tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26421168480985071732024-03-13T01:54:42.587+01:00shop&help blogshop&help: The Friends of Humanity Ethically-sound Online Retail Websiteshop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.comBlogger134125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-13798507332976922252014-02-19T17:42:00.002+01:002014-02-19T17:42:05.227+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Biogeometry Conference in Geneva </b><b>by </b><b>Kris Attard </b><b>Sunday </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>March 9th at the Palais de l’Athénée 6:30-8:30pm</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>In English</b></div>
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<b>For whom is this conference?</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hKSV4UNRcVM6JKYatQ_2V3qF5BoYRJqWp1QZC3na2RvE9lvJSJCxAeovegKK_zX7_XQQ9t2cP3X50VyH9LcXTisqtTZC1vHBw4IrEYLknV5MquMBrvWCVXyCxKjrO8p6fi5ZvDrTXllE/s1600/Logofinal+BG+europe.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hKSV4UNRcVM6JKYatQ_2V3qF5BoYRJqWp1QZC3na2RvE9lvJSJCxAeovegKK_zX7_XQQ9t2cP3X50VyH9LcXTisqtTZC1vHBw4IrEYLknV5MquMBrvWCVXyCxKjrO8p6fi5ZvDrTXllE/s1600/Logofinal+BG+europe.png" height="200" width="160" /></a>For everybody: Health professionals, Architects, Energy workers and anybody interested in balancing its own energy, living following the laws of nature and contributing to a more harmonic world.</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>How to harmonize and heal your living and working place as well as your body through BioGeometry?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W0Y_JuDjVOeIRuhm9vJpSw6fzXEhpheef09TKVglhpV4_ArkAhwzarNHVIalwcV1HlSWKPiJVOGekafznFu8uf7kqP5J-VGtyKojfhtJWLcCvp2wL48-YQjhvXIdTZfiQ5R114RyiA4G/s1600/BGmedallion-silver-180x180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W0Y_JuDjVOeIRuhm9vJpSw6fzXEhpheef09TKVglhpV4_ArkAhwzarNHVIalwcV1HlSWKPiJVOGekafznFu8uf7kqP5J-VGtyKojfhtJWLcCvp2wL48-YQjhvXIdTZfiQ5R114RyiA4G/s1600/BGmedallion-silver-180x180.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BioGeometry is a Science based on the resonance of geometrical shapes, numbers and colors invented by Dr. Ibrahim Karim, an Egyptian architect based in Cairo, Zurich and Montreal. He rediscovered the secrets of the pyramids of ancient Egypt and applies the knowledge of this science to the contemporary world. </div>
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<b>The conference consists of three thematic, as follows:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Electro Magnetic Field (EMF): how BioGeometry can detect and transmute the quality of EMF and protect from high-tensions towers, cell phones, wifi and harmful earth grids and more that are affecting our immunity system and our energy.</li>
<li>Introduction to tools necessary to transmute harmful energy into healing energy. BioGeometry is based on Physics of Quality, which is the study of the underlying energy-quality information exchange within the resonance and harmonic relationships of energy and shape affecting all living systems.</li>
</ul>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>BioSignatures are precisely constructed linear diagrams which have the same exact geometric configurations as specific vital energy patterns within the human body. They are similar to the Chinese peripheral energy meridians of the body, but are related to the energy flow within the geometric configurations of the organs in the human body. BioSignatures help to create balance and help healing on various levels.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mLjEEV9ax7gDXSmu-u3TL8vLoFSz6x-o4tDRCJ2XUwN0NS3eeLfSYbbL9LH4PpyrmzKyvI11WBZ69oZ4uyHeymNXrJ28YdCv-oAZ6nyTTzI5nnLyXMwTP9FGbMEGyF5YPJoYMekTc4oJ/s1600/Kris+Attard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mLjEEV9ax7gDXSmu-u3TL8vLoFSz6x-o4tDRCJ2XUwN0NS3eeLfSYbbL9LH4PpyrmzKyvI11WBZ69oZ4uyHeymNXrJ28YdCv-oAZ6nyTTzI5nnLyXMwTP9FGbMEGyF5YPJoYMekTc4oJ/s1600/Kris+Attard.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>The speaker</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Kris Attard is the first certified BioGeometry Instructor in Europe, having trained with and been personally certified by the founder of BioGeometry, Dr. Ibrahim Karim in Cairo, Egypt. Kris has been teaching worldwide as a personal development trainer and teacher of holistic subjects for many years. He has trained people in over 17 countries, ranging from public and specialised groups to top businesses. He specialises in teaching the fields of BioGeometry, Sacred Geometry and MindScape intuition training. His fascination with the enhancement of inner potential started in his teens when, as an award-winning magician, he discovered firsthand what the trained mind could accomplish. His involvement in phenomena research also gave him a glimpse of the untapped potential that exists in ancient wisdom, and he has been a keen student and researcher of metaphysical studies for many years. He is living in Malta and will give the lecture in English.</div>
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<b>Practical Infromation</b></div>
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When? Sunday March 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm</div>
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Price: CHF 18. - or 15.- Euros An aperitif will be offered at the close of the event. Biogeometry items will be available.</div>
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For more information please contact:</div>
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Graziella Zanoletti on</div>
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+41 79 202 50 06 –</div>
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graziella@biogeometry-products.com</div>
</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0Rue Athénée 2, 1205 Genève, Suisse46.1986144 6.147911199999953220.676579899999997 -35.160682800000046 71.7206489 47.456505199999953tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-12028190986805066062013-08-29T15:35:00.000+02:002013-08-29T15:37:04.343+02:00Monitoring & Evaluation Report # 1 : Nigeria<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To ensure the follow-up of its projects, Friends of Humanity is used to send Monitoring & Evaluation reports that the organisations we support have to fill in in order to measure the advancement of the project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We operate using a form of participatory evaluation - members of the
community play a leading role in the evaluation process. It is essential that
all beneficiaries, direct or indirect, are
involved in this process. Obviously, the project site is also involved in this
process. To measure the outcomes of a project, we use both quantitative and
qualitative data.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here, we would like to share with you the results of the first report sent by Olayinka Adeleke, director of Rosy Touch, our partner in Nigeria after the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Advocay training on women's rights in rural communities </i>that they carried in Eruwa, Nigeria.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>50 women</b> from 20 to 50 particpated to the training.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Friends of Humanity contributed to the purchase of materials for the training up <b>CHF 1'000.-</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 125%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The program of the training was the following <span lang="FR-CH" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">: t</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">he Meaning
Of Right; </span><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Right To Education; </span><span style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Reproductive Right and</span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Right To Economic Independence.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">The<b> main difficulty</b> encountered was on the social and cultural side. In fact, s</span><span style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: -30.75pt;">ome of their husbands had negative
perception that their wives might know more than what they should know and
might become rebels or competitors at home. The training team</span><span style="line-height: 200%;"> solved the problem by explaining to them
that the training would improve their wives and would make them contribute to
the household income, we also invited the husbands as observers during the training
session.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 125%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 125%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 200%;">The team also carried <b>individual interviews</b> to measure the impact of the training on women. They founded that women have a better udnerstanding of their rights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 125%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 125%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 125%;">However, the project includes 5 more locations. Funding remains the last barrier for the next trainings. Please donate to enable Rosy Touch to carry the other trainings planned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 125%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 125%;">We thank you for all your contributions.</span></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-39442877215728759842013-07-04T12:40:00.001+02:002013-07-04T12:40:32.760+02:00Stories from Alice School in India<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Friends of Humanity received some testimonies from girls who are living in the hostel fully supported by us. This hostel enables fifteen young girls from Chakma minority to attend Alice School Project in Arunachal Pradesh in India. They are telling us their daily life in the hostel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We are so pleased and proud to share it with you.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"My name is Monda Chakma. I am 12 years
old girl and have a family of 6 members. My parents are both uneducated and my
two brothers are studying in our school. My younger sister is still very young
and she plays with the books of my brothers. I think she likes to go to school.
