Technically my obligation to blog is done with the end of class. I seem to have gotten a taste for it though, so expect a random post now and then.
Situation: I was at work yesterday and I was conversing with a friend and she was complaining about the fact that her friend kept bombarding her with facts about homosexuals. He has recently "come out" so he likes talking about his sexuality, not necessarily about sex, but just about gays and the culture. Cool, whatever. I mentioned how I was on Gay.com the day before and a profile question (in addition to age, height, etc) was the question "HIV status." That really just upset me because of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS and the fact that it is primarily gay men who are infected with the disease.
I thought my friend would share some of my indignation (I don't know why, maybe I was just hoping?) and all she said was how her friend told her that it was primarily white heterosexual women who were infected and transmitting the disease.
Her logic to that was because gay men "can't make up their frickin' mind" and decide who to have sex with and the only reason that women are infected with HIV/AIDS at all was because...well...I won't quote her on this one but I'll leave it with you that it had something to do with bestiality and monkeys. I'm sure you can piece it together from there.
This infuriated me.
It's not ONLY gay men who have HIV/AIDS.
They didn't get it from having sex with monkeys. (Yes, it is arguable that the disease came from monkeys in Africa because they have a similar disease however it is waaaaaay more likely they got it because they were hunting and ate the meat from an infected monkey or they were hunting, had a cut, and some of the infected primate blood entered into the hunters system.)
HIV-2 for example corresponds to SIVsm, a strain of the Simian Immunodeficiency Virus found in the sooty mangabey (also known as the green monkey), which is indigenous to western Africa.
One of the highest "groups" in Canada who are infected with HIV/AIDS are Aboriginals. This is primarily due to a lack of health care (for testing and treatment), drug use (transmitted through needles), and poverty.
After reading 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa (an amazing book) I learned more about people who become infected with HIV/AIDS and how it happened.
It's not just the gay men who are infected...
... it's the mother of 3 who's husband was unfaithful
... it's the couple who had unprotected sex
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she didn't know
... it's the child who's mother was infected and she knew but couldn't afford the necessary medication to prevent the transmission to her child
... it's the man who always had protected sex but when he and his friend were violently attacked one day he carried his friend's bleeding body to safety and, unbeknownst to him, his friend was infected and some of the infected blood got into his own wounds and he contracted the disease
If you are not infected by HIV/AIDS you are affected by HIV/AIDS.
This disease is all around us but remains invisible because most of the people who have it are across the ocean, are receiving medication (anti-retrovirals or ARV), or are suffering in silence because of the treatment they will receive from their peers and society. Their obituaries will not read "so and so passed away from HIV/AIDS." They will read "pulmonary infection," "cancer," or "tuberculosis." In developing countries especially, it won't even be realized that the cause of death was related to HIV/AIDS.
We are affected by HIV/AIDS because a generation of people, of human beings who's lives are just as valuable and real as yours or mine, are dying because we chose not to help. We chose to be silent. We chose not to give foreign aid. We chose profits from drug companies over progress in health care availability.
Religion also plays a part in this mess. Abstinence only education discourages pre-marital sex. As a result there is no discussion about protection for those who choose to engage in pre-marital sex. This is a lack of information that can cause serious consequences. Also, religious groups are the ones who most often fund HIV/AIDS prevention programs overseas. And when they only way people can receive funding is by promoting "don't have sex" instead of "refrain from risky sexual behaviour" that adds to the issue as well.
Stigmas are what hold progress back. If there is a stigma that HIV/AIDS only affects homosexuals then there will not be a broadened education about how to prevent transmission. People will continue to be discriminated against unjustly. Funding will never appear. And many, many millions more will have their lives cut short and live a painful existence.
Education is the only vaccine. Be HIV free. And be stigma free.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
With eyes wide open
Yesterday, December 1st, was World AIDS Day. I was planning on doing a big post but time escaped me so we'll have to settle for one today.
I went to a World AIDS Day Gala Dinner at the University yesterday. It was hosted by WUSC (World University Services Canada), EWB (Engineers Without Borders), FAIR (Friends Aiding International Relief), and the Womyn's Centre. There were some displays on HIV/AIDS, a silent auction, and some pretty good food.
The keynote speaker was Andy. I forget his last name and I can't find it on the website. He was from the Masai Centre, located in Guelph, Ontario.
The Masai Centre is a community-based outpatient clinic offering holistic and compassionate care and treatment for those living with HIV/AIDS in Wellington-Dufferin, Grey-Bruce and Waterloo Region. They also have a connection with AIDS in Africa, especially in Lesotho. This is manifested with their Bracelets of Hope campaign.
In the spring of 2006 U Guelph launched its own campaign to support the Masai for Africa Project by making a commitment to raise $100,000 as their contribution to the $1 million goal. A cooperative of South African women was hired to make red and white beaded bracelets which were shipped to the University of Guelph and distributed on campus for a donation of $5.
One African woman can make 50 bracelets each day which earns her enough income to feed her children and the orphans in her care for two months and keeps these children in school for the same period of time. Canadians who purchase this bracelet help these women sustain their families and their communities while contributing to the Masai for Africa Project in its efforts to sustain and build HIV clinics in Lesotho and South Africa.
Andy talked a lot about the Bracelets of Hope campaign. It's estimated that if every Canadian were to wear (and purchase) 2 bracelets AIDS in Lesotho could be eradicated.
Andy hadn't always been involved in AIDS in Africa. He used to work in computers but he went to Africa and it changed his life. One thing he said in particular about AIDS struck me:
"I disregarded it because I could."
As shocking as that says it is completely true. We can flip the page, close the browser window, or shut off the TV. We have the luxury of worrying about other problems like school, what to wear, relationships and not about whether or not we will survive to see tomorrow.
Ignorance should never be an excuse. Knowledge really is power.
Find something you're passionate about and learn about it. And tell others what you are learning. Be change. Have a positive effect. Whether it's with poverty, environmental issues, equal rights, tougher regulations for copyright in media...anything. Find your passion and make a difference. There are lots of issues to choose from and many ways we can make a difference.
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
- Anne Frank
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
If at first you don't succeed...
Ever since I last posted (merely hours ago) I was thinking....why haven't I participated in Kiva yet? I should practice what I preach, right? And I've actually been waiting to post about microcredit and Kiva for a while.
So here I go!
When you go to the website you can pick a business by deciding what you want in regards to "status" "gender" "sector" and "region." I was a little shocked to see North America as an option for region but hey, poverty is everywhere. When I clicked on it I realized that they were all for Mexico.
After browsing and browsing I've finally settled on my group that I will lend money too. I have chosen Lovina. Here are some bits from their blurb on the website and why I chose them:
This group consist of ladies who are raising pigs. Three ladies were already selected to administer the group by coordinating everything that are involved with the group from money management and other activities, like: as Chair person, as Secretary, and as Cashier. In the past, the ladies in this Lovina Group raised their animals the traditional way, since they did not know how to raise pig the right and effective way, so that the results were not maximal. For that matter DINARI took initiative to help this Lovina Group so that they could get ahead in their business. Besides guidance, DINARI is also giving capital loan to each member in the amount of Rp1,400,000 (about US$154)/member, that afterwards were used to buy feedstock and feed for 1 raising season. With that guidance, and assistance from DINARI, the Lovina Group improves in their Group Management and activities, so that they are convinced to obtain better results in every member's heart.
Okay so really I just cut out one sentence...The things I like the most are that it's for women, they coordinate everything they're involved with, they raise pigs effectively, and they will get better results. It seems very effective and like it addresses the core issues. I'm in.
I chose to donate 25 dollars (the minimum but you can donate as much as 325) and proceed to the check out. Here I register, pay with my paypal account (to which I conveniently forget my user name and password. **aside** I have to retrieve them by entering my name, zip code and phone number. No problem, easy as pie. However, I mistype my phone number and don't realize it until I've been denied a good three times and notice I put a 1 instead of an 8...so after that I forget my password because I have too many accounts and emails that I can barely keep my head straight. Agh!!)
Finally I've donated! Success! After confirming everything I'm lead to a very anti-climactic page. It just says "Your Transactions." It's a little disappointing.
I click around and go to "My portfolio," they have a section called "my impact" and list some loan information. That's some pretty powerful rhetoric.
Okay, so after a good 15 minutes of clicking around it seems that there was some sort of glitch in the system (?) and though paypal has charged me 25 dollars I have not lent money to anyone. I click on "my loans" and it's blank.
What?!
Argh. Sorry Lovina, you'll have to wait. I have an angry email to send...
If you try this I hope you have more success!
So here I go!
When you go to the website you can pick a business by deciding what you want in regards to "status" "gender" "sector" and "region." I was a little shocked to see North America as an option for region but hey, poverty is everywhere. When I clicked on it I realized that they were all for Mexico.
After browsing and browsing I've finally settled on my group that I will lend money too. I have chosen Lovina. Here are some bits from their blurb on the website and why I chose them:
This group consist of ladies who are raising pigs. Three ladies were already selected to administer the group by coordinating everything that are involved with the group from money management and other activities, like: as Chair person, as Secretary, and as Cashier. In the past, the ladies in this Lovina Group raised their animals the traditional way, since they did not know how to raise pig the right and effective way, so that the results were not maximal. For that matter DINARI took initiative to help this Lovina Group so that they could get ahead in their business. Besides guidance, DINARI is also giving capital loan to each member in the amount of Rp1,400,000 (about US$154)/member, that afterwards were used to buy feedstock and feed for 1 raising season. With that guidance, and assistance from DINARI, the Lovina Group improves in their Group Management and activities, so that they are convinced to obtain better results in every member's heart.
Okay so really I just cut out one sentence...The things I like the most are that it's for women, they coordinate everything they're involved with, they raise pigs effectively, and they will get better results. It seems very effective and like it addresses the core issues. I'm in.
I chose to donate 25 dollars (the minimum but you can donate as much as 325) and proceed to the check out. Here I register, pay with my paypal account (to which I conveniently forget my user name and password. **aside** I have to retrieve them by entering my name, zip code and phone number. No problem, easy as pie. However, I mistype my phone number and don't realize it until I've been denied a good three times and notice I put a 1 instead of an 8...so after that I forget my password because I have too many accounts and emails that I can barely keep my head straight. Agh!!)
Finally I've donated! Success! After confirming everything I'm lead to a very anti-climactic page. It just says "Your Transactions." It's a little disappointing.
I click around and go to "My portfolio," they have a section called "my impact" and list some loan information. That's some pretty powerful rhetoric.
Okay, so after a good 15 minutes of clicking around it seems that there was some sort of glitch in the system (?) and though paypal has charged me 25 dollars I have not lent money to anyone. I click on "my loans" and it's blank.
What?!
Argh. Sorry Lovina, you'll have to wait. I have an angry email to send...
If you try this I hope you have more success!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Small loans. Big changes.
Money money money. It's one of those big problems. Something you hate to be tied to but can't seem to survive without it unfortunately.
I'm one of the very few students who are not plagued with the typical student debt that one must incur when pursuing post secondary education. I'm pretty lucky.
I've definitely heard all the horror stories of OSAP though and what a pain it is. I've made the mistake of lending a friend money. I've also begged my parents for a few extra bucks for a "really important" purchase. I've overheard co-workers stories of loans from the bank. And I've seen that episode of the Office where Michael gets locked into a crazy mortgage for his condo.
Loans come in all shapes and sizes.
And loans were changed forever in the 1970s with the Grameen Bank.
The jist of the Grameen Bank (GB) is that it was founded by Prof Muhammad Yunus to give impoverished people loans so that they can use it- along with their entrepeneurial skills- to move out of poverty. The loan is usually small and must be paid back.
GB provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh, without any collateral. At GB, credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty and it serves as a catalyst in the over all development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit on the ground that they are poor and hence not bankable.
While I don't have a Kiva account it does seem like a good way to get involved in microcredit and changing someone's life for the better. While it is not without it's flaws there is a huge possibility for change. And you get your money back. If you're feeling adventurous (or generous) give it a try, and let me know how it works!
I'm one of the very few students who are not plagued with the typical student debt that one must incur when pursuing post secondary education. I'm pretty lucky.
