Poverty
- Child Soldiers
- William Building More Windmills
- Many Rally to Free Shawn Brant
- Community Kitchens in Vancouver
- Invisible Youth Applies for Grant
- Child Labor in El Salvador
- Indian doctors in Australia
- Universal Daycare
- Flash Floods in India
- UN Report Threat of More Poverty
Posted by
Sandra Williams
There are an estimated 250,000 child soldiers according to UNICEF.
UNICEF estimates there are 250,000 child soldiers globally but no one knows the numbers for sure. Conditions are horrendous for both boys and girls. Boys tend to be used as soldiers and girls as prostitutes but they are also used as spies, messengers and servants.
A lot of these children are vulnerable because they live in poverty. It's understandable how some will voluntarily participate to survive but others are recruited forcibly.
I think war is horrible enough but robbing children of their childhood and forcing them to do drugs and kill people seems seriously evil.
"It's very bad to recruit small children into the army. For a child who knows nothing you must teach him how to love people, not to kill them." (Chad child soldier, aged 12, tells of horror, Stephanie Hancock)
"When they came to my village, they asked my older brother whether he was ready to join the militia. He was just 17 and he said no; they shot him in the head. Then they asked me if I was ready to sign, so what could I do - I didn't want to die." A former child soldier taken when he was 13. (BBC report.)
Related:
Child Soldier Turned Rapper
Child Slaves in China Freed
Domestic Workers in El Salvador
A lot of these children are vulnerable because they live in poverty. It's understandable how some will voluntarily participate to survive but others are recruited forcibly.
I think war is horrible enough but robbing children of their childhood and forcing them to do drugs and kill people seems seriously evil.
"It's very bad to recruit small children into the army. For a child who knows nothing you must teach him how to love people, not to kill them." (Chad child soldier, aged 12, tells of horror, Stephanie Hancock)
"When they came to my village, they asked my older brother whether he was ready to join the militia. He was just 17 and he said no; they shot him in the head. Then they asked me if I was ready to sign, so what could I do - I didn't want to die." A former child soldier taken when he was 13. (BBC report.)
Related:
Child Soldier Turned Rapper
Child Slaves in China Freed
Domestic Workers in El Salvador
William Building More Windmills
Posted by
Sandra Williams
William created a windmill that generated enough power for his home in Wimbe Village, Kasungu, Malawi and now plans to create power to irrigate the village's crops.
August 20 was William Kamkwamba's first day at his new school ABCCA (African Bible College Christian Academy). He was previously forced to drop out of school but that did not stop him from learning. With access to the library, he persevered until he had created his windmill which generated enough power for several light bulbs and a couple radios.
Here is a YouTube video of 19-year-old Williamand his interview with Chris Anderson, curator of the TED Conference at TED Global 2007.
Related Article:
William Kamkwamba Creates Windmill
Source: Willam Kamkwamba's Malawi Windmill Blog
- William now lives in Lilongwe the capital city of Malawi because that’s where his school is. He’s secure in the knowledge that his family now has steady power stored in batteries from the windmill he created.
- In Lilongwe, the power cuts out frequently and they are then forced to use candles and flashlights. He wants to build a new windmill for Gerry Douglas, founder of Baobab Health Partnership ,his wife Thuy, a doctor and their six year old son who are now sharing their home with him.
Here is a YouTube video of 19-year-old Williamand his interview with Chris Anderson, curator of the TED Conference at TED Global 2007.
Related Article:
William Kamkwamba Creates Windmill
Source: Willam Kamkwamba's Malawi Windmill Blog
Many Rally to Free Shawn Brant
Posted by
Sandra Williams
He protests against unresolved land claims, poverty, pollution, abuse and poor conditions on reserves. Shawn will not shut up about it and I don't blame him.
Shawn Brant, a Mohawk spokesperson from Ontario has been arrested and held without bail for continuing to protest against the government illegally taking land from native people. The formal charge is mischief and breaching bail conditions. He was involved in previous protests that included rail blockades. He also protests against poverty, pollution, abuse and poor conditions on reserves and while his methods might seem drastic, the issues are serious and deserve attention.
Shawn is sick of unresolved land claims, pollution and poverty of native people and I don't blame him. He has a point about people letting the government know how they feel too. "The environment is an issue right now because people told the government it was an issue," Mr. Brant says. "If they said our concerns were an issue, they would be addressed too." (Quote obtained from Globe and Mail article by Naomi Klein, May 4, 2007)
While many may not agree with his methods, he got our attention and pointed out the issues that need to be addressed with native people soon. He cares about people and their future and fears it will be too late if he just sits silently and politely nods while people debate the issues for years and take and pollute the land further while more get poorer.
