Inspiration

By, Spencer Gale, guest blogger, who is interning with Dsenyo this summer.

Refugee camps have become much more prevalent over the past decade in Africa. With political, social, and economic turmoil in the surrounding countries, Dzaleka Camp in Malawi is home to more than 10,000 refugees from more than 12 countries. Capacity is 4,000. The UNHCR operates the camp which is a "temporary" home for refugees and asylum seekers from countries like Rawanda, Burundi, Congo and Kenya. Constricted by local Malawian laws, it is nearly impossible for refugees to work outside the camp (refugees are not permitted to do business outside of the camp or own cars). While Dzaleka Refugee Camp is seen as a temporary home, the average stay for both refugees and asylum seekers is roughly five years - five years with little to no employment or advancement opportunities. However, with 10,000 refugees there is a wealth of skilled craftspeople and artisans coming from Rawanda, Burundi, Congo and more; there is potentially a huge opportunity for these people to share their valued skills. In the coming months Dsenyo hopes to learn more about Dzaleka Refugee Camp through a visit to see what the future may hold!

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies by Alexander McCall Smith


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoy the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. "In the Company of Cheerful Ladies" was entertaining and McCall Smith always impresses me with the detail of everyday life in Botswana. Having lived in Malawi myslef, I really appreciate these small details like the sounds of the African bush, the delight of pumpkins, and the difference between city folk and village folk. This book was a quick read like most of McCall Smith's books, but is full of insight, amusement and touching accounts about the interactions between his wonderful characters. I do recommend this series of lighthearted books to anyone interested in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially those that want insight in to the brighter side of life in Africa, a refreshing change from the typical doom and gloom we are fed by the media.

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My degree is in International Studies from the University of Arizona,  where I focused on economic development.  I’m a jack of all trades type of gal.  I have worked as a fine arts painter for several years and have a natural eye for design. I learned to sew as a kid and have always been good with my hands.

Over the past few years,  I have taught myself how to design handbags and accessories by hijacking my step-mom’s 1960’s sewing machine (permanently on loan to me) and just going at it!  I sketched designs, rented books from the public library, dissected handbags to study how they were constructed, studied other designers by going to stores and sketching their designs, etc.  I’m still learning...it never ends!

I tend to dive into things with a lot of energy, a willingness to learn along the way and accept that the end result might not be exactly what I had in mind from the beginning. Some of the best art and the best designs happen by “accident”.

This time of year gets awefully busy.  It's also one of my favorite times of year and I hate to see it pass by in a flash.  In order to slow down, breathe a bit, and be more present in the moment...

Here are my top ten tips for staying relaxed and inspired during the Holidays:

1. ESCAPE into another world...read fiction!
2. Feed your SOUL...go to church, read a spiritually inspiring book or text
3. TREAT yourself to a spa day...a manicure or massage rejuvinates
4. PLAY!...suduku, monopoly, blockhus, cards, anything!

I discovered this sea of carins flooding the Boulder Creek the other day.  I was walking accross the bridge to the Boulder Public Library when a quick glance to my right stopped me in my tracks.  Good thing I had my trusty camera with me as usual.  I always love to have it on hand to capture these fleeting moments of inspiration.  Obviously someone else was feeling creative.  Thank you for sharing your work with the world whoever you are!  It's amazing to me how one person's inspiration can keep on giving to others and becomes food for further creative endeavor

Many people are curious to know the story behind our name Dsenyo (dee-sen-yo).  As a child of the American melting-pot I was born to a Cuban mother and an American, Scotish-raised Father.  I grew up in Colorado hearing my mother and grandmother speak Spanish.

I remember quite vividly when my naive, post-college ideallism collided head-first with reality.  I was teaching high school social studies with Teach for America in Miami, it was my first job.  I  quickly learned that true change in the face of difficult obstacles is possible but that it takes time, dedication, more time, and stubborness.  The desire to give dissadvantaged individuals equal access to opporutnity still drives me as we work to expand Dsenyo.  On days that reality poses obstacles to reaching my vision, it's alwasys helpful to get an encouraging word or two from someone else

I feel so fortunate for the international exposure and experiences I have had up to this point in my life. The people I have met, personal challenges I have faced, and new places I have seen have forever changed my outlook on life. It's hard to put into words, especially for an artist who isn't well versed in words, but most of all this collection of experiences have put me in touch with the humanity which we all share. While we may find ourselves in different environments and speaking in languages that don't comprehend each other, we all seem to have similar hopes and dreams, trials and troubles. It's too easy to think of someone as "other" or "different" but in reality we are all very much the same.

Jon and I are still hosting our blog that we wrote during our time in Malawi. It's nice to go back and read about what I was learning in that space and how to keep those things alive in my life right now. For the most part, I encountered the most culture shock in relation to TIME, RELATIONSHIPS, and PRODUCTIVITY. In Malawi, I liked how relationships were more important than staying on schedule. Back home, I like the satisfaction of productivity achieved by being on schedule. I'm working on bringing the best of both worlds together.

To read more from our Malawi blog visit: Barrio Malawi