The Safari

The definition for Safari in Ki-Swahili is to engage in a journey or expedition.

One day I woke up and it occurred to me that I was a middle-aged woman in my fifties, who had just gone through a very difficult divorce, and I was now alone after 33 years of marriage. What on earth would I do to fill the void in my life? There really were no quick fixes to prepare me for the loss, sadness and emptiness that accompany a life crisis. I had tons of education, and years of personal growth development and I was still at a loss as to how I would move my life forward. In retrospect, what I learned in the process is that I was the only one in charge of my life and only I could move it in a different direction. This learning curve opened new vistas for me, as I discovered I was on an odyssey to find out who I really was and what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. The journey had begun.

Three years ago I decided to step down from my university position and try on something new. My quest led me to the Coaches Training Institute where I spent two years to become a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach. This training opened up a whole new world for me as I now had a community who heard what I had to say and saw me in a way that empowered me as a woman who still had a lot to contribute. Coaching also gave me a strong voice that led me to my next adventure, --- a year long leadership program that took me to the next level in my development. It was in this program that I birthed my work with young women in East Africa. People often ask me "Why Africa?" And my response is always the same: "Africa chose me."

Eight years ago I went to Africa for the first time. I fell in love with this mysterious continent and knew there was a huge space for me to contribute. Service has always been a big part of my life and given that I had a Ph.D in Education, I decided that I could work to give children in East Africa the possibility of a better life. Since that time I have been to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania four times and my vision has grown exponentially. I have created two scholarship programs, one for primary school children in Uganda, and most recently, a secondary program for Maasai girls in the rural outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania. In March of this year, I was given the first visionary award from Global Partners for my education program in Tanzania. In completing this very important leadership program, I discovered that I could not only lead but also support others in their own discovery of leadership. Coaching has been the vehicle and the inspiration to help me discover myself and support others in designing lives that they love.

Women can do anything they want at any age. I am clear about this. All it takes is to find your passion and then commit to whatever it is that lights you up. Sometimes it requires doing what is not comfortable, or stepping out of the comfort zone. And it occurred to me that I am most effective when I step out of my comfort zone. Coaching and being coached has helped me to see that all I needed was to have a safe place to explore my deepest thoughts and feelings to create a life that works. I believe that we can fall in love with our lives and love the life that we are living. My safari took me to Africa and back and it was well worth the trip.

Dr. Linda Lea has a Ph.D in Eudcation and has spent the majority of her adult life teaching. As an advocate for literacy, she has worked extensively in vocational training programs and adult education. She has done numerous workshops in both the US and the UK to facilitate groups in learning new ways to communicate. As a Certified Professional coach she places a high value on being listened to and being heard. Dr. Lea is also a graduate of the Co-Active Space Leadership Program. She has published articles on her work in Africa and the field of Adult Literacy. Her extensive background in communication and writing interfaces with her work in the world. Dr. Lea is currently the Director of Education Programs in East Africa for Global Partners for Development and a Certified Professional Coach.

For more information contact her at:
Lea Coaching and Consulting
(707) 939-7572
www.LindaLea.com