JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I'D HEARD IT ALL

Yesterday, when I was reading through a list of possible petitions to sign, I came upon breast ironing in the Cameroon. Although I signed the petition decrying this practice, I felt I needed more information before blogging on this topic. Sure enough, in the Cameroon predominantly, but in other neighboring African countries, as well, the breasts of pubescent girls are often ironed to flatten, disfigure them, and discourage them from early sexual activity. This can lead to cysts, skin lesions, and other health problems. I knew about female circumcision which is also still practiced but this breast ironing was a new one.
This week, I have been calling or e-mailing my senators and representative nearly every day about the Child Protection Compact Act S3184 and HR 2737 and the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking and Victims Support Act S2925/ HR 5575 legislation. While I was researching the breast ironing matter, I also had to read Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery in Cameroon. Who should appear in this article than Evelyn Chumbow. Her story was recently featured in a CCBC magazine. This article adds the detail that it was Theresa Mubang who brought 11 year old Evelyn to this country after promising her a first rate US education. Instead, Mubang enslaved Evelyn in her home forcing her to work long hours, depriving her of her education, and paying her nothing. Evelyn escaped at 19, got her GED, completed her CCBC program and now attends the University of Baltimore. Knowing that both Evelyn and Rose (ENSLAVED IN DC) were victims of human trafficking in my area, how can I not be involved in this issue. Knowing that girls from many countries- including Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala where I have sponsored girls- are trafficked to the US for prostitution, sexual exploitation, forced labor and domestic service; how can I not be grateful to someone who is willing to help one of these girls with legitimate educational expenses( THANK-YOU Woodie). As I sit here munching on the chocolate cookie I baked from dough purchased to help a charter school, I wonder if the chocolate was from West African cocoa farms where children under 14 are often forced into labor. Perhaps I also need to be more careful about the source of my chocolate.

STAND UP TO BULLYING WEEK

This week has been designated Stand Up To Bullying Week in Canada. While many children and youth are victims of bullying, the GLBT community views many young people who are questioning their identities as prime targets for bullies and suicides. The TREVOR project has a website, a hotline, and resource materials for educators and involved community people. These resources are worth checking out. The hotline is 866 4 U TREVOR or 866 488 7386.

Double trouble in Indonesia

The tsunami followed by the eruption of the volcano spelled double trouble for the people of Indonesia. NGO'S have come to the aid of the people. The President's visit was shortened. There was time to unveil a statue of his mother. Discrimination against women and girls in this country is present even if natural disasters and visiting dignitaries aren't. Amnesty International reports that girls were to be tested for their virginity or pregnancy before having a right to a high school education. Girls or women who become pregnant out of wedlock are often denied maternal or reproductive care. Women and girls who are victims of rape are often shunned, forced to leave villages, or denied care. So in Indonesia, women and girls may fall victim to both natural and MAN-made disasters.

IKEA SOFT TOY PROJECT

When I'm feeling down. the remaining child in me likes to play with or purchase toys. Imagine if you can buy an item which will not only bring pleasure to a child here but will help children globally get a better chance at education. This doubles the pleasure of the gift giving experience. You can shop. Wrap a gift or stuff a stocking. Then you know that a portion of your purchase will go to Save the Children's and UNICEF's programs for education. The shopping at IKEA begins November 1 and ends December 24. This year between December 18 and the 24, IKEA will also donate a portion of a kid's meal to the organizations. So you can grab that other comfort reward- eating out- share a meal with a youngster and help others at the same time.
This program started in 2003 has  raised over 30,000,000 dollars for the two organizations and benefitted 8 million children. So instead of trick or treat we can treat and train.

CHILD TRAFFICKING

There have been some positive steps in the area of child trafficking awareness. The Village Voice BACKPAGES has agreed to monitor posting and ads which could be human/child trafficking related. There is the Child Protection Compact Act which will be voted on in November. World Vision Activism is urging Student groups to call their Senators on November 10 to ask them to vote for the bill.
The Polaris Project, which deals with human trafficking in the United States, was one of the $50.000 grant recipients in the Pepsi Refresh Project for September.
A number of NGO gift catalogs this year have items to "PURCHASE" which help prevent or treat victims of human trafficking. World Vision has a number of ways and levels starting at $35 to help fight this problem.World Concern has two measures on its gift giving catalog- awareness training for one child or skill training for four children.
Save the Children has been working to prevent child trafficking in El Salvador. They are also working to reintegrate children from the Lord's Resistance Army back to some stability in Uganda. Their work in Indonesia is crucial now, since every time there is a natural disaster, children become targets for trafficking.
At PLAN USA, you can make a donation to fight child trafficking or become a Child Trafficking Solutions Sponsor.

