Dining for Women Helps Reduce Poverty Among Girls in the Developing World

July 29, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 2 Comments

I just joined a group called “Dining for Women,” thanks to my Peace Corps friend, Mary Broude. A new chapter was started in Orange County by Elizabeth Boretz, and the concept is: We get together, dine in, catch up with friends, expand our knowledge of the world, and donate to projects that reduce poverty and promote gender equity.

What exactly is Dining for Women?

Dining for Women is a global giving circle dedicated to transforming lives and eradicating poverty among women and girls in the developing world. Through member education and engagement, as well as the power of collective giving, Dining for Women funds grassroots organizations that empower women and girls and promote gender equity.

My first meeting was last week at Mary’s house and the concept is that members give what they can–usually what they would have spent for a dinner out–towards a grassroots project.

What is an Example of a Dining for Women Featured Project?

In July the featured project was to help the mission of Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP) with eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the Tharaka-Nithi County region of Kenya where (WGEP) works. In that region, 71% of women aged 15-49, have undergone some form of FGM/Cutting. This can cause severe physical as well as psychological effects and this is intensified in rural areas such as Tharaka-Nithi County where local individuals, rather than medical professionals, carry out the procedure in non-sterile settings.

Research shows that girls who undergo genital cutting are more likely to drop out of school since they are considered ready for marriage, typically between ages 9-12. Although Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and 2001 Children’s Act outlawed activities such as FGM/C and early marriage, the practice continues. (WGEP) believes that education, gender equality, and empowerment of women are critical to a society’s development. It’s mission is to provide access to education and develop training programs that empower women and girls to build healthy and productive communities.

How Does Dining for women Work?

One host invites members and other women who would like to learn about the organization and share a meal together. Members learn about that month’s featured grantees through videos, educational documents and presentations, and discuss the project. Funds raised each month go to fund the featured and sustained grantees, as well as support the entire mission of Dining for Women.

Some members such as the long-time established Vienna/Fairfax Chapter (photo of group above) prepare recipes based on the country being featured. For example this July, the host prepared a Kenyan meal. The Fairfax group has 60 women on its roster. Anywhere from 12 – 30 attend the monthly meetings held in members’ homes. They start with socializing, then watch the video from the featured grantee and discuss the project. Afterwards, they enjoy dinner together, often focused on dishes from the grantee’s country.

Would you like to attend a Dining for Women dinner?

If you live in Orange County, and would like to attend a “Dining For Women” event, please e-mail me at: SoniaM@HoldenSafaris.com

Can You Create Your Ideal Life?

July 21, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 14 Comments

I found an old thumbstick in a purse I no longer use.

Curious to see its contents, I plugged it into my new laptop and found a one-page document I’d written 11 years ago. The title was: “My Passion.” I had no idea what to expect and realized that I had written it during a time in my life when I was searching for my own purpose. I did not have a career, my teenage sons were still living at home, and I wanted something concrete to look forward to. I knew what I liked to do, and what my strengths were, but how could I create a life that encompassed all my dreams?

This was a time when I read self-help books hoping for a solution. I didn’t really believe in visualization, and the ability to manifest dreams, but as I started re-reading “My Passion,” I shuddered: Was I reading a dream, or my life today?

Here’s what I wrote on March 13th, 2007.

My Passion

I love my job, it’s my passion, and I absolutely adore doing it. I wake up and feel happy that I can do what I love and what I’m best at on a daily basis. I control my own hours, and spend a good deal of time meeting people. I network with people of baby boomer age and older, and provide a service that is beneficial to my clients. I motivate them, one on one, and in small groups, to be positive and happy with their lives. I travel and experience new adventures.

People refer me to their friends and relatives and see the benefits of what I can do for them. It never feels like work, as it is giving part of what I already have and it is very natural for me to do this. I have one very good contact, the catalyst. The people I deal with are very well educated, interesting, and down to earth. It’s very easy. People request my services and soon I recruit others to help me. I select carefully to keep a good reputation going for my business, and to keep the “personal touch” with each one of my clients, whom I have grown to consider more than clients.

These clients offer me numerous opportunities to travel. I have a loving and peaceful job, and the answer is simply staring me in the face.

It is there, right in front of me, and I make it happen. This is what I see:

a service

word-of-mouth referrals

helping people

fulfilling a need for baby-boomers

writing articles

Now it’s 2018, and everything in this document has culminated in what I’m doing today. So who is the catalyst?

Gillian, the catalyst, far right and two ladies I met who are traveling with me on my first “Women Travel with a Purpose” trip to Kenya this October.