My parents work hard in the field to survive and agriculture is only the source
of feeding the lives. My mother expects a lot from me and my poor family shows
great satisfaction about my improvement. In
our hostel I am living with my few friends who are also very poor like me and
having free education, lodging, accommodation, health care and the daily
necessities provided by the school. I was never happy as I am today. I have
good time to study and learn many new things."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Every
morning we start our day with prayers and meditations which help us to begin
the day with positive energy. I like to admire walking on dew drenched grasses
with naked legs in early morning in our play ground. We have tasty and
delicious breakfasts prepared by our warden, our elder sister. Few weeks ago some
of my friends were sick but they were soon recovered by the earnest treatment
and medication provided by the school. I and the school staffs took care of
them and when they started walking in the hostel courtyard after their
recoveries, smiles manifested their happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Few years back, in my
village, around ten children died of malaria and jaundice which still remaining
the horrible nightmares for the parents who can’t stop their tears rolling down
to mouth compelling them to taste the bitterness of their helplessness. The
nearest medical store stands more than 25 kilometers far from my village and we
can’t expect better remedies there and the road connectivity is an another
hazard. But now that the school has the storage of some useful medicines many
people are being benefited when needed. The villagers are much thankful for
this availability and feel the gratitude for the school."</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Sometimes
I look back to my past life and compare those days with the time of today and
then I find a big difference in my thinking, attitudes, feelings, nature and my
life. I required many changes in my mentality and now I am more touched with
the spirituality. I still feel the need to improve a lot and am sure I will do
so if I stay here. The teachers are very kind and friendly with the students
and teach us sincerely in the classrooms. Yoga and mediation is being taught
here every day and we are taking the profits. We go to the village temple to
pray in the evening together. We light candles there. I really like it very
much and I feel peace inside me while being in temple reciting the prayers."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"We all always pray for the long life of our
sponsors and their families and relatives. We pray for their continued good
health. WE ALL LOVE YOU."</span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span lang="FR-CH"><br /></span></i></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-38445880288968595962013-05-20T12:00:00.000+02:002013-05-20T12:00:11.086+02:00Nepal Expected to Reach Drinking Water MDG<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5WIduOMAV6UKKoEIzfAQifjhXDOq1V-VQYXGNoXYv_Br8RfdnvUACNdl779nUu0KhzgQXXAPXN8ot0IcI7wuyr3tJBJZIm0S04iLlsti02Tjij_3HJxp_mURlEbCvrqzPpIyo-F006Md/s1600/Slow+Sand+Water+Filter+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5WIduOMAV6UKKoEIzfAQifjhXDOq1V-VQYXGNoXYv_Br8RfdnvUACNdl779nUu0KhzgQXXAPXN8ot0IcI7wuyr3tJBJZIm0S04iLlsti02Tjij_3HJxp_mURlEbCvrqzPpIyo-F006Md/s320/Slow+Sand+Water+Filter+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community water filter in Nepal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A joint press statement <a href="http://nzweek.com/world/nepal-likely-to-meet-4-out-of-8-millennium-development-goals-58119/">released</a>
by the United Nations Development Program and the government of <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
announced that <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
is slated to reach its Millennium Development Goal target of improved drinking
water facilities. <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
has made remarkable progress over the last 12 years; however, there is still
some way to go. Safe drinking water is closely linked to sanitation, yet one
third of people in <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
still do not have access to sanitation facilities. Those without access often
live in poor, rural communities, isolated from modern facilities. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order to improve progress in drinking water access and
sanitation nationwide, several groups are committed to bringing tools and
knowledge to rural villages. RIDS <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>,
a partner of Friends of Humanity, outfits rural communities with its “Family of
Four” initiative, which installs solar power, smokeless stoves, pit latrines,
and drinking water systems in all of the village homes. RIDS works with local
communities to carry out the installation processes, and trains community
members in maintenance and repairs so as to ensure self-sufficiency should
something break. While there is still a long way to go in ensuring all of <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
has access to safe drinking water, the efforts to close the gap have had
significant success in water access and other areas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
is also slated to meet <st1:stockticker>MDG</st1:stockticker> targets for
reducing the proportion of people below the national poverty line, achieving
100 percent enrollment in primary education, and reducing child and maternal
morality. While other <st1:stockticker>MDG</st1:stockticker> targets, including
achieving full and productive employment, reducing hunger, and improving the
environment, are further from reach, there are still 1,000 days remaining to
accelerate action before the deadline for the <st1:stockticker>MDG</st1:stockticker>
Goals in <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about Friends of Humanity’s contribution to
improving drinking water access in <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>,
click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/nepal---family-of-4/">here</a>.</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-34861241294928656662013-05-15T12:00:00.000+02:002013-05-15T12:00:02.736+02:00Ulaanbaatar May Run Out of Water By 2015 <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd2yaZCrjHARQ_XVRRDdflyJZwH2ByzNR490dPinCC83Aok0bMYmVmQnAyuB03GzRma8dCZoyoUVQHWVtOCeT477PN4Fqh7n4W9zDG5BXUlnG9kaF8hfAKzjuZ1XQ18zd55W24J95sqPS/s1600/ger+district+in+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcd2yaZCrjHARQ_XVRRDdflyJZwH2ByzNR490dPinCC83Aok0bMYmVmQnAyuB03GzRma8dCZoyoUVQHWVtOCeT477PN4Fqh7n4W9zDG5BXUlnG9kaF8hfAKzjuZ1XQ18zd55W24J95sqPS/s320/ger+district+in+winter.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ulaanbaatar in the winter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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A recent consultative meeting
between the Ministry of Nature, Environment and Green Development (MNEGD), the
National Water Authority, and the Tuul River Basin Administration (TRBA) in <st1:country-region>Mongolia</st1:country-region>
concluded that <st1:city>Ulaanbaatar</st1:city>, is
slated to face severe water shortages by 2015. The meeting, titled “The Queen
River Tuul and Ulaanbaatar’s Fate,” was held on March 20<sup>th</sup> and
discussed the measures needed to address rapidly impending groundwater
shortages, emphasizing the importance of effective water management and the
need to enforce limits on water use by households and businesses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
In an interview with the <i><a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/USER/Application%20Data/Microsoft/Word/ubpost.mongolnews.nm/?p=3414">UB
Post</a></i>, Senior Official of the Data Control and Assessment Division of
the TRBA, Ya. Boldbaatar, shared details regarding the issue.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">UB Post: Officials have reported that </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ulaanbaatar</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> will soon face water shortages. How much water is
left?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ya. Boldbaatar: </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Ulaanbaatar</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> city gets 98 percent of its water from groundwater.
The city consumes 330,000 cubic meters (m<sup>3</sup>) of groundwater each day.
At this rate, our city will begin to run out of groundwater in 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">UBP</span></b></st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">: Surface water has also declined. A large number of
fish are dying in the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tuul</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">River</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> too. Am I right?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YB: Yes. The Tuul, Selbe and </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Uliastai</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Rivers</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> are the biggest sources of surface water. Water
levels of the Tuul, Terelj and Khuin rivers have decreased. Worse still, the
surface water in our country, especially in the Tuul river, is alarmingly
polluted. Massive numbers of fish and fresh water animals are dying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">UBP</span></b></st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">: It seems that although everyone worries about our
drinking water, we are not doing anything to properly manage our use of it.
What kinds of ways are there are to preserve our water resources?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YB: There is a way to access more groundwater through
additional water well construction. It has also been proposed that we erect a
concrete dam on the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tuul</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">River</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, establish artificial lakes and pools, and recycle
wastewater: treating it so that it can be used again. There is also potential
to develop the Central Water Treatment Plant of the Ulaanbaatar Water Supply
and Sewerage Authority (USUG) into a “Biogas Technology Complex” so as to treat
sewage and use it for water supplies (exempting drinking water) and to form a
bio-pond with the remaining water, which will support the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Tuul</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">River</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> in times of drought.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">UBP</span></b></st1:stockticker><b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">:How will you control business entities that consume
water too much?</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">YB: The MNEGD and waste sector agencies are inspecting
companies and installing water consumption calculators. The MNEGD is also
requiring companies to conduct environmental impact assessments. If we
introduce advanced technology for water saving into </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Mongolia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">, it will be easier to demand that companies
contribute to water saving activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city>Ulaanbaatar</st1:city> is the
capital city of <st1:country-region>Mongolia</st1:country-region>,
and the location of Friends of Humanity’s partner organization, Lamp of the
Path, which provides hot meals and medical care to the city’s poor and
homeless. <a href="http://www.e-mongol.com/mongolia_climate.htm">Designated</a>
as the coldest capital of the world, <st1:city>Ulaanbaatar</st1:city>
is plagued by long and harsh winters. Summers are dry and hot, although
occasional rain storms are often strong and result in localized flooding. The extreme climate makes it even more
difficult to manage natural resources, as water levels fluctuate dramatically.
