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Hey U.S., welcome to the Third World! - Los Angeles Times
It's been a quick slide from economic superpower to economic basket case
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"Doctors for the Third World" in Permanent Areas of Catastrophe
Each year, approximately 3,000 German physicians forego their annual vacation. Instead, they travel to Third World slums around the world and offer their help, free of charge. The physicians can offer medical help to almost 3,000 patients per day. The idea for this project is the brainchild of Jesuit priest Bernhard Ehlen, who conceived of it exactly 25 years ago.
If he could have, Klaus Biskamp would have immediately fled and returned to where he came from once he arrived in Calcutta. The doctor from Frankfurt had arrived there, with firm resolve to do good and suddenly found himself amid mud, dirt, darkness and a sultry 33 degrees C. (91.4 F). Around him waited 200 sweating human beings, eager for his help, not one of them speaking a word of English [or German]. No electricity, no water, no hygiene facilities … Ludicrous, to even think about it. And the colleague who was to assist him was ill himself, suffering from severe diarrhea and vomiting. Biskamp immediately put him on an infusion. Then he organized a bucket of water, to at least be able to wash his hands now and then.
Help for Slum Dwellers
That was in 1986, three years following the founding of the organization "Doctors for the Third World," and Biskamp was the first to participate. This coming year, 2009, internal medicine specialist Dr. Biskamp will participate again, for the 25th time. The now 70-year-old will hold the record among his 2,300 colleagues who have volunteered their time for this project. And when he travels to the slums of Nairobi, Manila, Calcutta or Dhakka, he is assured to find running water, electricity and disposable gloves, one-way injection syringes and in some locations even sonographic instruments. The improvements during the past 25 years are due to the cooperation between local partner organizations and their country-specific supporters and co-workers, having built a reliable infrastructure for the work of Doctors for the Third World.
In some areas, actual health centers were established that are open to ill slum dwellers. The Filipino island of Mindanao is the lucky recipient of three field hospitals with 20-30 beds each. But occasionally the stations are "open ambulances," meaning the doctors make a commitment to bring these "clinics on wheels" to specific locations on specified days. Anyone needing aid will travel there. Or, the doctors travel by mobile ambulance into the countryside, far from any center.
Accomplishing Much With Limited Resources
"It is vitally important for people to venture out and assume the role of a Good Samaritan," says Father Ehlen. As stated above, he was the founder of the organization 25 years ago. Since then, many have heeded his call to action. Approximately 330 women and men physicians forego their annual vacation and perform six weeks of unpaid service for their fellow man—in a slum section in Asia, Africa or South America.
On top of that, they pay for half of their airline tickets. "But contrary to other aid organizations, we are not working in areas of present wars, where natural catastrophes have happened," states Harald Kischlat, secretary general for Doctors for a Third World.
"Our areas of involvement are those where permanent catastrophic conditions exist." And Dr. Biskamp adds without embellishment, "The areas we serve are those around the globe where the majority of humanity lacks any kind of medical care."
This veteran internist knows only too well his efforts despite his diligent involvement cannot change the fact that whatever he does is merely "a drop of water on a hot rock," but has nevertheless come to the conclusion "with limited resources to have helped real people and eased their misery," even though it won't [ultimately] change anything regarding statistics of suffering.
*CONTINUES Each year, approximately 3,000 German physicians forego their annual vacation. Instead, they travel to Third World slums around the wo... more -
Eaten into Extinction?
Elephants, gorillas and other large forest mammals may become extinct in central Africa within 50 years if hunting meat to feed starving populations continues at the current pace. Each year, rural peoples consume some 2.2 billion pounds (one million metric tons) of so-called bushmeat from wildlife, the equivalent of four million cattle; the flesh accounts for 80 percent of the protein and fat in their diet.
"If current levels of hunting persist in central Africa, the most vulnerable species will become extinct in the near future," cautions Nathalie Van Vliet, a researcher at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) based in Indonesia. The problem is, she adds, that "if the people that currently rely on bushmeat as a source of protein in central Africa had to rely on livestock, we would see the same catastrophe that is destroying the Amazon Basin: deforestation for pasture land and livestock raising."
In fact, there is no simple solution to this problem. CIFOR, in a report released today, argues that a hunting ban would not work, as evidenced by the failure of antipoaching programs, among other things. But it also says that forest species such as elephants, buffalo and apes that are slow to reproduce need to be protected or they will disappear entirely. Already, roughly 40 percent of jungle species are killed in greater numbers than can be regained through reproduction, according to the report "The Bushmeat Crisis."
