ANSA International Program Blog

The ANSA program is now just over a year old, but the last three weeks have held some of the most exciting highlights.  In the last 18 days I've had meetings or receptions with folks from MAC AIDS Fund, the World Bank, APCO Worldwide, Congressional Hunger Center, NASTAD and the staff, boards of directors, and volunteers  of four non-profits on both U.S. coasts.  I met with all of these folks while "touring" with our African partners agency leaders.  Together we had 14 meetings, receptions and presentations, and all went extremely well.  But these weren't the biggest highlights.  

Helen Lieberman and Ishrene Davids, the founder and CEO, respectively, of Ikamva Labantu, and Patricia Sola, the founder of Hope Initiatives were able to attend the 15th annual ANSA conference held this year in Philadelphia.  On June 14 they received the ANSA Honors award for the courage and compassion they have shown as our first international partners.  All three leaders had an opportunity to speak to the conference attendees, and finally a ballroom full of American leaders in the field of nutrition and health had a chance to see the collective wisdom and compassion that is guiding the way to change in southern African communities.  Helen, Ishrene and Patricia were each brilliant, funny, and gracious beyond compare.  It was the most humbling moment of my professional life to be in the presence of these leaders as they spoke about the difference the ANSA partnerships have made in their work and in their communities.  The fact that Helen Lieberman admitted publicly that she had fallen in love with me really put the icing on the cake. 

(Pictured are top: Helen Lieberman (left) with MANNA board chair Barbara Kaplan; center: Ishrene Davids (right) with ANSA Program Director Maria Staunton; and bottom: Patricia Sola (right) with ANSA board chair Artrese Morrison.)

It was a genuine honor to be in New York, Philadelphia, DC, San Francisco and Sonoma County with these leaders.   It was a special treat to experience the U.S. through the eyes of first time visitors Ishrene and Patricia, and Helen made sure they got the real American experience by taking them to WalMart.  Patricia braved her first ever pedicure as a just reward for a successful meeting in San Francisco (pictured), then hopped in a car to cross the Golden Gate bridge right as the fog nestled under bridge for a fantastic made-for-the-movies view.  I'm afraid Ishrene left a little disappointed because I couldn't get her into the White House or introduce her to John Travolta, the only two things she eagerly hoped for in her visit here.  She will be back, though, so needless to say I will be doing more advanced social calendar planning next time.

ANSA members MANNA and Open Arms of Minnesota made it possible for Ishrene and Patricia to attend the ANSA conference and members Food for Thought and Project Open Hand San Francisco made it possible for Patricia to make the trip out west.  Helen Lieberman generously donated her time and costs to come for the visit.   On behalf of all of the entire ANSA family I thank all who made these visits happen and for making it possible for us to learn so much in person from our dear African friends.  Next time, we'll aim to learn alongside John Travolta at the White House.

Peace to all...Mary