Beyond: Why Go?
Why Guatemala? Why Kenya? Why go beyond the country where your roots are?
There was always something inside me that drove me to travel. Some people just have that really strong urge that pushes them to explore different places. Exploring the globe is a common wish and adventure–- exploring places, meeting people, experiencing the world. Going places is a wonderful experience. However, at M&J we want to inspire you to go further, go deeper, go stronger, not just to the typical tourist attractions that put up a country’s best foot forward, but to the poverty-stricken places too where the impact of our careless consumption is felt the most.
During my travels in India, I started to see what extreme poverty really meant and I began to understand what our consumption was doing to people and the planet. When I left, I vowed that I would do something to make a difference, or I would never go back. It was not only a shift in how I wanted to consume or do business but a shift in how I saw the world and my place in it. I started seeking more “off the beaten path” destinations. I wanted to continue opening my eyes and soaking up different cultures which fed my soul. It has been in these underprivileged places where I have found my true joy in helping others thrive. I believe that all of our Birdie community can experience and be a part of this joy in going further.
At M&J we want to inspire you to go above and beyond on your impact globally. It’s hard to know what damage we are causing or preventing, but by being part of our community you can become more aware of your consumption as well as the positive impact you can have. We do want you to explore the world, but go even further. Go beyond yourself and realize that little by little we can make a change and provide better living conditions for talented women and artisans around the globe. Going beyond our roots is a brave step that takes us out of our comfort zones and adds beautiful stories and meaning to our lives.
For me personally, going beyond changed my life in more ways than one. Beyond is where a love I didn’t expect to find was born––one with the man I am now married to! So let’s not stop. We never know where this beautiful journey may take us. Let's go places, and while we’re there, let’s go beyond.
