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.