The report calls for local agreements that allow hunting of species that can rebound quickly (such as various species of duikers, a type of forest antelope) while nixing kills of species with long gestation periods (such as elephants who give birth after 22 months). This is "hunting that can satisfy the demand from the poorest in future generations as well as ensure the stability in the long-term of hunted animal populations," Van Vliet says. But she notes the "success" of such pacts will depend on local communities' willingness to abide by them.
The only examples of such sustainable hunting, however, are either among people who have almost no contact with other human beings, such as the indigenous Aché people in the forests of eastern Paraguay, or those who have already killed off local populations of slow-breeding animals as is evidenced in the bushmeat market in Takoradi, Ghana.
Further exacerbating the problem: illegal and even legal activities in central African forests, such as logging and mining, that carve out new access as well as attract new people who also crave meat. And laws against the wildlife trade have failed to prevent supplies of everything from rhinoceros horns to tiger bones from reaching the estimated $3.9-billion global market.
That suggests that even granting ownership of the common resource represented by a duikers herd might not solve the problem, as some experts suggest. But it also shows that blanket bans are not working either. "In the tropics, they have genuine needs," says entomologist Paul Ehrlich of Stanford University's Center for Conservation Biology, who was not involved with this study but has been assessing the problems presented by expanding human population since the 1960s. "There are desperately poor people surrounding reserves. If I was there, I would shoot the hippo and eat it, too." Elephants, gorillas and other large forest mammals may become extinct in central Africa within 50 years if hunting meat to feed starvi... more -
Challenge Poverty (with Save the Children USA)
Not all of us can put our lives on hold to fly to some country to help the poor. But I have, so why not tell me how I should help them? In this video, you can see that I've decided to team up with Save the Children USA. I've narrowed it down to five options:
- Build a deep tube well
- Build a pond sand filter
- Buy 80 Salter Scales to help fight malnutrition among babies
- Build a school latrine
- Repair a School Damaged by Cyclone Sidr
There is enough money to either repair the school OR do any 2 (or 3) of the other options. The sidebar info on the YouTube video has details on how you can vote. Not all of us can put our lives on hold to fly to some country to help the poor. But I have, so why not tell me how I should help them... more -
The Dogs of Bangalore
Without commenting on the people's way of life in the country of India, I focused this documentary on “The Dogs of Bangalore” as seen through my eyes and cameras during two weeks of travel back and forth to work and in the nearby Lalbaugh Botanical Gardens. Without commenting on the people's way of life in the country of India, I focused this documentary on “The Dogs of Bangalore” as ... more
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Is the world running out of water?
The amount of fresh water across the planet is fixed but our demands upon it are growing by the day. Apparently by 2050 half the world’s population is expected to live in countries chronically short of water. Europe, North Africa and Asia are the most at risk.
According to The World Bank "If the wars of the 20th century were fought over oil, the wars of this century will be fought over water."
The Pacific Institute has been tracking water conflicts for over 20 years. Over a two-year period from 2006-7 it documented nine flash points. These included, 12 deaths in Ethiopia after clashes between farmers over competition for water; Tamil Tiger rebels cut the water supply to government-held villages in north-eastern Sri Lanka; Hezbollah rockets damaged a wastewater treatment plant in Israel, the Lebanese government claim their facilities along the Litani River have been damaged in Israeli attacks. The amount of fresh water across the planet is fixed but our demands upon it are growing by the day. Apparently by 2050 half the world... more -
The politics of rice
Inside USA travels to Haiti to look at how the stories of politics, rice and the US are deeply interwoven.
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WORLDwrite Newsreel: Who should we trust?