I've definitely heard all the horror stories of OSAP though and what a pain it is. I've made the mistake of lending a friend money. I've also begged my parents for a few extra bucks for a "really important" purchase. I've overheard co-workers stories of loans from the bank. And I've seen that episode of the Office where Michael gets locked into a crazy mortgage for his condo.
Loans come in all shapes and sizes.
And loans were changed forever in the 1970s with the Grameen Bank.
The jist of the Grameen Bank (GB) is that it was founded by Prof Muhammad Yunus to give impoverished people loans so that they can use it- along with their entrepeneurial skills- to move out of poverty. The loan is usually small and must be paid back.
GB provides credit to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh, without any collateral. At GB, credit is a cost effective weapon to fight poverty and it serves as a catalyst in the over all development of socio-economic conditions of the poor who have been kept outside the banking orbit on the ground that they are poor and hence not bankable.
Most people who borrow from the GB are women. Women are also the most impoverished.
Yunus notes "Most distinctive feature of Grameencredit is that it is not based on any collateral, or legally enforceable contracts. It is based on "trust", not on legal procedures and system."
The tem for loans are microcredit. It is small amounts of credit that can make a huge difference in someone's life. With these loans people can buy supplies to make pots to sell, rent a store to sell their goods, buy machinery, or anything else that they will need to start a business.
The loans are not for short term needs but for long term gain. Money used to buy a kiln to make pots is more beneficial than buying food for the rest of the week.
Yunus was also the recipient of the Nobel Pace Prize in 2006 "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below."
Now for the coolest thing...YOU can get involved in microcredit personally!!
Kiva.org gets you involved in microcredit by allowing you to sponsor an entrepeneur.
You can go to the website, pick out someone to sponsor, get journal updates, and "as loans are repaid, you get your loan money back."
Kiva is also pretty big on transparency and they want you to know what's going on.
Microcredit/Microfinance loans have a higher payback rate than regular loans.Yunus notes "Most distinctive feature of Grameencredit is that it is not based on any collateral, or legally enforceable contracts. It is based on "trust", not on legal procedures and system."
The tem for loans are microcredit. It is small amounts of credit that can make a huge difference in someone's life. With these loans people can buy supplies to make pots to sell, rent a store to sell their goods, buy machinery, or anything else that they will need to start a business.
The loans are not for short term needs but for long term gain. Money used to buy a kiln to make pots is more beneficial than buying food for the rest of the week.
Yunus was also the recipient of the Nobel Pace Prize in 2006 "for their efforts to create economic and social development from below."
Now for the coolest thing...YOU can get involved in microcredit personally!!
Kiva.org gets you involved in microcredit by allowing you to sponsor an entrepeneur.
You can go to the website, pick out someone to sponsor, get journal updates, and "as loans are repaid, you get your loan money back."
Kiva is also pretty big on transparency and they want you to know what's going on.
While I don't have a Kiva account it does seem like a good way to get involved in microcredit and changing someone's life for the better. While it is not without it's flaws there is a huge possibility for change. And you get your money back. If you're feeling adventurous (or generous) give it a try, and let me know how it works!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Wining and dining your donors
One thing that has been on my mind lately (and will continue to be until the 23rd of this month) is Engineers Without Borders' Third Annual Wine and Cheese- Wine for Development. Cheese for Change.
The main goal of this event is to fundraise money so we can send a volunteer (a Junior Fellow) overseas in the summer months to complete a volunteer placement. This will enable them to experience the complexities of poverty and bring back that knowledge to Canada so that we can see how our actions in Canada affect those overseas.
The WC (wine and cheese) is an awesome night. The hall is decorated with photos from overseas placements, in Canada activities, and outreach events. There are tons of raffle and door prizes. And the wine and food abound! The wine is great, although there are some non-alcoholic beverages too. The desserts are mouth watering...
If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. I'm salivating just thinking about the delicious-ness.
Okay, enough dessert pictures...
(And here is my blog thank you to Canadian Bread Bakers who are phenomenal and donated this stuff.)
The night is pretty relaxed and fun. And educational! But not in the boring way.
We have a speaker who is a returned overseas volunteer. This year it's Holly, who was last year's JF (the summer student for whom most of the WC fundraises for). It's a nice look at the technical aspect of the project but also some fun cultural things. Holly will tell funny stories about the kids she met or a funny encounter at work. It's nice to see the human side of development and realize that people living in poverty are not miserable all the time.
We're also going to have Kimberly, an EWB National Office staff member. She'll talk about action and advocacy in Canada. It's nice when you can get both aspects (in Canada and overseas) to balance each other out. It makes the people attending feel like they really can do something.
So what does it take to make a successful event?
You should also have a team or committee that is working with you. Create a common goal, establish responsibilities, and keep in touch. Motivate and support each other for a good group dynamic and synergy.
It's also nice when you can get lots of your supplies donated. When the food, refreshments, door prizes, and/or raffle prizes are donated it eliminates a lot of stress (both mental and financial) on your team.
In my opinion the event needs to be fun. You can't have fundraising without fun! (Sorry that was really bad.)
You need to make people feel like they are contributing to something worthwhile. Make sure they know where the money is going and how it will be used. Also outline the benefits of the project/whatever you're fundraising for.
There should be good entertainment (whether the main speaker or not) and people should also be able to network and meet new people at the event or get some awesome food/refreshments to feel as if they are getting something out of it. Rarely will people give away money without hoping for something in return. Good refreshments, a great speaker, and some knowledge sharing is a great "thank you" for your donation and attendance at the event.
Fundraising events can also make people feel like they are contributing to a common goal. The people attending are donating money that will help be used in projects to alleviate poverty. They are directly contributing and that feeling can be just as sweet as the desserts.
This post has been more about fundraising for development than development itself. Sorry I've detracted a bit but I cannot get the WC off of my mind!
It's on Friday, Nov 23rd and should be an amazing night.
If you're inclined to attend tickets are $20 for students ($30 for professionals or $50 for a pair) and it will be held at the Masonic Temple on the corner of Erie and Ouellette at 7pm (doors at 630). Email me at uwindsor@ewb.ca for more details.
The main goal of this event is to fundraise money so we can send a volunteer (a Junior Fellow) overseas in the summer months to complete a volunteer placement. This will enable them to experience the complexities of poverty and bring back that knowledge to Canada so that we can see how our actions in Canada affect those overseas.
The WC (wine and cheese) is an awesome night. The hall is decorated with photos from overseas placements, in Canada activities, and outreach events. There are tons of raffle and door prizes. And the wine and food abound! The wine is great, although there are some non-alcoholic beverages too. The desserts are mouth watering...
If that doesn't convince you then I don't know what will. I'm salivating just thinking about the delicious-ness.
Okay, enough dessert pictures...(And here is my blog thank you to Canadian Bread Bakers who are phenomenal and donated this stuff.)
The night is pretty relaxed and fun. And educational! But not in the boring way.
We have a speaker who is a returned overseas volunteer. This year it's Holly, who was last year's JF (the summer student for whom most of the WC fundraises for). It's a nice look at the technical aspect of the project but also some fun cultural things. Holly will tell funny stories about the kids she met or a funny encounter at work. It's nice to see the human side of development and realize that people living in poverty are not miserable all the time.
We're also going to have Kimberly, an EWB National Office staff member. She'll talk about action and advocacy in Canada. It's nice when you can get both aspects (in Canada and overseas) to balance each other out. It makes the people attending feel like they really can do something.
So what does it take to make a successful event?
You should also have a team or committee that is working with you. Create a common goal, establish responsibilities, and keep in touch. Motivate and support each other for a good group dynamic and synergy.
It's also nice when you can get lots of your supplies donated. When the food, refreshments, door prizes, and/or raffle prizes are donated it eliminates a lot of stress (both mental and financial) on your team.
In my opinion the event needs to be fun. You can't have fundraising without fun! (Sorry that was really bad.)
You need to make people feel like they are contributing to something worthwhile. Make sure they know where the money is going and how it will be used. Also outline the benefits of the project/whatever you're fundraising for.
There should be good entertainment (whether the main speaker or not) and people should also be able to network and meet new people at the event or get some awesome food/refreshments to feel as if they are getting something out of it. Rarely will people give away money without hoping for something in return. Good refreshments, a great speaker, and some knowledge sharing is a great "thank you" for your donation and attendance at the event.
Fundraising events can also make people feel like they are contributing to a common goal. The people attending are donating money that will help be used in projects to alleviate poverty. They are directly contributing and that feeling can be just as sweet as the desserts.
This post has been more about fundraising for development than development itself. Sorry I've detracted a bit but I cannot get the WC off of my mind!
It's on Friday, Nov 23rd and should be an amazing night.
If you're inclined to attend tickets are $20 for students ($30 for professionals or $50 for a pair) and it will be held at the Masonic Temple on the corner of Erie and Ouellette at 7pm (doors at 630). Email me at uwindsor@ewb.ca for more details.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Use and abuse
Engineers Without Borders' mantra is "promoting human development through access to appropriate technology." Technology, when used in the right context, can help alleviate poverty by providing opportunities for an increased income and all the benefits that come along.
As I write this post I sit in Coffee Exchange, sipping a chai latte, listening to a Basia Bulat CD I burned from my friend, and write on my laptop. What technology did it take to get me in this situation? Was it all necessary? Was it appropriate? I could have biked. I could have gotten some ice water with a lemon. I could have stayed at home. It's not imperative that I'm here. I just felt like it and I happen to have the means.
What if everyone lived like I live? What if everyone lived up to the Western Standard? Laptop, cell phone, new clothes, new possessions, cars and the whole nine yards. Is it sustainable? Absolutely not.
If everyone lived "like this" we could not sustain ourselves and the earth would crumble. We hear so much about the detrimental effects of global warming and imagine if that was doubled. The effects would be horrible. The air would choke us. Water would be scarce. The soil would become infertile. Some countries/companies leave giant ecological footprints with their negative impact on the environment. (Find out your ecological footprint here.)
How do we have development without destroying the planet?
I guess it depends on what we mean by development. Is it possible that people can improve their economical situation without industrialization? The immediate response would likely be 'no.' But let me put on my rose coloured glasses and modify things...
What about grassroots development? Working with what people have, in terms of resources and livelihoods, and then build from that? We don't always need a top-down approach to things. What if we, as Westerners, didn't live as lavishly as we did? What if we didn't get a new car every five years, a new cell phone every two years, and a new wardrobe every 4 months? If we lived on subsistence instead of excess we would definitely be able to sustain ourselves and the planet while providing opportunities for other nations to alleviate poverty.
When I take off my rose coloured glasses I realize this is very unlikely. There is no way we will decrease our current rate of technological consumption in the West. We're too obsessed finding out how small we can make a computer, how much dye we can put in a product before it kills us, or what a new car will look like. What's hunger or preventable disease worth to someone who is not directly effected by it?
I don't want to sound bitter, but maybe I'm a little dejected. We can make a cell phone the size of a finger, and yet people die everyday from preventable causes like measles or diarrhea. It just makes me sad. I know I'm definitely susceptible to consumption and I like to eat out, get the occasional new pair of pants, and go to the movies. However, just because we have all of these things doesn't mean we need to consume excessively. We can also make ethical purchases that will make a difference (ie. sweat free or fair trade). Technology has made these products an available resource for us. We just need to live in moderation.
- Lao Tzu
As I write this post I sit in Coffee Exchange, sipping a chai latte, listening to a Basia Bulat CD I burned from my friend, and write on my laptop. What technology did it take to get me in this situation? Was it all necessary? Was it appropriate? I could have biked. I could have gotten some ice water with a lemon. I could have stayed at home. It's not imperative that I'm here. I just felt like it and I happen to have the means.
What if everyone lived like I live? What if everyone lived up to the Western Standard? Laptop, cell phone, new clothes, new possessions, cars and the whole nine yards. Is it sustainable? Absolutely not.
If everyone lived "like this" we could not sustain ourselves and the earth would crumble. We hear so much about the detrimental effects of global warming and imagine if that was doubled. The effects would be horrible. The air would choke us. Water would be scarce. The soil would become infertile. Some countries/companies leave giant ecological footprints with their negative impact on the environment. (Find out your ecological footprint here.)
How do we have development without destroying the planet?
I guess it depends on what we mean by development. Is it possible that people can improve their economical situation without industrialization? The immediate response would likely be 'no.' But let me put on my rose coloured glasses and modify things...
