So what is a team anyways?

If you want to go fast - go alone.... but if you want to go far - well  then  - you have to go as a team. 

We pulled away from the office on Friday morning - early - way too early for my liking. And despite the early hour, the team was laughing and clearly eager to begin our day of team building exercises in Naivasha. The trip was 2 days at the resort area where we would combine classroom instruction and activities with the goal of bringing us even closer together.

As the wheels on our bus went round and round I thought of how lucky I am to be a part of this unique and special team. To a person, they are respectful of one another, unfailingly committed to our goals and possess a warmth of character that I have not previously come across in my travels. I have had the honor of managing teams in the past (with varying levels of success I might add) but I have to say from my experience to date, that the willingness to be part of a team is an essential ingredient. This is truly a team that requires the manager to clear the way ..... then get out of the way so they can get shit done! Introducing the amazing team that runs The Mighty KSU!!

Listening carefully in the picture above, teams Super Simba (white ribbon) and Panda (Red Ribbon) receive instructions for the next activity. The task was tricky. All team players had to pass through the hoops but the bottom hoops could not be used and only 2 members could go through the second level hoops. It was remarkable how quickly the teams figured out the best strategy and executed. Team Super Simba celebrates below after completing one of the tasks before Team Panda. The enthusiasm was as exuberant as it was contagious.

 I've been leading teams for a number of years now and am honored to have been chosen for the responsibility both here and previously. It's always been my firm belief that a leader's responsibility is to serve and those who manage least, manage best. Set the goals and then let the team do it's work. In these games as in the office, leadership came from throughout.... not just supervisors. It comes from people's competencies and interest in helping the team reach their goals.

When you break down the barriers of stiff hierarchical authority relationships amazing things can happen. But here's the thing. As my friend Kim Wenner once said (very smart cookie she is)  
Communication is key!!! 
And so along with encouraging each team member to define their work, achieve self- mastery of their tasks and satisfy their needs for increasing responsibility is the importance of authentic and respectful dialogue.

Respectful and challenging communication with your colleagues....
Respect for the need to hold one another accountable
Respect for the organization itself
Respect for the agreed upon goals
Respect for yourself .... 

And so what is a team? Vince Lombardi said it well.... 
"Individual commitment to a group effort--that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." --Vince Lombardi

Smiles from a couple team members......

Caro always smiling

Mercy always smiling

Henry - always smiling

Tilapia - the chicken of fish! 

My friend Florence was good enough to cook me an authentic East African delicacy - Tilapia with all the trimmings. Easily one of the most favorite dishes in East Africa, it is available fresh and delicious throughout Kenya. One of the big three fish of biblical times, it is has been a staple in diet throughout the world wherever in fact Cichlids can survive. That happens to be almost anywhere where the water is warm. Because they will eat plant material (less harmful discharged), they can be grown in more crowed environments. Also - because they're vegetarians, they don't accumulate mercury or fat. Add to that their fast growth and tastiness and it's close to the perfect food. It reminds me of red snapper - white slightly firm meat - it's perfect with Tomato and peppers and a squish of lime. In a tidy mound above is mashed potato with fresh coriander. All in all.....a perfect feast! 

Thanks for reading - Layno

Trekking the Abaderes

Pretty Misty Mister....

Hiking the Abadares is indeed an adventure of Harrison Ford-esque magnitude. It's an Indiana Jones-like experience a trekking through bamboo forests and exploring fantastic waterfalls shrouded in magic, mist and mystery. Vines hang from somewhere above, caves beacon, and our guards with Kalashnikovs at the ready keep an eye for the dangers of elephants ..... or buffalo...or bandits.
I am under no illusions as to my fortune on this day. The chance to explore these wonderful places is a gift that I am so pleased to have been given in my life. A moment here to remind of the wonderful opportunities that present when we have our health, and a vigorous unquenchable spirit for adventure.

