10/9/2003

Three events happened when I touched down at the Brisbane Airport on Australian soil.

First, declaring the packets of tea I had been given by Peggy Huang just before I left Taipei- one was taken off me, as it contained orange peels. Customs officers told me they may use it in the in-flight videos. Great- I can remember how lovely it tasted each time I come in and out of the country.

Next having a bit of a wait at the airport, I ordered an egg and lettuce sandwich, one of my favourites, also a cup of tea. As I took a bite of the sandwich and a sip of my tea - I went yukkkkkkkk where is my lovely Taiwanese food and my ice tea I had enjoyed so much, wow is Taiwanese Food good, our western world could learn so much from them about healthy eating and many other things?

Third, I looked around the airport and thought, am I coming or going? I no longer felt like an Australian. I realised something I had always known, but it is now real. Home is where the heart is. My heart belongs to the global village, I don't belong to any one country, nor do I think I have a right to claim any country.

How do I put in this newsletter how Taiwan touched my soul.

The best thing is to say. To write poetry something must touch not my heart -but my soul. Poetry can't be forced- it just happens.

While in Taiwan for 16 days and very busy, I wrote 33 poems and one Alphabet, the most poems I have written in one time. You can read some of these poems and see some photos through link at bottom of newsletter.

I returned with 99 ceramic beads, given to me by a top artist at Yingge. Five minutes after meeting me and talking through an interpreter he gave me 99 ceramic beads which glow in the dark, - to sell to raise money for my projects.

Yingge is an amazing place, where a forward thinking Mayor has turned many streets into a ceramic shoppers paradise and built the best Contemporary Ceramic Museum to display their 200 year history of ceramics including one piece among their dynasty treasures, recognised around the world -the humble ceramic toilet.

99 is an important number as it means long time and great success, so this was the number of families invited to a Joy, HOPE event on the 30th August, where I got to stand on a stage and ask these families and the VIP's attending, if they would promise me they would also work to make it a better world for Caitlin and all children, to become One Mind One Voice, A Family of Humanity. Imagine what it was like for me to hear them all loudly reply

If this was not enough to imagine, then will you put yourself in my shoes watching children at a school in Taichung recite the One Mind One Voice poem, in English their second language. While I have heard the poem recited before, one a few days before when 10 of the cutest kindergarten children had recited two verses and held up One Mind One Voice in front of them as they preformed for us at a press conference.

Hearing these children in Taichung recite the whole poem- made me cry.

The next day three girls at another school I visited. Dressed as angels, they recited the poem, then one of the girls stepped forward and recited the whole poem alone, with so much feeling, I knew the poem was etched in her heart. I was told she had asked if she could do this for me.

Knowing my words are inspiring these children, fills me with so much HOPE for Caitlin's and their futures.

What the Joy Cultural and Educational Foundation has done for One Mind One Voice and the HOPE projects, is still unfolding. But Peggy, the CEO will have a leading role, as I have asked her to be on the Global Children's Alliance committee, I will set up after I go to Puerto Rico in December. The Alliance for the New Humanity, will also play a leading role in what I do over the next few years. This is not my dream- it is our dream.

From this HOPE/Joy, Taiwan visit, not only did we set up a Sister School relationship with North Arm school on the Sunshine Coast. Peggy, Sam and I have started a lifetime commitment to my promise to Caitlin and all children.

My excess baggage is the suitcase full of promises I returned to Australia with. While Caitlin is still too small to know what I brought back for her in this very special suitcase. She will know and see in years to come, all the suitcases from all corners of the globe, filled with promises from the adults and HOPE from the children.

At one school I visited, I was drawn to a t-shirt that I just knew would have a story attached to it. I was told that it was a design used in a small book of poetry. The poetry of Chou, Ta-Kuan who died of cancer at the age of ten.

Returning to Taipei, not knowing about my interest. I was told, that a Taiwan Foundation wished to meet with me. Yes it was the family of this little boy. They want to give me an award next year. Instead of giving me the award in Taiwan, they will be bringing at least 30 people including blind children who are part of a band. These children will preform at the ceremony at which the foundation will announce that royalty from books sold in Australia will be given to me for the Global Children's Alliance. Royalty from worldwide sales of these books have raised over 1,000,000 US dollars so far.

Who says one person can't change the world? One person doesn't do it alone!

The Joy Foundation believed in my vision and through them, many people in Taiwan will now also promote the promise and vision.

The Joy Foundation will also be publishing a book of my work, which we will launch in May next year, the same time I will accept the award from the Chou, Ta- Kuan Cultural & Education Foundation.

Have a nice day, I will as I revisit "Taiwan through my Heart"