JAMBO! MY EXPERIENCE IN AFRICA…

I have so much to share, and this is on the longer side. So, please, put your feet up, grab a coffee and join me…and, if you don’t have time right now - would you set this aside for a good weekend read?

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There has always been something in me that was curious about how people interact with each other, especially in working and contractual relationships. From a young age, hierarchy and power struggles made me uncomfortable.

After returning from Tanzania last week, I think I have finally come to understand in my bones where this curiosity and discomfort came from. I am not entirely convinced I absorbed it in my childhood. In fact, I think I was born with a fundamental knowing that working for the man, or in someway being entirely dependent on others for a livelihood could create great insecurity and vulnerability.

Here is the kicker! My 87 year old father worked right until the eve of his 85th birthday. He was a man of service, and put others and community above himself his whole life. He was able to do so, because of the great sacrifices made by his family and his forefathers before him (standing on the shoulders of giants).

A JOURNEY HOME

My father asked me to take him home to East Africa, the place where he was born and raised from 1935 until the age of 17. As his health has declined, his longing to go home has become stronger. I was worried by the strength of the urge to ‘go home’. We all know how different the world is from a 1935 pre-WWII era Colonial British East Africa. I was worried that taking dad home one last time would displace his fondness and memory of his beloved home when he saw just how much it had grown and the struggles a modern East Africa faces.

I was wrong, I had imposed my fear on my father. I benefited, in great delight from a walk down memory lane, a trip into my father’s history, family stories, historical events and a way of living in a time of racial disparity I couldn’t fathom in my modern world. I had heard this story many times before, but somehow, this time, the story sat a little different.

THE IRON SNAKE:

I always proudly boasted that my family helped to build the British East Africa Railroad, referred to as the Iron Snake by locals and the Lunatic Line by the colonials. While my family had a prominent part in building the railroad (labour) through blood sweat and tears, so did hundreds of other South Asians and uncountable East Africans.

The dark truth was my family wound up in east Africa as indentured labour. Unlike my fanciful and youthful daydreams, my great grandfather wasn’t out to seek adventure. In fact, one day, in India, he was called to town from his farm by British officers. His family reported that he did not return home that day, or the next. In fact, it wasn’t until several months later that his family received a letter from British East Africa, specifically Nairobi, that he was met in town by British Officers, his bank, without notice, was calling in the loan he had borrowed for his farm. And if he couldn’t pay it upon arrival into town, he would have to work it off.

Being summoned into town, with no knowledge of why, my great grandfather was forced into indentured labour in another world and sent by boat. This is the true story of how my family came to be displaced from India, lived for three generations in East Africa, and found themselves without a home during the time of African nationalism and independence (which I will clarify, we strongly support). I have come to understand that this deep fear of insecurity and vulnerability is in fact what taught my family to not only survive, but to thrive. What’s better? It taught my forefathers, and they past it down the line, not to take for granted what we consider normal or the everyday. Someone had to work very hard for the benefits and ease in which I live today. In fact, it was my family’s history and great sacrifice that allowed my grandfather to invest heavily in my father, seeing his eager desire to serve and great intellect and make the sacrifices required to send him to medical school.

THE BIRTH OF ENTRPRENEURSHIP:

My family learned to be resilient to be flexible and to work with what they had. Like many other forcibly removed south Asians and Africans, my family opened stores, curios and businesses to support and subsidize the wage earned on the railroad. They built community, schools, mosques, sports clubs and teams, churches, temples, etc.

As our early Canadian pioneers experienced, I believe Africa is rich with lessons in how to turn an overwhelmingly difficult situation into the greatest adventure of a lifetime. BUT – you have to be willing. My family learned how to survive, grew creative and entrepreneurial in the days when the British Empire, the British East-India Company and the British East-African Railway grew its territory, economy and wealth on the backs of coloured labour.

BUSINESS:

Nice story Roxanna, but what does this have to do with my business…or your business? EVERYTHING you see! What we do, how we do it, the decisions we make, how we choose to live our lives, whether we run a business, decide to open a business – it all comes down to mindset. How will you, with the circumstances you are in, the financial position you face, the support you have or lack – how will you choose to thrive? What are you willing to learn? What are you willing to leave behind? What are you willing to sacrifice? Who are you willing to become? What are you willing to do to become the person you know is capable, resilient and destined for success?

It has been said that building a business is the best form of self-development as it requires unimaginable strength and determination. It requires a resilience and stubbornness to be willing to fail more than succeed, and a humility willing to learn.

I believe that this mindset is the secret to a successful life, a life of service and a successful business. I don’t think any of us came to this earth plane to get rich, live the good life, purchase cars, handbags and mansions and expect to be fulfilled. I believe it is the lessons we learn, the achievements and struggles we overcome, the relationships we form, the service, help and support we provide others that make our life so rich. Being successful in business is simply another way in which we can serve humanity and engage in these relationships that are what truly make life so fulfilling.