The current challenges facing <st1:country-region>Mongolia</st1:country-region>
are dire, and require immediate action to stem consequences of losing
groundwater resources altogether. <o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-36481528610107310872013-05-10T12:00:00.000+02:002013-05-10T12:00:04.599+02:00Arunachal Pradesh Faces Power Crisis<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMcFPRH7-1dskXUiRG1bB7VQu0p9FKUAt_gYyXn3VpkTGa62JVHP9F4NkBskfP1yMRZudeCLn1ERRPZeokNUU67DrwiXU87J4L1qQX8CxFzTWI5wkchreFRKBKad_8rzWCOWz5DinsyMr/s1600/Arunachal3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMcFPRH7-1dskXUiRG1bB7VQu0p9FKUAt_gYyXn3VpkTGa62JVHP9F4NkBskfP1yMRZudeCLn1ERRPZeokNUU67DrwiXU87J4L1qQX8CxFzTWI5wkchreFRKBKad_8rzWCOWz5DinsyMr/s1600/Arunachal3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Generator used by Alice School and surrounding community</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The state of Arunachal Pradesh has been facing a power
crisis for the past two and a half months, as reported by <i><a href="http://zeenews.india.com/news/north-east/arunachal-pradesh-suffers-from-power-crisis%20839003.html">Zee
News</a></i>. The demand for power far exceeds the grid’s capacity, which can
provide up to 84 Megawatts. However, the
supply often fluctuates between 34 Megawatts and 84 Megawatts during peak
hours, compared with a peak hour demand of 130 Megawatts. The ever-increasing
demand can be attributed to small and medium development and infrastructural
projects being implemented all over the state.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A solution to the problem is apparent in the many rivers
that traverse the state; Arunachal Pradesh has an estimated capacity of 58,000
Megawatts of hydropower. Despite the huge opportunity, only micro hydropower
projects are currently generating power to meet localized needs. With many
rivers drying up, larger hydropower projects are stunted even before they are
implemented. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thus, attention must be given to environmental preservation,
as well as alternative energy sources, to ensure that Arunachal Pradesh can
keep up with growing power demands, especially in rural areas.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <st1:place><st1:placetype>village</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Boddishata
Deban</st1:placename></st1:place>, where Friends of Humanity’s partner, the <st1:place><st1:placename>Alice</st1:placename>
<st1:placename>School</st1:placename></st1:place> is located, is plagued by
power cuts and shortages of electricity. In an effort to stem the problem, the
school has purchased a generator for community use, which has helped to
mitigate the problem, in addition to ensuring the school and adjoining hostel have
a reliable power supply. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While small community efforts have success in fulfilling
local needs, a larger plan of action is needed to ensure power capacity meets
demand across the growing state of Arunachal Pradesh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about the <st1:place><st1:placename>Alice</st1:placename>
<st1:placename>School</st1:placename></st1:place> and its impact in the
community, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/alice-school-project/">here</a>.</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-42400882854221446012013-05-05T12:00:00.000+02:002013-05-05T12:00:04.975+02:00Infrastructural Development Crucial for Burundi’s Growth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgVzbWqLRmDSXtrGhyylJSDMexRr7GcF07SO1gInVMXJOIxSNTta4bcpQaBxi0-60O5dA_wcpbwvKdM0Lid55dufV-6Nmq25bjFewTkGVsAqVOJafI8Zo4hXHS-1TCg_OJHSsFZ0cyfxy/s1600/Photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzgVzbWqLRmDSXtrGhyylJSDMexRr7GcF07SO1gInVMXJOIxSNTta4bcpQaBxi0-60O5dA_wcpbwvKdM0Lid55dufV-6Nmq25bjFewTkGVsAqVOJafI8Zo4hXHS-1TCg_OJHSsFZ0cyfxy/s320/Photo7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Community efforts to construct new facilities for the Maison Shalom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A recent <a href="http://www.africareview.com/Business---Finance/Burundi-in-economic-growth-rut/-/979184/1750934/-/9dbqy8/index.html">article</a>
in Africa Review states that the only way for <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>
to overcome slow economic growth is to significantly invest in infrastructure.
Currently, <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>’s
economic growth rate is at 4 percent, lower than its East African neighbors,
and far below other post-conflict African nations, such as <st1:country-region>Liberia</st1:country-region>
(33 percent), <st1:country-region>Rwanda</st1:country-region>
(15 percent), and <st1:country-region>Sierra Leone</st1:country-region>
(13 percent).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With a poverty rate of 70 percent, <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>’s
current infrastructure is not able to meet the needs of its citizens. The
country’s power grid has a capacity of 35 megawatts, which cannot keep up with
the growing demand. Development agencies, including the <a href="http://www.bi.undp.org/index.php?option=com%20docman&task=doc%20downlaod&gid=841&Itemid=300.">UNDP</a>,
point to potential power sources in hydropower, solar power, and wind power.
However, challenges in raising development funds and recruiting qualified staff
have made efforts to research and implement infrastructural advancements
difficult. Additionally, corruption, uncontrolled population growth, and
political tensions following the 2010 presidential election and alleged human
rights violations further hinder productive growth across all sectors. Despite
the challenges, <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>’s
renewed coffee production and construction industries are slated to improve
economic growth in 2013. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While economic growth is undoubtedly imperative for
infrastructural improvement, development takes place outside of the economic
sector as well. In terms of sustainable, long-term human development, the
education sectors has the most impact, as it provides opportunities for the
leaders of tomorrow to sharpen their minds and strengthen their values. By
fostering awareness of the infrastructural problems of <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>
and empowering young students to take action into their own hands, quality
schools can indirectly influence the sustainable growth of the nation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity supports education initiatives
worldwide. Our partner in Burundi, the
International School, aims to provide a high quality, value-based education to
children in rural Ruyigi in order to strengthen development and progress, both
in the immediate community and nationwide. To learn more about the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> or to donate to the
initiative, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/burundi--international-school/">here</a>.</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-37588224235743887922013-04-30T12:00:00.000+02:002013-04-30T12:00:16.209+02:00100 Years of Nigerian Women: Nigeria’s Centenary Celebration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ifd2vgenUZY8l_jghxPurMFBYD-PI6sBqr_1fZrTBrOiBin9T3LXiLpbp7EJLViEyTxvEnqHWwzlm1j6DbNvNOlN8sLrGBmQMlmA3nF4HB9J5kd12bL9ImAl2-IE956GZ7sEC21XhTLy/s1600/clip_image008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ifd2vgenUZY8l_jghxPurMFBYD-PI6sBqr_1fZrTBrOiBin9T3LXiLpbp7EJLViEyTxvEnqHWwzlm1j6DbNvNOlN8sLrGBmQMlmA3nF4HB9J5kd12bL9ImAl2-IE956GZ7sEC21XhTLy/s320/clip_image008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women attend community workshop in Nigeria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 25: As Nigeria celebrates 100 years as a nation, the
Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation held a two day
conference honoring Nigerian women. The conference focused on issues concerning
women, including gender imbalance, violence against women, and girls’
education. Famous Nigerian women of past and present were also celebrated,
including queens Amina of Zazzau and Moremi of Ile Ife; social, political and
human rights activists Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Gambo Sawaba, and Margaret Ekpo;
internationally renowned writers and artists Chimamanda Adichie and Omotola
Jalade Ekeinde; and the country’s first female chief justice, Justice Aloma
Mukhtar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While Nigerian women are faced with numerous
challenges—fueled by culture, religion, and tradition—on a daily basis,
celebrating Nigerian women and their astounding accomplishment is the first
step in empowering future generations to fight for their rights and seek their
dreams.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Celebrating 100 Years of the Nigerian Woman: Achieving
50/50 by 2020,” the theme of the conference, is a reminder of the efforts being
made to ensure that women are represented equally in Nigerian politics. While
some call for a percentage of elective seats and board membership positions to
be reserved for women, others argue that efforts should go beyond affirmative
action. An <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201304250217.html">editorial</a>
in <i><a href="file://foh/fohdata/FOH/05%20-%20Communication/08%20-%20Blog%20Posts/allafrica.com">AllAfrica</a></i>
argues that, “The Nigerian woman has contributed her quota to national
development within the reach of her resources and ability. We salute her and
reiterate that she deserves much more than she presently gets. Nonetheless, she
must make more efforts beyond clamoring for positions and offices.” Indeed,
securing equal rights and opportunities for women cannot be achieved solely
through gaining political seats; once in office, progress must be made in
ensuring institutional and structural elements and legislation are universally
applicable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity supports women’s rights in <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>
through funding programs that educate and empower women at the community level.
