White River Idol

I wasn’t sure if this trip could get much better after a rough start, then doing a shark cage dive and meeting Desmond Tutu but tonight was another incredible night.


After a day of souvenir shopping with the kids we got ready for White River Idol, a talent show of local kids to raise money for Hands at Work that Paul and Mike Matthews organized. The level of talent was amazing. I thought that I was just going to be taking pictures but I was informed that I was going to be the MC for the evening. Not sure how I got that job, I guess I drew the short straw. The crazy thing is that I don’t remember every drawing any straws.

I received the list of acts with a brief description right before the show started so I was flying blind. Nobody had thought about recording the event on video or audio so Marty and Lexx jumped into action. Mr. Gadget figured out how to patch into their sound system and we had multiple video camera running during the show.

Lou, Lynne and Melissa worked the box office. All of the sudden it was show time with MC Green and the White River Idol. The local acts were incredible, with singing and dancing.

The Globetrotters stepped on stage and blew it away. Their act started with a poem that they had written about Dustin’s GreenHouse with a harmonica accompaniment by Lexx, then they broke into their step dance as the recited Invictus. It was awesome!

Here is the poem out Globetrotters wrote:


Out of tragedy seeds are sown

By the mends of the Green’s their faith is known

And through their efforts our lives have grown


Over the ocean and across new lands


We lay God’s blanket with giving hands
His loving wildness inspires our plans

This journey will forever change our lives

Through planes and sharks, we have survived


We thank our leaders with this surprise


Hope Grows Here


As the show finished our kids ran up on stage and started dancing which prompted all the other acts to join them. The night finished with all the kids who participated dancing on the stage. I can’t wait until you get to see the film, it is amazing! I love these kids!!!!

Masphumelele

We started this morning the same way we left off yesterday, in the township of Masphumelele. The globetrotters loved the kids they saw and Shane has told me that he could arrange to have a band who lived in the township play for us so I had him set it up.

Masphumelele is a community like any other with barber shops, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc. It is just a very very poor community. It was fascinating to see how they could set up a grocery store in what was just the backend of a trailer, or a funeral home in a broken down shack.

It was a really unique morning as the band set up in the middle of the street with their xylophones, African drum and Kudu horn. The band is called Buyambo and they have a very unique sound. As they played people came out in the streets and our kids started doing the Electric Slide to the African beat. Wow! It was amazing to watch as a group of American kids danced to the music in the middle of a township in South Africa early on a Thursday morning. What a sight!

The kids stick out in your mind as the victims of poverty but the amazing thing is how everyone still seemed so happy. It is amazing to see how money is not the root of happiness in many African communities. I guess when you think about it, money is never the root of happiness for anyone anywhere.

Shark Diving and Base Jumping on Table Mountain

The rest of our afternoon was full of adventure as we did our shark cage dive and base jumping on Table Mountain. We headed out in our shark boat towards Seal Island. Seal Island is about 25 minutes off the coast, an island with over 40 thousand seals hanging out on it. When you get downwind of the island the smell is overpowering. Unfortunately not a recipe for a bunch of kids who are seasick which is exactly what happened to almost all who went for the dive. Some sweated out the sickness and jumped in anyway, just two were too sick to think about jumping into 50 degree water.

As we anchored they dumped the cage in and tied it off to the side of the boat, then started chumming. Madelyn, Minesha and myself were the first to jump in. The crew had a fish head tied to a rope and a seal decoy they would toss out. When a shark came along they would lure it towards the cage.

The sea was pretty rough and you were constantly worried about a limb slipping though the cage and a Great White nabbing your arm or leg. Sometimes as you came up for air a swell would come at the same time not giving you any room to breath or your snorkel would fill with salt water leaving you gasping for air and a mouth full of salt water but when they lured a shark close enough to the cage you got up close and personal with one of the most dreaded creatures on earth. It was exhilarating!

The shark would grab the bait sometimes and the crew would bring the shark within a couple of feet or even inches of the cage. A couple of times the shark would actually bump the cage. These creatures are magnificent! Watching from the boat was just as thrilling as 10 to 15 foot sharks swarmed our boat right on the surface. 

I could not have been prouder of our Globetrotter kids and want to thank all the parents for loaning us 10 amazing people. People thank Lou and I all the time for giving these kids amazing experiences. The real secret is that we are granted an opportunity to mold and watch your children experience a whole list of “firsts”. It’s like letting us teach your child how to ride a bike and getting to watch them the first time the can ride without training wheels. Thank you so much!

Watching a bunch of high school kids, some who have never been on a boat, jump into a cage in freezing water when they are sick as a dog, throwing up over the side of the boat but still tough enough to do one of the scariest activities in the world is an experience that I will never forget. These kids are AWESOME! So you don’t owe us any thanks, we owe it to you!

