Your heart is big.
So big that every once in awhile, you hear it beating
and feel immense gratitude for the gift of life it gives every day
without you having to think about it.
You feel your heartbeat connected to others.
You know we are all connected by the sheer fact of all being here
on the same planet at the same time.
You also have a full life to go with your huge heart.
Both its victories and challenges keep you busy,
and you know that acting in service towards others is often
the best way to create space for your own soul’s journey.
You know that the distance you travel outwards is
the exact distance you travel inwards.
Each mile your feet wander on this earth
is another mile of your inner terrain explored.
Imagine this: you fly across the world to Africa. You feel its earth under your feet, smell the air, and see its animals, sunsets, and people with all their vibrant expression. Alongside the beauty of colors, dance, and culture, you see its challenges - poverty, politics, infrastructure, and growing pains.
Experiencing these things all around you, you are drawn inward to reflect. You have a chance to slow down from the rushed pace of your full life and process it in a meaningful way through movement, ritual, community, and the huge pilgrimage of this journey.
Your yearning for a feeling of immense beauty will be filled through seeing the animals and magnificent natural beauty of Africa.
Your yearning for a feeling of service will be filled through seeing the power of your intention and love when you give your resources and time to the schools and children there.
Your yearning for a feeling of interconnection will be filled through being part of a tribe and becoming a valued member of a community that embraces everyone like family and comes together to take an adventure. Whatever is revealed to the tribe will be revealed to you as well, and vice versa. You will not be alone on your journey.
You go to Zimbabwe because you feel the call in your body.
You have a deep knowing reading these words, and feel you’ve entered the realm of synchronicity.
Your soul is calling you to make this pilgrimage, and by saying yes, you are trusting yourself.
From the moment you register, you will start to track the effects of that huge trust in your big heart as you go on this inner and outer journey.
You will change the course of your own life along with many others.
On the Qoya Zimbabwe service retreat, you will partner with House of Loveness to help in a project to help the local community while also enjoying daily Qoya classes and rituals and time exploring the incredible culture and natural beauty of Africa.
It is a beautiful marriage of service and safari - a trip that is no ordinary vacation, but which comes with time to reflect inwards on your outward journey.
ABOUT BETSY
Betsy Blankenbaker is an inspired writer and filmmaker telling important stories of the marginalized voices of the world. She is a Certified Qoya Teacher and teaches pop-up Qoya classes as she travels. In 2016, she taught at the first ever Qoya Collective Retreat. She also teaches kids Qoya classes at the school she sponsors in Zimbabwe through her NGO, House of Loveness.
ITINERARY
October 23 - Travel Day
Arrive at Harare (HRE) Zimbabwe airport by 3pm. Complimentary transportation to Imirie Wildlife Conservation. If you can't arrive by 3pm, it’s suggested you arrive a day early, and we can organize a room and airport transportation for you at an additional charge.
7pm: Welcome Dinner
8pm: Opening Circle and Gentle Qoya class before bedtime
October 24 - Welcome to Zimbabwe
7:30-8am: Morning breathing exercises, Meditation
8-9am: Breakfast
9:30-noon: Qoya class in garden
1-3pm: Lunch in safari park
3-5pm: Afternoon free time by the pool, naps in garden
5pm: Sundowners in the safari park
7pm: Dinner
October 25 - Service at School
7-8am: Sunrise rhino walk or elephant ride
8-9am: Breakfast
10am-noon: Small teaching groups at local school
1pm: Lunch in safari park
4-6pm: Sunset Qoya in garden
7pm: Dinner
October 26 - Service at School
6:30-8am: Sunrise rhino walk or elephant ride
8-9am: Breakfast
10am-noon: Small teaching groups at local school
1pm: Lunch in safari park
7pm: Dinner
October 27 - Safari Day
7-8am: Sunrise rhino walk or elephant ride
8-9am: Breakfast
10am-4pm: Game drive and lunch
4-6pm: Sunset Qoya in garden
7pm: Dinner
8pm: Despacho ceremony
October 28 - Service at School and Animal Sanctuary Visit
6:30-8am: Sunrise rhino walk or elephant ride
8-9am: Breakfast
10am-noon: Small teaching groups at local school
1pm: Lunch in safari park
2pm: Depart for Animal Sanctuary Visit and afternoon tea
6-8pm: Sundowners and dinner at animal sanctuary
October 29 - Service at School
7-8am: Sunrise rhino walk or elephant ride
8-9a: Breakfast
10am-noon: Small teaching groups at local school
1pm: Lunch in safari park
4-6pm: Sunset Qoya in garden
7pm: Dinner
8pm: Closing Circle
October 30 - Travel Day (Departure)
6-8am: Optional Sunrise Elephant Rides or Rhino Walk (there is an option to stay longer at the safari park for an additional charge)
8-9am: Breakfast
10am: Transportation to airport (book flights for 1pm or after)
COST + REGISTER
Cost is $3,700, which includes 7 nights of accommodations, airport transfers, all meals and transportation within Zimbabwe, game drives, elephant ride, rhino walk, horseback ride, full moon ceremony, Thanksgiving celebration, and visit to Wild Is Life Animal Sanctuary. The retreat also includes service at local school and daily Qoya classes. The Qoya classes are for women only, but you are welcome to bring your partner or children on the trip.
Cost excludes air travel to and from Zimbabwe (flights to Harare HRE about $1,500 from NYC).
A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your place.
P.S. We are also offering a Cape Town Writing Retreat the week after, so feel free to join us for both.
For more information or to pay by check contact: mybetsy@mac.com. A portion of your trip is tax-deductible and goes towards building the Imire Library and Learning Centre in Zimbabwe.
House of Loveness was founded in 2008 by filmmaker Betsy Blankenbaker to care and educate at-risk children in Zimbabwe. For more information: www.house-of-loveness.blogspot.com