A very Oxfam homecoming on the Coldplay tour!

Check out this great blog post from our Oxfam On Tour blog written by guest blogger Najat Elsayed, Oxfam America CHANGE leader and on-tour coordinator for Oxfam America on the Coldplay tour in 2005-2006.

Last night I came back home to my Oxfam family by volunteering at the Houston concert. My life has changed a lot since I used to tour with Coldplay in 2005 and 2006 as the Oxfam representative on tour. I got married, had a beautiful baby girl and now I am working as a college prep counsellor at a Houston private school. Although life will always continue to move forward when I volunteered yesterday it was as if I was back at home with my Oxfam and Coldplay family. I could feel the love and support and shared stories and laughter among friends old and new.

When I was on tour six years ago fans would stop by our booth to say “Howdy” and sign up to learn more about the campaign. Last night it was the same story but with new fans and a new campaign. They all wanted to know how they could be a part of this global movement and help. This brought back to me one thing with full force, a rekindling of the passion that I have always had in my heart to help end hunger and poverty through supporting and raising awareness about Oxfam and the GROW campaign. I actually began to get a little teary eyed when I was watching the concert after working as a volunteer at the booth.

Why was I getting a bit emotional I thought, perhaps the memories of all the amazing things we did to help people in need while on tour, maybe it was the family atmosphere that Jackie, EJ, Pauline, Sheri, Mark, the band of course, fans, and the entire Coldplay team had given me when I was on tour. It was very possible that it was the amazing Coldplay music that got me moving and touched my heart yet again. Perhaps it was the fact that I was getting involved again with Oxfam and doing my part however little it was to make a difference in making sure that everyone should have enough to eat no matter where they are. Most likely it was a combination of all of the above.

Do you want to get passionate about something? Why don’t you get involved and see how we can all grow together in making a difference in being the change we wish to see in the world. I guarantee you will have wonderful memories that will last you a lifetime and even better you will do your part to help make this world a better place in joining the Oxfam Family.

Hopefully see you soon, Najat.

If you would like to join the ‘Oxfam family’ sign up for the Oxfam Action Corps, the Coldplay tour or take action anytime at http://actfast.oxfamamerica.org .