Mary Agulian

Meet the LORD MAYOR March 11th was an exciting day. Great...

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:13:00 -0400

Meet the LORD MAYOR

March 11th was an exciting day. Great drumming class, learning about conflict resolution and everything about the history of IRISH DRUMMING.

We dressed up for the evening to meet the LORD MAYOR Naomi Long. Presented her with a gift from LA’s BEST and a Tshirt from Los Angeles.

Great reception with Poetry from Cya and Andres about love and 4 Play

We ended the evening with Fernando’s niece singing Heal the WOrld. What a great ending to a brilliant evening.

Happy Anniversary - Agulians arrive in America

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:59:00 -0400

What a day this was 20…years ago my family immigrated to the US, what a journey that was. Fortnate to be alive and survived the war of the Middle East Lebanon.

Here I am touring other countries, and blessed to have everything. Family, friends and GX. Being in Northern Ireland and counting my blessings.

After our long day of plannign the community event, preparation for the St. Patick’s parade, we met the facilitators and organizers of the event Eileen and company who were going to help us take part in the parade. We had planned to do workshops with the children from schools and different communities, and have them participate with us in the parade.

This day out of all days ended up with a bomb scare. We had to stay at Farset, and wait for clearance. There were no buses or transport everything froze. We had to walk to town for 1 hour with our group and got a ride from our host. Thank God we made it home safe…I had flash backs and memories of Beirut/Lebanon.

Being alive makes me appreciate and be grateful of all the simple things in life. Never take anything for granted, but in everything give thanks…

Aha moment - BELFAST Home of the Titanic

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:17:00 -0400

Tuesday March 9th

So far so good, I am loving every moment of the day. I started feeling at home, and already decided I wanted to stay, and not go back.

We got together at the Farset Hotel where we were to hold our meetings this week. It was a grat idea to see the Belfast team in orientation. To see all that we talked about in Durban put into action. The meetings were broken down into Child protectin issues, work etiquette, community event principles and planning.

There was an outsied visitor Hilde from Child services that gave us a workshop on how to work with the children. Very important and very informational.

We spent a nice night with our host’s friend John, having dinner, wine and playing silly games…

There Goes Marie Claire

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:02:41 -0400

Our first few days after a shocking Sunday news, the team was restless and worried. We started our week on shakey ground. We lost the excitement, filled with worry and were not at ease with each other. Feelings of anger, frustration, judgements, and pointing fingures around the group.

Niel GX director, and Jess were very good in bringing our focus back to our journey and the purpose we were there for. They were great facilitators with strong directives that helped us move forward.

The first part of Monday we spent on orientation of the 3 weeks, shared practices, logistics, shared responsibilities, and also meeting British council members, Shona councilwoman, at the British council office, followed with lunch.

In the afternoon we met the city police representatives, Gerry and Trish, and got to know the safety issues and the bomb scares and conflicts of the Catholics and Protistants.

Followed by a bus tour of the city and locations of our placements. Which was a brilliant idea.

Ireland week 1 -Here comes the sun

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:52:05 -0400

It was amazing week. The snow and rain has stopped, and we had nothing but California sunshine, we brought with us. I am taking in every moment, and enjoying every experience. First night March 6th after our long airport trip we were welcomed at Farset, met our new director Jess, Menzi and all our GX team, had dinner and did some catching up.

I love the way this week was broken down, much moe organized and really served its purpose. Arriving Saturday gave us a chance to meet our hosts and spend the morning making breakfast and eating the Irish way. The breakfast was called Oister Fry, and it was amazing. Chicky my counhterpart Toni’s husband has welcomed us with great hospitality.

Sunday afternoon we were united with our GX team and did a walking tour of Belfast, very informational historic tour of Belfast city center, from the city Hall, which is in the middle of the city to the Bridge where Titanic sailed from, to intown Victoria market, where I spent a lot of my time shopping, and shoping, and shoping. I shoped till I dropped…

Phase 2 of GX

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 04:04:59 -0500

Cheers from Belfast, North Ireland.

I’m home, and I don’t want to leave. It is amazing here. Arrived Saturday the 5th, and I feel time is flying. It stopped snowing and we have been having great weather. I am enjoying every moment and taking in every experience. Will catch up with you soon.

wow...what a celebration...Music Heals

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:57:23 -0500

Our last night was amazing…It was great to work collectively with the Global Exchange team and organize a great celebration event Thursday Night. In 3 days we were able to put a show together, it was a miracle, but the team made it happen. It was amazing to discover the strengths of the specialists we were surrounded with.