This is the second WORLDwrite newsreel. It examines the new vetting laws coming into force in August 2008, which may impact seriously on volunteering in the UK. Also, it introduces WORLDwrite's latest film Carry on up the NGO, soon to be released on DVD, and gives you a sneak preview of the film. This is the second WORLDwrite newsreel. It examines the new vetting laws coming into force in August 2008, which may impact seriously ... more
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Corruptababble
Is poverty caused by thieving politicians, third world gangsters and a global crime-wave? No, but our obsession with corruption in Africa is endemic. So say Brendon and Yolanda, two young South Africans who are sick of the finger pointing. This powerful documentary suggests it is time to ditch the corruptababble. Is poverty caused by thieving politicians, third world gangsters and a global crime-wave? No, but our obsession with corruption in Afr... more
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The More the Merrier
The More the Merrier, set in St. Katherine’s Docks, examines the impact of immigration. Through inspired argument and the story of one young Indian woman’s desire to stay in the UK, the film lyrically interweaves historical archive with shanty sea songs. It presents a uniquely pro-immigration case, and call to us all, to open our minds and our borders. Get the full film on DVD from the WORLDwrite website and start some serious debate with friends, your school, college or university. The More the Merrier, set in St. Katherine’s Docks, examines the impact of immigration. Through inspired argument and the story of one... more
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Using YouTube with a Purpose - Helping Kids in Bangladesh
Something a bit more substantive than "Leave Britney Alone!" and Diet Coke & Mentos videos.
A rural village in Bangladesh (in a military controlled malaria heavy region called the Chittagong Hill-Tracts) were able to benefit from the help of YouTube users from around the world. Something a bit more substantive than "Leave Britney Alone!" and Diet Coke & Mentos videos. ... more -
Billions in Afghan aid wasted: watchdog
Billions of dollars of aid to Afghanistan have not been spent effectively and the Afghan government and international agencies must be held to account or more will be wasted, an independent watchdog said on Monday. Billions of dollars of aid to Afghanistan have not been spent effectively and the Afghan government and international agencies must be... more
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How we can help the 'Bottom Billion'
Economist Paul Collier lays out a bold, compassionate plan for closing the gap between rich and poor.
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Red Cross warns of food riots over soaring prices
GENEVA - The Red Cross warned Tuesday of a possible surge in "food-related violence" because of soaring prices that are increasing hunger around the world.
Most of the debate surrounding the global food crisis has focused on boosting aid to poorer countries, but there is also concern about the potential for violence as people become desperate for food, said Jakob Kellenberger, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Follow the link to entire complete text. GENEVA - The Red Cross warned Tuesday of a possible surge in "food-related violence" because of soaring prices that are incr... more -
What I've Learned About U.S. Foreign Policy, Part 1.wmv
"A powerful 10-part compilation that (in important ways) pulls aside the veil of Official myths and Lies about "freedom", "democracy", Human Rights, etc., being the basis of U.S. foreign policy." via: www.addictedtowar.com "A powerful 10-part compilation that (in important ways) pulls aside the veil of Official myths and Lies about "freedom"... more
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Rotting corpses pile up as Myanmar stalls on aid
Myanmar's cyclone survivors have insufficient fuel to burn the rotting corpses of the dead as the country's military junta continues to block access for aid groups.
Relief agencies say decomposing corpses litter ditches and fields in the worst-hit Irrawaddy delta area as survivors try to conserve fuel for transporting much-needed supplies.
The international community is growing increasingly frustrated with the junta's lack of progress in granting visas for relief workers and giving clearance for aid flights to land.
They are concerned the lack of medical supplies and clean food and water threatens to increase the already staggering death toll.
Myanmar's military government says more than 22,000 people died when the killer cyclone battered the country's low-lying delta region over the weekend. The top U.S. diplomat in the country has said the toll could top 100,000. Myanmar's cyclone survivors have insufficient fuel to burn the rotting corpses of the dead as the country's military junta c... more -
Adopting is the new not-adopting
Do you have adoption fever? Or do prefer to sow your wild oats? With the world becoming increasingly overpopulated, one has to weigh the pros and cons of taking care of children who face a life of abuse, hunger and destitution versus slaving away for the gene pool master.
Author of the Liverpool study "The Madonna Effect," Professor Kevin Browne, asserts that there has been an increase in international adoption due to media attention surrounding Madonna’s fight for David. His main criticism is that the stars are overlooking needy orphans from their own countries, and they have started a dangerous trend.
"I don't see how anyone who understands how complicated it is to adopt a child could say that someone chose to do that as a fad. It's just too difficult. It's too traumatic," Madonna has responded.
As debate surrounds the pros and cons of this “fever,” AIDS Orphans Day is approaching. The May 7th campaign hopes to draw attention to the more than 15 million children, estimated to be 20-25 million by 2010, who have been orphaned by AIDS and face malnutrition and increased susceptibility to exploitation, forced labor, prostitution, and child soldiering. FXB International, the host of AIDS Orphans Day reports that fewer than 1 in 10 AIDS orphans receives any external support, many experiencing discrimination that bars them from healthcare and schooling in their native countries.