What about grassroots development? Working with what people have, in terms of resources and livelihoods, and then build from that? We don't always need a top-down approach to things. What if we, as Westerners, didn't live as lavishly as we did? What if we didn't get a new car every five years, a new cell phone every two years, and a new wardrobe every 4 months? If we lived on subsistence instead of excess we would definitely be able to sustain ourselves and the planet while providing opportunities for other nations to alleviate poverty.
When I take off my rose coloured glasses I realize this is very unlikely. There is no way we will decrease our current rate of technological consumption in the West. We're too obsessed finding out how small we can make a computer, how much dye we can put in a product before it kills us, or what a new car will look like. What's hunger or preventable disease worth to someone who is not directly effected by it?
I don't want to sound bitter, but maybe I'm a little dejected. We can make a cell phone the size of a finger, and yet people die everyday from preventable causes like measles or diarrhea. It just makes me sad. I know I'm definitely susceptible to consumption and I like to eat out, get the occasional new pair of pants, and go to the movies. However, just because we have all of these things doesn't mean we need to consume excessively. We can also make ethical purchases that will make a difference (ie. sweat free or fair trade). Technology has made these products an available resource for us. We just need to live in moderation.
“Because of deep love, one is courageous. Because of frugality, one is generous. Because of not daring to be ahead of the world, one becomes the leader of the world.”
- Lao Tzu
Thursday, November 8, 2007
All tied up
I have 100 dollars for you. It's my way of helping you out through some tough times. I know you haven't been able to go to school or afford your medical bills so here's something to make things a little easier.
There are a few conditions though.
Of that 100 dollars you have to spend it where I tell you to. You have to go to school at U Windsor and you can only take business classes. Also, the meds you need? You have to get them from Dr Nick and fill the prescription at a specific pharmacy- the one my family owns.
Nothing is free right? Right. We're all caught up in red tape.
Similar situations are found with foreign assistance. Often aid is tied and this creates stipulations for the country accepting the loan. Instead of spending the money locally (on local consulting firms, local machinery, and local companies) they are forced to spend it wherever the donor country sees fit. This is often in the country itself. As a result, the money is less effective and doesn't provide as much assistance as it potentially could.
It's kind of like those coupons you get in the mail that you can only use on certain days of the week, between certain hours, at certain locations, and it's expired.
I'm sure you could be thinking, "but what a great opportunity for the lending country." But really it isn't. The fraction of money the country receives is so small it doesn't make that much of a difference. 200 dollars will go a lot farther in a developing country like Namibia than in a developed country like Canada. Just compare their differing Gross Domestic Product(GDP) per Person; in Namibia it is $7,500 while in Canada it is $35,700. Who do you think will benefit more from the money?
How much money does Canada give to foreign assistance anyway?
According to Make Poverty History we are contributing 0.33% of our GDP. The ideal target with the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals is 0.7%.
So far Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain and Belgium are either committing to 0.7% or have set a timetable to reach this goal. Canada has not even set an agenda.
It's almost as if the graphs are inverted. It's quite the shock.
When we think back to the 100 dollars example, really we're only giving other countries $0.33 dollars. And of that money we're making them spend about half of it in Canada.
Is it really assistance when the only people we seem to be helping are ourselves?
There are a few conditions though.
Of that 100 dollars you have to spend it where I tell you to. You have to go to school at U Windsor and you can only take business classes. Also, the meds you need? You have to get them from Dr Nick and fill the prescription at a specific pharmacy- the one my family owns.
Nothing is free right? Right. We're all caught up in red tape.
Similar situations are found with foreign assistance. Often aid is tied and this creates stipulations for the country accepting the loan. Instead of spending the money locally (on local consulting firms, local machinery, and local companies) they are forced to spend it wherever the donor country sees fit. This is often in the country itself. As a result, the money is less effective and doesn't provide as much assistance as it potentially could.
It's kind of like those coupons you get in the mail that you can only use on certain days of the week, between certain hours, at certain locations, and it's expired.
I'm sure you could be thinking, "but what a great opportunity for the lending country." But really it isn't. The fraction of money the country receives is so small it doesn't make that much of a difference. 200 dollars will go a lot farther in a developing country like Namibia than in a developed country like Canada. Just compare their differing Gross Domestic Product(GDP) per Person; in Namibia it is $7,500 while in Canada it is $35,700. Who do you think will benefit more from the money?
How much money does Canada give to foreign assistance anyway?
According to Make Poverty History we are contributing 0.33% of our GDP. The ideal target with the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals is 0.7%.
So far Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain and Belgium are either committing to 0.7% or have set a timetable to reach this goal. Canada has not even set an agenda.
It's almost as if the graphs are inverted. It's quite the shock.
When we think back to the 100 dollars example, really we're only giving other countries $0.33 dollars. And of that money we're making them spend about half of it in Canada.
Is it really assistance when the only people we seem to be helping are ourselves?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
How it all began
I was recently told that it might be interesting to hear about how I got involved with "all of that stuff" (i.e. social justice issues and Engineers Without Borders). In retrospect this is something I should have dealt with right off the bat, but better late than never.
A few years ago I was wondering around the CAW Quad on Clubs Day looking for a group to join where I could do something valuable with my time and meet new people. I made my way over to an orange booth and noticed that it was "Engineers Without Borders" (EWB). I spoke to Kyle and Justin who were at the booth and I signed up, got some info and planned on heading to the next meeting.
Honestly, I was hesitant about becoming involved and not being an engineer. I wondered if they would talk about complex aspects of the technology or show some charts or something. To my surprise I did not feel like an outsider at all. It was great. Engineers Without Borders- not just for engineers!
I ran into a friend randomly a few days later and asked her if she was part of that "Engineers Without Borders thing" and she said yes. I told her I was considering going to a meeting and at her persuasion I actually applied to be on the Executive.
To my surprise I actually got the position.
I began to learn more about EWB. Their mandate is to "promote human development through access to appropriate technology." Basically this means working in developing countries (primarily in Western and Southern Africa) through projects in water and sanitation, rural energy and agriculture. They want to use technologies that are stable, help reduce poverty, and have positive long term effects. An example of such is a treadle pump. Picture a stairmaster and a hose. By stepping on the planks the water gets pumped from the water source to the field. Irrigation is faster and more effective. More can be yielded and the pump can be repaired locally. Sustainable, effective.
These projects (and many others) happen year round. Universities can send students for 4 months (during the summer) on a placement to work with a non gov't organisation/gov't organisation/local organisation. There's fundraising all year long for these placements. There's also 13 month + placements for students who have graduated.
One of the coolest things that happens every year (and one of my favourites) is the National Conference. It's held in January in a different location and 500+ EWBers from across the country get together for four awesome days and do workshops on leadership, advocacy, and skill building. There are guest speakers (past speakers have included Stephen Lewis, Romeo Dallaire and Michaelle Jean) and a fun banquet on the last night. It's also a little like a family reunion (but with no weird Aunt Sally).
Locally, Chapters (that's what the 27+ University based sections of EWB are called) engage in School Outreach, fundraising, public outreach and advocacy. School Outreach is something I was, and am, highly involved in. We will go to local (and sometimes not so local) High Schools and give interactive presentations on energy, food, and water issues. Students will have to either husk rice or make a water filter. It gets them thinking outside of their local bubble to the world at large and how their actions can impact others. It's awesome. The kids have great reactions to the presentations (did you know that Canada dumps 3 trillion litres of untreated sewage into the water each year? or that 1.2 billion people live on less than a dollar a day?)
Public outreach and advocacy are year round but are at their biggest for Oct 17th- the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty- and the beginning of March for EWB Day. This is where we engage the public, on and off campus, about issues such as foreign aid, fair trade, or debt cancellation.
There's also Development Dish. This is a bi-weekly session that lasts about an hour where we will talk about poverty related issues. We explore case studies, past projects, have guest speakers, debates, and watch films about poverty and what's being done (and what more we can do). You learn a lot no matter how much you know going into it. And it's always nice to hear other people's opinions/ideas. And we usually have food which is always nice (I make killer mint chocolate chip cookies). Development Dish will actually be this Thursday at 5 if you're interested. It's in the Board Room of the CAW Centre (upstairs).
Some of the things I've done with EWB include: VP Communications (basically contacting the media), VP Education (facilitating bi-weekly meetings) and right now I'm President (basically a bit of everything and making sure everyone is on top of their game).
I've also interned at the EWB National Office in Toronto for the summer of '06. I was responsible for writing website content, fundraising documents, newsletter, articles of the week, volunteer coordination at the office, and co-coordinating a Massive Outreach Event. (They seemed to have really taken advantage of having an English student.)
The Massive Outreach Event was a day where 90 volunteers took downtown Toronto by storm. They were at 13 subway stations, Union Station, 3 malls and the Rogers Centre handing out 35, 000 newspapers about what we need to do to eradicate poverty. It was dated 2025 and read "G8 leaders declare end of extreme poverty" and inside there were events that happened that led to it (i.e. fair trade, end of subsidies, debt cancellation, etc). It was pretty exciting, a little stressful, and so much fun.
So I think I've gone on about what I've done and how I started doing it but I'm not sure I've fully addressed why.
I want to do something to promote social justice and end poverty because it is an injustice. There is no reason why I was born in Canada or white except by pure chance. There is no reason why I can have access to medical care, clean drinking water, and leisure time while other people struggle to make it through the day. There is so much we can do, in many capacities, that will make a better quality of life for people in poverty. They didn't do anything wrong. They aren't lazy. They just need an opportunity. And I want to help in any, and every, way I can.
"A man is but a product of his thoughts; what he thinks, that he becomes."
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
A few years ago I was wondering around the CAW Quad on Clubs Day looking for a group to join where I could do something valuable with my time and meet new people. I made my way over to an orange booth and noticed that it was "Engineers Without Borders" (EWB). I spoke to Kyle and Justin who were at the booth and I signed up, got some info and planned on heading to the next meeting.
Honestly, I was hesitant about becoming involved and not being an engineer. I wondered if they would talk about complex aspects of the technology or show some charts or something. To my surprise I did not feel like an outsider at all. It was great. Engineers Without Borders- not just for engineers!
I ran into a friend randomly a few days later and asked her if she was part of that "Engineers Without Borders thing" and she said yes. I told her I was considering going to a meeting and at her persuasion I actually applied to be on the Executive.
To my surprise I actually got the position.
I began to learn more about EWB. Their mandate is to "promote human development through access to appropriate technology." Basically this means working in developing countries (primarily in Western and Southern Africa) through projects in water and sanitation, rural energy and agriculture. They want to use technologies that are stable, help reduce poverty, and have positive long term effects. An example of such is a treadle pump. Picture a stairmaster and a hose. By stepping on the planks the water gets pumped from the water source to the field. Irrigation is faster and more effective. More can be yielded and the pump can be repaired locally. Sustainable, effective.
These projects (and many others) happen year round. Universities can send students for 4 months (during the summer) on a placement to work with a non gov't organisation/gov't organisation/local organisation. There's fundraising all year long for these placements. There's also 13 month + placements for students who have graduated.
One of the coolest things that happens every year (and one of my favourites) is the National Conference. It's held in January in a different location and 500+ EWBers from across the country get together for four awesome days and do workshops on leadership, advocacy, and skill building. There are guest speakers (past speakers have included Stephen Lewis, Romeo Dallaire and Michaelle Jean) and a fun banquet on the last night. It's also a little like a family reunion (but with no weird Aunt Sally).
Locally, Chapters (that's what the 27+ University based sections of EWB are called) engage in School Outreach, fundraising, public outreach and advocacy. School Outreach is something I was, and am, highly involved in. We will go to local (and sometimes not so local) High Schools and give interactive presentations on energy, food, and water issues. Students will have to either husk rice or make a water filter. It gets them thinking outside of their local bubble to the world at large and how their actions can impact others. It's awesome. The kids have great reactions to the presentations (did you know that Canada dumps 3 trillion litres of untreated sewage into the water each year? or that 1.2 billion people live on less than a dollar a day?)
Public outreach and advocacy are year round but are at their biggest for Oct 17th- the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty- and the beginning of March for EWB Day. This is where we engage the public, on and off campus, about issues such as foreign aid, fair trade, or debt cancellation.