Here you can read about how to help free Shawn Brant. There's also a petition there that urges the government to stop licensing the plunder of First Nations land.
Related:
Shawn is sick of unresolved land claims, pollution and poverty of native people and I don't blame him. He has a point about people letting the government know how they feel too. "The environment is an issue right now because people told the government it was an issue," Mr. Brant says. "If they said our concerns were an issue, they would be addressed too." (Quote obtained from Globe and Mail article by Naomi Klein, May 4, 2007)
While many may not agree with his methods, he got our attention and pointed out the issues that need to be addressed with native people soon. He cares about people and their future and fears it will be too late if he just sits silently and politely nods while people debate the issues for years and take and pollute the land further while more get poorer.
Here you can read about how to help free Shawn Brant. There's also a petition there that urges the government to stop licensing the plunder of First Nations land.
Related:
Community Kitchens in Vancouver
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Vancouver's Community Kitchen Project is an educational resource for those interested in starting their own community kitchens. It's a great way for people to save money.
Community kitchens are wonderful for learning new cooking methods, recipes and socializing. People from all walks of life participate in community kitchens but it's a great way to learn how to cook on a fixed budget.
People pool their money together to purchase groceries after they plan their menus. Some meet weekly and others monthly. It's a good way for people to help both themselves and their community.
Vancouver Community Kitchen Project has many educational opportunities for people who are interested in community kitchens. Their mission is to build community around food and get people to cook together.
Their project offers training programs, free literature and cooking resources. Their site is packed with information on how to start a community kitchen, how to find a site, free cookbooks, checklists, canning workshops, food safe courses,downloads and more.
Source: Vancouver Community Kitchen Project
Related articles:
Low Fat Cooking Alternatives
Inexpensive Cooking For Kids
Budgeting Food For Families
Salt Free Cooking
Community Gardening Alleviates Poverty
Alternative Calcium Sources
People pool their money together to purchase groceries after they plan their menus. Some meet weekly and others monthly. It's a good way for people to help both themselves and their community.
Vancouver Community Kitchen Project has many educational opportunities for people who are interested in community kitchens. Their mission is to build community around food and get people to cook together.
Their project offers training programs, free literature and cooking resources. Their site is packed with information on how to start a community kitchen, how to find a site, free cookbooks, checklists, canning workshops, food safe courses,downloads and more.
Source: Vancouver Community Kitchen Project
Related articles:
Low Fat Cooking Alternatives
Inexpensive Cooking For Kids
Budgeting Food For Families
Salt Free Cooking
Community Gardening Alleviates Poverty
Alternative Calcium Sources
Invisible Youth Applies for Grant
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Invisible Youth Network's dream of giving San Diego's homeless youths a home is closer to a reality.
Invisible Youth has recently applied for a grant through My Hometown Helper for $15,000. The money will be used to provide a residential center to house as many of the 2000 homeless youth as possible in the San Diego, CA area.
If everyone's community banded together like this group has done I think the world would be a better place.
Invisible Youth Network provides resources to bring awareness about homeless youth in their community and other cities in the US. They now have non-profit status.
For articles on homelessness see: Feed Homeless, Face Arrest and Struggles of the Homeless
- This is an admirable project that Chairman and Founder Russell Hartsaw has put much energy and time into and received support for from other people in the community.
- To volunteer you don't need to live locally. Other options are becoming an online mentor or donating food, money or supplies.
- Dana Lefey Maeve who is the Vice Chairman of Invisible Youth Network has applied for the requested grant money. She has also worked hard and put in many volunteer hours to bring more publicity to these invisible youth who are in need of a safe home. She offers many free online mentoring courses at Invisible Youth Network.
- Ainsley Jo Phillips has also been very active and volunteered much of her time towards this worthy cause. You can read more about what Ainsley has been up to at her blog Virtual Homemaker. She's an amazing woman with a huge heart as are many other members of the group.
If everyone's community banded together like this group has done I think the world would be a better place.
Invisible Youth Network provides resources to bring awareness about homeless youth in their community and other cities in the US. They now have non-profit status.
For articles on homelessness see: Feed Homeless, Face Arrest and Struggles of the Homeless
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Children are vulnerable to being abused and overworked in El Salvador.
El Salvador has many known issues with child laborers in the coffee and sugar-harvesting season. There are also a lot of children in manufacturing, garbage scavenging, street vending and prostitution.
Orphans are particularly vulnerable to being abused and taken advantage of but many other poor children end up working long hours to help feed their families and pay for their schooling.
Domestic workers are not as visible but tons of girls end up working as domestic servants. Very few of them complain but the Ministry of Labor does not seem quick to enforce laws either.
