http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramović
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/965
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present, MOMA 2010
When back in the States, I attended the performance retrospective of Marina Abramovic (Yugoslav, b. 1946). The showing traced her prolific career as an international performance artist. Her work relating to the war in the Balkans was horrific and breath-taking. If you are in and/or around the New York area, please see the exhibit at MOMA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramović
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/965
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marina_Abramović
http://www.moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/965
Monday, May 24, 2010
Torture in the USA
Recent NY Times article about the notorious Chicago police commander, Burge, who is finally going on trial for his role in the implementation of torture methods during interrogations in Chicago prisons during the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The use of torture to extract faulty confessions led to the suspension of the death penalty in Illinois.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28chicago.html?scp=3&sq=us%20police%20torture%20trial&st=cse
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28chicago.html?scp=3&sq=us%20police%20torture%20trial&st=cse
Friday, May 21, 2010
Ethiopian Elections on May 23, 2010
East African politics are heating up:
In April, Sudan held general elections in which President Omar al-Bashir was re-elected. The Sudanese elections caused rifts and divisions within the Southern Sudanese leadership, making the international community wary of what will happen during the Southern Sudanese referendum in January 2011. A Darfur referendum is also scheduled to take place in July 2010.
Ethiopia is set for elections on May 23, 2010. The elections have been hampered by politically motivated assassinations, intimidation, and a systemic crackdown on freedom of speech.
Violence, instability and repression have marred the upcoming Rwandan elections to be held in August 2010.
Uganda is also gearing up for elections in 2011 and Kenya will be holding their much-anticipated elections in 2012.
What follows is an excellent article from the New York Times outlining the run-up to the Ethiopian elections and questioning the role of U.S. aid to the country given the political climate of repression: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/world/africa/21ethiopia.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world&adxnnlx=1274450440-tmt2cH8Z/je6gXV9Rz5xPg
In April, Sudan held general elections in which President Omar al-Bashir was re-elected. The Sudanese elections caused rifts and divisions within the Southern Sudanese leadership, making the international community wary of what will happen during the Southern Sudanese referendum in January 2011. A Darfur referendum is also scheduled to take place in July 2010.
Ethiopia is set for elections on May 23, 2010. The elections have been hampered by politically motivated assassinations, intimidation, and a systemic crackdown on freedom of speech.
Violence, instability and repression have marred the upcoming Rwandan elections to be held in August 2010.
Uganda is also gearing up for elections in 2011 and Kenya will be holding their much-anticipated elections in 2012.
What follows is an excellent article from the New York Times outlining the run-up to the Ethiopian elections and questioning the role of U.S. aid to the country given the political climate of repression: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/world/africa/21ethiopia.html?pagewanted=1&ref=world&adxnnlx=1274450440-tmt2cH8Z/je6gXV9Rz5xPg
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Humanitarian Aid & Charitable Giving
It may not be the season of giving, but as I have been visiting family and friends in the United States many people have asked me about charitable giving opportunities with international organizations. I've put together a few things to consider before making a donation and have also listed some good organizations that are in need of support.
A few things to consider before making a donation to an international humanitarian organization:
GO LOCAL BEFORE GLOBAL - there are organizations in your community in the United States that desperately need your help and financial support. Volunteering with a local organization is a great way to learn about needs facing American communities and volunteering locally will give you a better understanding of global issues: by volunteering with a local food bank, you are exposed to the impact of hunger on individuals, families and communities as well as how food relief operations are organized.
RESEARCH BEFORE GIVING- while large international organizations may have recognizable names, it doesn't necessarily mean that they distribute donations appropriately. Find out what percent of donations go to overhead and what percent goes towards actual programs. A good non-profit organization should divert 10% or less of donation funding for administrative costs. In general, large organizations like the United Nations, World Vision, and Save the Children have high overhead costs and are also notorious for mismanaging funds.
If you want to donate to organizations working in Africa, here are some of my favorites:
Jesuit Refugee Services (http://www.jrs.net) - JRS is one of the few organizations that offers social services to refugees in camps in Kenya. In Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya, JRS offers community-based counseling for survivors of trauma, an innovative program for refugees with developmental disabilities, and a program for vulnerable women. This is the only organization I have heard of that has services for refugees with developmental disabilities - a problem that is often overlooked in environments with populations with high rates of mental illness and undiagnosed developmental disabilities.