To learn more about our partner project, Rosy Touch, in <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>,
or to donate to the cause, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/training-on-women-rights-in-rural-communities-in-nigeria/">here</a>.</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-38047603227986516892013-04-25T15:40:00.002+02:002013-04-25T15:40:58.705+02:00India Celebrates Global Action Week<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2upN2KDgUwuUF5KAQeHHMLdyChJzMjJomYGzmbIXul5HVARwFAoYii9mPaHWAKSsyqvx331TxpOZB_g_IhB5qwh1bEhQ81E8kCfrfKApufn0m9K2TkYi80EEYsRSlxli9I0zWR2stjvm/s1600/videopic10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2upN2KDgUwuUF5KAQeHHMLdyChJzMjJomYGzmbIXul5HVARwFAoYii9mPaHWAKSsyqvx331TxpOZB_g_IhB5qwh1bEhQ81E8kCfrfKApufn0m9K2TkYi80EEYsRSlxli9I0zWR2stjvm/s320/videopic10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students at the Alice School in Arunachal Pradesh, India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
This week in <st1:country-region>India</st1:country-region>,
schoolchildren are celebrating Global Action Week, put on by the National
Coalition for Education (NCE), a national level voluntary organization that
promotes children’s rights. The theme of the week is “Every Child Needs a
Teacher,” and aims to bring awareness to the critical shortage of qualified
teachers in the region.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
As part of the campaign, NCE
highlights the discrepancy between public and private education. According to
the <a href="http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=21799">India Education Diary</a>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
“<span style="background: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-size: 10.0pt;">While children of
private schools go well with all facilities at schools, remaining are those
poor kids who are tied with a bad luck in a government school. Children of
public school face numerous challenges on the way to their free, compulsory and
quality elementary education. Majority of public school face shortage of
teachers which impact adversely on those poor kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #3d3d3d;">In order to fulfill the goal of
providing universal primary education for all, there must be real efforts to
filling the teacher gaps in elementary schools with qualified candidates.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #3d3d3d;">During Global Action Week, NCE will
organize interactions amongst teachers, parents, and members of the School
Management Committee to discuss quality education and the role played by
teachers. Students will participate as well by sending postcards to the
Honorable Governor asking for immediate intervention in filling the teacher
gaps in their respective schools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #3d3d3d;">By influencing all involved parties, NCE
is highlighting the integrated effort needed to ensure all children have access
to a free, high quality education. Moreover, by involving students themselves,
they are empowering youth to speak out for their rights and to demand access to
one of the fundamental building blocks of a bright future.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 36.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; color: #3d3d3d;">To learn more about Friends of Humanity's committment to education, or to donate to one of our education projects, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/education/">here</a>.</span></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-41078901004900338822013-04-22T11:16:00.002+02:002013-04-22T11:18:08.823+02:00Earth Day 2013!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tUwPL0ZIIsoclAEBKX-Q5lDe7EBGKcy1_7ZZxJY8BnKNB-vhoxVzSbDg-ZQ8R8fpmKuMoPdpHqBQsw5DHCGVLNDrxUgCoQXdCJnTY3pZq5WD2vQIvUd1Ge9W94Fu_XsoWDLhZmd8jfQm/s1600/RIDS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tUwPL0ZIIsoclAEBKX-Q5lDe7EBGKcy1_7ZZxJY8BnKNB-vhoxVzSbDg-ZQ8R8fpmKuMoPdpHqBQsw5DHCGVLNDrxUgCoQXdCJnTY3pZq5WD2vQIvUd1Ge9W94Fu_XsoWDLhZmd8jfQm/s320/RIDS3.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landscape in Nepal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, people across the world will celebrate the 43rd annual Earth Day. This year’s theme is <a href="http://www.earthday.org/2013/">The
Face of Climate Change</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much has changed since the inaugural Earth Day celebration
in 1970. For starters, the world’s population has almost doubled—from 3.7
million to over 7 billion—which places unprecedented pressure on natural
resources, land, and water. With the
world population <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=30159&Cr=family#.UXTyrKIj1Mg">expected</a>
to exceed 9 billion by 2050 (with most growth occurring in developing
countries), understanding the human impact on the environment is more important
than ever before. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Seager, president of the <a href="http://www.populationconnection.org/site/PageServer">Population Connection</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-seager/earth-day-2013_b_3123651.html">discusses</a>
where we stand on Earth Day 2013: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“One
in every eight people are already hungry. Climate change’s effects on the environment
are expected to double food prices by 2050. In places where people live on less
than $2 per day and spend a large percentage of their income on food, that
spike would spell disaster. Water resources are also tight. Sure, our planet
may be covered in water, but only 2.5 percent of the water is fresh. Around 1.2
billion people live in areas where water is scarce. By 2025, half of the people
around the globe are expected to live in areas of water stress. And we’re not
the only human beings on this planet. When human populations expand, they can
crowd out plants and animals. Loss of land to development can force animals out
of their territories and destroy plant biodiversity.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what can be done to mitigate the negative effects of
growing populations on the earth, to limit environmental degradation, and to slow
climate change? Not surprisingly, suggestions are endless. Seager suggests
investing in women, whose education benefits entire societies. “When girls and
women are educated and active in their communities, they boost entire
economies. And it will help families and communities to be more resilient to
the problems that climate change is already causing.” <st1:country-region>India</st1:country-region>
<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/ColumnsOthers/A-Thought-for-Earth-Day/Article1-1048248.aspx">battles</a> for sustainability by arguing
against the construction of dams that will irreversibly alter the landscape, harm
fragile ecology, and potentially cause severe flooding in earthquake-prone
areas. Campaigns to personalize the massive challenges of climate change
include promoting awareness of alternative and eco-friendly practices, such as
recycling, conserving energy, and limiting pollution. While policy is
implemented by governments, sustainable practices must be carried out by the population. Thus, demonstrating the real effects of climate change on people’s
lives increases awareness and allows for the adoption of sustainable practices—small
individual efforts that have meaningful, and lasting, results.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFF7KXC9XWGmy4QfZprReh4-sEEpduBV8R5e_3DoC2fB7tM6R5iANCCocKs933WepBwk9uFfHnIQvk78AVh8tTNIJb3CRSrNwtviP7hvUfkV2N1MQU9Ve8popGsh9KIIbY76ILMABCi2l/s1600/Bresil3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFF7KXC9XWGmy4QfZprReh4-sEEpduBV8R5e_3DoC2fB7tM6R5iANCCocKs933WepBwk9uFfHnIQvk78AVh8tTNIJb3CRSrNwtviP7hvUfkV2N1MQU9Ve8popGsh9KIIbY76ILMABCi2l/s320/Bresil3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall in Brazil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While the challenges facing our planet seem ominous, it is
inspiring to see how many nations, how many people, are making a commitment to
acknowledge what must be done to safeguard the environment. Celebrations of
Earth are happening worldwide, each dedicated to their own concerns and
solutions. The common thread? An emphasis on awareness and a community approach
that shrink concern for the environment from a looming mass of concerns to a
manageable list of sustainable practices that can be implemented on a smaller
scale. By fostering personal awareness of environmental protection, sustainability
becomes the responsibility of all, as citizens are directly involved in
contributing to the common good. <o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-75829794813661546122013-04-19T11:10:00.001+02:002013-04-19T11:10:55.505+02:00Alternative Energy Debates in Nepal<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOKwIODr8V2XwrGOD-MLi4MUlTNUcLZ0xh6M518NJ64-9zlu50NNW__S6Ril-wJpsy_Kg3XjgpHYInT3C-DrfsSELfF_SyrBCoP6FN3ySd0B4X9NQznSTWlwR5iu61WSV7WuD4_mbjDkz/s1600/Solar+PV+Home+Systems+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOKwIODr8V2XwrGOD-MLi4MUlTNUcLZ0xh6M518NJ64-9zlu50NNW__S6Ril-wJpsy_Kg3XjgpHYInT3C-DrfsSELfF_SyrBCoP6FN3ySd0B4X9NQznSTWlwR5iu61WSV7WuD4_mbjDkz/s320/Solar+PV+Home+Systems+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar PV cells adorn the roofs of homes in the village of Mohoriguan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place>Kathmandu</st1:place>, March 29—Despite the fact
that most of <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>’s
urban residents have turned to solar power, officials at the country’s main
power utility, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), do not believe in the feasibility
of solar power. An <a href="http://www.power-eng.com/news/2013/03/31/no-alternative-to-alternative-energy.html">article</a> in <a href="http://www.power-eng.com/index.html">Power Engineering</a> quotes one executive as saying,
“solar power is just ornamental.” In reality, it is anything but.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Solar power is the way of the future, especially in <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
where traditional hydro power supplies consistently fail to meet the demands of
the population. Though hydropower may be limited, sunshine is not; <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
enjoys an average of 300 sunny days per year, and can generate an average of 5
kW/m². While diesel-generated electricity can cost up to Rs 30 per unit, the
cost of solar energy is less than half that amount, and dropping. The NEA’s
arguments that solar power is expensive and cannot be retained through reverse
metering have been refuted by a number of experts, including Professor Jagan
Nath Shrestha of the Pulchok Engineering Campus and Ram Prasad Dhital,
assistant director at the <st1:place><st1:placename>Alternative</st1:placename>
<st1:placename>Energy</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Promotion</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Unfortunately,
institutional barriers to change prevent solar energy from being widely
adopted, despite consumer frustrations at constant power shortages and cuts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, the NEA remains skeptical, even after solar
photovoltaic systems set up to feed the power grid—one of which was set up at
the Rural Integrated Development Services (RIDS) <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>,
a partner of Friends of Humanity—proved successful at transmitting surplus
d<o:p></o:p></div>
aytime power.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
While much of the debate centers
around urban areas, <a href="http://www.rids-nepal.org/">RIDS Nepal</a> has proven the benefits of solar power in rural
communities through installing solar panels in villages as part of the Family
of Four initiative, and has installed nearly 700 solar lighting systems to
date, limiting the environmental impact of the villages while encouraging
self-sustainability. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Click<a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/nepal---family-of-4/"> here</a> to help Friends of
Humanity support RIDS <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>
and the Family of Four initiative.<o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-86570656443424050972013-04-18T10:32:00.000+02:002013-04-19T11:17:51.326+02:00Stunting Detrimental to Physical and Cognitive Growth<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0psjYan0O1vnyFsHV7rB4MlC1S3F-7PUyz03QABbeGXkZQn5j0_a_ulzEnNbAELIKLvcUQbJYyPGJFBvlto6R4FSgX__2wGO6SuOpHrOVJ1ZIIFoQPbxv3jCG3Z2iLfnkdh-h8SgP52WU/s1600/DSC04978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0psjYan0O1vnyFsHV7rB4MlC1S3F-7PUyz03QABbeGXkZQn5j0_a_ulzEnNbAELIKLvcUQbJYyPGJFBvlto6R4FSgX__2wGO6SuOpHrOVJ1ZIIFoQPbxv3jCG3Z2iLfnkdh-h8SgP52WU/s320/DSC04978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children in Burundi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Millions of children across the world are susceptible to
stunting, or poor growth, as a result of inadequate nutrition. But the effects
of stunting reach far beyond a child’s size; stunted growth means that children
are more vulnerable to illness, have lower cognitive abilities, and have lower
chances of earning a decent living as adults. At its most severe, poor
nutrition is life-threatening, causing one third of deaths in children under 5.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Inadequate nutrition is a serious problem with long-term
consequences. Despite efforts to target children under two through expanding
nutrition programs, overall declines in stunting have not been achieved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to an <a href="http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/about-our-charity/news/stunting-blights-prospects-of-children-in-burundi">article</a> from <a href="http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/">SOS Children</a>, an organization that works with orphans in <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>,
cases of stunting in <st1:country-region>Ethiopia</st1:country-region>
and Rwanada have been reduced, but the same cannot be said for other countries,
<st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region> in
particular. In its latest report, <a href="http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Nutrition_Report_final_lo_res_8_April.pdf">‘Improving Child Nutrition</a>' (released April 2013), UNICEF reveals
that Burundi has the second-highest rate of stunting (58%) among 21 countries
where more than two-fifths of children under five are affected, and has made no
progress towards the first Millennium Development Goal of “eradicating extreme
poverty and hunger.” According to the report, less than one in ten children receive
adequate nutrition in terms of the frequency and quality of meals needed to
promote healthy growth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Significant efforts must be made towards improving nutrition,
to ensure children’s physical, as well as mental and emotional, growth. Otherwise,
the detrimental effects will continue to undermine the health and productivity
of the nation’s people, as well as the prosperity of the nation itself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity is concerned about the well-being of
children worldwide, particularly in <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>.