Most of these girls are working out of necessity but stricter guidelines should be enforced as children under 18 still deserve to be paid fairly and should not have to endure abuse and overwork.
To learn more about the children who are domestic workers see the article Domestic Workers in El Salvador
Orphans are particularly vulnerable to being abused and taken advantage of but many other poor children end up working long hours to help feed their families and pay for their schooling.
Domestic workers are not as visible but tons of girls end up working as domestic servants. Very few of them complain but the Ministry of Labor does not seem quick to enforce laws either.
Most of these girls are working out of necessity but stricter guidelines should be enforced as children under 18 still deserve to be paid fairly and should not have to endure abuse and overwork.
To learn more about the children who are domestic workers see the article Domestic Workers in El Salvador
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Australia relies on many overseas doctors but some are not feeling welcome. Negative stereotypes towards Indians and Muslims may worsen with arrest of an Indian doctor.
Not all Indian doctors are feeling welcome in Australia. Some are understandably discouraged further by mounting distrust towards overseas doctors.
The arrest and detention of Dr. Mohammed Haneef on July 2, 2007 seems to have made matters worse. 27-year-old Dr. Haneef was held in connection with the 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack.
Sources: BBC News, Nick Bryant, Sydney, July 24, 2007
BBC News, Lancet editorial, July 20, 2007
- This could have negative consequences on health care access since at a least quarter of Australia’s medical workforce is from overseas.
The arrest and detention of Dr. Mohammed Haneef on July 2, 2007 seems to have made matters worse. 27-year-old Dr. Haneef was held in connection with the 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack.
- There is already a doctor shortage in Australia so hopefully the anxiety will subside so that Australia’s health care system does not get in further trouble. Recruitment and retention of Indian doctors may be an an issue if the negative stereotypes towards Indians continue.
- It is unfortunate that the panic seems to have spread and in some cases promoted prejudice towards Indians. There has been some concern with the way authorities are handling the ongoing investigations of the bombing plot.
Sources: BBC News, Nick Bryant, Sydney, July 24, 2007
BBC News, Lancet editorial, July 20, 2007
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Universal access to affordable daycare is a good thing or is it?
According to a study that I became privy to thanks to an article in the New York Times (The Price of Daycare Can be High, David Leonhardt, July 14, 2006) increased access to affordable daycare is not always a good thing.
I think that affordable accessible daycare for everyone is important, but it is ultimately the parent’s responsibility to teach children the basics in preparation for school. If parents are working long hours and don't have enough time to spend with their children then it's understandable how they might become depressed, but making them feel guilty about putting their children in daycare isn't going to cheer them up.
I know of a woman who ended up quitting her job because her company kept insisting she keep traveling away from home for extended periods. Compromises with companies that demand a little less of new parent’s time would be one solution but not everyone is offered that option.
Join the discussion on Universal Daycare and offer your opinions or ideas on solutions.
Resources:
Universal Childcare, Maternal Labor Supply and Family Well-Being - July/October, 2005 pdf
The Price of Daycare Can be High, David Leonhardt, July 14, 2006
- Since 2000, Quebec has been offering childcare to any child under the age of 4 for only 7 dollars a day. Obviously, there was an increase in the number of children in daycare since more could afford it but what have been the affects on the children?
- Three economists collected data in regards to children's well being in Quebec compared to the rest of Canada. Michael Baker and Kevin Milligan are Canadian while the other economist Jonathan Gruber is an American.
- Their conclusions were that in the last decade children in Quebec have been more anxious and aggressive than children in the rest of Canada. Apparently they also potty trained later as well as climbed and counted. Parents in Quebec are also said to be more depressed and less satisfied with their marriages than they were a decade ago.
I think that affordable accessible daycare for everyone is important, but it is ultimately the parent’s responsibility to teach children the basics in preparation for school. If parents are working long hours and don't have enough time to spend with their children then it's understandable how they might become depressed, but making them feel guilty about putting their children in daycare isn't going to cheer them up.
I know of a woman who ended up quitting her job because her company kept insisting she keep traveling away from home for extended periods. Compromises with companies that demand a little less of new parent’s time would be one solution but not everyone is offered that option.
Join the discussion on Universal Daycare and offer your opinions or ideas on solutions.
Resources:
Universal Childcare, Maternal Labor Supply and Family Well-Being - July/October, 2005 pdf
The Price of Daycare Can be High, David Leonhardt, July 14, 2006
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Monsoon rains have left over 200,000 homeless in India and 1.5 million people are affected.
An estimated 500,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in the province of Baluchistan India after Cyclone Yemyin hit combined with heavy torrential flooding. The monsoon rains have left over 200,000 homeless and so far have affected at least 1.5 million people.
On June 23 thunderstorms came before the cyclone and killed 230 people in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s largest city.