The hours of sweating, sliding and climbing through the forest seem like a lot of effort at times. After all, it's a relaxing Saturday morning somewhere on the east bank of the great Rift valley in Kenya. Why all the effort? It's a mere 2 hours away from the city but a universe away in terms of the unspoiled natural environment. Pictured on the left, my friend and fellow adventurer Florence (previously introduced snorkeling on the South Kenya Coast) smiles in a friendly way that belies the reality of the tough terrain we tackled on the day. Looking ahead the trail ( if there is one) looks flat.....but was anything but! The green bits cover a slick red mud that ensured each of us ended up on our asses on more than one occasion.


As our group of about 20 intrepid hikers tentatively made our way down the muddy slope to the canyon bottom below, our senses were on overload. The roar of the waterfall crashing meters from us, the mist more like angry swirling rain and finally green green green leafy plants; trifids taking back the earth.

The hours of sweating, sliding and climbing through the forest were well worth it for this spectacular treat of the senses. The canyon was cool - cold actually, and we were all soaking wet within minutes. We definitely were uncomfortable but we stayed entranced by the water cascading from above and plunging at our very feet; so near were we to the waterfall.

The waterfall is nicknamed "General China" a freedom fighter who hid in this area during the Mau mau insurrection. A colleague of Dedan Kimathi mentioned previously, they led the Mau mau (along with a couple other notable leaders) against the British in the 50's. General China (actually Waruhiu Itote) was captured in 1954 but worked out a deal to bring an end to the insurrection in exchange for his life. It's said that he ventured to the caves in the Abaderes and met with Dedan and others trying in vain to talk them into surrender. In the end, he was unsuccessful and was sent to an interment camp where he met Jomo Kenyatta and became a close friend. Jomo, of course, went on to become the first Presie of Kenya and took General China into his government once formed in 1963. General China died in 1993 of a stroke at the age of 71.

Sitting in the cave looking out at the waterfall my thoughts fell to these men and what they must have endured at the time. On the run hunted and hated, they lived under the harshest of conditions to stand for what they believed in. Now that's leadership.

And I know of few who lead and inspire others so well as my good friend Chris. Pictured here looking fit and friendly - he volunteers his time in Africa pursuing justice for scumbag poachers. A member of the legal team at Wildlife Direct, their work is as important as it is frustrating. Funding is hard to come by, bad guys almost impossible to convict ...and see justice served....all the while the crisis becomes more and more serious.

It's a thankless job that I can only hope someday gets the recognition and required resources it deserves.  Shame on those who profit from the destruction of non-renewable natural resources knowing all the while that when the last Rhino shudders fails and falls to ground that we have failed miserably as a species and stewards of the land.

I doubt Chris gives much thought to how others view his contribution but I have to say that he's a solid guy and I'm proud to be associated with him.

To my fallen comrade in Central African Republic..... RIP my friend.

I read recently that the number of humanitarian workers who die each year is more than the number of peacekeepers. What the fuck? How can this be? Does this mean that NGO's are reckless with their behavior? Does it mean that intelligence and security measures are not sufficient within the NGO sector?

Or does it mean that as a community we have a peacekeeping construct that is remarkably ineffective from an operational perspective?  In the same way that MSF has chosen to  withdraw from the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, my sense is that we are spending far too much time administering and talking about peacekeeping and not nearly enough time actually doing it.

My heart goes out to my colleague who lost his life last week while on the job giving selflessly of himself to make the world a better place. And shame to those who perpetrate violence on this who so clearly are well-intensioned and giving in their duty.
Robbery I understand... the act of desperate people in desperate times. The act of killing for the sake of killing is a heinous and despicable event that deserves an measured and equal response in my view.

