As I looked around the countryside of central, southern Africa I wanted to start singing Lion King songs. The long grasses blowing softly in the wind leading up to the sparse trees against the horizon was captured so well in the movie, it felt familiar. The sun's warm rays soaked into my skin followed by the sun setting with it's breathtaking yellows, reds, and oranges. The landscape is beautiful.
As I soaked in the incredible African landscape for the first time, I noticed the stark contrast from abundant horizon to the scarcity of day to day life. One block from my hotel with beautiful views, running water and electricity sat an entire community without either modern convenience.
I know this is a duh moment but physically being in a Third World Country is COMPLETELY different than reading an article about human suffering in a comfortable home across an ocean. I had seen images in magazines and news articles. I had given money, sponsored children and now I had flown there because I wanted to help. Still,
I was unprepared and overwhelmed.
This had a face and need in front of me.
I had totally bought into the long term objective to invest and train people for better lives so their future is transformed when I was home. But standing here in a third world country............
I wanted to grab my credit card and tell everyone to follow me!
It's the problem with being raised with modern conveniences. It's the unit we use to measure cultures. It's a unit we need to come along side people and places who don't have access to them. But while we are trying to help, we can't miss the riches of the existing culture, the ingenuity and intelligence of the people.
The landscape is beautiful but not as beautiful as the people.
Amapalo was born out of my love for the people I met and want to help while retaining the beauty of their culture. It's not an easy tightrope to walk, I want to represent the need and the difficulties while showing their strengths and richness of their culture in a relevant way to those who can't go and see for themselves. Gaming isn't a documentary but it is a way to get a taste of someone else's life. A taste where I pray you fall in love with people and that love propels you into wanting to help.