Currently, we support the Maison Shalom's <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> (Ruyigi) in its efforts to
educate children and prepare them for a successful future, both mentally and physically.
To learn more about the project, or to donate, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/burundi--international-school/">here</a>.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-20094158695209927182013-04-15T10:20:00.000+02:002013-04-21T22:45:24.589+02:00Water Cooperation in the Ganga Basin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN_R6R6pGiHobSvIzSReHoHunmem_mIdgkX1MtczdMHNKNz3r07cmtt17YMKuSYJQjASWfa28N3G926ffQUu-tETosALus5KpclSL0yA_uGWvvIipNLbONvCRV4NJD4KRQsI4fXpLkIfe/s1600/RIDS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHN_R6R6pGiHobSvIzSReHoHunmem_mIdgkX1MtczdMHNKNz3r07cmtt17YMKuSYJQjASWfa28N3G926ffQUu-tETosALus5KpclSL0yA_uGWvvIipNLbONvCRV4NJD4KRQsI4fXpLkIfe/s320/RIDS5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The governments of <st1:country-region>Nepal</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region>India</st1:country-region>, and
Bangladesh (NIB) have made a commitment to join together in managing the
hydropower and water resources of the <st1:place>Ganga</st1:place> river basin. This
decision comes during the UN-declared International Year of Water Cooperation,
which emphasizes international cooperation in the management of water resources.
With growing populations and diminishing resources, cooperation is imperative
to managing resources effectively.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to <a href="http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/facts-and-figures/en/">UN
Water</a>, there are 276 transboundary river basins in the world, shared by a total of 148
countries. Without cooperation, water is not managed in the most effective way,
and detrimental effects are passed on to people and the economy. Conversely, water
that is shared and managed encourages mutual sustainable development, as well
as peace and prosperity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/nepal-india-bangladesh-to-make-most-of-ganga-water-hydropower/article4617600.ece">article</a> in <i>The
Hindu </i>states that the NIB Ministries of Power, Water Resources, and External Affairs have concluded that “the <st1:place><st1:placename>Ganga</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Basin</st1:placetype></st1:place> has tremendous potential for
development of water resources and hydropower. Therefore, the role of the <st1:place>Ganga</st1:place>
in the agriculture, hydro-power, fisheries, navigation, and environmental
sectors and in the economy of the co-basin countries is vital. The joint
initiative will contribute to poverty eradication and better socio-economic
integration.” The note states that the initiative will focus on technically and
geographically feasible augmentation and equitable distribution of water and
power, overseen by the Committee of Water Resources and Power Ministries of the
NIB. In addition to improving access and quality of water resources, this
initiative serves as an example of an international partnership that will
contribute to long-term sustainable development, economic growth, and
sub-regional cooperation. <br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-31407354704102008422013-04-12T11:38:00.001+02:002013-04-12T11:40:23.170+02:00Millennium Development Goals and Education Quality<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp_KeKyRdW0StCDZwOsWZ0GpU_jo869AlBnKawIcgsSXjx9TfHouzX5sSIJ0OmdjdPYv-wnX2VZlXPRpL5KjIELjeFr3ec0r5NTcp0MlmEVPPANHOYNpVuLpkEjAsoTP9CdEn8xx6zmae/s1600/InternationalSchool11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEp_KeKyRdW0StCDZwOsWZ0GpU_jo869AlBnKawIcgsSXjx9TfHouzX5sSIJ0OmdjdPYv-wnX2VZlXPRpL5KjIELjeFr3ec0r5NTcp0MlmEVPPANHOYNpVuLpkEjAsoTP9CdEn8xx6zmae/s320/InternationalSchool11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students of the Internation School in Burundi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals
draws near, it is readily apparent that progress has been made in increasing the
number of children enrolled in primary education. But while enrollment rates
have soared, the quality of education has deteriorated. In a rush to meet the
second Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal basic education,
nations have promoted free and compulsory education but cannot keep up with the
necessary expansions of education facilities. The result? Overcrowded
classrooms, insufficient space, facilities and materials in poor condition due
to overuse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though most of the African continent is on track to meet its
target of universal primary education—17 countries already have net enrollment
rations above 90 percent, while <st1:country-region>Algeria</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>, Egypt
São Tomé and <st1:place><st1:city>Príncipe</st1:city>, <st1:country-region>Tanzania</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
<st1:country-region>Togo</st1:country-region>, and <st1:country-region>Tunisia</st1:country-region>
have met or exceeded the target of 95% enrollment—quality remains a critical
issue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An article published in the <i><a href="http://www.blogger.com/allafrica.com/stories/201304040643.html">Daily Trust</a></i> speaks
of one school in <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>
where 90 pupils are crowded into a classroom built for 30 and teachers, who
cite lack of training, non-upgrade of academic qualifications, and poor
remuneration for low teaching standards, are far too few.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The poor quality of education is evidenced in declining exam
scores; recent pass rates for <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>’s
Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE) are as low as 39%. Low achievement on exams is not specific to <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>,
nor to the African continent, but efforts to improve education quality must be
addressed through country-specific models that lay out curricular and
pedagogical reforms, as well as state-backed training for teachers. While
reaching the goal of universal primary education is a step in the right
direction, it is not sufficient to ensure that the education provided is one of
quality and relevance.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity is committed to fostering access to and
quality of education. Click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/education/">here</a>
to read more about our projects in education, and to donate to the cause.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-78015473601158827452013-04-04T13:38:00.001+02:002013-04-04T13:38:40.299+02:00Update from the Alice Project School in Arunachal Pradesh!<span id="goog_791157041"></span><span id="goog_791157042"></span><br />
The Arunachal Branch of the Alice Project has sent new updates and photos, along with testimonials from students and parents!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF9lrl3MdeAp1N0hOKBGhDuk89qGfRqyTg6DOPEIp53bSUqbzCA_WowT0FvSjVzGRTmzl1LmQSg_pfM0nsMSekF8XPtgxE8YjYMX27aBiTGkfTRgDIB-_8VVEDH5ivc_ls8uReLZAa1uT/s1600/girlseatinginhostel.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF9lrl3MdeAp1N0hOKBGhDuk89qGfRqyTg6DOPEIp53bSUqbzCA_WowT0FvSjVzGRTmzl1LmQSg_pfM0nsMSekF8XPtgxE8YjYMX27aBiTGkfTRgDIB-_8VVEDH5ivc_ls8uReLZAa1uT/s320/girlseatinginhostel.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls having a meal at the hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rishiyangshu Chakma, a student at the Alice Project School since 2009, speaks highly of her experiences at school and in the hostel, saying, "Our teachers are very good they give us many kinds of teachings like how to behave with everyone. Now I totally give up leisure task and endeavoring to do good work which is beneficial to all. Our life changes totally from the village life. In school we have to maintain discipline and do our duties on time but in our home or village we do not have to care of those at all.<br />
At the school hours we not only learn subjects but our teachers teach us Yoga, meditation, massage, moraland spiritual values, dancing, singing and so on. They teach us not to kill any animal. Always speak the truth.<br />
We should not fight among each other as we are all brothers and sisters. They tell us teasing is not good.<br />
Stealing is not a good action.<br />
We all get up early in the morning and then our teachers lead us to the small temple which we have in ourschool. There we all perform the prayer and we do meditation too. Then our teachers tell us small stories.<br />
All these things have changed me a lot. Now I do not fight with my friends. We all study, play and eat together very happily. At the evening when we take our dinner, before going to sleep we listen moral stories from the residential teachers who live with us. We enjoy a lot in the hostel. From all my sisters and brothers who are staying at the hostel I heartedly thank to all t my teachers and to the people who are supporting us."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSt8W2Giwy7eJfKH9Ed0S-bQC_-xz8b61CPlMTgeVePQEndALzVVmW5Js1jnmlQ82ulUCIUtbtRVBb_27z94OYS3V7m2uZ4SAnV2FDnr1jdAKuJzEJcevZ_1wfW3FHsjL2zfN_eW7lSAg/s1600/freetimeinhostel.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSt8W2Giwy7eJfKH9Ed0S-bQC_-xz8b61CPlMTgeVePQEndALzVVmW5Js1jnmlQ82ulUCIUtbtRVBb_27z94OYS3V7m2uZ4SAnV2FDnr1jdAKuJzEJcevZ_1wfW3FHsjL2zfN_eW7lSAg/s320/freetimeinhostel.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls during free time at the hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Parents of students are grateful for the school as well, and explain how their children's behavior has changed since they began attending the Alice Project School. "We are very satisfied with Alice Project teaching<br />
methods and the way of working for the social development. Our children are receiving much benefit and arebeing tamed their young minds with spirituality, morality, and such precious education which will not onlyhelp them now at this tender age but are the base for their whole lives. We did not have any school here where we could send our children. There are some governmental schools but the teachers are not regular and they do not make any effort on moral and spiritual development of our young ones.<br />
After sending our children here at Alice Project we have found lot of changes in their behaviors on daily lives.<br />
They are more social, humble and attentive. We found that they have a new energy and curiosity for learning.<br />
In their normal lives also they are very happy and less stressed.<br />
We are getting good response from the teachers through our children that how efforts are being done. Weaccept that children are getting profit of Alice project quality education. Our children are enjoying theteaching method and learning many new things like Meditation ,prayers, good manners ,singing, dancing, drama and language, yoga, spiritual education all these have changed our children positively on every level. We are sure that all these teachings will make them real human beings the future of the next generation. We feel that we are extremely fortunate to have such a school here.<br />
