top of page
Jessica Birzin

The Lions and The Intelligent People

[et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” background_image=”https://www.iact.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG_5576-1.jpg” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”300px||300px|” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”section” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”20px|||” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”on” width_unit=”on” custom_width_px=”750px” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_post_title admin_label=”Post Title” title=”on” meta=”on” author=”on” date=”on” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” featured_placement=”above” parallax_effect=”on” parallax_method=”on” text_orientation=”left” text_color=”dark” text_background=”off” text_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” title_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” title_font=”|on|||” meta_font=”|on||on|” meta_font_size=”18″ title_line_height=”1.8em” meta_line_height=”1.6em” title_text_color=”#000000″ meta_text_color=”#000000″ title_font_size=”30px” meta_letter_spacing=”2px”] [/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font_size=”21″ text_line_height=”1.8em”]

They sit on thin straw mats covering the cement floor, two circles of young Darfuri refugee women wrapped in long, colorful headscarves, huddled together conspiratorially. One group—calling themselves “The Lions”—are careful to lower their voices so the group across the mat—the self-styled ”Intelligent People”—won’t overhear their strategizing. They are two teams of Little Ripples preschool teachers, locked in a tight race on the last day of their mindfulness training in refugee camp Goz Amer. The team that can best demonstrate their skill at teaching what they’ve learned this week will win. Yasmine (Joslyn Hitter) and I, Tahani, pretend to be the children they’re teaching.

It’s a friendly but tough competition; everyone concentrates on putting forth their best effort. While both teams do a great job, it’s the Lions who finally triumph. The Intelligent People sigh and accept the verdict. Afterward, we all come together to appreciate what we’ve done during our time together. How different the spirit of this gathering is from the fierce election contest that took place recently in the United States, watched intently by the whole world.

The upset win of the “Lion” unnerved and devastated many who consider themselves the “Intelligent People.” And those whose candidate won feel vindicated, triumphant. No matter how we feel about the election, from the perspective of mindful awareness, whatever unmasks people’s bias or judgment is a wake-up call—to be welcomed for that reason, no matter how tough.

On this Thanksgiving, may we include in loving awareness everyone who needs care and protection – everyone. May we count our blessings with gratitude and grace. May we help ensure all people can enjoy the privilege of having shelter! Reliable electricity and wifi! Running water…in our homes!! And good food to eat! May everyone have a chance to cherish and fulfill the immense promise of this life. May we vow to treasure and stand up for the rights of all beings, in every way we can.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Share Buttons” global_module=”13671″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_margin=”40px|||” saved_tabs=”all”]

Share this...

Share on Facebook

Pin on Pinterest

Tweet about this on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Linkedin [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” global_module=”13668″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” custom_padding=”0px|||” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”Row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”on” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_2=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” parallax_3=”off” parallax_method_3=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_margin=”||0px|” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px|” background_color_1=”#fed208″ background_color_2=”#fed208″ background_color_3=”#fed208″ gutter_width=”2″ padding_top_1=”25px” padding_top_2=”25px” padding_top_3=”25px”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_blurb global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”FACTS” title=”FACTS” url=”https://www.iact.ngo/facts/” url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%85%%” icon_color=”#000000″ use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#ffffff” use_circle_border=”on” circle_border_color=”#ffffff” icon_placement=”left” animation=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_icon_font_size=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”36″ icon_font_size=”40px” header_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” header_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding_tablet=”20px|20px|20px|30px” custom_padding=”|||50px”] [/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_cta global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”Call To Action” title=”360,000″ button_url=”https://www.iact.ngo/facts/” url_new_window=”off” button_text=”LEARN MORE” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”on” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”40″ body_font_size=”20″ body_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”|on|||” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”min-height: 280px;”]

refugees from Darfur, Sudan, living in refugee camps located in Chad.

[/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_blurb global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”ACTION” title=”ACTION” url=”https://www.iact.ngo/action/” url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%141%%” icon_color=”#000000″ use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#ffffff” use_circle_border=”on” circle_border_color=”#ffffff” icon_placement=”left” animation=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”36″ custom_padding=”|||50px” icon_font_size=”40px” header_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|phone” header_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone”] [/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_cta global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”START A FUNDRAISER” title=”START A FUNDRAISER” button_url=”https://www.commitchange.com/peer-to-peer?npo_id=4017″ url_new_window=”off” button_text=”ACT NOW” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”on” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”30″ body_font_size=”20″ body_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”|on|||” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”min-height: 280px;”]

Become a community fundraiser for iACT

[/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_blurb global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”IMPACT” title=”IMPACT” url=”https://www.iact.ngo/impact/” url_new_window=”off” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%164%%” icon_color=”#000000″ use_circle=”on” circle_color=”#ffffff” use_circle_border=”on” circle_border_color=”#ffffff” icon_placement=”left” animation=”off” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_icon_font_size=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”36″ custom_padding=”|||50px” icon_font_size=”40px” header_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|tablet” header_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|phone”] [/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_cta global_parent=”13668″ admin_label=”Call To Action” title=”10,000 ” button_url=”https://www.iact.ngo/impact/rusa/” url_new_window=”off” button_text=”LEARN MORE” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”#fed208″ background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”on” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ custom_margin=”0px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||” button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#ffffff” header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”40″ body_font_size=”20″ body_line_height=”1.8em” button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”min-height: 280px;”]

current capacity at the RUSA academies

[/et_pb_cta][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” global_module=”13669″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#eeeeee” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” custom_padding=”||20px|” module_id=”updates”][et_pb_row global_parent=”13669″ admin_label=”Row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” custom_padding=”||20px|” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text global_parent=”13669″ admin_label=”UPDATES” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”45px” text_font_size=”28″ max_width=”550px” text_line_height=”1.9em” header_text_color=”#000000″ text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”||20px|”]

RELATED NEWS

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_blog global_parent=”13669″ admin_label=”Blog” fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”3″ show_thumbnail=”on” show_content=”off” show_more=”on” show_author=”off” show_date=”on” show_categories=”off” show_comments=”off” show_pagination=”off” offset_number=”0″ use_overlay=”off” background_layout=”light” use_dropshadow=”off” use_border_color=”on” border_color=”#eeeeee” border_style=”solid” masonry_tile_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” header_text_color=”#000000″ meta_text_color=”#000000″ body_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”|on|||” header_font_size=”24″ header_line_height=”1.3em” meta_date=”m/d/Y” meta_font_size=”16″ body_line_height=”1.9em”] [/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section admin_label=”Section” global_module=”13670″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#fed208″ allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off” custom_padding=”0px||0px|”][et_pb_row global_parent=”13670″ admin_label=”Row” make_fullwidth=”on” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_margin=”||-75px|”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_button global_parent=”13670″ admin_label=”Button” button_url=”https://www.iact.ngo/updates/” url_new_window=”off” button_text=”SEE MORE ON THE BLOG” button_alignment=”center” background_layout=”light” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”30″ button_text_color=”#000000″ button_bg_color=”#fed208″ button_border_width=”0″ button_border_radius=”0″ button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_font=”|on|||” button_icon_color=”#ffffff”] [/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Comentários


Help iACT continue to do what it does best:

Support refugees in the forgotten corners of the world through soccer and preschool.

bottom of page