There's also Development Dish. This is a bi-weekly session that lasts about an hour where we will talk about poverty related issues. We explore case studies, past projects, have guest speakers, debates, and watch films about poverty and what's being done (and what more we can do). You learn a lot no matter how much you know going into it. And it's always nice to hear other people's opinions/ideas. And we usually have food which is always nice (I make killer mint chocolate chip cookies). Development Dish will actually be this Thursday at 5 if you're interested. It's in the Board Room of the CAW Centre (upstairs).
Some of the things I've done with EWB include: VP Communications (basically contacting the media), VP Education (facilitating bi-weekly meetings) and right now I'm President (basically a bit of everything and making sure everyone is on top of their game).
I've also interned at the EWB National Office in Toronto for the summer of '06. I was responsible for writing website content, fundraising documents, newsletter, articles of the week, volunteer coordination at the office, and co-coordinating a Massive Outreach Event. (They seemed to have really taken advantage of having an English student.)
The Massive Outreach Event was a day where 90 volunteers took downtown Toronto by storm. They were at 13 subway stations, Union Station, 3 malls and the Rogers Centre handing out 35, 000 newspapers about what we need to do to eradicate poverty. It was dated 2025 and read "G8 leaders declare end of extreme poverty" and inside there were events that happened that led to it (i.e. fair trade, end of subsidies, debt cancellation, etc). It was pretty exciting, a little stressful, and so much fun.
So I think I've gone on about what I've done and how I started doing it but I'm not sure I've fully addressed why.
I want to do something to promote social justice and end poverty because it is an injustice. There is no reason why I was born in Canada or white except by pure chance. There is no reason why I can have access to medical care, clean drinking water, and leisure time while other people struggle to make it through the day. There is so much we can do, in many capacities, that will make a better quality of life for people in poverty. They didn't do anything wrong. They aren't lazy. They just need an opportunity. And I want to help in any, and every, way I can.
"A man is but a product of his thoughts; what he thinks, that he becomes."
- Mohandas K. Gandhi
Friday, November 2, 2007
My response to a rant
I was actually in the progress of writing another blog but, honestly, it was pretty dry and boring. I wanted to write about debt relief of Highly Indebted Poor Countries but I just couldn't find anything cool or personal about. (Really though, I think that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund canceling billions of dollars is pretty cool but I'm not sure who else will. Maybe I'll try it later.)
I was Google-ing articles to make my original post more interesting when I found this article. In a nutshell here it is:
A student from Texas A& M is writing about why students should contribute to poverty relief programs. A student there, Ashley, is sponsoring a child, Cristian, from Piedra de Bolivar in Colombia. Ashley sends Cristian 32 dollars a month that will "help pull Cristian out of poverty. Along with sending him letters and praying, that much money will get him a sound education, personalized medical attention and nutritious food." He notes that Ashley has had to cut down on her expenses, "It's not always easy to scrounge up the money I need. I don't always get to buy that cup of coffee when I want," she told me...I just can't sit by and do nothing." The author later goes on about how it makes him sick and many people will ignore his article because "Coffee is just too damn tasty."
Here's what I don't like about this article...
The author is trying to make you feel bad. He is guilting you into doing something. Yeah, I get that your mad. I get mad too. I get upset and frustrated and feel so small and insignificant sometimes...but when you're writing in a medium that can influence dozens, maybe hundreds of people- don't be so bitter.
Offer hope. Give it a positive spin. Write about how Ashley is making a change and you can too. Give people options. Tell them to put their loose change in a jar on their fridge and to donate it. Don't make the people you want to change feel like idiots.
Okay, so Ashley is doing something- but money isn't the only way to make a difference. Make good purchases! Next time you buy that coffee make it a fair trade coffee. It's something small but it does have an overall effect. Better yet, next time you buy chocolate or sugar make that fair trade too.
Also, donate your time. It's just as valuable, maybe more so. Spend some time educating others, learning the facts, handing out information so that people can know what's going on. Write to your government. Yes, money makes the world go 'round but we are not consumers, we are human beings.
Another thing I don't like about this article is that it is throwing money at the problem. How much are Ashley's actions making a difference in the overall cause? Yes, she is helping someone. However, couldn't her money be more effective? What if she contributed to a medical fund? Or a school fund? Or a sustainable technology fund? Why can't she contribute to something that will effect the lives of many? I guess what I'm trying to say is I want a more long term solution that will get to the root causes of the issues. Why doesn't Cristian have money? Look at that and invest in that. Sure, it will take longer to do research and pick the right organisation. But she'll be getting more out of her money and better long-term results. We should strive for something sustainable.
I can't help but wonder what the author will do beyond writing this article? Will he sponsor a child or just chide his readers?
I don't think his goal is wrong, I just think there are more effective ways that he could go about it. I guess in ranting myself I am making myself no better than the author of the article I am critiquing but I believe my medium is more appropriate.
I was Google-ing articles to make my original post more interesting when I found this article. In a nutshell here it is:
A student from Texas A& M is writing about why students should contribute to poverty relief programs. A student there, Ashley, is sponsoring a child, Cristian, from Piedra de Bolivar in Colombia. Ashley sends Cristian 32 dollars a month that will "help pull Cristian out of poverty. Along with sending him letters and praying, that much money will get him a sound education, personalized medical attention and nutritious food." He notes that Ashley has had to cut down on her expenses, "It's not always easy to scrounge up the money I need. I don't always get to buy that cup of coffee when I want," she told me...I just can't sit by and do nothing." The author later goes on about how it makes him sick and many people will ignore his article because "Coffee is just too damn tasty."
Here's what I don't like about this article...
The author is trying to make you feel bad. He is guilting you into doing something. Yeah, I get that your mad. I get mad too. I get upset and frustrated and feel so small and insignificant sometimes...but when you're writing in a medium that can influence dozens, maybe hundreds of people- don't be so bitter.
Offer hope. Give it a positive spin. Write about how Ashley is making a change and you can too. Give people options. Tell them to put their loose change in a jar on their fridge and to donate it. Don't make the people you want to change feel like idiots.
Okay, so Ashley is doing something- but money isn't the only way to make a difference. Make good purchases! Next time you buy that coffee make it a fair trade coffee. It's something small but it does have an overall effect. Better yet, next time you buy chocolate or sugar make that fair trade too.
Also, donate your time. It's just as valuable, maybe more so. Spend some time educating others, learning the facts, handing out information so that people can know what's going on. Write to your government. Yes, money makes the world go 'round but we are not consumers, we are human beings.
Another thing I don't like about this article is that it is throwing money at the problem. How much are Ashley's actions making a difference in the overall cause? Yes, she is helping someone. However, couldn't her money be more effective? What if she contributed to a medical fund? Or a school fund? Or a sustainable technology fund? Why can't she contribute to something that will effect the lives of many? I guess what I'm trying to say is I want a more long term solution that will get to the root causes of the issues. Why doesn't Cristian have money? Look at that and invest in that. Sure, it will take longer to do research and pick the right organisation. But she'll be getting more out of her money and better long-term results. We should strive for something sustainable.
I can't help but wonder what the author will do beyond writing this article? Will he sponsor a child or just chide his readers?
I don't think his goal is wrong, I just think there are more effective ways that he could go about it. I guess in ranting myself I am making myself no better than the author of the article I am critiquing but I believe my medium is more appropriate.
- Lack of money is no obstacle. Lack of an idea is an obstacle.
- Ken Hakuta
Friday, October 26, 2007
Look for me!
The title of this post refers to the logo pictured above. When you see this logo on a product you will know that it is fair trade certified.
You may also see this logo on Halloween! This Halloween one of my costumes will (hopefully) be this logo/person as I will be going Reverse Trick-or-Treating.
What is reverse trick-or-treating? Well I will tell you. What we're doing (my Engineers Without Borders friends and our other friends we will bring along) is going door to door an distributing fair trade chocolates to homes. This will give them a treat and some knowledge about Fair Trade- no tricks involved.
Here's some info from the website about what's going on:
"This Halloween, young people will be giving treats to the adults!
On Halloween night 2007, members of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) university chapters will be the ones doing the trick-or-treating. They'll be going door-to-door across Ontario introducing people to Fair Trade chocolate. They'll also be handing out:
- 10,000 Cocoa Camino Fair Trade chocolates
- 'Treat Fair, Trade Fair' postcards with info on how to support Fair Trade cocoa.
Fair Trade Certified products are available in stores across Canada. In choosing Fair Trade chocolate at Halloween, and every other day of the year, you are connecting with the farmers who grow and harvest your food. The guaranteed Fair Trade price paid for cocoa helps to provide farmers with a sustainable livelihood and creates hope for a better future for their children. In addition, Fair Trade certification prohibits the use of abusive child labour. Look for the TransFair Canada logo on products when you shop."
Out of the 10,000 that are being distributed in Ontario the Windsor Chapter is planning to distribute 2,000!! Imagine, 2,000 more people who know about fair trade!!! (You'll have to excuse all the exclamation marks but I'm really excited. This activity is combining my two favourite things- EWB and Halloween!!!)
For some more info on Fair Trade check out playyourpart.ca
So here are some of the reasons why I think reverse trick-or-treating is effective:
- it's very not threatening and people will be expecting "traffic" in their neighbourhood that night so they will be open to talking to people
- the info card is something that can be saved and kept as a reminder
- there is a huge audience that will be reached
- this is information that will be new to many people
- buying fair trade is something anyone can do locally to make a difference globally
- it's chocolate
This is an event that is also going on in the US so it's great to see that many, many people are getting involved and spreading the word about fair trade. This is creating awareness, one of the first steps for social change. If anyone really wants to get involved please email uwindsor@ewb.ca and we can figure something out.
If you open your door next Wednesday and find a fair trade logo, a happy farmer (happy because they're getting a living wage that is), a white band, or a fair trade chocolate bar be open to what they're saying and savour the message as much as the chocolate.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Life's not fair but your coffee can be
I originally saw this slogan on a t-shirt promoting fair trade and I instantly loved it. While I am not a coffee drinker, I'm all for fairness.
For years we've all heard about the wonders of free trade. No tariffs, no taxes, just good old fashioned capitalism. Nothing fair about it, just competition and may the best man, er, country, win.
According to good ol' Wikipedia, with free trade "both parties must expect a benefit." This is the part that gets me.
When I hear this I am reminded of a particular fact. In Ghana it is cheaper to buy imported US rice than it is to buy local Ghanaian rice. What? This seems nonsensical to me. When you factor in shipping costs and materials and labour and everything why on earth is the rice that comes from thousands of miles away cheaper than the rice that comes from a few kilometers away?
The answer: subsidies.
A subsidy is when a government will pay farmers to grow a product. They can therefore afford to sell their product at a lower cost. If a company in a developing country wants to compete with companies in developing countries they will have to sell (and export) their product at very, very low costs. Sometimes there isn't enough income incurred to cover basic expenses. So here's where fair trade comes in...
According to the transfair website:
What's not to love about fair trade?
Well, for one thing, some people would say the price. Fair trade products cost more. However, the difference is so minimal it is not a big deal to the consumer.
As I run to the kitchen to check the price tag on the bottom of my fair trade green tea packaging I note the price is $3.50 for 25 tea bags a box. Not bad. I believe a regular package of non fair trade tea is about three dollars. Is it worth the extra fifty cents? Definitely. That extra fifty cents means that a farmer can now afford to send his daughter to school and that warms me more than the tea.
With something like fair trade it is a totally tangible action for Canadians. If you're thinking to yourself "but I don't know where to get fair trade on my campus and in my community" fret not! I am happy to say that at the University of Windsor, all non-branded coffee outlets (basically everywhere but Timmy's) is fair trade! It's only a few pennies more, you'll be making a difference, and you probably wont have to wait in line as long.
There is also a store called Ten Thousand Villages that sells exclusively fair trade goods. You can get fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and jewellery, among other things. Some fair trade products are even available at major retailers like Zhers. Fair trade is becoming more accessible to average consumers.
So next time you're in the student centre at U of Windsor stop by the Marketplace and grab some fair trade coffee or tea. It tastes just as good, maybe even better. And you'll feel better knowing you made a purchase that is having positive impact. Ask for fair trade.