We had the support of the Municipality, specially the Host hope I stayed in. Sham Maharaj really came true for us and the Pheonix community came together and were ready to help. I was part of a strategic planning meeting with the Pheonix Society and they gave me a space in the agenda to present our community needs for the event we were planning. The City was able to arrange a bus to pick student up from different schools, which helped with the budget of 3000 ran that we had available. They also provided food for 200 people. It is amazing to see how the community comes together and makes things happen.

The day started with workshops for the students Hipe Hop, Music, Poetry, Drama.

We also had an open forum for practitioners and a workshop they could benefit from. We had close to 30 participants.

After serving everyone refreshements, we all joined in the concert Hall and enjoyed an amazing program. We witnesses Zulu traditional dancing, Jazz music, Drama, Poetry, Beat boxing, Hip Hop Dancing…concluded with Ubuntu…invited the Global Xchange team to be introduced and a great finale with Heal the world holding hands and singing…

I dont want to leave, I made so many connections and felt so much love…

Tonight we are concluding with a dinner and farewell celebration.

We will be leaving tomorrow afternoon to the US. Cannot wait for the next trip to Ireland to meet my friends again.

Until than so long, Farewell, salani kahle…

UBUNTU-I am because you are because we are

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:31:00 -0500

I not only was blown away but am so honored to be part of history in the making…

Last week I was fortunate to meet the manager and coach of the South African team and his coaches, took a picture and had them sign my t-shirt. The world cup will be coming here June 11 to July 11.

I was not aware of Indian community moving here 150 years ago. I was part of the first cel;ebration event last week…Also, having the honor to visit Ghandi’s school and home, eating a mengo from his tree…ON the 30th it was the memorial of Ghandi’s death, there was a prayer dedication that started Friday evening followed on Saturday morning 4 am where 4 boats went to the middle of the Indian ocean before sunset, and with the granddaughter of Ghandi and family merged his ashes, a great moment of history in the making and I was part of it…a very humbling and exciting experience. After which followed a reception in the navel base with speeches and reception at the City Hall. A moment in my life I will never take for granted or forget…

This reminded me of Martin Luther King another saint who is celebrated in January…

May the peace of the peacemakers be with you all…

Experience of a lifetime

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:20:33 -0500

I am so grateful that I had the chance to be part of this great community…I will never forget the great expereiences, friends, relations and memories I made here in Durban. I have been journaling every single moment I am spengin here. One more week left and I am missing the people I will be leaving behind. The great thing is that we get to reunite again in Balfest in March..

I did get to celebrate my B-day on the 23rd and the whole Global team came together, we had great food, cakes, music and lots of fund South African style. I feel so loved and wlecomed by everyone, and will cherish every single minute.

We spend the whole first week getting to knwo each other, presenting our organizations and getting to know our host homes.

Saturday the 23rd my Bday we spend touring the city of Durband and we also had a Heritage tour where we learned where every one will be placed for the next week. I was placed with my Irish counterpart Toni at an Indian Councilman’s home with a 14 year old daughter named Sasha and wife Ranuka…We were welcomed with open arms. Taken care of, transported where we needed to and fed Indian food with spices…We are being spoiled.

Saturday the 23rd I will never forget how loved I felt with everyone paying attention to me because I was the day’s Bday queen. At the end of the tour we went to Toni my COunterpartners Parents home, English from Ireland, living in Durban for 35 years. I recieved more love there and enjoyed more attention.

The week started at our placement Pheonix welfare Society, and youth center. We were welcomed by the managment Haroon, adn Saras two wonderful Indian women who oriented us, and planned our week.

We had a chance to visit 3 schools in the area…Also the community projects, sawing, chicken raising, the HIV Clinic. We presented a 4 hour workshop with them on the wednesday, with great response and interaction. We also helped in the stratigic planning of the organization for the next year.

We visited solvista High school. 950 students and 35 teachers. I gave the opening speech, interacted with the kids with Ubuntu (unity) its a saying we learned..I am because you are because we are..closed it with Heal the world song where all the students joined in. Same day we interacted with 35 student leaders with 2 hour workshop, followed with the underachievers and workshop with the teachers..very fulfilling and productive day. Next day we visited another large elementary school interected with 81 students and had fun with, after which we were part of Yoga excercise.

On the weekend we went to the game park, Zoo with Zibras, Hipos, Lions, ELephants…amazing day which ended at the beach, and some shopping.

