A Mayan girl named Haiti changed my life.

In This Issue

A Mayan girl named Haiti changed my life. by Incoming TBB Student Laura Conway

An Evening with James Blake

Thank You!
James, Thomas, & Betty Blake
Maura Crossin
Jen Stakich

Special thanks to those who donated goods and services for silent auction to support Thinking Beyond Borders.

Items Donated By:
Abbey Tent and Party Rental
Ash Creek Saloon
Beach Bum Tanning
Black Rock Oyster Bar
Bob Sivik, Cleveland Cavaliers
Carlos Fleming, IMG World
Centro
Chef's Table
Company Sponsors for James Blake:
Coppia Ristorante
Culinary Institute of America
Emily Snider, CMPR
Encore and Fashion DNA
Fairfield Fire Department
Fairfield Police Department
Fairfield Stationers
Fjord Fisheries
Hands on Pottery
Hansen's Flowers
Harry's Wine & Liquor Shop
High Trail Sports
J. Albert Johnson Jewelers
James Moorhead, Old Spice
JP Johnson
Kim Smith
La Moda Clothing
Le Chateau
Magnolia
Matt Daly
Matt Fraenza, Pilot Pen Tennis
MediaWave
Osianna Restaurant
Phong Bui
Pink Cloud Beading Company
Strada 18
Naiomi Calder, The Boston Red Sox
The Spa for Men and Women
The Tennis Spot
Venture Portraits
Vino on the Brickwalk
Walpole Woodworkers

We are continuously fundraising to provide scholarships to students in need so this powerful program will be available to all qualified applicants.
Donate Now

Translations August 2009

Greetings!

As the summer months come to an end, incoming TBB students are beginning to pack their bags, this year's Program Leaders are getting to know each other and are preparing for the year, and TBB alumni are beginning to head off to college. We want to wish them all well and are excited about all the adventures this upcoming year!

A Mayan girl named Haiti changed my life.
by Incoming TBB Student
Laura Conway

A Mayan girl named Haiti changed my life. She lives in Guatemala which has been my second home. I lived in Guatemala for a year when I was young and since have visited continuously my whole life. My Father and Mother were Peace Corps Volunteers in Guatemala, and since then my father has worked reforesting Central America with his nonprofit "Trees Water and People". Most of the time I live a typical middle class life filled with school and horses and friends, but I have another reality. Every year I go with my family to visit friends and help plant trees and build improved wood cook stoves in adobe houses. I go to rural villages where farms are grown on impossibly steep hills as this is the only available land. I drive by tiny grandmothers and malnourished kids hauling loads of firewood and water on their heads. I play soccer with barefoot children with hungry eyes and scabby skin. I cook tortillas on the dangerously smoky stoves that I later help replace with Trees Water and People. Guatemala is deeply linked to my family's hearts and has shaped who I am through every step of my life. Read More

An Evening with James Blake

The 2009 James Blake Event was a great success. Over 85 guests came out to the Penfield Beach Pavilion in Fairfield, CT to meet James and learn about Thinking Beyond Borders. We had 35 items in the silent auction, perfect weather, good music, inspiring speeches, and seemingly endless variety of food and drinks.
Read More

Where are the Book Reviews?
Over the past year, we have reviewed a number of books that are part of the TBB curriculum in this newsletter. However, the curriculum has many components. This year, we will be reviewing documentaries and movies that the students watch. Don't worry though - we've archived all the book reviews and put them on our website. Read Book Reviews

Movie Review: Baraka
directed by Ron Fricke

There is no narration, and there are no actors. Yet, this full-length film speaks volumes about our global society. Fricke creates a story line and message by utilizing impressive cinematography of global cultures and heritage sites that are both familiar and unfamiliar to even the most traveled viewer. A soundtrack of fused world music accompanies these gorgeous and powerful images of nature, cultures, and society. The editing creates a rhythm and generates themes that cut across geography, time, and species. If nothing else, this film captivates with its sheer beauty. That being said, it is likely to spark powerful discussions regarding its meaning and message with viewers of all ages. Read More

Last year's students offered great feedback and the TBB curriculum continues to evolve. We hope you enjoy learning about some of the books and movies that are included. Next month, you can look forward to hearing from the newest group of TBB students as they begin the program in Costa Rica!

Thanks for reading,

Sandy Pendoley

Co-Founder
Thinking Beyond Borders
www.thinkingbeyondborders.org

Thinking Beyond Borders is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.