Help Lesotho

On December 8th 2009, our journalism class attended a conference at Ottawa University regarding International Development. The conference was very educational and eye openning. It explored International Development, it revealed the devastating facts regarding HIV/AIDS, and finally it informed us individuals what we can do to help. As a set example, one of the key note speakers was a Dr. Peg Herbert, a psychologist and university professor whom after realizing the state of Lesotho, decided to step in and take action. In 2004, she set out to make a difference and began the Help Lesotho organization. The non-governmental organization focuses its attention on a small country which is entirely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. The country itself is magnificent yet they are in desperate need of help. At present, only 8% of the children attending high school actually end up graduating, about 40% of the population live below the international poverty line, and the country has the 3rd highest infection rate of HIV/AIDS. Such devastating facts reminds us of the importance of getting involved and helping them form a brighter future. Dr. Peg Herbert has devoted her life to helping those who need her most. Her dream is to see improvement in the lives of those who have lost hope. The stories she shared about her many trips inspired and touched many of us. Her organization has had tremendous success, and continues to expand as more people are becoming aware of the situation.
For further information on this wonderful oragnization, visit http://www.helplesotho.ca/index.html.
The website lists a variation of ways to get involved. Some include: sponsoring a grandmother or a child, and purchasing a Pearls for Girls piece of jewelry.
Hopefully Dr. Peg Herbert's journey and accomplishments can inspire many to realize that the future of many can be brightened by our efforts.

Spotlight on South Afirca

As part of a Journalism assignment, over the next couple of weeks, I will be blogging and keeping a close eye on South Africa. I hope to share with all of you the rich culture, as well as the recent issues and activities that are going on within the country. As Canadians, we distinguish ourselves as a peaceful country whom embraces all cultures. Thus, it is our duty to be well informed of world issues that affects us all. Of course, it is too much to try and tackle every country, and that is why I am merely concentrating on South Africa for now.

As the name reveals the Republic of South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa. The country is known for a diversity in cultures, languages, and religious beliefs. In the weeks to come I will explore different aspects of the country tackling many characteristics that will distinguish and unite South Africa from other African countries. Important issues that will be discussed include the alarming problem with HIV and the spread of AIDS, the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup, and its relations with the rest of Africa and the world. Although a country not usually on the radar, it has a lot to offer and the exploration of it will hopefully be eye opening to many.

Take a Moment and Remember

November 11, 2009.
As i wake up, it feels just like any other day of the year. Yet this day holds a unique importance and meaning which distinguishes it from any other. It is on this day people take time out of their busy schedules and remember the courageous men and women who risked and continue to risk their lives to guarantee the rights, freedoms and security of society. We wear a poppy to pay respect to those who did so much to insure the peace of our country and the world around us. Ninety-one years ago, on the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, World War I ended. This war was suppose to mark the end of all wars. Looking back, it is now evident that this is not the case. Throughout the years, conflicts continue to rise around the world. The astonishing aspect is that although men and women now understand the consequences and risks, they continue to fight for what is right. After all these decades, the struggle to find world peace continues. Will it ever become a reality? Although all evidence points negative, there lies hope within those who still believe. That is why they continue to pursue their mission, and this is why we take time to remind ourselves of their devotion and persistence. It is impossible to even imagine what any individual has had to go through in such times of warfare. Every veteran has there own unique story. Only they have witnessed the disturbing reality of the world out there. The pain and struggles one must have gone through in their position, is something only they will ever comprehend. Luckily for us, their reality will only ever remain a story but hopefully we can allow it to educate ourselves and change us for the better. The very least we can do is recognize their courageous acts, wear a poppy, and share a universal moment of silence every year on November 11th. With this in mind, I leave you all with a famous poem written by John McCrae, a Canadian poet, physician, and soldier who served in World War I.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Big Brother is Watching You

This past weekend, my parents made a trip to Toronto. Seeing as the distance between Ottawa and Toronto is fairly close, they decided to travel by car. After a nice weekend getaway, on the way back, my mother spotted a airplane overhead in the sky. Twenty minutes later, my parents were stopped by a policeman. The police handed over a speeding ticket and claimed that my parents had been going around 140 km/h twenty minutes earlier. When my parents questioned the claim, the police responded that they had been caught by the airplane overhead them. My parents were in complete shock. It was not the first time they had received a speeding ticket, yet it was the first time they had ever heard about surveillance in the sky. Without the slightest idea that this even existed, my parents came home and told me the event still in utter shock.

Upon hearing their story, it made me wonder the rate of which technology is progressing in the world. It reminded of a famous novel written by George Orwell, titled 1984. The novel expresses how the world will transform in the future; a life without privacy where the government is constantly watching over you. There is no doubt that speeding can be very dangerous and it is important to regulate such activities, yet the manner in which it is done must be taken into consideration. It scared my parents when they found out they had been watched from an airplane for over 20 minutes. Is George Orwell's predication really coming true? Is the government really turning into a 24/7 surveillance team? Finally we must ask, what comes next? How far is too far?