 SERVICE:

Finally, I am sorry – I know this was a long one! But, I want to share one last tiny story from my trip: I had the honor of taking my 10 year old nephew on this trip of a lifetime with me. Knowing he was going to be exposed to a new way of life, I wanted to create some connections for him with other children. My husband and I decided we would connect with a school along our journey and donate sports gear and school supplies while we were there, this way, my nephew could see what school was like in another country and meet kids his age. When it came down to making arrangements, my contacts asked if I would be willing to visit an orphanage instead, they were happy to accept school supplies, sports equipment, etc. What I came to learn was, the beautiful human being who had helped with all of our travel arrangements on the ground used the profits of his business to sponsor a 23 children orphanage (you see where I’m going – don’t you?!)

The day after we arrived, my nephew, my husband and myself attended the orphanage with our humble offerings, we were not sure what to expect, as my experience working in Africa had primarily been in schools and clinics. We were bestowed with the greatest gift, a child of about 1 year of age, came to the door. He took one look at my handsome nephew and locked eyes. His eyes widened in wonder. I don’t think he had ever set eyes on a blue eyed/blond haired child before. And just like that, all my fears of what I was exposing my little love to disappeared. My nephew came forward, a little awkward but willing and eager and said Hello! to the Children and to this adorable little boy. My nephew waived, greeted and smiled at the child locked on him. I will never forget that moment. It was a moment of sheer connection and utter humanity.

‘PAR CHANCE’ – by chance:

My girlfriend once shared with me (we both worked in international development in Africa in our 20’s), that she had tattooed on her arm the Haitian expression ‘Par Chance’, because she remained in awe of the mystery that allowed a soul to be born into a family of North American comfort versus a hut or an orphanage in a developing nation. Was it all truly by chance? My nephew’s introduction to the orphanage and to the beautiful toddler left me in the same wonder.

However, this time, it did not leave me in sadness or paralyses. Why? Because, I am so clear in my mission of service, in believing that we as women, as entrepreneurs and business-people have the ability to truly shape our lives, create change, support each other and develop a community and a world in which service and helping become the core of our efforts.

I apologize for my lengthy share, and my personal story. As I sit here writing at 4:00 a.m. adjusting to my jet lag, I have so much more to share. Over the next days and weeks, I will continue to share about my adventures, the lessons learned and how it has shaped my business and practice. But if you were to takeaway 4 main lessons from my rambles here is what I want to share:

1)     It is my business and how I operate my legal practice/coaching business that provided me the ability to take the time to help my dad return home. I committed to being in charge of my schedule and solely responsible for creating the income I earn that allowed me the freedom to fulfill this wish.

 2)     The entrepreneur life is not always glamorous and easy – BUT, the empowerment and freedom you create for yourself will be like nothing else you can experience!

 3)     Time is not promised and it is going to pass whether or not you decide to make the changes you need to succeed. This journey to law and business started in 2013…I am coming up to a decade on this path. I hope this gives perspective – JUST START!

 4)     I am deeply committed to the mission of uplifting and supporting women. Women have an uncanny ability to see the importance of building community. What can you do, and how can you create a service model in your business?

 Thank you for following my rambles today – I would love to learn and hear more from you about your take aways and your own personal experiences.

vv

 WOMEN IN BUSINESS SAFARI & RETREAT NOVEMBER 2023

 In November 2023, I will be taking 10 women to Tanzania on a Women in Business Safari & Retreat! It will be an intensive, in person mastermind where we will focus on:

 - your business model,

- create your growth plan,

- refine your message,

- clarify your offer for the highest revenue potential,

- create community,

- create a clear marketing strategy,

- solidify your service model.

 You will enjoy:

- Top tier business mentoring and education,

- Connecting with local business women and microfinance projects both to support and to create reciprocal mentoring relationships between you and local business women,

- Safari and the stunning wilderness of East Africa,

- Luxury accommodations,

- Yoga,

- Mindset and life coaching,

- Spa experiences and so much more!

As a busy woman, a S-mama, a business owner, daughter of aging parents, proud aunt, etc. (you feel me) – I am committed to creating affordable travel and education opportunities for women. In this light, there will be pay in full and flexible payment plans available!

Early bird registration will open by the end of this week! Sign up below if you want to be the first to know when you can apply for this once in a lifetime opportunity and to learn about the early bird rates! The first person to register for the early-bird pricing will receive a bonus of $1000.00 USD off of their trip! The first twenty people to sign up for the mailing list will be entered into a draw to win:

PRIZE ONE: One free business coaching session with me!

PRIZE TWO: A cash prize of $200.00 to reinvest in your business!

www.RoxannaSabirLaw.com

Are you interested in Business Coaching? I would love to help you launch, grow and succeed! Send me a Note at: Roxanna@SabirLaw.ca