You can probably guess where I stand. How 'bout you? Do you have adoption fever? Or do prefer to sow your wild oats? With the world becoming increasingly overpopulated, one has to weigh... more -
Jennifer Connelly, KarmaTube.org - 1.1 billion need safe water. Charitywater.org
Excellent video provided by KarmaTube.org. Supporting CharityWater.org, featuring Jennifer Connelly.
CharityWater.org is designed to assist with water projects around the globe. Without water there is no life.
I do not invite my friends to video's I like or those I find important during my research, however this is very important and so I have addressed to all I consider friends. Please share it with your friends as well.
If you have time, please go to the CharityWater.org site and sign up to see all of the water projects and their videos that are very POWERFUL.
I will add a few videos as I have time to this thread. I admire any leading Lady who will offer her time and effort to bring light to a very important issue like this.
Jennifer Connelly is such a leading lady. There are many others that support non-profit work and I will do my best to bring them here as I find time.
To all my friends. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration on this most pressing issue.
Current.com and KarmaTube.org go together well with regard to these non-profit efforts.
With a new leadership and Gov. perhaps soon this is what we as a NATION will be supporting globally. Not for our own gain, but to simply help the people in NEED.
Peace, Love, Joy, and Happiness to you all. Excellent video provided by KarmaTube.org. Supporting CharityWater.org, featuring Jennifer Connelly. ... more -
Is Los Angeles a third world city?
A new study from the Migration Policy Institute reports a third of the immigrant population living in L.A. doesn't have a high school degree, and 60% don't speak English fluently. According to the study, these immigrants can't access the city's fastest growing job fields, like computer engineering and nursing.
So the question is, will L.A. become "a Third World city with an elite group on top and most on near poverty wages?" A new study from the Migration Policy Institute reports a third of the immigrant population living in L.A. doesn't have a high sc... more -
UK charity demands Freedom of Movement for all
The out spoken not for profit WORLDwrite which makes Global Equality non- negotiable is joining magasine Spiked to promote a new campaign to Open the borders and is calling on Current viewers to support this timely quest. As the British government launches its draconian 'points system' to limit immigration and releases reports which question the economic benefit of letting people into the UK, WORLDwrite is releasing a new short film entiled The More the Merrior which champions unfetterred Freedom of Movement for all.
This new short film, interwoven with compelling archive, provides a timely case for unfettered freedom of movement for all across the globe. Too many people? Too many immigrants? For The More the Merrier the answer is a deafening no.
Evocative sea shanty songs take us to St Katharine Docks on the Thames and set the scene. This was a landing and departure point for immigrants settling in the UK and emigrants heading off to the New World. Immigration and emigration represent striving for a better world, yet from the 1905 aliens act onwards the UK began to shut its’ borders. The film suggests that while attitudes to immigration have been de-racialised there has been more closure than ever before and situates today’s anti immigrant sentiment within a culture of limits.
The film incorporates inspiring arguments from the Battle of Ideas immigration debate and features Bruno Waterfield Brussels correspondent for The Daily telegraph who argues “anti immigration sentiments represent a closure of the historical imagination” and quoting American writer P J O’Rourke he points that if the whole of the worlds’ population moved to one place they would cover a space the size of former Yugoslavia at the same density as Manhatten and he says “Manhatten is a pretty good place to live.” Philippe Legrain author of Immigrants Your Country Needs Them explains internal migration outstrips migration overseas today and this has “not for example caused China to collapse.” Legrain ridicules the ‘points system’ and argues immigration controls today represent a form of global apartheid. Illustrating these points Sadhavi Sharma a young Indian student obliged to go home, explains why she wants to stay and has more friends here than in Bombay.
WORLDwrite Director Ceri Dingle explains:
“This is a positive pro immigration film, not a tragic story, not an exceptional case but a fresh appraisal of the debate with a much needed historical perspective. Cutting through the depressing low expectations we have for what is possible today, the title of the film says it all.”
The More the Merrier will be launched along with a further short documentary Cash Back (available on Current ) highlighting the role of remittances (monies sent by migrants and diasporas back to countries of origin) at the new Vibe Lounge, Brick lane, London E1 on Sunday 20th April at 6pm. Speakers will include Philippe Legrain, (Author Immigrants their country needs you) Claire Fox (Director Institute of Ideas) and a representative of Open the Borders – a spiked-online campaign. The out spoken not for profit WORLDwrite which makes Global Equality non- negotiable is joining magasine Spiked to promote a new campa... more
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