Thanks for reading.....Layno

Home for a visit - Home for a rest

Canada's Beautiful West Coast - New Perspectives

I had been preparing for a presentation to the MSF Kenya Supply Unit Steering committee in Amsterdam and while I had known that I was going to Victoria and Vancouver immediately after, I really had given little thought to what it would be like after over a year on the Dark Continent. The presentation required a lot of focus so the details of my 2 and a half week homecoming were left more to chance and the wind than my traditional planning and spreadsheet fanaticism.

Presentation successfully completed and a day of meetings in Brussels behind me, I was winging my way to Canada. A quick stop in Vancouver was certainly a foreshadowing with the sun still shining brightly and everything glittering and sparkling in this clean and beautiful city.

I was greeted in Victoria by my close friend Marli, my son Jake and his best friend Braydon (affectionately know as Braydo). That was a terrific moment for me. I was back on home soil and reveling in the feelings that I had indeed been missed.

So - The West coast of Canada in spring - is there really anything more beautiful? Maybe Beyonce with a catastrophic wardrobe malfunction but I can think of few other things that are such a sight for sore eyes. Everywhere you turn there is beauty springing new and fresh in the warm spring sun.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of friends and coffee dates catching up and sharing the  adventures of the last year.  I saw my friend Barry on the day after I arrived and spent a whole afternoon catching up. Despite working for the government, Barry is one of the finest gentlemen I have encountered. Engaging, honest, generous and thoughtful he has been a wonderful friend of mine and hope will always be so. He was kind enough to let me store my Ducati in his garage and so asked if I would be using it over the next couple weeks. "no" I replied.... what would be the point? "Ahhh" he said...it's no trouble....why not?


That night he sent me an email with the steps involved. Hmmmmm I thought, maybe it would be worth doing. It was not particularly easy given my archaic looking Kenyan driving license. So surprised was the insurance officer her first words after seeing it were to say "Hey everyone!! get over here and get a load of this!!"

A bit of messing around but the smile on my face in the picture below tells the story. For the record the Ducati 748 on the side is for show, the bike is actually (more or less) a 916 heavily modified to do just one thing... go into corners like a bullet and make sure you exit the curve rubber side down and rider intact. Super fun bike and while not great for some of the Vancouver Island touring I did, there was plenty of power when the opportunity came to pull out and pass. See below what is affectionately know as the "Dominatrix". It hurts like hell to ride but you keep coming back for more for some reason.

The purple Camus below beautifully accessorizes the view of the Olympic Peninsula in the distance. This photo is looking South East from the beach near my home. It's a view I enjoyed almost daily for many years and like time spent with an old friend is both comfortable and familiar.

The cove near the the house was as peaceful and serene as ever. This picture was taken around 6 am as I enjoyed the moment with Poncho, my goofy Chocolate Labrador Retriever and a good hot cup of coffee. No garbage - no loud noises - no looking over my shoulder for bad guys coming to hurt me - no smell of burning tires or diesel smoke. Just the gentle sounds of the waves lapping at the beach and a family of Canada Geese overly concerned about Poncho chewing a piece of driftwood into toothpicks near the water's edge. If ever there was a moment for reflection it was here and in this moment. And i did as it was an opportunity to thoughtfully compare my experience in a developing country with the world I have know for over 50 years.  I do see that comparison quite differently at least for now. It's not that I view western lifestyles with disdain or cynicism. It's not that I think of those I share this beautiful country with as naive or uncaring in their thinking; but I do wish that we would all better appreciate the life we have been given.... or more accurately inherited. Our birthplace comes with inherent rights 7/8 the of the world's population can only dream and drool over.  Not having to endure sexual assault to keep your job - not having to walk 6 hours a day to work at a job where you are unpaid with the faint hope that you can gain sufficient experience to find a job well below the masters degree you worked so hard to attain. Or living in poverty and  knowing that if you get sick - you'll be unable to buy the basic medicines needed to survive and will likely die. And in fact - to take this just a bit farther - be willing to do anything to just survive. Yes - the longer I sat and pondered the more I appreciated the lottery that rewarded me with beautiful life I am very grateful for.