HAITI- THE CHOLERA COMPLICATION

Many organizations are currently asking for funds to help Haiti in its current outbreak of cholera. Cholera, if treated, can be cured. Its victims who are least compromised by malnutrition and other health issues respond best. Soap and water can help prevent its spread. Unfortunately, like many in our country responded with inappropriate reaction to someone diagnosed with HIV, some Haitians decided that the appropriate response to Doctors Without Borders attempt to set up treatment tents in their community was to protest and burn the tents.
The Dominican Republic  has closed its border with Haiti with regard to markets and is requiring people to use soap before entering from Haiti. This seems more reasonable. Hopefully, those providing humanitarian aid will not be discouaged by setbacks and receive the funds needed to get the epidemic under control.

UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

October 24, 2010 was the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. The UN  Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children by outlining their human rights. As of today, 193 nations have committed to support it. Only the United States and Somalia have not ratified this UN convention. The International Rescue Committee has on its website under call for action, a letter asking President Obama to submit this convention to the Senate for its advice and consent without delay. Please visit the IRC website and promote this action today.

CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONGO

This summer, the Congo Minerals Trade Transparency Act was part of a larger financial bill which passed in Congress and was signed into law by President Obama. More needs to be done. The Securities and Exchange Commission needs to provide oversight to see that this law has some enforcement and is not watered down by the representatives of 20 large companies:
Nokia       Samsung     Motorola     Sony Ericsson     LG-Life's Good    RIM Blackberry     Apple     Dell
HP    Panasonic    acer     Toshiba     lenovo     SanDisk   Philips     Microsoft    IBM    intel    Canon
Nintendo I was really impressed with how promptly Nintendo responded to my e-mail petition. I hope they are as committed to buying components only from those who fully disclose the origins of materials as they stated they were.
At RAISEHope4Congo you can sign a petition urging these biggest electronics companies to make products conflict free. If you have a cell phone, then you you have a link to the deadliest war in the world. The minerals are also used in laptops and other electronic products. Since tin is now replacing lead as a safer product, the demand for tin has increased. Can we demand safer extraction and avenues of trade for this and other minerals? Can we tell companies we will buy products if we can determine they are conflict free?
BACKGROUND: Over 5 million people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of women raped over the last decade in the Congo because of the desire for minerals-the "Blood DIAMONDS" of this African country. The multi-million dollar trade in minerals tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold can be examined in YOU TUBE videos Conflict Minerals 101 and Congo's Enough Moment. An earlier mining video Grand Theft Congo-DRC  is also on You Tube.
Become a consumer advocate for conflict free products. Become an advocate by reading about, e-mailing, or writing to companies listed above. Post references on social network sites about this issue.
Every time  I look at the picture of my sponsored child Chancelle sitting on the ground playing with her friend, I have a personal link with someone who can have either a future of tragedy or a future of hope. NATURALLY, I WANT THE BEST FOR HER AND OTHERS LIKE HER.

