Collective Soul

Collective soul...That's how I fee about my recent trip to Cote d'Ivoire. It was an amazing trip. A beautiful trip...Beautiful faces, beautiful clothes, beautiful spirits. There is color amidst the gray and decay of colonialism. There is hope in the midst of war. There are people who have been displaced by the current civil war or "crisis" as the Ivoirians call it. There are people who live in poverty and struggle to survive.

There is also a sense of resilience and strength in people. They are searching for a solution. They want to survive and be successful in life. They want peace. They want a small loan to buy a sewing machine to make clothes to sell. They want to tell you their stories and they want you to share their lives. That's collective soul.