One thing that I think of when I think about fair trade is a scene from the movie Black Gold. In the film a coffee grower from Ethiopia is searching for fair trade deals for his products. I'll never forget an interview with some farmers where they talk about how they are now growing chat, a drug, instead of coffee because it brings in more money. The man asks the farmers, 'what would you do if you had more money?' And the answer is almost unanimously 'we would send our children to school.'
The money is in our hands and so is the power. Be an ethical consumer. Create change. Have a positive impact.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
For years we've all heard about the wonders of free trade. No tariffs, no taxes, just good old fashioned capitalism. Nothing fair about it, just competition and may the best man, er, country, win.
According to good ol' Wikipedia, with free trade "both parties must expect a benefit." This is the part that gets me.
When I hear this I am reminded of a particular fact. In Ghana it is cheaper to buy imported US rice than it is to buy local Ghanaian rice. What? This seems nonsensical to me. When you factor in shipping costs and materials and labour and everything why on earth is the rice that comes from thousands of miles away cheaper than the rice that comes from a few kilometers away?
The answer: subsidies.
A subsidy is when a government will pay farmers to grow a product. They can therefore afford to sell their product at a lower cost. If a company in a developing country wants to compete with companies in developing countries they will have to sell (and export) their product at very, very low costs. Sometimes there isn't enough income incurred to cover basic expenses. So here's where fair trade comes in...
According to the transfair website:
Fair Trade is an international system of doing business based on dialogue, transparency and respect. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions for producers and workers in developing countries. Behind the principles and goals of Fair Trade is a rigorous international system of monitoring, auditing and certification.
The international Fair Trade system is structured to produce the following outcomes for farmers and workers in developing countries:
- Fair compensation for their products and labour
- Sustainable environmental practices
- Improved social services
- Investment in local economic infrastructure
Small-scale Farmers & Workers
Fair Trade Certified products have helped build economic independence and empowerment for certified farmer cooperatives and their members, bringing them economic stability and a higher standard of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their produce, the Fair Trade Certified premiums help farmers build necessary social infrastructure of which the following are but some of the examples:
- Improved access to low or no-interest loans
- Technical assistance for building infrastructure to improve production
- Communications systems, and collectively-owned transport and processing equipment
- Better health care and education
- Technical training and skill diversification for cooperative members and their families
What's not to love about fair trade?
Well, for one thing, some people would say the price. Fair trade products cost more. However, the difference is so minimal it is not a big deal to the consumer.
As I run to the kitchen to check the price tag on the bottom of my fair trade green tea packaging I note the price is $3.50 for 25 tea bags a box. Not bad. I believe a regular package of non fair trade tea is about three dollars. Is it worth the extra fifty cents? Definitely. That extra fifty cents means that a farmer can now afford to send his daughter to school and that warms me more than the tea.
With something like fair trade it is a totally tangible action for Canadians. If you're thinking to yourself "but I don't know where to get fair trade on my campus and in my community" fret not! I am happy to say that at the University of Windsor, all non-branded coffee outlets (basically everywhere but Timmy's) is fair trade! It's only a few pennies more, you'll be making a difference, and you probably wont have to wait in line as long.
There is also a store called Ten Thousand Villages that sells exclusively fair trade goods. You can get fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and jewellery, among other things. Some fair trade products are even available at major retailers like Zhers. Fair trade is becoming more accessible to average consumers.
So next time you're in the student centre at U of Windsor stop by the Marketplace and grab some fair trade coffee or tea. It tastes just as good, maybe even better. And you'll feel better knowing you made a purchase that is having positive impact. Ask for fair trade.
One thing that I think of when I think about fair trade is a scene from the movie Black Gold. In the film a coffee grower from Ethiopia is searching for fair trade deals for his products. I'll never forget an interview with some farmers where they talk about how they are now growing chat, a drug, instead of coffee because it brings in more money. The man asks the farmers, 'what would you do if you had more money?' And the answer is almost unanimously 'we would send our children to school.'
The money is in our hands and so is the power. Be an ethical consumer. Create change. Have a positive impact.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
Imagined Communities and Real Divisions
Thursday, October 18th I was luck enough to hear Madame Adrienne Clarkson, Canada's past Governor General, speak at the University of Windsor. The talk sold out quickly a few weeks ago but I was there as "CJAM Radio Staff" so my ticket was free! That was pretty nice. The Freed Orman Centre, where the talk was held, was packed with chairs and anxious listeners of all ages and backgrounds.
Clarkson was a great speaker and spoke primarily about immigration in Canada. Having been an immigrant herself she was able to speak about the issue, and Canadian citizenship, with much knowledge. In this post I would like to highlight some quotes in particular that struck me and how they can be applied to foreign assistance. I'm sure the quotes aren't perfectly accurate, but they're pretty close. This is a blog about reflection, an important step before action.
"No matter how deprived and debilitating they may be [immigrants], they have something to offer. It is a two way street"
What do we offer to people in other countries?
If we don't have a sense of community within Canada how is it possible that we have a sense of community with people in other countries? We need something that will give Canadians a connection to people in the developing world. These need to be more than the depressing images we see on TV. They need to be stories of hope and positive action. They need to be relate-able and possible for the ordinary Canadian.
As an aside...One of the things I really like about being a part of Engineers Without Borders is the concept of Dorothy. Dorothy allows you to really personalize your involvement with development work and a way to think of who you are benefiting with all the actions you take.
"Dorothy is the mother pounding fufu in Cameroon. She is selling oranges on the street of Accra. She is tending to her kids in Tanzania.
Dorothy is no single person; she is the archetype for whom EWB does all our work. For anything we do, for anything we wish to achieve, we think of the impact and benefit it would have for Dorothy. She keeps us from getting hung up on what we want to do, and helps us think about what we want to achieve. She is the difference between digging a well and improving the health of a village; between building a school and fulfilling children’s right to education."
"The heart of darkness in men is never changing"We need Canadian youth to grow up with positive feelings towards all people. We need socially and globally aware youth.
"Speaking against it [homelessness in Canada] is not a political stance, it is a human stance"
We need to speak out against the injustices all around the world. This is not charity, it is social justice. We can, and will, do something. We do not need political alliance but we do need solidarity. Many people have voices but they will be louder as one.
"I looked at that guy and thought, 'that's me'"
We are connected as human beings. We are all the same. We all search happiness, food, water, shelter, love and fulfillment. Why does it matter where we are geographically? How do we relate to people we don't actually know? Why does TV ruin the potential for identity by focusing on solely negative experiences? How do we make this better?
"There is no one more human than another" (quoting Romeo Dallaire)
Why are some people so apathetic?
"Recognize unjust actions and me willing to move forward"
We should apply this to every aspect of life.
I guess one of the big things I'm pondering in this blog, and at many, many other times, is how do we get people to care? Facts don't seem to work. A personal connection is needed. We need to learn about people's lives. Not just the bad elements, not just the good elements, but all of it.
Often blogs are thought of to unite people and show different realities. My friend Kyle spent 3.5 months in Ghana in the summer of 06 and recorded his experiences in a blog, http://ghanaiankyle.blogspot.com. Though it is now inactive I encourage you to check it out to gain more of a personal connection. One post in particular is effective.
Expand your learning.
"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens."
- Carl Jung
Saturday, October 20, 2007
What do you stand for?
Last Wednesday was undoubtedly my busiest day in a long time. With a month of preparation, dozens of meetings, collaboration with tons of other clubs on campus, hours of decoration and many volunteers later...we successfully created awareness about extreme poverty!!
Oct 17th was a very important day in terms of anti-poverty activism. October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
If you go to the University of Windsor you probably noticed that almost all of the campus was decorated in white. You may have noticed lots of people were dressed in white too. (In the picture to the left are (left to right) Robin, Eric, myself, and Holly. Dressed in white and ready to fight poverty.)
So why all the white?
White shows the commitment to abolishing poverty. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts the White Band is a popular white symbol to show people who are fighting against poverty.
The theme for the day at U Windsor (and hundred of locations worldwide) was STAND UP + SPEAK OUT. People stood up against poverty, gender inequality, lack of generic pharmaceuticals, hunger, and preventable illness. They spoke out to their government to get them to take action and keep the promises they made to alleviate poverty. Make our governments people of actions and not words!
The website gives the following reasons to Stand Up:
Activities on campus included standing for one minute to show a commitment to stand up against poverty while a pledge was read aloud. It is a symbolic action to represent the larger actions we can take as a community to work together towards the social injustice of poverty. 2500 people on the Windsor campus stood up against poverty.
There were also booths in the CAW quad to let people know what University based organisations/clubs are doing and how they can help.
OPIRG had a display on fair trade. Oxfam focused on clean water. EWB (Engineers Without Borders) focused on appropriate access to technology and how it can alleviate poverty and provide opportunity.
One of the goals of Stand up + Speak Out was to break last years record of 23.5 million people who stood for one minute.
This year over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours.
That's pretty exciting.
A big question is...how do we take further actions to stand up against poverty year long? It's great for people to get together on one day but it's even more important we continue the trend.
Buy fair trade, write to your Member of Parliament or a member in the Cabinet letting them know you want them to take pro-poor actions, be informed on what's going on in the world, don't waste food or water, donate your time (or money) to an organisation and help out with their events.
Stand up for equality, justice, hope, and opportunity- for everyone- everyday and in what you do. You don't have to save the world, but there are small, very tangible, actions we can take at home. Ignorance is not an excuse.
"Activism is my rent for living on this planet"
- Alice Walker
Oct 17th was a very important day in terms of anti-poverty activism. October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
If you go to the University of Windsor you probably noticed that almost all of the campus was decorated in white. You may have noticed lots of people were dressed in white too. (In the picture to the left are (left to right) Robin, Eric, myself, and Holly. Dressed in white and ready to fight poverty.)
So why all the white?
White shows the commitment to abolishing poverty. As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts the White Band is a popular white symbol to show people who are fighting against poverty.
The theme for the day at U Windsor (and hundred of locations worldwide) was STAND UP + SPEAK OUT. People stood up against poverty, gender inequality, lack of generic pharmaceuticals, hunger, and preventable illness. They spoke out to their government to get them to take action and keep the promises they made to alleviate poverty. Make our governments people of actions and not words!
The website gives the following reasons to Stand Up:
"In 2000, leaders of 189 countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals, a global plan to halve poverty by 2015. 50,000 people die as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between the rich and poor is getting wider. We need you to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT to make governments honour their promises.
The promise to end poverty inequality and hunger. The promise to stop children dying from preventable diseases. The promise to ensure basic education for all children, particularly girls. The promise to stop women dying during pregnancy and childbirth. The promise to provide water and sanitation and to protect the environment.
And we need you to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT to make governments honour their commitments on more and better aid, debt cancellation, trade justice, gender equality and public accountability. It will not happen without all of us taking a stand."
There were also booths in the CAW quad to let people know what University based organisations/clubs are doing and how they can help.OPIRG had a display on fair trade. Oxfam focused on clean water. EWB (Engineers Without Borders) focused on appropriate access to technology and how it can alleviate poverty and provide opportunity.
One of the goals of Stand up + Speak Out was to break last years record of 23.5 million people who stood for one minute.
This year over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours.
That's pretty exciting.
A big question is...how do we take further actions to stand up against poverty year long? It's great for people to get together on one day but it's even more important we continue the trend.
Buy fair trade, write to your Member of Parliament or a member in the Cabinet letting them know you want them to take pro-poor actions, be informed on what's going on in the world, don't waste food or water, donate your time (or money) to an organisation and help out with their events.
Stand up for equality, justice, hope, and opportunity- for everyone- everyday and in what you do. You don't have to save the world, but there are small, very tangible, actions we can take at home. Ignorance is not an excuse.
"Activism is my rent for living on this planet"
- Alice Walker
Saturday, October 13, 2007
The minority that isn't a minority
Even now, in the year 2007, I am encountered with sexism and assumptions that I am not adequate because I am a woman.
Work is a common location for said encounters. As a cashier at a home improvement store I am often passed over in favour of the male associate standing next to me. It doesn't matter if they have an "I'm in training badge" and I have a "1 year" badge. They will still ask the man standing next to me where the nails/air filters/door knobs are (aisles 12, 27 and 10 thank you very much). At my old job, a grocery store, and I was stocking the shelves I would be asked, "why aren't you up front with all the other girls" and some customers offered the help me carry the oh-so-heavy crates of milk I was lifting.
