at me. ”Mizungu, Mizungu,” they chanted which is basically the name given to all white people here in Uganda. Continue reading →

Insights from Dr.Seuss

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Kate McKenzie

I’ve been asked a lot, aren’t you scared to travel on your own. The answer is yes and yes. However, I am constantly reminded that I am not alone. I have an amazing group of people behind me, whether it is my girls from AJA that send me little emails of encouragement or let me know what they like about my films or my new school fromColegio Gran Bretana in Bogota. I have my friends like the Friendly 4 who invite me to all the events their hosting, even though they know I can’t make it, just so I can see what’s going on. Or Chris who has been my “on star” technical support throughout this journey. Or my new friends like Andres & Diana, Dave, Larry & Tanya, or the Brent & Miles here from Colombia. I also have the people who are travelling for brief bits alongside me like Fernando, Wardell, Katja & Tobi. And of course there’s my family who help keep me laughing and grounded. Each of them is so important in helping me to continue to move forward.

Yesterday I faced some setbacks and felt overwhelmed by all of the things I had ahead of me. In the midst of it, I was reminded by Leor, who has been with me every step of the way on this thing, of the insights from Dr.Seuss. So let me share it with you (or at least the revised version)

Some days you will just find yourself in the waiting place…

Waiting for a fish to bite
or waiting for a wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for friday night
or waiting perhaps for final cut pro
or a Yes or a No
or waiting for a strong connection to skype
or for reality to catch up with the hype
Some days you’re just waiting….

But NO! That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying
You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing
With banner flip-flapping and battons that twirl
Ready once more to take on the world
Ready because you’re that kind of girl!

Thank you Leor for reminding me of exactly what I needed to hear. You’re amazing that way!