My hairdresser, and friend, Gillian, who mentioned that I was looking for a career and returning from Africa. I was fortunate to find a career in the Safari business through her.

Sometimes I think this is luck, and other times I believe we can create our ideal life.

The five goals that I wrote about in 2007 are now part of my life. I offer a service, I help people who want new travel experiences, I organize Safaris for Baby-boomers, I write blog posts, and I’m starting to get word-of-mouth referrals.

a service
word-of-mouth referrals
helping people
fulfilling a need for baby-boomers
writing articles

I’m leading my first group of women travelers on a purposeful Safari to Kenya this October. We’re visiting orphans and vulnerable children at a school in Nairobi, Kenya, and spending a day with them. We have ten ladies who are also passionate about visiting a school and helping. I plan to offer this trip again next year as well with my friend, Roz Berry, Director of the African Child Foundation. You can see the flyer for 2019, by clicking on the link below.

Women Travel with a Purpose flyer 2019

Women Travel with a Purpose flyer 2019

Have you had a similar experience where you’ve written down your ideal career or life and checked back to see if it materialized?

Please share your story in the comments section below.

The Elephants That Came to Dinner

July 12, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 1 Comment

How would you like to meet the elephants that came to dinner? It only happens once a year, in November, at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia.

Wonky Tusk and her baby, Wellington, stroll through reception to feast on the fallen fruits from the large Wild Mango(Cordyla africana) tree in the lodge grounds. The fact that a large safari lodge is built around this delicious food store is of no concern to them. Why not take the shortcut up the stairs, through the tiled reception lobby, and into the garden? (Watch the video below)

This year, I’ve put together a Safari to experience, not only the elephants at Mfuwe, but also the largest mammal migration which happens to be the 4 foot wing-span bats in Kasanka, Zambia.

Here is the digital itinerary for 2018 “Iconic Zambia: Flying Foxes and Homecoming Elephants.” I plan to offer this Safari, which also includes Victoria Falls, in November 2019 for a small group of 10 people. Please watch the video below which shows the elephants and baby Wellington when he was just two weeks old. Incredible video that shows the level of trust between the camera crew, and the elephants.

Any interest in joining this amazing trip?

Please let me know.

Why I’m Starting Women Travel with a Purpose

May 30, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 8 Comments

It’s funny how situations in life can eventually lead to finding your purpose. Had my marriage not fizzled in 2015, I would not have joined the Peace Corps, and I certainly wouldn’t have thought about starting “Women Travel with a Purpose.”

I decided to start “Women Travel with a Purpose,” and lead trips to Africa with various themes such as “local culture, schools and village life,” “elephant and rhino conservation,” “culinary tasting tours in Africa,” and the latest theme is “Botanical Safaris” along the “Garden Route of South Africa.

How did I get the idea to start “Women Travel with a Purpose?”

During my service in Lesotho, women reached out to me and wanted to help the school and orphans in my village with books and clothing. I shared photos depicting children with holes in their sweaters and wearing shoes where the tips were cut off so feet could continue growing. The outpouring of kindness from so many women was overwhelming.

Women wanted to make a difference and to feel connected to the orphans at my school. I took photos of the children wearing their “new” clothes and shoes, and realized that women want to travel, experience something unique, and have a purpose attached to their trip.

When I returned to the U.S. last year, I had no idea what I would end up doing. Writing another memoir was the obvious answer, however, I also needed to support myself. Serendipity offered a career where I could do what I love: motivate women, inspire them to travel, take away their fear, and take them back to where we all originate from: Africa!

I’ve recently moved to a community in Laguna Woods, California with 18,000 residents 55 and over. I love it here, and feel that I can motivate women to follow me on themed trips to Africa.

I’ve designed a culinary-Safari for a small group of women to the pristine, Madikwe Game Reserve for the ultimate Safari and culinary experience at Jamala. There we will meet the award- winning chef Nico Verster, awarded the Best Safari cuisine in Africa 2014/2015. I tasted his exquisite cuisine and dined alfresco, beneath the brilliance of a million stars. Lions were lapping water on the other side of the water hole. Chef Nico will explain his Safaris and Spices cookbook where he offers cuisines from different countries in Africa.

Elephants at the water hole right in front of Jamala Lodge where we meet Chef Nico

Award-winning Chef, Nico Verster at Jamala Lodge in South Africa

“Food aficionados can indulge in modern gastronomic treats served with the chic colonial charm and grace that is unique to Jamala Madikwe. ” Cookbook, Savannah to Sea by Nico Verster.