We are very thankful to all those who are supporting the Alice Project School."<br />
<br />
Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151329946581126.1073741825.164157506125&type=3">here </a>for more photos from the Alice Project School in Arunachal Pradesh.<br />
<br />
Click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/alice-school-project/">here </a>to learn more and to donate to the Alice Project.<br />
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shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-64870204979258457242013-04-04T10:13:00.000+02:002013-04-04T10:13:01.034+02:00Investing in Skills and Self-Reliance<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmiPNHZepKksINFr3Ce3Su_pBnNZgFpLcjWMbe4LH5ObkJ4NWSRPH4fdzBsnaK4q1V6ZwzBN3jrqIJC0wcDUtoV4hmncMbpoRVifAlEPmatAqDkI3iE0bYRQ2YQaMQQyTODbt6O4OCOqU/s1600/Arunachal7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmiPNHZepKksINFr3Ce3Su_pBnNZgFpLcjWMbe4LH5ObkJ4NWSRPH4fdzBsnaK4q1V6ZwzBN3jrqIJC0wcDUtoV4hmncMbpoRVifAlEPmatAqDkI3iE0bYRQ2YQaMQQyTODbt6O4OCOqU/s1600/Arunachal7.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing classroom at the Alice School in Boddhisatta Deban</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Across <st1:country-region>India</st1:country-region>,
there is a rising trend of investment in areas of craftsmanship. While these
investments do not support the growth of technological capacity or innovation,
they are just as, if not more, critcical for fostering employment opportunities and self-reliance. At a recent meeting of the board of directors of the Himanchal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation, Ltd, the state government is <a href="http://www.blogger.com/indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=21186">committed</a>
to strengthening the corporation, which will “play a major role in creating
employment and self-employment in rural areas.” Investments in the quality of
the corporation’s product will ensure they are competitive in the open market,
which will help to secure the welfare of local artisans and craftsman. </div>
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The renewed dedication to small-scale artisans and
craftworkers is particularly beneficial to women, who can take advantage of the
trainings and assistance offered in order to become better at their craft and
earn a steady income. </div>
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At the <st1:place><st1:placename>Alice</st1:placename> <st1:placename>School</st1:placename></st1:place>
in Bodhisatta Deban (Arunachal Pradesh), the commitment to teaching vocational
skills begins early, with a sewing course offered to young girls of the school
and the surrounding village. The course, led by and expert teacher, is
conducted in a dedicated classroom that is outfitted with sewing machines. In
addition to becoming adept at sewing and tailoring, girls gain marketable skills,
which can help them to create a better life for themselves and their families. </div>
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To learn more about the sewing course and other <st1:place><st1:placename>Alice</st1:placename>
<st1:placename>Schools</st1:placename></st1:place> projects, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/alice-school-project/">here</a>.</div>
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To donate, click <a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/lets-build-a-school-for-125-children-in-india/">here</a>
or <a href="http://www.shopandhelp.org/">here</a>.</div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-65391212606581868382013-03-28T10:50:00.000+01:002013-03-28T10:50:55.117+01:00Stopping Sexual Violence at the Source<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_SQlh78hSj8c8D5P9CsoNjt2rpIuf__-cF8Tcz1JVVfjHQ0U-XsbrXjTZfjdY-zbIZpHDDm3poi6vwfxhLKXyJ_Jiv1NB22dr-bUKDsvnMB2Ns1xNY8kdXNkOmCEPcLaTeQluUXnxZjX/s1600/photo+girl+burundi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_SQlh78hSj8c8D5P9CsoNjt2rpIuf__-cF8Tcz1JVVfjHQ0U-XsbrXjTZfjdY-zbIZpHDDm3poi6vwfxhLKXyJ_Jiv1NB22dr-bUKDsvnMB2Ns1xNY8kdXNkOmCEPcLaTeQluUXnxZjX/s320/photo+girl+burundi.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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With UK Foreign Secretary William Hague’s recent visit to <st1:country-region>Uganda</st1:country-region>,
attention has been focused on ending sexual violence against women, especially
in war-torn <st1:country-region>Uganda</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region>Democratic Republic of the Congo</st1:country-region>,
<st1:country-region>Rwanda</st1:country-region>, and <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>.
But while Hague attempts to tackle violence in war, those close to the problem
say that his approach is too narrow. As Geoffrey
Dennis argues in <a href="file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/USER/My%20Documents/My%20Videos">The
Guardian</a>, violence is not simply an effect of war, but a result of blatant
societal inequality between men and women. Through his work with Care
International, Dennis has seen the devastating effects of post-war sexual
violence. The best way to stop the
violence, he says, is not simply punishing the men who inflict it, but
empowering women to come forward after an attack. “In the immediate aftermath
of an attack…a woman needs medical attention and psycho-social support. Once
these are supplied, she needs financial stability to get on with her life and
legal advice to take her case to the authorities, without fear of reprisals
from the men involved.” While high-level
diplomacy can bring these issues to light, it is the work on the ground that
best supports abused women and spreads attitudes of intolerance of violence
throughout villages.</div>
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Through the <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/burundi---the-maison-shalom/">Maison
Shalom</a> (<st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>)
and <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/training-on-women-rights-in-rural-communities-in-nigeria/">Rosy
Touch</a> (<st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>),
Friends of Humanity aims to tackle sexual violence at the grassroots level. The
Maison Shalom provides assistance to sexually-abused women, particularly young
girls, through access to shelter, physical and psychological health care, legal
aid, and education. Additionally, Maison Shalom strives to reduce the taboo of
sexual violence by assisting the girls in reconnecting and reintegrating into
their communities. By educating and empowering young women, Maison Shalom helps
them to overcome traumatic experiences and resume leading a life without stigma
or fear.</div>
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In <st1:country-region>Nigeria</st1:country-region>,
Friends of Humanity supports Rosy Touch, whose efforts are directed at
informing rural women of their rights in order to reduce marginalization and the
gender gap between women and men that foster pervasive discrimination and
domestic violence. By educating women of their societal rights, Rosy Touch
hopes to strengthen their socio-economic capacities and prevent acts of sexual
violence and discrimination <i>before</i>
they occur. Additionally, Rosy Touch trains the women who participate in their
workshops to replicate programs in their own communities. Through
community-based efforts at spreading awareness and intolerance of sexual
violence, the problem can be addressed, and stopped, at the root level.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-11155406925351856022013-03-22T16:17:00.000+01:002013-03-22T16:17:07.577+01:00Happy World Water Day 2013!<!--StartFragment-->
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<a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/uploads/images/Nepal%20RIDS%20Family%20of%20Four/RIDS,%20Nepal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/uploads/images/Nepal%20RIDS%20Family%20of%20Four/RIDS,%20Nepal.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today, the United Nations celebrates its 20<sup>th</sup>
annual World Water Day. Held on the 22<sup>nd</sup> of March each year, World Water Day emphasizes the importance of access to freshwater and the sustainable
management of water resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year’s focus is water collaboration, as part of the UN’s year-long
theme; “In designating 2013 as the UN International Year of Water Cooperation,
the UNGA recognizes that cooperation is essential to strike a balance between
the different needs and priorities and share this precious resource equitably,
using water as an instrument of peace. Promoting water cooperation implies an
interdisciplinary approach bringing in cultural, educational and scientific
factors, as well as religious, ethical, social, political, legal, institutional
and economic dimensions.” (unwater.org).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With 783 million people lacking access to clean water, a growing
population, and diminishing resources, addressing the issue remains at the
forefront of the global development agenda.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Water cooperation is imperative, as effective water
management requires cooperation between multiple actors from a local to an
international scale. In addition, many of the world’s sources of fresh water—groundwater,
rivers, streams, etc.—cross political and territorial boundaries and must be
shared amongst people of different countries and cultures. Without cooperation,
access to water becomes uncertain, triggering adverse impacts on human lives
and economic systems.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity understands the importance of safe,
accessible, sustainable water solutions. Through RIDS-Nepal, we aim to provide
villagers in the Jumla district of Nepal with potable drinking water through a
system of cement pipes, built in active partnership with local
communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Providing access to
safe water is the final step in completing RIDS’s Family of Four project, which
enables 200 villagers to enjoy decent living conditions in terms of health and hygiene
while remaining self-sufficient.</div>
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To learn more about World Water Day 2013 and the theme of
Water Cooperation, click <a href="http://www.unwater.org/water-cooperation-2013/home/en/">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about RIDS-Nepal and to donate to the project,
click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/nepal---family-of-4/">here</a>.</div>
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shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-28506669426327097782013-03-20T15:00:00.002+01:002013-03-20T15:01:23.425+01:00International Day of Happiness!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRy3j8yTNCLJ20o5ctpPudJ5dnHvDZ_rko80Qm4PXC60FShM_dEAydgJNLDPFzEHxtSEf_IwiGbQiiduyiK1u5pPbPYD3cA62dpmGffDBpG3iBEvaQtCdZE3xkv5pbtZAuZZnw1TVn2y6/s1600/IMG_7015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXRy3j8yTNCLJ20o5ctpPudJ5dnHvDZ_rko80Qm4PXC60FShM_dEAydgJNLDPFzEHxtSEf_IwiGbQiiduyiK1u5pPbPYD3cA62dpmGffDBpG3iBEvaQtCdZE3xkv5pbtZAuZZnw1TVn2y6/s320/IMG_7015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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March 20 : Today has officially been declared as the
