Check out the trailer to the Half the Sky Documentary, airing Oct 1st and 2nd on PBS. It's beyond inspriring. As the girls and I watched it this afternoon, you could have heard a pin drop. Complete silence and lots of good conversation to follow.
I know it will have an amazing impact on American society. Without a doubt, it will bring it's message..."Women are not the problem....they are the solution."
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Kiva Loans
Today we had a meeting and made a few Kiva loans. Here is one of my favorites:
Daysi, the girl pictured wearing the black sweater, is a 22-year-old single mother of two kids, a boy and a girl. She lives in the Cayambe region of Ecuador and describes herself as a quiet and hardworking mother who always tries her best to provide for her family.
About two years ago she began buying and raising guinea pigs (called "cuys" in Ecuador). She has been doing well so far with this business, but hopes that with this, her first loan, Daysi and her partners will be able to increase their income in order to expand their small businesses and better provide for their loved ones.
Daysi and her group partners, Maria Fanny and Mireya, are pictured. Also pictured is Daysi's brother, who is not part of the group.
About two years ago she began buying and raising guinea pigs (called "cuys" in Ecuador). She has been doing well so far with this business, but hopes that with this, her first loan, Daysi and her partners will be able to increase their income in order to expand their small businesses and better provide for their loved ones.
Daysi and her group partners, Maria Fanny and Mireya, are pictured. Also pictured is Daysi's brother, who is not part of the group.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Kony 2012
With all the hype about Josheph Kony lately, the kids held a special meeting to discuss who he is and the agenda behind the creation of the video.
No doubt, the LRA has committed crimes:
mutilation
abduction
torture
conscription of children
Think critically. Why was the video made? What are the moral implications behind it? Would this filmmaker be able to make this video if he lived in a less developed country? How has media changed the way we receive information? Did Mr. Russell's experiment work?
Here is a response from "the other side." Use your head...what's the truth?
http://www.acholitimes.com/index.php/perspectives/opinion/15-open-letter-to-jason-russell-ceo-of-invisible-children-inc-on-kony2012
As much as the video is propaganda, this is an opportunity to learn about the atrocities that take place in the rest of the world. With or without Joseph Kony, these issues exist:
conscription of children
mutilation
oppression
rape
murder
torture
slavery
malnutrition
lack of health care
lack of education
lack of basic human rights
Here is an article published by Amnesty International. Several have been published in the last few days reminding us that this conflict is not one-sided.
True justice for any of these issues will come when our government recognizes that it is in our best interest to help others.
https://www-secure.amnesty.org/en/news/efforts-arrest-joseph-kony-must-respect-human-rights-2012-03-08
The bottom line is that we love that teens are getting involved. We love that teens care about those outside their sphere of influence. We love that teens are trying to educate themselves.
Let's spread awareness and education about the human rights violations that take place all over the world. Let's help in a productive, caring way.
Become educated.
Become active.
Become the change you want to see.
No doubt, the LRA has committed crimes:
mutilation
abduction
torture
conscription of children
Think critically. Why was the video made? What are the moral implications behind it? Would this filmmaker be able to make this video if he lived in a less developed country? How has media changed the way we receive information? Did Mr. Russell's experiment work?
Here is a response from "the other side." Use your head...what's the truth?
http://www.acholitimes.com/index.php/perspectives/opinion/15-open-letter-to-jason-russell-ceo-of-invisible-children-inc-on-kony2012
As much as the video is propaganda, this is an opportunity to learn about the atrocities that take place in the rest of the world. With or without Joseph Kony, these issues exist:
conscription of children
mutilation
oppression
rape
murder
torture
slavery
malnutrition
lack of health care
lack of education
lack of basic human rights
Here is an article published by Amnesty International. Several have been published in the last few days reminding us that this conflict is not one-sided.
True justice for any of these issues will come when our government recognizes that it is in our best interest to help others.
https://www-secure.amnesty.org/en/news/efforts-arrest-joseph-kony-must-respect-human-rights-2012-03-08
The bottom line is that we love that teens are getting involved. We love that teens care about those outside their sphere of influence. We love that teens are trying to educate themselves.
Let's spread awareness and education about the human rights violations that take place all over the world. Let's help in a productive, caring way.
Become educated.
Become active.
Become the change you want to see.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Community Involvement
On Friday, the Co-Presidents of Amnesty and I went to meet with students at North Muskegon. We are going to branch out and make Amnesty a community club. We are really excited to be teaming up with them!
John Slocum is our contact there and over the years he and I have talked about making a positive impact in our community OR getting our community to make a positive impact elsewhere. It's always been talk....until now. It's our combined belief that most people would like to help others. They just need to be led. SO...we are going to lead.
Our first big event is on the horizon. We'll keep you posted with dates, times and who will be involved. Check back for more information....soon!
John Slocum is our contact there and over the years he and I have talked about making a positive impact in our community OR getting our community to make a positive impact elsewhere. It's always been talk....until now. It's our combined belief that most people would like to help others. They just need to be led. SO...we are going to lead.
Our first big event is on the horizon. We'll keep you posted with dates, times and who will be involved. Check back for more information....soon!
Friday, January 6, 2012
World Map through Water
It was taken by Markus Reugels who is a German photographer that specializes in capturing the art of water droplets. When I saw this picture it made me think of our Amnesty mission this year of trying to give people the gift of water....the essence of life...that makes us all connected, all humans, all the same.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Santa Night
Last night we hosted our annual "Santa Night" at the High School.
Santa Night is a fundraiser our Amnesty kids love putting on. I actually tried to talk them out of it this year to do something new. However, they all really wanted to do it. As always, my Amnesty kids impressed me. They were great with the little kids, kept them all entertained and set-up and cleaned-up with very little direction. I had a ton of compliments on the night from those who attended. Great job kids!!
The best part....our well is on it's way to being complete!
Santa Night is a fundraiser our Amnesty kids love putting on. I actually tried to talk them out of it this year to do something new. However, they all really wanted to do it. As always, my Amnesty kids impressed me. They were great with the little kids, kept them all entertained and set-up and cleaned-up with very little direction. I had a ton of compliments on the night from those who attended. Great job kids!!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Kiva
At our last meeting we spent some time talking about Kiva and informing the rest of the Amnesty club what the organization is all about. Since we merged the two clubs, we haven't spent a whole lot of time focusing on the Kiva aspect. Last week Mr. Johnson and two club members talked to the rest of the kids about why the Kiva Club was started, what microloaning is and why it is important.. In particular we focused on why the majority of the loans were made to women (not all :) and how the money has the power to help alleviate much of the poverty in the world. All together, we made $500 in loans and are the second highest loaning high schoool group associated with Kiva. Yeah!!!
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