I’m leading a themed trip together with Roz Berry, Director of the African Child Foundation, in Newport Beach, on September 30^th– October 7^th, 2018. Part of the proceeds will go back to helping the school in Nairobi, Kenya.

African Child Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya

We still have room for two ladies to join this trip. Please e-mail me at Sonia@SoniaMarsh.com if you’re interested in joining our small group on Safari. It will be a ton of fun while doing good at the same time. This is a trip with so many activities you’ll love. Check out the flyer on this post.

Lisa Hart producer of “This Day” TV show in Laguna Woods, California

I look forward to my interview with Lisa Hart tomorrow morning, May 31st, on the Laguna Woods TV show called, “This Day” at 8:30 a.m. Please watch as I talk about the Club I’m starting at Laguna Woods called, “Women Travel with a Purpose.” We are having our first meeting at 5 p.m. on June 11th, Club House #2 in the “Los Olivos” Room. The address is:

Get directions

Clubhouse 2, 24112 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Woods, CA 92637

I’m going to share what “Travel with a Purpose” means, and your ideas are welcome. South African wine and cheese will be served, and some great slides from my recent trip to South Africa. Please e-mail me and come over and have some FUN!!! E-mail: (Sonia@SoniaMarsh.com)

New Life,New Career,New Passion

January 28, 2018 by Sonia Marsh 15 Comments

They often say that it takes a while to get re-settled into life after returning from the Peace Corps. For me, it was all about finding a career, and I honestly had no clue what to blog about during that process.

My life back in California was the same as most of my friends, and not as eventful as my adventures in Lesotho. I needed to feel comfortable in my skin, and find a new compass to follow.

In one year, since my return from the Peace Corps in January 2017, I have done some major changes:

Career
Travel
Passion: Women Travel With a Purpose (see below)

Career

I had no idea how to write a resume, and spent hours stressing over the latest formatting options, attending “Free” classes on how to write an effective resume, and lamented over why I wasn’t getting interviews.

I started taking classes in Excel, Outlook, etc, and a grant writing course. I updated my LinkedIn profile, and thought about anything I could potentially do:

Become a flight attendant
Work at a French cafe (since they require French speakers)
Work for a non-profit
Work at a University in the international students department
Fund-raising

Strangely enough, I did not need to stress, as my career found me. In fact that’s not quite true, my hairdresser shared my blog with a Zambian guy, Jim Holden, who just happened to be looking for an international person, who had lived around the world, and who could network, and create social media content for his Safari company. He was fascinated by my childhood in Nigeria, and my recent Lesotho life. Like me, he had lived in Nigeria, attended school in the U.K., and settled in California.

My new video reflects the focus of my updated website. No longer Peace Corps, but back in Africa.

Travel

Vivienne, Jim Holden and Sonia meeting the reps from the Blue Train at Indaba conference, May 2017

Within my first month of working for Holden Safaris in Newport Beach, I was back on a plane to Johannesburg. I was thrown straight into the world of Safaris, and wildlife conservation, meeting 30-50 suppliers, lodge owners, eco-tourism reps and flight operators at the annual Indaba Conference, held in Durban, South Africa. At the end of the first day, I felt mentally numb from information overload. We ran from one end of the convention center to the other, without a lunch break, and I took notes on Botswana and the gorgeous lodges we send our clients to on the Okavango delta, absorbing as much information as I could retain from the rep in twenty minutes, before rushing over to our next meeting with another supplier.

On safari in the Okavango delta, Botswana. Elephant having a mud bath.

After a week in Durban, our team went on a site inspection of Kwazulu Natal Province. For those interested in history, the Zulus and the battlefields, and elephant and rhino conservation, we put together an exclusive safari here.

I’ve been back twice since then, in August 2017, to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and in November, I experienced gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Passion: Special Tour I’m Leading to Kenya for Women Only who want to travel, feel good, and make a difference

I’ve put together a special tour for women only called, “Women Travel With a Purpose.” September 30^th– October 7th, 2018.

Women Travel With a Purpose. Visit the African Child Foundation schools in Kenya.

I’m leading this trip to Kenya with Roz Berry, a Newport Beach resident and Director of the African Child Foundation: a non-profit run by volunteers to meet the needs, and transform the lives, of orphaned and vulnerable children in the slums outside Nairobi, Kenya. We have openings for 10 like-minded women. You can click on the link below, and hit the enter button to view the digital itinerary.

Women Travel With a Purpose-Exclusive Itinerary Specially Prepared For Women’s Group.

I hope you join me on this amazing trip to Kenya in October 2018, and e-mail me at: SoniaM@holdensafaris.com if you would like to find out more about this trip, or have an exclusive custom safari planned for you.