first International day of Happiness by the United Nations. The idea for a day celebrating happiness came
after the Hon. Jigme Thinley of <st1:country-region>Bhutan</st1:country-region>
inspired a UN Resolution considering the happiness of a country’s citizens. <st1:country-region>Bhutan</st1:country-region>
pioneered the concept of Gross National Happiness, which led the UN to hold a
conference on “Happiness and Well-Being: Defining a New Economic Paradigm” in
April 2012. Speaking at the conference, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated
that, “the world needs a new economic paradigm that recognizes the parity
between the three pillars of sustainable development. Social, economic and
environmental well-being are indivisible. Together they define gross global
happiness.”</div>
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Friends of Humanity’s founder, <st1:personname>Graziella
Zanoletti</st1:personname>, attended the conference on behalf of the Alice
Project, where she presented the project’s education model as one that
encourages the sustainable happiness and well-being in students. According to the General Assembly, today is
about “recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals
and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the
importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.”<br />
<br />
Read more about International Day of Happiness <a href="http://www.un.org/en/events/happinessday/">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read more about the conference on “Happiness and Well-Being”
and Friends of Humanity’s participation <a href="http://www.blogger.com/shopandhelp.blogspot.ch/2012/04/considering-happiness-and-we-being-in.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-47687977131908438112013-03-20T10:16:00.001+01:002013-03-20T10:58:24.044+01:00The First Global Education and Skills Conference Emphasizes Public-Private Partnerships<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP2XkHhKWvfVe44uCXwok6Px8ZCPUqQIXPozMR6wyNzBsVBoy1GQeD-FKG889VwK3n9j6JVE0Fcq6RsYy3YBAH6nf35atktin5NdHoDX_RrXtK8BXP3H77Yhs6rKFkRKLvV9yr7KEQZ7k/s1600/InternationalSchool16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP2XkHhKWvfVe44uCXwok6Px8ZCPUqQIXPozMR6wyNzBsVBoy1GQeD-FKG889VwK3n9j6JVE0Fcq6RsYy3YBAH6nf35atktin5NdHoDX_RrXtK8BXP3H77Yhs6rKFkRKLvV9yr7KEQZ7k/s320/InternationalSchool16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students of the International School in Ruyigi, Burundi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CH">March 14-17 :
Delegates from 46 nations met in Dubai last week at the first World Conference
on Education and Skills, where they discussed the emerging role of
public-private partnerships in education. According to Chris Kirk, spokesman
for the conference, "children and young people calling for a
transformation of education to meet and exceed the expectations of families and communities
around the world. Such intervention can only be achieved through cooperation
between the public sector, the private sector and non-governmental
organizations. " Currently, an
estimated 72 million children do not have access to education, which leads to
high unemployment rates and a workforce whose qualifications and skills are not
adapted to the needs of the economy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CH">The nation
of Burundi, whose President, E. Pierre Nkurunziza, attended the conference, is
just one of many in Africa and Asia witnessing an unprecedented demand for
quality, accessible education. One
organization, the Maison Shalom, has responded to this demand with the creation of the International School, which offers education to students in rural Ruyigi.
Currently, there are 185 children enrolled in the school; that number is
projected to rise to 450 by 2016. As it is not funded by the government, the International
School relies on the support of the private sector and NGOs in order to expand its
capacity and services. Friends of
Humanity is committed to supporting the education of children around the world,
and is working with the International School to provide recreational facilities,
classroom furniture, and learning materials, which will allow the school to
accept and educate more students, improving the overall quality of life in
Ruyigi and beyond in the years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CH">To read
more about the Global Education and Skills Conference, click <a href="http://www.lelezard.com/communique-1749882.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CH">To learn
more about the International School and to donate to the project, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/burundi--international-school/">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-63987102673038420342013-03-14T12:07:00.000+01:002013-03-14T15:59:32.419+01:00The International School! Friends of Humanity's new project in Burundi<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sbb1Isb_ZDmdXA_-l9Un3jgLpVuT9BpNcGtOjV2JEyDAmLkeEUr-WSO4YP5Ru-cbOGm5SPnLiKRpnVNKimMgG7GNtePre3QUFxtgdsg4sq-WlcUsCbhO5Uy78Md6cieoPmpmQoSd7k5/s1600/InternationalSchool13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG9sbb1Isb_ZDmdXA_-l9Un3jgLpVuT9BpNcGtOjV2JEyDAmLkeEUr-WSO4YP5Ru-cbOGm5SPnLiKRpnVNKimMgG7GNtePre3QUFxtgdsg4sq-WlcUsCbhO5Uy78Md6cieoPmpmQoSd7k5/s320/InternationalSchool13.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Friends of Humanity is eager to share with you the new focus
of our partnership with Maison Shalom in <st1:country-region>Burundi</st1:country-region>.
This year, we will be supporting the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place>, which welcomes students
from Maison Shalom and the surrounding community of Ruyigi. A joint venture by
parents and the Maison Shalom, the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> aims to provide an
excellent, affordable education for up to 450 students. The school plays an indispensable role in a
community, and country, largely devoid of adequate educational
opportunities. By providing education to
the children of rural Ruyigi, the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> is building a new generation
of leaders whose values and awareness of social justice will allow them to seek
a better future, not only for themselves, but for the community as a whole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Currently, the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> has one kindergarten and
three first grade classes. With your help, the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> will be able to accommodate
students in all primary and secondary grades. Friends of Humanity is committed
to helping the school build its instructional and recreational infrastructure.
This year, FOH hopes to raise enough funds to build desks in nine additional
classrooms, purchase sufficient books for all students, outfit upper-level
classrooms with computers, and construct a basketball and volleyball court. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
To learn more about the <st1:place><st1:placename>International</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Maison Shalom, click <a href="http://www.maisonshalom.org/">here.</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information, and to donate to this project, click <a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/burundi--international-school/">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another way to <a href="http://www.shopandhelp.org/">help</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-71747363409715482582013-03-08T11:31:00.001+01:002013-03-08T11:32:48.093+01:00International Women's Day 2013!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WN9wlyjV3bHenxXQ6D7WSdtxI_AitDRwQ-oJPI_94ovbSOnSGbjiriI6ORtNiTBOAyv4kGkzskZfGPVYwIv01EWkVW15pNUwRFNoh5Jnm6Qht2WxHoLJEmVWvj7rsnHnKY66hNvcQSBN/s1600/Maggy-Barankitse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WN9wlyjV3bHenxXQ6D7WSdtxI_AitDRwQ-oJPI_94ovbSOnSGbjiriI6ORtNiTBOAyv4kGkzskZfGPVYwIv01EWkVW15pNUwRFNoh5Jnm6Qht2WxHoLJEmVWvj7rsnHnKY66hNvcQSBN/s200/Maggy-Barankitse.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggy with the children of Maison Shalom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is International Women’s Day! At Friends of Humanity,
we are committed to helping women around the world to attain the highest level
of rights and freedom. In doing so, we
are inspired by the work of our partner, Maggy Barankitse, founder of Maison
Shalom, recipient of countless humanitarian awards for her work with children
and young women in Burundi, and honoree of last year’s International Women’s
Day. Through Maison Shalom, Maggy has
provided shelter, food, and resources for thousands of orphaned children, as
well as support for sexually-abused young women through Maison Shalom’s <st1:place><st1:placename>Rema</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype>Hospital</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
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Learn more about Maggy’s work at Maison Shalom <a href="http://www.maisonshalom.org/">here</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.shopandhelp.org/faire-un-don?__store=fr&code_projet=Maison-Shalom-Burundi">Donate</a>
to Maison Shalom through Friends of Humanity.</div>
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Of her tireless work, Maggy says: “I am simply a mother, who
fights on a daily basis for dignity. Even if I may not have anything to give my
children, I have love. And love is extraordinarily resourceful.” On this day,
we celebrate and honor the love and light of women around the world!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Learn more about International Women’s Day <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com/">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-76954494760046510392013-03-06T16:18:00.001+01:002013-03-06T16:20:17.890+01:00Alice Project Schools Help to Combat a Burgeoning Problem in Indian Education<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkCR3QjETjK9yASiEvY-lrlGZINcM7Vo7nxYqKHFfgAbTCVkJpm6dVBsrmNZojlEtXCclqZxXtvz53L8DE9UPYonHXIiaeONsi_BVYTJdxTlEGFHZyzQmjLUIg7U3ps7yQ9GVR2lbZhS6/s1600/Alice5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkCR3QjETjK9yASiEvY-lrlGZINcM7Vo7nxYqKHFfgAbTCVkJpm6dVBsrmNZojlEtXCclqZxXtvz53L8DE9UPYonHXIiaeONsi_BVYTJdxTlEGFHZyzQmjLUIg7U3ps7yQ9GVR2lbZhS6/s320/Alice5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students at the Alice School</td></tr>
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<st1:place><st1:city>Mangalore</st1:city>, <st1:country-region>India</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
March 1: </div>
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According to educationist S. Chandrashekhar Shetty, there is a need
for change in the Indian education system. The current system encourages “rote
learning,” as students are taught to memorize material for entrance exams
rather than think creatively and critically. “Such a system does not encourage
students with a scientific bent of mind and innovative aptitude and research.