EDUCATION FOR GIRLS

There is no doubt that education is important for girls. Educating a girl can benefit her family when she begins one, it can provide her with needed information on how to keep her children healthy, it can teach her how to prevent HIV/AIDS and other STDS, and of course, it provides her with needed tools to have a better standard of living.
Most people decry the Taliban's destroying of schools for girls and its prohibitive practices regarding education for girls. There are some things which have recently come to my attention that I find deplorable. Recently, PLAN USA reported that in Kenya some 1100 teachers were dismissed for abusing girls physically and sexually. Going back to a 2007 report by Amnesty International,  I am quoting the following:
       "Every day, girls are assaulted on their way to school, pushed and hit in school grounds, teased and insulted by their classmates, humiliated by having rumours about them circulated through whisper campaigns, mobile phones, or the Internet. Some are threatened with sexual assault by other students, offered higher marks by teacher in exchange for sexual favours, even raped in the staff room. Some are caned or beaten in the name of school discipline."
Yesterday, Yale President Richard C. Levin and Dean Mary Miller issued a letter apologizing for the pro rape chant by Delta Kappa Epsilon last Wednesday on and around campus buildings. Pledge activities have been suspended and meetings will be held. I verified the petition I signed on Change.org about this incident on the Yale University website.
I am trying to confirm that a high school student at Silsbee High TX who reported being raped by a student was kicked off the cheerleading team. After the alleged rapist pled guilty to a lesser assault charge, the young man was allowed to return to the varsity team. The victim was told to cheer for this person by name, keep a low profile, avoid the school cafeteria, and avoid homecoming activities. After she refused to do this, she was removed from the cheerleading team according to the content of the petition.
So many NGO'S are trying to assure that girls are getting an education, sponsors contribute funds to enable this to happen, and parents who struggle to put their girls through school and college have every right to expect that they will be safe. We simply have to do better by our young people.
Amnesty International in November 2007 urged this action:
    "Amnesty International recognizes the determination of girls all over the world to gain an education.We demand that states take immediate action to fulfill their international commitments and make schools accessible to girls and safe. Amnesty International calls on governments and schools to:
   Prohibit all forms of violence against girls.
   Provide appropriate treatment and support services for victims and survivors of school-related violence, including HIV/AIDS information, medication, and counseling services.
 Develop and implement policies and programmes to include and reintegrate girls living with HIV, pregnant, or married girls in schools"
To this I would add, please don't make girls who report incidents victims all over again. Try, as Save the Children is doing, to build separate latrines/ restrooms for girls and boys. 

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

This week, a number of ABC Network shows are taking on Alzheimer's disease. At the fictional level, Derek and Meredith discuss the possibility of her getting Alzheimer's disease because her mother had it. Even with genetic testing, there is not a certainty that a person will develop the disease or pass it to children since both parents, lifestyles, injuries, and health conditions are also factors.
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes and poorly controlled diabetes are related factors. Infections, falls, and head injuries are also factors. Before the age of 65, risk is less. Over 65, the risk increases. Over 85 , at present, risk is great.
Exercise, good diet, and keeping mentally active can be deterents. Some medicines can slow the progress of the disease. An Irish pharmaceutical firm is working on a vaccine.
Right now, one thing is evident in Maria Shriver's report. Most patients would prefer home care. This means that family caregivers need leave, training. and support. As the baby boomers are aging, these issues need attention now.

ELTON/LEON/ HIV/AIDS/BENEFIT, MIRACLES, AND CONNECTIONS

Last night in New York City, there was a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. While this event was way out of my price range, I was excited nevertheless. Elton John's Foundation has been well recognized in the fight against HIV AIDS. It was the reunion of the two performers Elton John and Leon Russell which touched me. As a Leon Russell fan of old, I was amazed to hear that after Elton contacted Leon after many years, Leon  had brain surgery. One of the miracles about all of this was that Leon's recovery and strength grew as the two worked on an album together. The music worked miracles. The hearing of an old Leon Russell song prompted Elton to make that initial call. Those of you who saw the earlier portion of the Good Morning America Show this morning saw how the song by Nat King Cole helped a daughter connect with her father who was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. Music helps us connect with our past, it can improve our mood, and in the case of Elton and Leon effect lives. I'm glad you two reconnected. So if a song makes you remember someone you've lost touch with, try to reconnect with that person. It may bring a miracle in your life.

BULLYING

I worked as a teacher for many years and saw and intervened to some extent in incidents involving bullying. Last spring's  incident of a third grader with cerebral palsy being bullied to the point where she wanted to jump off of the school's window ledge, led me to attend a meeting on bullying. At this meeting , I learned that 1 out of  3 students in this country feel threatened by bullies. I would first like to make three points. The first is from the Stop Bullying Now website. "Bullying is no longer viewed as a rite of passage that all kids just have to endure. It is a form of abuse that can cause psychological, physical, and academic problems for children who are bullied." It can lead to death and suicide. Second, the number of children who feel threatened by bullies includes but is not limited to children trying to define their sexual orientation. Third, while most states have laws regarding bullying, legislation without family, community and professional support will not fix the problem.
I am going to share briefly two incidents I encountered after I retired, while working contractually. The first involved an eighth grader who didn't know he was going blind. He missed a shot in a basketball game and his teammates, kids he had grown up with, beat him up after school. They continued to bully and harass him about his increasing clumsiness. The parent when contacted did not think he was ready to learn of the seriousness of his eye problem. He subsequently brought a knife to school and was then charged with possession of a weapon. I was told to assess his educational status while he was in the midst of all this turmoil. He was later reassigned to a school which had more visually impaired students.
One of my resource students and his sister had a pet dog who got out of the yard. The dog was run over by the neighborhood bully who now had a car. This person had allegedly killed several cats in this manner. The sister was told of her dog's death when she got off of the school bus. She immediately became hysterical. The next day, when she got on the school bus, many kids taunted her. When she got to school, she shut herself in her locker. After talking to her, I was able to get her out of the locker. I kept her in the resource room that morning. I asked her and her brother what they thought I should do next. Naturally, all of the teachers and administration became involved. However, none of the family wanted to tackle the problem of the neighbor bully in the car.
On the Stop Bullying Now! website, the progression of bullies into more serious behaviors is discussed. The fact sheet that I found to be helpful and realistic on this site is entitled Providing Support to Children Who Are Bullied: Tips for School Personnel And Other Adults http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/ . There are good resources for kids on this website also.
A Canadian website devoted to this problem is http://www.bullying.org/ Teen celeb Demi Lovato has part of her website devoted to Teens Against Bullying. These are good resources also.
Be sure to wear purple on Wednesday October 20, 2010 Look for additional blogs on this topic Nov. 14-20 Stand Up to Bullying Week.