Pictured above and beside are a couple pictures taken while spending time with the kids. Stevie and I took a walk with her dog Oakland (The Rat Dog) and Poncho around the lake on a beautiful warm day, while Jake and I got his graduation suit fitted for his big upcoming day. They both look so happy and healthy.


I am so proud of both of them for their independent spirit and maturity. They are amazing young adults well aware of the world around them and their place within it.

I've never been in first class on an airplane before but  when the woman behind me on the flight from Edmonton to Amsterdam took great exception to me leaning my seat back the opportunity came up. On two occasions when I asked if she was ok when I felt a bang on the back of the seat, her response was only that I should go fuck myself. "Hmmmm", I thought after the second FU -  it was likely best that I let the attendants know about the somewhat anti-social and agitated woman behind me. They quickly whisked me into first class and stuck a single malt scotch in my hand. Hmmm - not so bad I thought. Did you know you can lie flat in there? I slept like a baby through to Schiphol. Life is good!!!!

Poncho greets me with a stick...wanna play Layne???

One last shot of the Dominatrix..... Graceful , elegant and completely belligerent all at once........ like me!!!

Thanks for reading.....Layno

Springtime in Amsterdam

Tulips are the most sensible of flowers... Show and go.....

I can think of no better time to arrive into Amsterdam than just as the tulips are coming into bloom. Bright - cheerful - colorful sights greet one at every turn as you explore the streets and canals of the city.  I love tulips as the harbingers of better weather heralding the news with spectacular displays that are extinguished almost as quickly as they appear. A very sensible flower in my view...always leave them wanted a little more.

I had a few days of work/play in the city so contented myself with half days of faithful service to my computer and the rest simply wandering with no particular place to go. No maps - no agenda...just wandering.......................

 
My amazing daughter Stevie has visited Peru, Mexico and Africa in the past few months so may have been infected with the same wanderlust. A prouder Dad I couldn't be :)


In  addition to the shameless wandering I also indulged in my favorite dinner on each of the nights I was in the city. As pictured below, a Merlot so thick you can stand a fork in it - a wheel of Camembert, a dry sausage and of course a baguette just warm from the oven. All for less than $20.... the Europeans have their priorities straight in my mind. Food and then everything else. Healthy? Hmmmm...not sure about that.

Fat Bastard - Camembert - Sausage and a baguette...oh yeah!!!!!

The sun was warm (not Africa warm) enough to draw Amsterdamites out to the street cafes and neighborhood pubs for drinks of all sorts. For me - a number of beer stops were clearly a necessity due to extreme thirst and the very real possibility of expiring mid-step due to dehydration. Why take that chance. A sparkling conversation with a stranger generally ensues .... in this case a Dutch couple in their 80's out for their daily beer.

Belgium after the bombing........

 

I took the train to Brussels after Amsterdam and and while mainly working while there, I did have to travel through the city using the trams, bus and trains. The Maalbeek station was still closed and the aftermath of the bombing and security was both omnipresent and menacing; a constant companion to the Belgians who have had to reconcile their beautiful peaceful lives with the acts of terror that left 32 dead and over 300 wounded.

At Gare Midi, the south train station, 5 of the entrances are closed pushing commuters to a single point of entry and down a roped corridor where you are scrutinized for anything that could be used to inflict more pain and suffering. On the left is the view from the front desk at the hotel where I stayed. I am getting ready to exit and make my way through the heavily armed guards who are in no mood for jokes or idle chatter. To get out of the hotel - you have to push by these guys who are so focused on their task they neither give way or exchange any kind of greeting. Interesting and understandable  - and a clear example of the tension gripping this normally friendly and hospitable city. I share in their grief, and those elsewhere who continue to have their lives torn apart by what must be the actions madmen and woman.


“There are few things more dangerous than inbred religious certainty.” ― Bart D. Ehrman,



Thanks for reading - Layno