It is some sort of a factory where quantity is there but the quality of the
graduates is really suspect,” Shetty told <i><a href="http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/expert-stresses-need-for-change-in-indias-education-system/article4465750.ece">The
Hindu</a></i>.</div>
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In recognizing this problem, Alice Project founder Valentino
Giacomin has built a unique educational curriculum that emphasizes self-consciousness
and the preservation of cultural beliefs alongside traditional learning. This
Universal Education methodology allows students to simultaneously cultivate
knowledge, understanding, and values, and has been recognized by the Indian
government, the international community, and His holiness the Dalai Lama. <st1:city>Alice</st1:city>
schools prepare students to become critical thinkers and good citizens.<o:p></o:p></div>
shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-30676462162209904992013-02-14T11:44:00.000+01:002013-02-20T11:48:33.044+01:00In Nepal Friends of Humanity will in 2013 continuously support the RIDS-Nepal project installing potable water for 200 people.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAGgTDhvxXg4Gsw2WXLLcaHNozQyRmCAX_7E4f1RqmkyP6DtUX91PQXXBN7IWTxpS38m3lkaOv0_SEbLelOA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rids
Nepal – The Family of Four</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">RIDS-Nepal </span></b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">was created in 2002 with the goal of providing
these basic services to the households, and doing so in an affordable and
sustainable way. RIDS’s founder, Alex Zahnd, supports the idea of a Holistic
Development, meaning that progress in one area must be met with advances in
other areas.The objective of the project is to install <b>potable water</b> for
the 32 households (200 people in total, an average of six per household) of the
remote village of Mohoriguan. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The other three elements of the Family of
Four have already been installed. The local communities strongly support
RIDS-Nepal's committment and are directly involved in the implemeting of the
Holistic Development model.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Earlier this year (2012) another organization has built in Mohorigaun
village a drinking water system (DWS), without prior to their activities
informing or enquiring with RIDS-Nepal what programs/projects are already
running. (Source : </span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rids
Nepal – The Family of Four –Alex Zahnd)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri;">However, good as it would have
been to have access to clean drinking water, it is also the unfortunate truth
that the newly built drinking water system is not working as intended</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="margin-right: -14.5pt;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the last few weeks we have
been investigating what needs to be done in order to mitigate the present situation
and to hopefully start, once we get the needed funding in (which is not at all
yet the case...), to get this DWS project done properly as we initially have
planned. Thus I hope you are still encouraged to continue to stand with us and
the people from Mohorigaun village to raise the needed funds to get the DWS
done so that water WILL flow from the 4 tap stands in the village and the
ladies and young girls do not have to walk down to the river and fetch water,
which is not clean, and carry it back to the village.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-right: -35.75pt;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri;">Thus,
the Mohorigaun people have again addressed RIDS-Nepal to REPAIR WITH them their
urgent needed DWS, so that they finally get the needed access to clean drinking
water, as to have access to clean drinking water is ONE of the MAIN programs of
RIDS-Nepal's "Family of 4" community development concept.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri;">FOH will in 2013 continuously support the
RIDS-Nepal project in village of Mohorigan.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: #8a4b14; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/donations/">Click here
to make a donation for this project !</a></span></b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/donations/"> </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="color: #45171b; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">CHF330 =
</span></b><span lang="FR" style="color: #45171b; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The <b>Family
of Four </b>system will be installed in a household</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2642116848098507173.post-74655563399678537202013-02-14T10:52:00.002+01:002013-02-20T10:18:48.700+01:00Contribution from Friends of Humanity for Mongolian homeless and poor people<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="webkit-fake-url://D04EC33A-560B-4FA4-940D-1D8FF4442143/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="webkit-fake-url://D04EC33A-560B-4FA4-940D-1D8FF4442143/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lamp of
the Path</span></b><br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dolma
Ling Community Centre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CyjdWCiAMkeSxAAZ8uAMQJ4cHKuYkCPW0wZiwGbAeWcnS4Z9kkJ68qTdsTBJZJ88vywFE3kVlvn0zlIJyjuljdcog2OuW8z363mEI_G7tYA7AUkNHMuvtsDya0fd-ZrweHlcRzICiFTE/s1600/vlcsnap-2011-11-02-16h53m55s186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CyjdWCiAMkeSxAAZ8uAMQJ4cHKuYkCPW0wZiwGbAeWcnS4Z9kkJ68qTdsTBJZJ88vywFE3kVlvn0zlIJyjuljdcog2OuW8z363mEI_G7tYA7AUkNHMuvtsDya0fd-ZrweHlcRzICiFTE/s320/vlcsnap-2011-11-02-16h53m55s186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Soup Kitchen: 13 000 meals served in 2012</span></u></b></span><br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></span>
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As the name implies the main function of the soup
kitchen is provide homeless and poor with a hot nourishing meal. This has now
been happening 5 days per week for 8 years with an average of 55 meals per day
so providing over 13,000 meals in 2012. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDVgSu_qh8hV9lmxP6tyuAwGQYhyphenhyphen-oaUTrC6-xMuuuKWjoreNgHij4-dzc3TT8ld4vr5lmjqO11KQ8Dmf5we3EoYv_0bsa02XN9nG-RlBP5DJ1u37969WilzC6OsKKTJrM2eOI5bBUM1P/s1600/mongolie02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDVgSu_qh8hV9lmxP6tyuAwGQYhyphenhyphen-oaUTrC6-xMuuuKWjoreNgHij4-dzc3TT8ld4vr5lmjqO11KQ8Dmf5we3EoYv_0bsa02XN9nG-RlBP5DJ1u37969WilzC6OsKKTJrM2eOI5bBUM1P/s320/mongolie02.png" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p>This leads to us providing for the most needy and
desperate, many of whom have a mental disability. As with most societies the
most vulnerable include children and solo parents. While the children who
attend can no longer be classed as street children since the Mongolian
Government has introduced safety nets which have almost eliminated them, many
children come from dysfunctional homes and for them the hot meal we provide is
often the only meal of the day despite having somewhere to live.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Mt39nLCjpM9fTgflMB1N2Naud6qNmxk6-cjP-at6LAe9Goy1-LK2aG1A8wbIXcgBRVFKQTWzOqmpoVhqGTwJqj5DogPEqueXI0xRrGBBPTT20sjFLbvqM_aBit3NjNys5_xkeRLbpIv/s1600/mongolie01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4Mt39nLCjpM9fTgflMB1N2Naud6qNmxk6-cjP-at6LAe9Goy1-LK2aG1A8wbIXcgBRVFKQTWzOqmpoVhqGTwJqj5DogPEqueXI0xRrGBBPTT20sjFLbvqM_aBit3NjNys5_xkeRLbpIv/s320/mongolie01.png" width="320" /></a><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Solo mothers have a very difficult time in Mongolia
especially if there is no family support. But even with providing a daily meal
it is often not enough to sustain milk production for nursing mothers. These
mothers and babies are monitored by our Health Clinic, which is in the same
building and when required mothers receive extra rations and often food to take
home. Despite this it often happens that for nutritional reasons the mother’s
milk will dry up. When this happens the soup kitchen provides supplementary
food for the child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We have managed to reduce costs through stuff
reductions, by combining tasks and by changing the way we purchase our
supplies. For example this winter we were able to purchase a small van load of
the internal organs of animals which we are able to keep frozen due to the
extremely low temperatures outdoors. The one load is sufficient to ensure every
meal has a high standard of nutrition for the entire winter. However the other
side of the inflationary pressure is the need to ensure our staff salaries are
realistic. Given the challenges we feel our budget for 2013 is realistic and we
are providing our meals at the cost of USD 1:75 per meal including all costs.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
contribution Friends of Humanity made to the soup kitchen in 2012 was essential
in the ability to continuing to offer this most basic need to the homeless and
poor in Ulaanbaatar. We very much hope we will be able to help them support
these needy people in the same way during 2013 and need your help to achieve
these goals.</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/mongolia---lamp-of-the-path/"><b><span lang="FR" style="color: #8a4b14; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">Click here to make a donation for this project !</span></b></a><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.friendsofhumanity.ch/mongolia---lamp-of-the-path/"> </a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">CHF50</span></b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> = Food for <b>2 months</b> for one person <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;">CH300</span></b><span lang="FR" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana;"> = Food for <b>1 year</b> for one person<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->shop&help by FOHhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06211489200186382776noreply@blogger.com0