Gender inequality is still present in the Western world in spite of advancements over the past decades. Gender inequality means that women will be more susceptible to living in poverty because they will not be paid as much and be passed over for jobs in favour for men.
According to Women Against Poverty Collective (a group of women and trans people who are working together to advocate for safe, affordable and accessible housing for women experiencing violence) the following are stats about Canadian women:
- 1 in 7 women in Canada lives in poverty. They are most likely to be immigrants, Aboriginals, disabled, young mothers or elderly.
- Poverty makes it hard for women to leave an abusive relationship when they depend economically on their partner.
- 1/3 of women go back into abusive relationships because welfare does not give them enough money to survive.
WAPC has a blog that outlines their actions in the city of Toronto, Ontario. It serves mostly to update people on the groups activities and successes. It is a fairly good blog in terms of informing but could be more engaging with personal stories.
Much has been done to advance the status of women. Policies such as Affirmative Action have been implemented in hopes of hiring more women (and other minorities), improving wages and to encourage public institutions to be more representative of the population. Affirmative Action comes with it's own problems though. Are people being hired because they're a minority? Are they going to be given special attention? Will they be seen as just as competent as everyone else? It can make you wonder...
Support the equal status of women. Celebrate International Women's Day March 8th. Treat everyone equally. Volunteer at a women's shelter. Learn about amazing women. Make sure that women, a sex that is not a minority yet is marginalized, are not treated unequally.
“It is hardly surprising that women concentrate on the way they look instead of what was in their minds since not much has been put in their minds to begin with”
-Mary Wollstonecraft
Work is a common location for said encounters. As a cashier at a home improvement store I am often passed over in favour of the male associate standing next to me. It doesn't matter if they have an "I'm in training badge" and I have a "1 year" badge. They will still ask the man standing next to me where the nails/air filters/door knobs are (aisles 12, 27 and 10 thank you very much). At my old job, a grocery store, and I was stocking the shelves I would be asked, "why aren't you up front with all the other girls" and some customers offered the help me carry the oh-so-heavy crates of milk I was lifting.
Gender inequality is still present in the Western world in spite of advancements over the past decades. Gender inequality means that women will be more susceptible to living in poverty because they will not be paid as much and be passed over for jobs in favour for men.
According to Women Against Poverty Collective (a group of women and trans people who are working together to advocate for safe, affordable and accessible housing for women experiencing violence) the following are stats about Canadian women:
- 1 in 7 women in Canada lives in poverty. They are most likely to be immigrants, Aboriginals, disabled, young mothers or elderly.
- Poverty makes it hard for women to leave an abusive relationship when they depend economically on their partner.
- 1/3 of women go back into abusive relationships because welfare does not give them enough money to survive.
WAPC has a blog that outlines their actions in the city of Toronto, Ontario. It serves mostly to update people on the groups activities and successes. It is a fairly good blog in terms of informing but could be more engaging with personal stories.
Much has been done to advance the status of women. Policies such as Affirmative Action have been implemented in hopes of hiring more women (and other minorities), improving wages and to encourage public institutions to be more representative of the population. Affirmative Action comes with it's own problems though. Are people being hired because they're a minority? Are they going to be given special attention? Will they be seen as just as competent as everyone else? It can make you wonder...
Support the equal status of women. Celebrate International Women's Day March 8th. Treat everyone equally. Volunteer at a women's shelter. Learn about amazing women. Make sure that women, a sex that is not a minority yet is marginalized, are not treated unequally.
“It is hardly surprising that women concentrate on the way they look instead of what was in their minds since not much has been put in their minds to begin with”
-Mary Wollstonecraft
Sometimes you'll hear about how women have achieved equal status to men. Not only is this not true in the Western world, but is it an outright lie in the developing world.
The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (or MDGs as I will refer to them) were created in 2000 to improve the quality of life for people in developing countries and help them escape poverty. Goal number 3 is "Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women."
One way the UN is trying to achieve this goal is by helping out with UNIFEM more. UNIFEM is the women's fund at the UN. It was established in 1976, and it provides financial and technical assistance to innovative approaches aimed at fostering women's empowerment and gender equality.
UNIFEM focuses on four goals
- Reducing women's poverty and exclusion;
- Ending violence against women;
- Reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls;
- Supporting women's leadership in governance and post-conflict reconstruction.
Why is the gender inequality worse in the developing world?
Because men are the primary bread winners. Because there are more domestic tasks at home (imagine life without a washing machine or a dishwasher...now imagine life without plumbing) that women and children must perform. Because school fees are so expensive and boys are still believed to be smarter. Because girls are too valuable at home.
Because because because because...I could go on.
Out of all the children in the world, more than 100 million of them are not in school. Also, 46% of girls in the world's poorest countries have no access to primary education at all because they're so valuable at home.
According to Oxfam, "Young people who have completed primary education are less than half as likely to contract HIV as those missing an education. Universal primary education would prevent 700,000 cases of HIV each year - about 30% all new infections in this age group."
That's incredible!
Think of the impact of more schools and education. More HIV/AIDS knowledge and fewer deaths. More literacy and better jobs. Gender equality. Increased health.
While these issues may seem a little far from home there's still plenty we can do here. Promote gender equality (don't let feminism be a bad thing), donate books to charities- especially ones that will be sent overseas, donate school supplies to charities that will put them to use overseas. Learn about the plight of women globally.
A world of equality seems like a difficult thing. Tolerance seems impossible at times when we are surrounded with stories of racism, sexist, bigotry and homophobia. We can stake small steps at home and within our lives to ensure that women and other marginalized groups are treated with the same respect as other individuals.
"The day will come when men will recognize woman as his peer, not only at the fireside, but in councils of the nation. Then, and not until then, will there be the perfect comradeship, the ideal union between the sexes that shall result in the highest development of the race."
—Susan B. Anthony
Monday, October 8, 2007
Africa: Hot Continent. Hot Clothes. Hot Issues.
The (RED) manifesto is pretty cut and dry.
And the way the company works is easy to understand.
On the product website the progression goes from one smart shopper buying an iPod and consequently "[they] have a new iPod and helped save a person's life" because ten dollars of their purchase went to the Global Fund.
"$30.7 million has flowed directly to Global Fund financed grants in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland. In these countries this money is helping to finance comprehensive national HIV/AIDS programs led by the ministries of health, to provide antiretroviral treatment for children and adults, to assist in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as essential counseling and testing activities to reduce the overall risk of HIV transmission."
As I sit and read about Sipho in the BLOG(RED) I am moved by the story of a young child with AIDS. However, I cannot help but notice that the piece is littered with promotion of Product (RED). It is not a blog about awareness of ARVs and AIDS in general, it is about how RED's ARVs are making a difference. But I guess in the manifesto they really weren't kidding when they said "it [(RED)] is a business model."
Not to paint myself as a callous, bitter individual or anything. I was moved by the post of an emaciated boy who's life will undoubtedly be cut short and is obviously of a low quality because of AIDS. The blog does a good job of showing his helplessness: "his face was thin but creaseless, except for where his heavy lower eyelids rested against his cheekbones. He did not wear a smile and there was little evidence that he ever had, so creaseless was his face.
His expression was that of one who was accustomed to expecting the worst."
The blog also works to create a sense of obligation in the writer, "Sipho’s heavy-eyed gaze persisted. Looking up from my chart review, I suddenly realized that, as the pediatrician in the room, it was my turn to do something."
Those words, it was my turn to do something are undoubtedly moving, a call to action. However, they are preceded by as the pediatrician in the room which shows the professional obligation to the story. Product (RED) is not about a professional obligation, it is about a human obligation and actions we can take as ordinary Joe's in the Western World.
My beef with Product (RED) is it doesn't really change the way we act in a root causes sort of way. If we really wanted to change the way we act we would be buying fairly traded clothes that are not manufactured in a sweat shop. Or we would outright give money to charities without expecting anything in return. Or we would give our time to these causes and advocate for social justice.
(RED) shows that we are nothing but consumers. Is it true? Probably. Does it have to be? Definitely not.
"You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!"
The above quote from the website does not emphasize being a Samaritan. It's just making a smart, and different, choice. We can just be Samaritans in and of themselves; being a Samaritan is now a by product of consumerism. We do not go into the Mac Store or the GAP with the intention of eliminating AIDS. We go in there because we want to look trendy. Helping to eliminate AIDS is a nice little bonus; it's like getting a free gift or a coupon for your next purchase. Only the free gift is an improved image. Not only are you trendy but you're a philanthropist. Wow! That's hot.
What happened to altruism? And doing something good because it was the right thing to do? Why must we always get something out of the deal? Why can't we do something good for the sake of doing good?
If you're going to buy Product(RED) anything, fine. Think of the motivation for your actions though. Why not just outright donate ten dollars to an AIDS org? Why not volunteer 10 hours with your local AIDS org and create awareness?
Wear your heart on your sleeve, not as a logo on your chest.
And the way the company works is easy to understand.
On the product website the progression goes from one smart shopper buying an iPod and consequently "[they] have a new iPod and helped save a person's life" because ten dollars of their purchase went to the Global Fund.
"$30.7 million has flowed directly to Global Fund financed grants in Ghana, Rwanda and Swaziland. In these countries this money is helping to finance comprehensive national HIV/AIDS programs led by the ministries of health, to provide antiretroviral treatment for children and adults, to assist in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as essential counseling and testing activities to reduce the overall risk of HIV transmission."
As I sit and read about Sipho in the BLOG(RED) I am moved by the story of a young child with AIDS. However, I cannot help but notice that the piece is littered with promotion of Product (RED). It is not a blog about awareness of ARVs and AIDS in general, it is about how RED's ARVs are making a difference. But I guess in the manifesto they really weren't kidding when they said "it [(RED)] is a business model."
Not to paint myself as a callous, bitter individual or anything. I was moved by the post of an emaciated boy who's life will undoubtedly be cut short and is obviously of a low quality because of AIDS. The blog does a good job of showing his helplessness: "his face was thin but creaseless, except for where his heavy lower eyelids rested against his cheekbones. He did not wear a smile and there was little evidence that he ever had, so creaseless was his face.
His expression was that of one who was accustomed to expecting the worst."
The blog also works to create a sense of obligation in the writer, "Sipho’s heavy-eyed gaze persisted. Looking up from my chart review, I suddenly realized that, as the pediatrician in the room, it was my turn to do something."
Those words, it was my turn to do something are undoubtedly moving, a call to action. However, they are preceded by as the pediatrician in the room which shows the professional obligation to the story. Product (RED) is not about a professional obligation, it is about a human obligation and actions we can take as ordinary Joe's in the Western World.
My beef with Product (RED) is it doesn't really change the way we act in a root causes sort of way. If we really wanted to change the way we act we would be buying fairly traded clothes that are not manufactured in a sweat shop. Or we would outright give money to charities without expecting anything in return. Or we would give our time to these causes and advocate for social justice.
(RED) shows that we are nothing but consumers. Is it true? Probably. Does it have to be? Definitely not.
"You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!"
The above quote from the website does not emphasize being a Samaritan. It's just making a smart, and different, choice. We can just be Samaritans in and of themselves; being a Samaritan is now a by product of consumerism. We do not go into the Mac Store or the GAP with the intention of eliminating AIDS. We go in there because we want to look trendy. Helping to eliminate AIDS is a nice little bonus; it's like getting a free gift or a coupon for your next purchase. Only the free gift is an improved image. Not only are you trendy but you're a philanthropist. Wow! That's hot.
What happened to altruism? And doing something good because it was the right thing to do? Why must we always get something out of the deal? Why can't we do something good for the sake of doing good?
If you're going to buy Product(RED) anything, fine. Think of the motivation for your actions though. Why not just outright donate ten dollars to an AIDS org? Why not volunteer 10 hours with your local AIDS org and create awareness?
Wear your heart on your sleeve, not as a logo on your chest.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Latest Celebrity Trend
Increasingly in the media you hear about the new celebrity interest: Africa.
Angelina Jolie gives birth to a baby in Namibia and Madonna adopts a baby from Malawi and the rest of the world is left wondering where these previously unheard of countries are located.