I can check one more thing off my bucket list. As for the base jumping, it was off a park bench but Table Mountain gave us some spectacular views of Cape Town.

Going to the End of the Earth to Find Hope – Cape Hope

We joined the first group in Cape Town and were relieved that we all finally made it to Cape Town. Our guide, Shane Pinear picked us up and after dropping off our bags at our beautiful guest house, Moon Bay Guest House, we headed to the Cape of Good Hope. The kids were amazed with the beauty of the cliffs, the crashing waves and the flora and fauna. We made it to a restaurant overlooking the ocean and had a wonderful meal that was finished by all the wait staff singing some African songs. Really cool!

Then we climbed up to the lighthouse. The kids got to see penguins, a whale, and ostriches and millions of sea lice. You quickly understood why the coast of Africa is so treacherous. The kids finally got to see some of the incredible beauty of Cape Town.

We went into a township and the kids got to see how many of the people of Africa live. The township was really awful but a country club compared to some of the shanty towns.

So here are some of the pics you have been waiting for… 

Rough Start

Never a dull moment on a Globetrotter trip and our first 48 hours of this trip were no exception. It started with a flight delay in Greensboro that almost made us miss the last plane to Johannesburg out of Atlanta. We found ourselves running through the Atlanta airport to catch the flight and jumped on the plane as the doors shut. Missing that flight would have meant we would not have been able to fly out until Tues night, we dodged one bullet.

The second bullet came three quarters of the way through the flight when Lou told me she was having severe abdominal pains. Neither one of us had any pain killer so she toughed out for a couple more hours before she said she couldn’t stand it anymore. I know she is in serious pain when Lou let the flight attendant page for a doctor onboard.

A really nice doctor came forward and we found some strong pain reliever. The flight attendant radioed ahead for an emergency removal from the plane. The doctor felt that Lou was suffering from kidney stones. Then they moved us into first class. What a cheap way to get into first class. Unfortunately by that time there was only 45 minutes left in the flight.

A wheel chair was waiting for Lou when we touched down and we went to the medical clinic in the airport where they checked her out. The pain killer had kicked in and she was feeling better so rather than have an ambulance take us to the hospital my good friends Paul and Mike were waiting in the lobby took us to a private hospital.

Meanwhile back at the airport, since we were so late getting into Joburg we missed the last flight to Cape Town. Marty started working his magic with his co-workers in Greensboro, (thank you Melissa) to find a hotel and rebook our flight. Melissa called me at the hospital and Paul suggested that he make the hotel reservation since he was local and knew a good hotel close to the airport. After the hotel reservation was made we called Marty and the rest of the group and told them to go to the City Lodge Hotel, which they did. Unfortunately there are two City Lodge Hotels. Yeah you guessed it, they went to the wrong one. Now don’t forget Marty has two leaders, 10 kids with baggage and 14 duffle bags full of “give a gallon” bags.

Meanwhile back at the hospital, Lou is feeling much better. They still think it is kidney stones but not much they can do for her so we head for the right City Lodge. We finally meet back up with the kids about 11:30pm after starting our journey 33 hours earlier.

We got all the kids in their rooms and settled down about 12:30am on Wed and told them we had to be up at 5am to try to catch the 7am flight to Cape Town.

Everybody was up and ready at 5am and off we go to the airport. When we arrived they told us to get on the 7am flight we would have to rebuy all the tickets at $300 per person but if we waited until 12pm we could go for $45 per person.

That would mean we would not get into Cape Town until 2pm and another day would be wasted. I knew there was a chance that we could get Delta to help us because their delay made us miss our flight so I left the group and ran to the international terminal.

Of course when I got there Delta desk was closed with no one to be found . Now am I running back to the domestic terminal. Suddenly I remembered that our trip insurance included flight delay and cancellation coverage. I called and they said it should be covered, the only problem was there were only 9 seats available on the 7am flight and 8 seats available on the 7:30am flight and it was 6:15am, we had 45 minutes to rebook, check our luggage and get on the flight.

Marty was working the ticket rep and I was getting the kids ready. He told them to put Lou and I along with 7 kids on the first flight and the rest of the leaders and the remaining three kids on the second flight.

They close the flight 30 minutes before takeoff so we had 15 minutes to get our tickets and check our luggage. As they printed out the boarding passes I sent Lou with the kids to security. Our boarding passes were the last ones to print. They had printed all 7 kids boarding passes and they had headed for security when I was informed that the flight was closed and we would not make the flight.

