Hi everyone, the lockdown has been a great time to think and reflect on work, community and catching up with friends and family. Facebook, Zoom and Instagram have been great for staying connected whether for work or personal, especially to stay on top of current issues and opportunities in the community. It’s been a great time to see the Kiwi spirit of generosity and good old Kiwi innovation coming out. But one thing is for sure, I miss the real face-to-face engagement at the coalface with locals, residents and community providers. Thank goodness for technology I say!
The odd walk around the block has also been really interesting, in fact, I haven’t had so many people saying hello on public roads as I have the last few weeks. Aucklanders are finally saying hello to the stranger on the road… awesome! But I reckon the winners are the dogs, they get to walk a few times a day, every day!
Somebody once asked me if I know of an App that can help children learn to read and I answered, “yeah, it’s called a book.” Outside of essential work reading, I am not a reading freak by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to read interesting and thought provoking stuff.
So, to get away from all the kind of ‘face to face’ stuff, I have managed to find a book to read called “Controversies in Political Theology: development or liberation.” Yet another thought provoking book for any community development practitioner to read and reflect on. The book questions whether one ought to be struggling toward development or liberation, and looks at the practice of development and liberation theology since the 1960s and what they mean for today – it offers another place from which to stand and speak. Pretty awesome and easy reading, especially as we will continue to wrestle with COVID-19 for a little longer.
Winter is coming and it will be a cold one. For the evenings, try a good old shepherd’s pie with a Kiwi twist for dinner. That, along with a nice hot drink and an interesting read should help put you to sleep early!
Take care, Iani