Bono is undoubtedly one off the biggest anti-poverty activist with his campaign ONE.
"ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history... As ONE, we are raising public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries."
A way to show your support for ONE is by wearing a WhiteBand
"Wear the white band and show your support for the ONE Campaign and the fight against global AIDS and poverty. Worn by teachers, doctors, and homemakers. You've seen them in the pages of People and US Weekly on your favorite stars, get your band now! The white bands are part of a global effort to make poverty history."
I find it interesting that they mention that we've "seen them in the pages of People and US weekly on your favorite stars." They are using celebrities as the means to persuade. Are we asking the government to contribute more to pro-poor actions or are we doing it because Penelope is too?
Celebrities are used to endorse countless products. Hair products, make-up, clothing, shoes, and food are constantly being thrown at us so that we may better emulate a celebrity. Is poverty in Africa another fad that's being marketed to the celeb hungry public, or are these people really hoping for a change?
I think it's unfortunate that we need celebrities to bring light to the issue.
Yet, at the same time I'm torn. If celebrities are bringing light to the issue is it really such a bad thing? Awareness is awareness. In spite of this thought a quote from Marchall McLuhen resounds in my head, "the medium is the message." It really isn't poverty and activism that's resounding in consumers' heads; what's resounding is Joe Celebrity is doing this and so should I because I want to feel connected to Joe Celebrity.
I wear a white band. Mine is not from the ONE campaign, but rather from the Canadian version: Make Poverty History. Why do I wear the white band?
Is it because I think MPH has been a particularly effective organisation? No, not really. Is it because one of my favourite bands, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, supports the campaign? No.
So why does a piece of white rubber circle my wrist all day?
I wear the band to remind myself why I do what I do. I see it as a motivation to my actions. Why do I volunteer for ~20 hours a week for Engineers Without Borders? Because my actions can make a difference.
Why do I try to get 100+ signatures for a petition? Because my 100+ signatures and the 100+ signatures of 5 of my friends will show a local Member of Parliament that we want something to be done about eliminating poverty.
Why do I wear the white band? Because I know that I am not alone in trying to make a difference. Whether they wear a white band or not, it is a reminder of the solidarity I have with other people who are making positive change and providing opportunities to right the wrongs of poverty and other social injustices.
If you're going to do something make sure it's because you believe in it. Not because someone (famous or not) told you to act, but because you truly want to. I feel like I'm becoming too preachy but think about where your motivations come from. If you really want to help a little girl go to school, learn to read, and gain access to clean water do it because you think that she, as a human being, should not be denied these rights. Don't jump on the celebrity bandwagon.
Angelina Jolie gives birth to a baby in Namibia and Madonna adopts a baby from Malawi and the rest of the world is left wondering where these previously unheard of countries are located.
Bono is undoubtedly one off the biggest anti-poverty activist with his campaign ONE.
"ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history... As ONE, we are raising public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries."
A way to show your support for ONE is by wearing a WhiteBand
"Wear the white band and show your support for the ONE Campaign and the fight against global AIDS and poverty. Worn by teachers, doctors, and homemakers. You've seen them in the pages of People and US Weekly on your favorite stars, get your band now! The white bands are part of a global effort to make poverty history."
I find it interesting that they mention that we've "seen them in the pages of People and US weekly on your favorite stars." They are using celebrities as the means to persuade. Are we asking the government to contribute more to pro-poor actions or are we doing it because Penelope is too?
Celebrities are used to endorse countless products. Hair products, make-up, clothing, shoes, and food are constantly being thrown at us so that we may better emulate a celebrity. Is poverty in Africa another fad that's being marketed to the celeb hungry public, or are these people really hoping for a change?
I think it's unfortunate that we need celebrities to bring light to the issue.
Yet, at the same time I'm torn. If celebrities are bringing light to the issue is it really such a bad thing? Awareness is awareness. In spite of this thought a quote from Marchall McLuhen resounds in my head, "the medium is the message." It really isn't poverty and activism that's resounding in consumers' heads; what's resounding is Joe Celebrity is doing this and so should I because I want to feel connected to Joe Celebrity.
I wear a white band. Mine is not from the ONE campaign, but rather from the Canadian version: Make Poverty History. Why do I wear the white band?
Is it because I think MPH has been a particularly effective organisation? No, not really. Is it because one of my favourite bands, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, supports the campaign? No.
So why does a piece of white rubber circle my wrist all day?
I wear the band to remind myself why I do what I do. I see it as a motivation to my actions. Why do I volunteer for ~20 hours a week for Engineers Without Borders? Because my actions can make a difference.
Why do I try to get 100+ signatures for a petition? Because my 100+ signatures and the 100+ signatures of 5 of my friends will show a local Member of Parliament that we want something to be done about eliminating poverty.
Why do I wear the white band? Because I know that I am not alone in trying to make a difference. Whether they wear a white band or not, it is a reminder of the solidarity I have with other people who are making positive change and providing opportunities to right the wrongs of poverty and other social injustices.
If you're going to do something make sure it's because you believe in it. Not because someone (famous or not) told you to act, but because you truly want to. I feel like I'm becoming too preachy but think about where your motivations come from. If you really want to help a little girl go to school, learn to read, and gain access to clean water do it because you think that she, as a human being, should not be denied these rights. Don't jump on the celebrity bandwagon.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Pandemic priority
As I sit at my computer trying to write this post I am overcome. I plan on discussing AIDS and the global action/inaction to respond to a pandemic. I stare at the poster of Stephen Lewis that is hung up before me and I turn to the opening line of his book Race Against Time, "I have spent the last four years watching people die."
| HIV Statistics | Total | Adult | Children |
| People with HIV/AIDS in 2004 | 39.4 millions | 37.2 millions | 2.2 millions |
| Newly infected people with HIV in 2004 | 4.9 millions | 4.3 millions | 0.64 millions |
| AIDS deaths in 2004 | 3.1 millions | 2.6 millions | 0.51 millions |
When someone first develops AIDS it feels like a flu. However, there is also swelling in the glands of your neck and armpits. If you go to get tested you might not even test positive because it takes a while for it to appear in the blood stream.
I wish to avoid describing how AIDS is transmitted and what the syptoms are so I will direct you here for more information. I wish to focus on the global (specifically the Canadian) response to AIDS.
San Francisco studies show that in developed countries, without use of the latest therapies:
- 50% with HIV develop AIDS in ten years
- 70% with HIV develop AIDS in fourteen years
- Of those with AIDS, 94% are dead in five years
Total number of AIDS deaths between 1981 and the end of 2003: 20 million.
Number of children orphaned by AIDS living in Sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2003: 12 million.
AIDS affects the lives of millions and millions go without treatment (1 in 10 people who are infected do not receive treatment).
Why the injustice? Money (or a lack thereof).
Prices taken from the Medecins Sans Frontieres Website
- GlaxoSmithKline (proprietary company), special discount price: US$ 2 per day
- FarManguinhos (generic): US$0.96 per day (52% cheaper)
Price of Nevirapine (a drug that when given to both mother and child reduced the rate of HIV transmission by almost 50%)
- Boehringer Ingelheim (proprietary company): US$1.19 per day (3)
- FarManguinhos (generic): US$0.59 per day (50% cheaper)
Price of AZT (The first anti-HIV drug approved for use in the United States)
- GlaxoSmithKline (proprietary company): US$1.6 per day
- FarManguinhos (generic): US$0.09 per day (94% cheaper)
Price of 3TC: (It mimics a nucleoside base, which blocks further construction of the virus.)
- GlaxoSmithKline (proprietary company): US$0.64 per day
- FarManguinhos (generic): US$0.41 per day (36% cheaper)
With prices so cheap it's a wonder why nothing has been done. Stephen Lewis told CTV Newsnet that Canada continually falls short in implementing existing legislation for providing generic drugs to African countries, passed nearly three years ago.
"Not a single tablet has gone out from that day to this," he said. Only one in 10 Africans infected with HIV receives treatment.
Why is so little being done? Why is Canada waiting so long to take action? Thousands die every day and they do not have to suffer as much as they do.
Action Items:
- Get involved with your local AIDS committee to spread awareness and education in your community
- Get tested if you think you are at risk
- Write to your member of Parliament or the Canadian International Development Agency and tell them you want them to do more. Or you can write to Bev Oda again.
"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
- Martin Luther King Jr
Friday, September 28, 2007
We are just scratching the surface
With global warming issues on the rise, temperatures are skyrocketing and the bugs are staying out for much longer.
Here in North America our major concern comes from West Nile virus. No big deal though, slap on some bug spray, avoid dark colours, and get a new bug zapper.
Another major problem however, also stems from mosquitoes. Malaria is a disease that kills 3,000 children every day and more than one million each year. The majority of these deaths occur among children under five years of age and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Malaria is a major issue for people who live in Africa, Asia and sub-tropic Americas. A tiny mosquito ruins the lives of thousands when it releases a parasite that multiplies with the red blood cells, this usually happens in your liver.
Anti-malarials exist that do not cure the disease but provide sufficient treatment to lessen the effects. Instead of throwing up, having diarrhea, a fever, the chills, nausea, and potentially lapsing into a coma you will feel ill for 3-4 days. A friend once told me that having malaria "feels like you're going to die."
Anti-malarials can be quite costly. The Clinton Foundation has been working to reduce the cost of the drugs. "The foundation, along with UNITAIDS, a global organization that fights AIDS, has also reached a deal with pharmaceutical companies to decrease the cost of antiretroviral drugs for poor countries. Prices will drop from about $200 per person per year to $25 to $60." (http://philanthropy.com/news/philanthropytoday/2744/clinton-foundation-works-to-decrease-price-of-malaria-drugs)
The decrease in cost is amazing, especially considering that some people, such as Zambians, make only one thousand dollars a year and 86% live below the poverty line.
Generic pharmaceuticals are crucial in this fight against needless deaths. Patents prevent companies from producing cheaper versions of life saving medicines. Canada has passed many bills and laws about selling generic pharmaceuticals but very few pills have left the country. Direct funding for malaria by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has in fact fallen from $20 million in 2005 to $9 million in 2006. Economic adviser Jeffrey Sachs estimates that malaria can be controlled for US$3 billion in aid per year.
"Malaria causes lost income, missed school, lower harvests due to untended fields, and the depletion of family savings for medicines. In Africa alone, US$12 billion in lost productivity occurs annually, up to 1.3% of the continent's GDP." (http://www.results-resultats.ca/action/actions/2006/2006-07-en.aspx)
Malaria can be successively fought with insecticide treated bed nets. These bed nets cost 10 Canadian dollars and can save lives.
Something can be done. Actions are being taken. However, these actions are not numerous enough.
Action Items:
- Write to your Member of Parliament or email Bev Oda (Oda.B@parl.gc.ca), telling them you want Canada to increase its funding for anti-malarials
- go to Spreadthenet.org and donate ten dollars and save a life (Rick Mercer mentioned it in his blog)
- protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases by eliminating standing water, staying covered, using bed nets, and educating yourself about how diseases are spread by insects
"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito."
- Anita Roddick
Here in North America our major concern comes from West Nile virus. No big deal though, slap on some bug spray, avoid dark colours, and get a new bug zapper.
Another major problem however, also stems from mosquitoes. Malaria is a disease that kills 3,000 children every day and more than one million each year. The majority of these deaths occur among children under five years of age and pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa.
Malaria is a major issue for people who live in Africa, Asia and sub-tropic Americas. A tiny mosquito ruins the lives of thousands when it releases a parasite that multiplies with the red blood cells, this usually happens in your liver.
Anti-malarials exist that do not cure the disease but provide sufficient treatment to lessen the effects. Instead of throwing up, having diarrhea, a fever, the chills, nausea, and potentially lapsing into a coma you will feel ill for 3-4 days. A friend once told me that having malaria "feels like you're going to die."
Anti-malarials can be quite costly. The Clinton Foundation has been working to reduce the cost of the drugs. "The foundation, along with UNITAIDS, a global organization that fights AIDS, has also reached a deal with pharmaceutical companies to decrease the cost of antiretroviral drugs for poor countries. Prices will drop from about $200 per person per year to $25 to $60." (http://philanthropy.com/news/philanthropytoday/2744/clinton-foundation-works-to-decrease-price-of-malaria-drugs)
The decrease in cost is amazing, especially considering that some people, such as Zambians, make only one thousand dollars a year and 86% live below the poverty line.