Now I am running towards security to stop the kids because we have no leader on the flight. When I get to security I see Lou sending Lauren through security the last one to clear, all the others have already gotten through. So I grabbed Lauren told her she had to make the flight without an adult and we would be ½ hour behind them.

Here we go again, I am running back to the counter to try to make the 7:30 flight. When you are in a hurry nobody seems to move fast enough and as the clock ticked the second flight was about to close. We got our boarding passes just in time and again found ourselves running to the gate. Again we were the last people on the flight as they shut the door behind us.

Lou is feeling much better and we are on our way to Cape Town with enough running through airports to last me a lifetime.

On Their Way!

All 15 Globetrotters made it to Jo-burg.  Unfortunately, due to the delays, they missed their Capetown connection.  I think they will attempt tomorrow.  

Thursday is swimming with great white sharks, Friday is coffee with Desmund Tutu!  Then the Globetrotters will get down to the serious work of planting a garden for an orphanage and setting up the irrigation system.  They've allowed a week for that.

Thanks for all the warm wishes and support.

New DGH Facebook Page...

Become a fan: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dustins-Greenhouse/103825472998677?ref=ts

The Great Kind of War!

On Tuesday, June 29th The Bistro at Adams Farm is having a RESTAURANT WAR.

For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, it breaks down to a BIG trading of places. For one night, The Bistro's head chef, Kristina Fuller and her culinary crew will drop their cutlery and leave their stove tops in exchange for serving trays and some customer facing. Likewise, the maître d’ and her wait staff will head to the kitchen tasked with everything from menu design through to "order-up" preparation.

The Bistro is never shy of friendly faces, entertainment or excellent food. They are also incredibly philanthropic, and in that light will be donating 15% of the night's proceeds to Dustin's GreenHouse.

So for a number of reasons, please call and reserve your space before it's too late! This is one you really don't want to miss.
xo,
Ashlie

Reservations: 336.294.4610 (Make sure to tell Rhonda I sent you!)
Entrée prices will range from $15-$17.

5710 High Point Road
Greensboro, NC 27407
www.thebistroatadamsfarm.com  

Many teens send 100-plus texts a day, survey says...

I am fascinated by the social constructs that exist in today's high schools and the ways in which teenage girls in particular are communicating with one another. This article on CNN.com validates a lot of assumptions, but 100+ text messages a day... wow!

Makes me wonder how many text messages I send in a 24 hour time period. Also gives me reason to think that there must be a number of ways our education system could be leveraging this communication vehicle.

Here's a link to the article if you are interested: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/04/20/teens.text.messaging/index.html?hpt=T2

A text I received from one of our GreenHouse girls this morning:

"Everyday I can speak of our trip!!! In almost every class I can use our trip to explain or inform the class about me. Thanks again."

The 2010 Globetrotter Team!

We have selected this year’s group of Globetrotters and what a GREAT group of students!
This year’s group of students include a 16 year old mother, a 16 year old who is being raised by her 23 year old sister, a student who made his way to America from Sierra Leone as a refugee and now is a star soccer player for Page High School, and a future filmmaker from the Middle College of High Point.  All students where someone, (a teacher, counselor or a neighbor) who saw through the smoke and saw that sparkle in the kid who is underserved and/or under-recognized, our diamonds.

A special thanks to everyone who has supported Dustin’s GreenHouse and/or nominated a student for this year’s program.  We have a tremendous mix of talent, cultures and enthusiasm and we hope that you will all get a chance to meet and get to know our 2010 Globetrotters!

Congratulations to:
Minesha Carter - The Academy at High Point Central
Shatora Blackwell – Ragsdale High School
Gabriel Scott – Grimsley High School
Madelyn Rindal – Ragsdale High School
Lauren Nunley – Western Guilford
Taylor Woody – Ragsdale High School
Askia Abdul-Rahman – Smith High School
DeShawn Adams – Middle College of High Point
Lexx Truss – Middle College of High Point
Hassan Kouyateh – Page High School

We would like to thank all the people who helped during the nomination and selection process, Lynne Bergeron, Lin Bostian, Sam Bostian, Dan Turner, Joan Wellman, Janie Carter, Quana Gainey, Meghan Benz, Frankie Goins, Fanny Taylor, Brad Harder

This year’s Globetrotter Program theme is “responsibility”. What is your responsibility to yourself? Your community? Your world? Do you accept responsibility for your actions?
We will be headed for South Africa on July 15th and will be working with orphan children through Hands at Work (www.handsatwork.org). There are a ton of plans in motion, from celebrating Mandela Day in South Africa on July 18th to camping out on the African savannah. Ohhh lions and tigers and bears…. Well lions at least.

How can you help?