Today, hidden surveillance cameras are more common around the world than most of us even realize. They can be found in banks, bus stops, department stores, restaurants, households, ATM machines, even on regular street corners. England, for instance, is known to be one of countries with the most surveillance. All over the streets of London, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) cameras are watching everyone's daily lives, supposedly for the better of society. According to an article written in the London Evening Standard, Britain has a staggering 4.2million CCTV cameras, which works to one for every 14 people in the country. It has been calculated that each person is caught on camera an average of 300 times daily. The article claims that the fictional nightmare written about in the novel 1984, has become a frightening reality. The frightening aspect of this reality, is that this is just the beginning. Technology will unquestioningly progress and it seems the government is showing no signs of slowing down. What frightens me is the idea if such technology is wrongfully put into the wrong hands, the outcome may be disastrous. The world should be a place where although people feel safe, they also feel comfortable. Within society there lies criminals, yet not every one is of guilty nature and therefore they should not be treated like so. People have the right to their own privacy, a right which is currently being taken away from them. Let us learn from what happened in the novel of 1984, and may that fictional story stay fictional and not become our reality.

And The Nobel Peace Prize Goes To....

Every year, the Nobel Foundation awards courageous, gifted, and educated people in fields of excellence. Among the prizes handed out, the most prestigious is that of the Nobel Peace Prize. Although there has always been a lot of talk and headlines around the winner, this year the buzz was a lot higher than usual. This has largely in part to do with the winner, a young African American man that won the hearts of not only his country during the recent American elections, but also the worlds'.

On October 9, 2009 the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to President Barack Obama. It was annouced he won the prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples." Obama was humble upon the announcement and he seemed genuienly surprised when he made a speech addressing the news from the White House Rose Garden. He also stated that he did not believe he deserved to win a prize so many wonderful transformative figures have won in the past. With such a comment, it makes the public wonder, did President Barack Obama really deserve to win? Although he has put such efforts forth to strengthen world politics, has he really put through actions that translate to him winning the year's most peaceful character?

It is also very important to take into account that the nominations for this award were made back in September 2008, two months before he had even been elected president. On top of that, the last votes for the prize were cast February 1, 2009, only 12 days after he took office. With only 12 days in office, had he really done enough to earn a Nobel Peace Prize? Although President Obama has lifted people's spirits and created hope both in his country and around the world, I do not believe that he has yet earned an award that is presented to historical peacemakers. People may say many things, yet it is important to judge them based on their actions. We all know President Obama is a great public speaker, and although he really does seem genuine with great intentions in mind, I do believe he was awarded this award too early in his presidency. His character is one that seems like it would be well suited for such an award, yet what he lacks right now are actions to support his intentions.

Last year's Nobel Peace Prize winner, Martti Ahtisaari, was a life long international peace mediator who over three decades put through effort to resolve several serious and long-lasting conflicts such as fighting for Namibia's independence, the conflict in Kosovo, and the ongoing problems in Iraq. Mr Ahtisaari was one of the many people who are all a part of the Nobel Peace Prize winners, a group that President Obama is now a part of.

Although it may be debated whether President Obama did or did not deserve the prize, what is clear is that President Obama is now under tremendous pressure. Winning the award of course has its benefits and is certainly honorable, yet it does as well play other roles. With the presentation of such an award, President Barack Obama, and in return the whole of the United States, now share a responsibility to act in such manner of a Nobel Peace Prize winner. The prize plays a role of precedence and expectations that he must now live up to. The victorious moment is over and now the world awaits for him to prove himself a deserving Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Media's Perception Invasion.

I recently made a trip to Iran to visit relatives that i hadn't seen in years. Although overthrown with excitement, I must admit with the media today, I had my concerns about visiting the country that seems to be in all the major headlines. Looking back now I feel so foolish to have been a victim of the influence of the media. But really, who can blame me? With the ongoing obsession the news seems to have with the country, day after day, suspicions tend to grow all around. Unfortunately, the media's perception is the only side of the story most people will ever hear/see. Upon my arrival to Iran, I was instantly embarrassed for having been a victim of the media's influence. It was so interesting to witness people just living their everyday lives, oblivious to the world's obsession with them. The part that intrigued me the most was that I realized that people are people no matter where you go in the world. They all have the same interests. People want to go out, have fun, all in all enjoy life. The problem lies where people view a country through the government, not the actual people. There may be flaws in the government, but with all the negative attention towards to country, its a real shame that people will never see what a great country it really is.

All in all, it was a great experience to actually go and witness such a different, yet exciting atmosphere. On top of the amazing time I experienced, it also opened my eyes to the reality of the situation. Although the news can be very informative, its is essential to do personal research from different sources to truly be able to draw any educated conclusions. It is important to remember that even though you may hear something over and over, that doesn't necessarily make it true. Not only did this trip change my perspective on this specific subject, but it opened my eyes to everything going on around me. Understanding the importance of being properly aware, and not just trusting what the headlines may say.