BREAD FOR THE WORLD DAY

This Sunday I am hoping that members of many congregations will be writing letters to Congress about global hunger. Two key issues involve our farm bill and the way we distribute food through our foreign aid programs. Within the farm bill, the SNAP program provides at least 1 in 7 Americans with food assistance. This program should not  be cut. The policy of subsidizing certain crops so that other nations cannot compete needs to be examined. The way that food is shipped to other countries as part of foreign aid programs also needs to be examined. Many times surplus but not best quality food is shipped at considerable expense to countries as part of an aid package. While this might be necessary in an emergency,  for lasting solutions growing food in the third world country, making microloans to farmers, bringing livestock to the country, planting trees, teaching farming methods, and locating water supplies that can make communities more stable seem to be better options. 

WORLD FOOD DAY

Today, October 16, 2010 is World Food Day. I CAN TALK ABOUT HUNGER, at the local, national, and international levels. Every Saturday, my church hosts a luncheon for those in the community in need of food or comfort. We typically serve close to fifty people. We also give out between 30 and 45 bags of food a week. People are hopeful that they will get peanut butter or spaghetti with sauce. Fresh sweet potatoes or oranges are a talked about treat.
Recently, I was on the websites of three hundred faith-based institutions. Almost everyone of these sites described programs or projects designed to provide food to those in need across our country. Depending on where you live in the US at least 1in 7 and in some states 1in 5 people are dependent on the SNAP program which replaced the food stamp program. Half of those dependent are children. We know our children are becoming increasingly obese and although this can be blamed in part on lack of exercise, it is also due to limited or poor food choices. While we know fresh fruits and vegetables are part of the healthy diet,  because of their cost many children get at best a sugary fruit drink or a salty vegetable one. The pockets of our country usually thought of as poverty-stricken such as some Native American reservations and Appalachia are now competing for the food bank resource with communities across the country. The elderly and aging population is also at risk.
As bleak as this picture appears, the global financial crisis and rising food prices have left more and more families struggling to put nutritrious food on the table. The number of children dying of malnutrition is increasing.
As the holiday season approaches, there are things you can do.
Talk to those on your gift list about receiving a "gift" of livestock, bees, or seeds to help others.
Give a percentage of what you spend on a holiday meal or match the tip if you eat out to a food pantry or Feeding America.
Write to Congress on Bread For the World Sunday, OCTOBER 17, 2010. Visit the Doctors Without Borders website and learn how you can host an event to change the way food aid is given to other countries.

WATER A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT/NEED

Today, Change.org has an annual Blog Day. The theme of this year's blog is WATER. More people die of contaminated water each year than all forms of violence and war combined. After the miraculous rescue of the Chilean miners, we all can see that water is essential to life. This summer, the UN  voted to make access to clean water a basic human right. More needs to be done.

Green-minded people come up with ideas to conserve water and projects to clean up water sources, then spread the word.

Politically active people sign the petition at Change.org. Become familiar with proposed legislation involving clean water. Know the candidates' positions on water and environmental issues.

Social networkers and bloggers send a message for the clean water cause.Check out Change.org for needed resources.

Thanks, Linda Claire
Tomorrow's Blog- Bread for the World Sunday OCTOBER 17, 2010