The Fistula Foundation (http://www.fistulafoundation.org) - The mission of this organization is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and educational programs worldwide. Obstetric/vaginal fistula is a serious problem for women worldwide and often leads to health problems, social isolation, and divorce. Although it can be treated relatively cheaply and easily, many women throughout Africa cannot afford or seek treatment.
Amani Ya Juu (http://www.amaniafrica.org) - Amani is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. The main center is located in Nairobi, Kenya with sister centers in Rwanda and Burundi. Amani has a fantastic income-generating project in Nairobi and they have great crafts outreach programs working with refugee women living in camps and urban centers in Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. Amani also has a U.S.-branch office.
The Center for Victims of Torture (http://www.cvt.org) - CVT offers a range of services to survivors of torture so they can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Based in Minnesota, the organization has expanded by establishing counseling services for survivors of torture in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jordan.
Mapendo International (http://www.mapendo.org) - Mapendo works to fill the unmet needs of African refugees by giving assistance to individuals, families and groups overlooked by existing aid programs. This organization has done fantastic work with vulnerable refugees in Nairobi and has started expanding its programs to all of Southern Africa.
A few things to consider before making a donation to an international humanitarian organization:
GO LOCAL BEFORE GLOBAL - there are organizations in your community in the United States that desperately need your help and financial support. Volunteering with a local organization is a great way to learn about needs facing American communities and volunteering locally will give you a better understanding of global issues: by volunteering with a local food bank, you are exposed to the impact of hunger on individuals, families and communities as well as how food relief operations are organized.
RESEARCH BEFORE GIVING- while large international organizations may have recognizable names, it doesn't necessarily mean that they distribute donations appropriately. Find out what percent of donations go to overhead and what percent goes towards actual programs. A good non-profit organization should divert 10% or less of donation funding for administrative costs. In general, large organizations like the United Nations, World Vision, and Save the Children have high overhead costs and are also notorious for mismanaging funds.
If you want to donate to organizations working in Africa, here are some of my favorites:
Jesuit Refugee Services (http://www.jrs.net) - JRS is one of the few organizations that offers social services to refugees in camps in Kenya. In Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya, JRS offers community-based counseling for survivors of trauma, an innovative program for refugees with developmental disabilities, and a program for vulnerable women. This is the only organization I have heard of that has services for refugees with developmental disabilities - a problem that is often overlooked in environments with populations with high rates of mental illness and undiagnosed developmental disabilities.
The Fistula Foundation (http://www.fistulafoundation.org) - The mission of this organization is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and educational programs worldwide. Obstetric/vaginal fistula is a serious problem for women worldwide and often leads to health problems, social isolation, and divorce. Although it can be treated relatively cheaply and easily, many women throughout Africa cannot afford or seek treatment.
Amani Ya Juu (http://www.amaniafrica.org) - Amani is a sewing-marketing-training project for marginalized women in Africa. The main center is located in Nairobi, Kenya with sister centers in Rwanda and Burundi. Amani has a fantastic income-generating project in Nairobi and they have great crafts outreach programs working with refugee women living in camps and urban centers in Kenya, Rwanda and Burundi. Amani also has a U.S.-branch office.
The Center for Victims of Torture (http://www.cvt.org) - CVT offers a range of services to survivors of torture so they can heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Based in Minnesota, the organization has expanded by establishing counseling services for survivors of torture in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jordan.
Mapendo International (http://www.mapendo.org) - Mapendo works to fill the unmet needs of African refugees by giving assistance to individuals, families and groups overlooked by existing aid programs. This organization has done fantastic work with vulnerable refugees in Nairobi and has started expanding its programs to all of Southern Africa.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
WELCOME...KARIBU...BIENVENUE...!
"I should like to say, 'This is the place to start; there can be no other.' But there are a hundred places to start..." - Beryl Markham, West With The Night
My mother recently had to create a blog for her graduate course, posting on her first entry: "I have been dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming". After spending 2 months visiting the United States with friends and family, I have been asked repeatedly why I hadn't started my own blog. So in part to help my mother navigate the confusing technology of blog posting and in part out of a need to have an online forum to keep track of my travels, recipes, and thoughts, I have started this blog.
So WELCOME...KARIBU....BIENVENUE...!
My mother recently had to create a blog for her graduate course, posting on her first entry: "I have been dragged into the 21st century kicking and screaming". After spending 2 months visiting the United States with friends and family, I have been asked repeatedly why I hadn't started my own blog. So in part to help my mother navigate the confusing technology of blog posting and in part out of a need to have an online forum to keep track of my travels, recipes, and thoughts, I have started this blog.
So WELCOME...KARIBU....BIENVENUE...!
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