For updates or information on the flash floods in India see Relief Web.
Sources:
Yahoo News, July 2, 2007, CBS News, June 30, 2007, Associated Press, June 29, 2007, Reuters, Bappa Majumda, July 6, 2007
Related: India, Caste and Poverty
- 300,000 people are displaced and need help. Helicopters have been dropping food but many people are still not receiving aid. Riots broke out in the southwestern city of Turbat because of anger at the lack of aid. Biscuits and bottled water got through but aid is still needed and is slow getting to hungry people. Many water lines have been destroyed so safe drinking water is needed.
- Helicopters have lifted at least 800 marooned people and are supplying people who are stranded on roads with food.
- Health workers are traveling in boats to reach people who need medical attention, which is dangerous because landslides are an added threat to the flooding and have killed several people in Bangladesh.
On June 23 thunderstorms came before the cyclone and killed 230 people in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s largest city.
For updates or information on the flash floods in India see Relief Web.
Sources:
Yahoo News, July 2, 2007, CBS News, June 30, 2007, Associated Press, June 29, 2007, Reuters, Bappa Majumda, July 6, 2007
Related: India, Caste and Poverty
UN Report Threat of More Poverty
Posted by
Sandra Williams
Would cooperative living help spread resources and be a way some people could solve the growing population problem?
After reading the UN report predicting over half the world will be living in urban areas by 2008, I began reminiscing about simpler times. Many of these city dwellers will of course be poor and no one is prepared for that.
Africa and Asia are predicted to have the most growth and by 2030 they will make up 81 percent of urban humanity. Slums will grow larger and the environment will become more damaged if something isn't done to help them solve their problems.
Some have simply denied people services in respond to growing migrations but that is obviously going to create other problems including anger, outrage and confrontations. Sensible suggestions are supplying health care, education and birth control to those who want and need it. While there aren't too many completed plans being made by authorities in developing nations on how to deal with the expansion, New York is developing a "strategic land use plan" to deal with their projected population increase. They also plan to improve their water supply, sanitation and air pollution, which would be a good idea regardless.
The simpler time I was reminiscing about was my experience in staying at a commune (Intentional Communities is what I think they're called now) for a few weeks. While I wasn't there long I have fond memories of the experience and it made a huge impression on me. My family might not agree with that choice of lifestyle but I do become wistful for a more peaceful simpler life and wonder if more people lived cooperatively if that would not help solve some issues. Most of them are ecologically sustainable and environmentally sensitive as well.
There was a group of about twenty people who stayed there regularly and everyone chose a task to do for about six hours out of the day. They were very self sufficient so the tasks could include gardening, creating hammocks, tin lamp shades, tending to the animals, making cheese......I'm sure I'm missing some but it's been 22 years since I've been there. I tried to locate them again years ago but they must have changed their name.
To be fair there is no reason why we couldn't live more cooperatively together in our own present communities either. When we encourage each other to recycle, share land for gardens and volunteer to watch each others children I suppose we are creating our own cooperative or intentional communities.
Resources: UN Report (Unleashing Potential of Urban Growth, 2007)
Africa and Asia are predicted to have the most growth and by 2030 they will make up 81 percent of urban humanity. Slums will grow larger and the environment will become more damaged if something isn't done to help them solve their problems.
Some have simply denied people services in respond to growing migrations but that is obviously going to create other problems including anger, outrage and confrontations. Sensible suggestions are supplying health care, education and birth control to those who want and need it. While there aren't too many completed plans being made by authorities in developing nations on how to deal with the expansion, New York is developing a "strategic land use plan" to deal with their projected population increase. They also plan to improve their water supply, sanitation and air pollution, which would be a good idea regardless.
The simpler time I was reminiscing about was my experience in staying at a commune (Intentional Communities is what I think they're called now) for a few weeks. While I wasn't there long I have fond memories of the experience and it made a huge impression on me. My family might not agree with that choice of lifestyle but I do become wistful for a more peaceful simpler life and wonder if more people lived cooperatively if that would not help solve some issues. Most of them are ecologically sustainable and environmentally sensitive as well.
There was a group of about twenty people who stayed there regularly and everyone chose a task to do for about six hours out of the day. They were very self sufficient so the tasks could include gardening, creating hammocks, tin lamp shades, tending to the animals, making cheese......I'm sure I'm missing some but it's been 22 years since I've been there. I tried to locate them again years ago but they must have changed their name.
To be fair there is no reason why we couldn't live more cooperatively together in our own present communities either. When we encourage each other to recycle, share land for gardens and volunteer to watch each others children I suppose we are creating our own cooperative or intentional communities.
Resources: UN Report (Unleashing Potential of Urban Growth, 2007)