One more week left and we are now part of planning a community event like a celebration with workshops and a program with musicians singers, and guess who is in the program organizing it…and singing with the children…yes me…

Will see you soon util than…remember ubuntu..I am because you are because we are…

Finally I'm Here

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:41:17 -0500

Finally I have internet availability…What a great feeling it is to be connected again. I have been processing the great relationships, connections, learnings, and fun I am having. I will be able to post pictures as soon as we can charge our equipment. We have arrived at our destination on the 17th 10pm in the evening. After 24 hours of flight. 5 hours to washington and 19 to Durban South Africa. Great thing was that we met great people two Irish man from Durban that made things friendly and exciting.

The final countdown...

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:49:17 -0500

Goal Plan

“Nothing we do is as important as the effect it has on a child”

The way we can help organizations in LA through this experience is first embrace the global awareness and the need for connecting with the world and the cultures in it. Sharing individual ideas, collectively creates empowerment, social change and inspiring others to become change agents. My organization goal is to have better educated students for tomorrow. Nationally recognized after school education, enrichment and recreation program… Our vision is to create a safe place with caring responsible adults, engaging activities that connect the child to school and community, and why not globally.

We value Youth development and nothing we do is as important as the effect it has on a child. Children have choice and voice in our programs, they are accepted and respected and valued. They have equal rights and most importantly feel safe physically and emotionally. Bringing back global awareness and a taste of culture which is not new for LA. However, Organizations in LA during difficult economic times often become very isolated. My hope is to express the value of connecting even in difficult times in fact is more important in difficult times.

The information we will gather first will be our cultural differences, as well as our common understanding, embracing diversity and the way everyone operates around the world. This is a great opportunity for Global Professional development. Team collaborations are always better than one person planning. You learn more from team work and develop relationships with the outside world. Our country has influenced the world and brought safety through democracy, its time to spread our wings, be open and embrace global awareness and cultural diversity. What is important is to understand the sensitive areas ripe for misunderstanding stereo typing and misconceptions of other cultures and define strategies and to mitigate these misunderstandings.

The way I would connect back with my stakeholders, first through on going journaling of the amazing experience I will have with partners from around the word, who have the same thrive and passion for working with youth, and also learn of their individual experiences and challenges. We are a blessed country and have amazing resources, and to bring back the brainstorming from other organizations is alone a great value to our learning. If we are open and honest, we will have a lot to transfer and receive.

My organization LA’s BEST expectation is that we transfer the benefits as a leader to help other staff build civil awareness which will serve in current capacity locally and globally. Our plan will be to support other communities to see the different curriculums and be motivated to implement the programs we are currently using (Connecting for Success…) The ultimate goal being the leadership of organizations expending the pilots in their own countries, and my responsibility is to transfer the message. LA’s BEST has a strong web site with millions of media impressions. I am able to have my experience featured on this website. In addition LA’s BEST has three boards-Governing, Advisory, and BEST Friends and I can speak to each at a regularly schedules meeting.

“Change starts with me is our Organizations motto” I love to be a positive impact in people’s lives, and believe in this concept with all my heart and soul. I believe in my organization and have worked with their values for the 10 years of its 20 year existence.

As an individual this will be a professional growth opportunity, especially how it supports my passion for youth and influencing my community. I am an advocate of education, love relationship building. It is an opportunity to learn and embrace other ideas globally, and understand other societies, as we share and brainstorm collectively. Learning from others experiences will give me creative empowerment, social change, and inspired by others I will myself become a change agent. I am so blessed to have this opportunity, it will change my life.

To achieve any goal in life first one must have open mind and open hearts. One must be passionate towards life and help influence others to be positive. I am an optimist, and believe in making the world a better place, and I know that change starts with me. I know that there is a purpose for my existence, and want to be a person that touches young peoples lives and makes a difference. Nothing is important to me as bringing a smile, or hope to a child. My personal mission is to bring Hope, love and peace. I want to be the next Oprah or mother Teresa… “The more I give the more I have, both are infinite.” I want to be a great listener and I want to reflect daily on all I learn.

"My Journey begins"...

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:13:38 -0500

“We Have no idea the power we have to create anew”

“Imagine a place where people are kind to each other, where each member of the community cares about supporting the feelings and dreams of everyone else and where everyone has the opportunity to realize their potential. Imagine a place where both young people and adults learn about their own uniqueness, yet value the importance of their peers; are assertive, yet polite, are proud yet unassuming. This special place can be your afterschool program”.

Change starts with me…and I am ready for the journey…