• We are still looking for a male leader to mentor our Globetrotters and go on our trip to Africa. Any ideas?
• We will be collecting and distributing “Give a Gallon” bags. Put some of your favorite things (shampoo, lotion, birthday supplies, mosquito repellent, etc) in a  gallon ziplock bag.
• Mosquito nets, if you have a few extra hanging around the house.
• We are looking for fundraising opportunities or part time work for these students. Got any yard work that needs to be done? For many of these students if may mean you have to provide transportation but how often do you get to help a kid who has no mode of transportation?
• Sponsorship – we can always use help sponsoring these kids.
• You can help provide shelter, education and healthcare to an orphan in Africa for $15 per month. Go to Hands at Work www.handsatwork.org to find details.
• Storybags (www.storybags.com) has designed a new line of story bags and is donating part of their sales to Dustin’s GreenHouse.  

We would like to thank the community for all your support for Dustin’s GreenHouse and the kids we have touched. None of it would have been possible without our village! I hope Dustin is J.

Martin, Lou, Ashlie and Mallory.

Dustin's GreenHouse Wishlist in the News and Record!

http://www.news-record.com/wishlist

Attention High School Seniors!!!!!!

20 Schools in NC have waived application fees for students who submit their admissions applications this week!

Bennett
Brevard
Campbell
Chowan
Gardner-Webb
Greensboro
Johnson C. Smith
Lenoir Rhyne
Livingstone
Louisburg
Mars Hill
Meredith
Montreat
NC Wesleyan
Peace
Pfeiffer
St. Andrews
Saint Augustine's
Shaw
Wingate

Here is a link to the article in the News & Record and to CFNC with more details:

News and Record Article

CFNC Details

Community Matters Non-Profit Festival

Stop by the Community Matters Non-Profit Festival this weekend. You can shop for holiday gifts and support local charities at the same time! We are selling some great thngs at our booth!!!

When: Saturday, November 7th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Operations Center, 1300 East Hartley Avenue (Across from Oak Hollow Mall, High Point)

Why: To Raise Money and Awareness for DGH Programs In-Country & Communities Abroad

"Half of US kids will get food stamps"

Associated Press: Nov. 2, 2009 - Nearly half of all U.S. children and 90 percent of black youngsters will be on food stamps at some point during childhood, and fallout from the current recession could push those numbers even higher, researchers say.

The estimate comes from an analysis of 30 years of national data, and it bolsters other recent evidence on the pervasiveness of youngsters at economic risk. It suggests that almost everyone knows a family who has received food stamps, or will in the future, said lead author Mark Rank, a sociologist at Washington University in St. Louis.

"Your neighbor may be using some of these programs but it's not the kind of thing people want to talk about," Rank said.

The analysis was released Monday in the November issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. The authors say it's a medical issue pediatricians need to be aware of because children on food stamps are at risk for malnutrition and other ills linked with poverty.

"This is a real danger sign that we as a society need to do a lot more to protect children," Rank said.

Food stamps are a Department of Agriculture program for low-income individuals and families, covering most foods although not prepared hot foods or alcohol. For a family of four to be eligible, their annual take-home pay can't exceed about $22,000.

According to a USDA report released last month, 28.4 million Americans received food stamps in an average month in 2008, and about half were younger than age 18. The average monthly benefit per household totaled $222.

Rank and Cornell University sociologist Thomas Hirschl studied data from a nationally representative survey of 4,800 American households interviewed annually from 1968 through 1997 by the University of Michigan. About 18,000 adults and children were involved.

Overall, about 49 percent of all children were on food stamps at some point by the age of 20, the analysis found. That includes 90 percent of black children and 37 percent of whites. The analysis didn't include other ethnic groups.

The time span included typical economic ups and downs, including the early 1980s recession. That means similar portions of children now and in the future will live in families receiving food stamps, although ongoing economic turmoil may increase the numbers, Rank said.

An editorial in the medical journal agreed.

"The current recession is likely to generate for children in the United States the greatest level of material deprivation that we will see in our professional lifetimes," Stanford pediatrician Dr. Paul Wise wrote.

Wise said the Archives study estimate is believable.

"I find it terribly sad, but not surprising," Wise said.

James Weill, president of Food Research and Action Center, a Washington-based advocacy group, said the analysis underscores that "there are just very large numbers of people who rely on this program for a month, six months, a year."

"What I hope comes out of this study is an understanding that food stamp beneficiaries aren't them — they're us," Weill said.

The analysis is in line with other recent research suggesting that more than 40 percent of U.S. children will live in poverty or near-poverty by age 17; and that half will live at some point in a single-parent family. Also, other researchers have estimated that slightly more than half of adults will use food stamps at some point by age 65.