August 2010 Review
From The Rector
During my summer break, I read the book Invictus, by John Carlin. You may have seen the film earlier this year, starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. It is the story of Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar and the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.
I can heartily recommend both the book and the movie, and not just because it’s about rugby! Really the most striking thing in this story is the extraordinary leadership ability of Mandela. He realised the World Cup was a unique opportunity to end the divisions that still ran deep even though the apartheid era was officially over. However to make the most of this opportunity Mandela needed to convince black South Africans to get behind the Springboks. The problem was that the Boks were one of the most potent symbols of Boer oppression, and some of the more extreme of his supporters would have preferred to have seen the Springbok jersey banned.
Let me just point out two fascinating aspects of this story. Mandela realised while imprisoned on Robben Island that he was going to have to win the hearts of his white oppressors. The only way that apartheid could be defeated would be by whites being persuaded that Mandela’s cause was right. So he embarked on a deliberate campaign of seeking to win the favour, trust and friendship of his captors, starting with his own jailer. Mandela learnt Afrikaans, developed an interest in Rugby and build relationships which simply charmed people into realising that apartheid was an expression of injustice.
Secondly, Mandela realised that the reconciliation that he longed for in South Africa had to start in him, in his heart, and in those around him. The movie has a great scene where, soon after he has been installed as President, his black body guards are outraged to discover that they will have to work with white security guards. A short time previously, these white guards would have been actively involved in the persecution of blacks. When his body guards protest to Mandela that they can’t work with these men, Mandela insists they must- because reconciliation must begin with them.
It’s a terrific story of courage, intelligence and grace. If you would like to read (or see) a great story which raises really instructive lessons in leadership, Invictus is a real winner.
Edward Vaughan
Young@Heart
On Saturday 12th June, some 30 pensioners and would be pensioners (!) travelled by coach from Crinken to Russborough House in Wicklow, the Garden of Ireland. We were blessed with the most wonderful weather, splendid and picturesque scenery and an excellent informative tour of the 18th century mansion. This was a pre-recession grand house, with immaculately maintained décor. Well worth a visit even for the non geriatric! Excellent food; a delightful walk in the surrounding parkland; a drive through the Wicklow hills via the Sally Gap to tea, coffee and nosh back at Crinken. Thank you to the organisers, and those kindly folk who do so much to make our declining years memorable and a delight to all the young-at-heart.
Our July event was a Strawberry Tea. Unfortunately we had to pick the wettest Saturday in July, however even the rain couldn’t dampen our spirits as we gathered together in the home of Noel & Jonie Griffin, who kindly hosted us. It was a wonderful afternoon to meet together and enjoy the opportunity of good conversation and catching up.
Derek Langran
Fields of Life Award
On 25 May 2010, Trevor Stevenson (CEO Fields of Life) was invited to an awards ceremony held at the University of Bradford, to receive the African MDG Achievers International Award in recognition of the work of Fields of Life in Africa.
The ceremony was held to honour 11 individuals in total for their work in trying to address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals 2015 through their work. It is a great achievement for Trevor and Fields of Life as the winners were selected from 230 nominations submitted from the UK, Europe, Africa and USA.
Fields of Life has come a long way since 1995, when it began with an agricultural project in Uganda. The work has developed and expanded into the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi not only in agriculture but education, health, water and micro enterprise projects. 2010 will see the 100th school built with over 40,000 children gaining an education. Water drilling has helped over 70,000 people gain access to safe, clean water. Micro enterprise projects have helped over 2,400 families out of the poverty trap.
Fields of Life are working together in partnership with the poorer countries named above to help in the areas of education, gender equality, trying to reduce infant mortality by providing safe clean water, ensuring environmental sustainability and combating the spread of HIV.AIDS.
Posted by on 08/10 at 12:03 PM