Generic pharmaceuticals are crucial in this fight against needless deaths. Patents prevent companies from producing cheaper versions of life saving medicines. Canada has passed many bills and laws about selling generic pharmaceuticals but very few pills have left the country. Direct funding for malaria by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has in fact fallen from $20 million in 2005 to $9 million in 2006. Economic adviser Jeffrey Sachs estimates that malaria can be controlled for US$3 billion in aid per year.
"Malaria causes lost income, missed school, lower harvests due to untended fields, and the depletion of family savings for medicines. In Africa alone, US$12 billion in lost productivity occurs annually, up to 1.3% of the continent's GDP." (http://www.results-resultats.ca/action/actions/2006/2006-07-en.aspx)
Malaria can be successively fought with insecticide treated bed nets. These bed nets cost 10 Canadian dollars and can save lives.
Something can be done. Actions are being taken. However, these actions are not numerous enough.
Action Items:
- Write to your Member of Parliament or email Bev Oda (Oda.B@parl.gc.ca), telling them you want Canada to increase its funding for anti-malarials
- go to Spreadthenet.org and donate ten dollars and save a life (Rick Mercer mentioned it in his blog)
- protect yourself from mosquito borne diseases by eliminating standing water, staying covered, using bed nets, and educating yourself about how diseases are spread by insects
"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito."
- Anita Roddick
Saturday, September 22, 2007
A choice between haven and hell
I was recently a part of an anti-poverty panel at the University of Windsor. OPIRG was hosting it and had asked me to speak because of my experience with international development issues. I happily agreed and spend about 30-40 minutes in front of nine people (the biggest crowd all week) answering questions about fair trade, what the government needs to do, and comparing poverty in Canada to poverty in developing countries.
The woman sitting next to me spoke about her work in Chile but also about her experience as a homeless youth in Canada. I was struck. At the end of the presentation I asked her, "how did you become homeless?" Her reply was, "just like everyone else."
"Absolute homelessness refers to people living on the streets with no physical shelter, while relative homelessness refers to those who live in spaces that do not meet basic health and safety standards. The broad definition of homelessness includes those who live in sub-standard housing, or in overcrowded or undesirable conditions. For instance, a woman may live with an abusive man as the lesser of two evils, thereby avoiding being on the streets." (Taken from Share International)
Anyone can become homeless. An article in Maclean's stated that one in three homeless teens still attend high school. If these youth are not getting an education then breaking the cycle of homelessness will become increasingly difficult.
Immigrants, single parent families, ex-mental patients, and Natives are most likely to be thought of as homeless. However, more often women and children are found on the street as well. People are more susceptible to this than we think.
One thing that shocked me when I first went to Toronto was the sheer number of homeless people I saw. Living in Windsor it wasn't something I had really experienced. The summer I lived in Toronto one thing that always got to me was when I would see "the regular" homeless people on my nightly walks home from work.
What are some of the problems that cause homelessness?
A lack of schooling, illiteracy, job loss, job closures, family break ups, addictions, tax cuts, and a lack of long-term solutions from the government.
What are some things that don't help solve homelessness?
Inadequate low income housing, shelters turning away people because they don't have the capacity to maintain it, and having to pay first and last month's rent when it may have taken long enough to get that first month.
While homelessness seems to be more of an issue of hopelessness we must remember that there are actions, big and small, that need to be done.
One of the things that struck me most about the aforementioned panel was that I was explaining my reasons for helping out with poverty issues overseas instead of issues in Canada. But one person or organisation can't focus on everything and my passion and dedication lies with those who have fewer opportunities. I don't want to say that to be elitist or superior. I say this because I have compassion for my fellow people, not just my fellow Canadians.
I hope in reading this blog you'll find something that strikes a chord inside so that if you don't become a person of action you will at least become a more knowledgeable person.
Action Items
- volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
- volunteer your time with an organisation like Habitat for Humanity
- support legislation/by-laws/laws that will protect homeless people, increase affordable housing, and promote long-term solutions
- vote
The woman sitting next to me spoke about her work in Chile but also about her experience as a homeless youth in Canada. I was struck. At the end of the presentation I asked her, "how did you become homeless?" Her reply was, "just like everyone else."
"Absolute homelessness refers to people living on the streets with no physical shelter, while relative homelessness refers to those who live in spaces that do not meet basic health and safety standards. The broad definition of homelessness includes those who live in sub-standard housing, or in overcrowded or undesirable conditions. For instance, a woman may live with an abusive man as the lesser of two evils, thereby avoiding being on the streets." (Taken from Share International)
Anyone can become homeless. An article in Maclean's stated that one in three homeless teens still attend high school. If these youth are not getting an education then breaking the cycle of homelessness will become increasingly difficult.
Immigrants, single parent families, ex-mental patients, and Natives are most likely to be thought of as homeless. However, more often women and children are found on the street as well. People are more susceptible to this than we think.
One thing that shocked me when I first went to Toronto was the sheer number of homeless people I saw. Living in Windsor it wasn't something I had really experienced. The summer I lived in Toronto one thing that always got to me was when I would see "the regular" homeless people on my nightly walks home from work.
What are some of the problems that cause homelessness?
A lack of schooling, illiteracy, job loss, job closures, family break ups, addictions, tax cuts, and a lack of long-term solutions from the government.
What are some things that don't help solve homelessness?
Inadequate low income housing, shelters turning away people because they don't have the capacity to maintain it, and having to pay first and last month's rent when it may have taken long enough to get that first month.
While homelessness seems to be more of an issue of hopelessness we must remember that there are actions, big and small, that need to be done.
One of the things that struck me most about the aforementioned panel was that I was explaining my reasons for helping out with poverty issues overseas instead of issues in Canada. But one person or organisation can't focus on everything and my passion and dedication lies with those who have fewer opportunities. I don't want to say that to be elitist or superior. I say this because I have compassion for my fellow people, not just my fellow Canadians.
I hope in reading this blog you'll find something that strikes a chord inside so that if you don't become a person of action you will at least become a more knowledgeable person.
Action Items
- volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
- volunteer your time with an organisation like Habitat for Humanity
- support legislation/by-laws/laws that will protect homeless people, increase affordable housing, and promote long-term solutions
- vote
- "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong -- because someday you will have been all of these."
- George Washington Carver
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A thirst for knowledge
An important issue with poverty is health in relation to access to clean water and sanitation. Adequate sanitation is defined as someone who has access to a latrine (aka a toilet or contained area for human waste). This is something that 2.4 billion people lack.
When someone doesn't have clean water they will get sick. At this time they'll need medicine. However, they won't always have money for medicine as it may take away from money spent on food, education, or rent. Also, the sick person is working less and their family now has less income, And some families have up to six children. With less money they become more impoverished. It's quite the cycle.
With a complex problem like this there are many steps that need to be taken.
There are some organisations like WaterAid who focus on education and implementation. It's important that these projects involve all community members because a project is more likely to succeed if people are involved in all processes and know the risks and benefits of sanitation, not just of clean water.
One particular project at WaterAid is "community-led total sanitation." Their site describes the key to success as "convincing communities to take action themselves. Neighbouring communities then see the difference sanitation makes to village life and so the learning spreads. It can be provocative, and it's certainly not subtle, but it works." (Bold is mine.)
This technique is similar to participatory methods developed by Robert Chambers, such as participatory rural appraisal.
"Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is a label given to a growing family of participatory approaches and methods that emphasize local knowledge and enable local people to make their own appraisal, analysis, and plans. PRA uses group animation and exercises to facilitate information sharing, analysis, and action among stakeholders. Although originally developed for use in rural areas, PRA has been employed successfully in a variety of settings. The purpose of PRA is to enable development practitioners, government officials, and local people to work together to plan contextappropriate programs."
To see a slideshow of WaterAid's project click here.
If you want a good read (and some great pictures) about a WaterAid project read Trevor Freeman's blog. Trevor is a U of Windsor grad working in Zambia as a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders.
Action Items (what you can do)
- watch your water consumption, don't be wasteful
- fix leaky taps
- turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave
- get involved volunteering for an organisation that works with Water and Sanitation projects
- tell your friends what you learned and spread the knowledge
"Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains."
- Unknown author
When someone doesn't have clean water they will get sick. At this time they'll need medicine. However, they won't always have money for medicine as it may take away from money spent on food, education, or rent. Also, the sick person is working less and their family now has less income, And some families have up to six children. With less money they become more impoverished. It's quite the cycle.
With a complex problem like this there are many steps that need to be taken.
There are some organisations like WaterAid who focus on education and implementation. It's important that these projects involve all community members because a project is more likely to succeed if people are involved in all processes and know the risks and benefits of sanitation, not just of clean water.
One particular project at WaterAid is "community-led total sanitation." Their site describes the key to success as "convincing communities to take action themselves. Neighbouring communities then see the difference sanitation makes to village life and so the learning spreads. It can be provocative, and it's certainly not subtle, but it works." (Bold is mine.)
This technique is similar to participatory methods developed by Robert Chambers, such as participatory rural appraisal.
"Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) is a label given to a growing family of participatory approaches and methods that emphasize local knowledge and enable local people to make their own appraisal, analysis, and plans. PRA uses group animation and exercises to facilitate information sharing, analysis, and action among stakeholders. Although originally developed for use in rural areas, PRA has been employed successfully in a variety of settings. The purpose of PRA is to enable development practitioners, government officials, and local people to work together to plan contextappropriate programs."
To see a slideshow of WaterAid's project click here.
If you want a good read (and some great pictures) about a WaterAid project read Trevor Freeman's blog. Trevor is a U of Windsor grad working in Zambia as a volunteer with Engineers Without Borders.
Action Items (what you can do)
- watch your water consumption, don't be wasteful
- fix leaky taps
- turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave
- get involved volunteering for an organisation that works with Water and Sanitation projects
- tell your friends what you learned and spread the knowledge
"Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains."
- Unknown author
Sunday, September 16, 2007
One, Two, Three...
By the time you finish reading this sentence two people will have died from preventable, poverty related issues.
Malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea, starvation, unclean water, or the measles. Diseases that are no longer issues in North America or Western Europe because of millions of dollars in research and vaccines. But issues that are matters of life and death in developing countries. And there are a lot more developing countries than you thought.
So why should you care? Because Bono said so?
Not exactly.
Because 1.2 billion people live on less than one dollar a day? (less than a price of a cup of coffee)
Because 2.4 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation? (and you thought the school bathrooms were gross)
Because 77 million children are not in school? (do you still want to skip class?)
You're getting warmer...
These are people, like anyone else anywhere else, who are dying when they do not have to.
It does not matter that we are that we're Canadian.
It does not matter that they're from another country.
It does not matter that we have our own problems.
I have a passion for people.
I have the potential for change.
I have opportunities.
I have more money than half the people in the world.
I have no good reason to say "no" and let apathy be sufficient.
This is not about rants, anarchy or charity. This is about injustice and the ability (and will) to act. Join me as I highlight some global poverty issues and the people who are trying to make a change.
"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is human-made, and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings."
- Nelson Mandela
Malaria, tuberculosis, diarrhea, starvation, unclean water, or the measles. Diseases that are no longer issues in North America or Western Europe because of millions of dollars in research and vaccines. But issues that are matters of life and death in developing countries. And there are a lot more developing countries than you thought.
So why should you care? Because Bono said so?
Not exactly.
Because 1.2 billion people live on less than one dollar a day? (less than a price of a cup of coffee)
Because 2.4 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation? (and you thought the school bathrooms were gross)
Because 77 million children are not in school? (do you still want to skip class?)
You're getting warmer...
These are people, like anyone else anywhere else, who are dying when they do not have to.
It does not matter that we are that we're Canadian.
It does not matter that they're from another country.
It does not matter that we have our own problems.
I have a passion for people.
I have the potential for change.
I have opportunities.
I have more money than half the people in the world.
I have no good reason to say "no" and let apathy be sufficient.
This is not about rants, anarchy or charity. This is about injustice and the ability (and will) to act. Join me as I highlight some global poverty issues and the people who are trying to make a change.
"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is human-made, and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings."
- Nelson Mandela
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