Child Hunger

Bird feeding in the United Kingdom...
Whilst children around the world die from malnutrition and hunger
 everyday...

  
Every 5 Seconds a child dies of hunger.


Your waste could save their lives...

Humanity Explored - Issue No.2

 Humanity Explored is a series of articles designed to highlight some of the humanitarian news and issues around the world into bite sizes. It is published here weekly in order to raise awareness of the issues and start a conversation about them. Please feel free to comment with your thoughts and opinions and share the stories you have heard or the activities you are involved in that are helping make our world a better place.

 Millennium Development Rights

I recently read an article entitled 'We need millennium development RIGHTS, not just goals' and I was intrigued. To understand where the author is coming form it is important to know what the United Nations (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are. The UN MDG's are eight international development goals that all 192 UN member states (countires) and at least 23 international organisations have agreed to achieve by 2015 covering everything from reducing child mortality rate and fighting disease to  eradicating extreme poverty and promoting gender equality (read more here).The article calling for millennium development rights therefore is reviewing the progress (or lack there of) in achieving the MDG's since 2000 when they were first set. Considering the countries that are failing to perform and carry out the much needed changes that this radical program calls for and whilst so doing leaving many, particularly women and children is a state of abject poverty, hunger and destitution. I agree that in order to make these noble goals a reality in practice, there needs to be a means of enforcing the change by the UN rather than the current system operated on good faith and promises to act / change from member states and corporations; promises that for many 'lie broken'. 

'When rights are violated, someone, or some government or some corporation, 

can be held accountable.' 

The Millennium Development Goals (video)

                                       

 African Union vision...'another Africa' the advent of afro-optimism.

Dr Bingu wa Mutharika address
The UN General Assembly

During the United Nations General Assembly opening this week the African Union president and president of Malawi, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika talked of a 'new Africa', one which takes control of its own destiny and becomes its own champion in relation to changing its political and economic climate and creating an environment where its people are free from hunger, poverty, discrimination and corruption. President Mutharika said that he is“fully aware that the Africa that the world hears about is that of insensate calamities and natural disasters,” yet there is little reported of the growth and changes being made in many African nations. He went on to say that he had 'come to inform this world body that Africa has decided to shift from ‘Afro-pessimism’ to ‘Afro-optimism.' This bold statement if realised in practice could be just the change Africa needs. The reason for its stagnation and seemingly systemic failure to break free from corruption and poverty that lead to many of the other endemic issues that have and continue to  plague the continent is due to the perspective of the nations and their leaders. A paradigm shift is precisely what is needed to turn Africa around...we can only watch this space and optimistically hope that action follows.

Kuluka Project

Kuluka means"to weave" in Chichewa (a Malawian language). It  is a non-profit development organisation which focuses on the developing community healthcare and welfare in Malawi. Giving blood is so important and yet something that we do not often think about or consider to be a life saving act. There are so many people who die because they have lost too much blood and yet the blood banks are nearly empty and there is no way to access any. Giving blood where ever you are in the world is a life saving act and something that everyone can do. See here the life changing work this organisation is doing by encouraging blood donation in Malawi...Remember, you can be the DIFFERENCE.

The 'Voice of the People' Feature Profile #1: Project Peter

Peter

Peter's Story

I met Peter, man from Trinidad on the streets of Reading in the United Kingdom in the summer of 2009. What first caught my eye about Peter was his brilliant white beard as I passed him on the street. His clothes looked old and in need of repair or replacement. With a bottle in one hand and a roll up cigarette in the other at about midday simply going for a walk. He seemed cheerful as he walked along the street humming to himself and I just knew that he had a story I had to tell. I went back and stopped him and asked him if I could ask him a few questions and take his picture, a little risky admittedly as he could have been drunk or high on drugs. Fortunately Peter was sober enough to hold a conversation and agreed. As I started taking his picture, he told of how he had come over in the late 50s as part of a drive by the UK government to fill jobs that had shortages post war. He had come over to be a bus driver, had settled, married and had children and lived out his adulthood in England. However at some point in his life here, his marriage had broken down and he became estranged from his children. Consequently he now sleeps rough or in a homeless shelter. When I enquired of his homeland and why he did not return rather than live on the streets, Peter talked of how he wanted to return to Trinidad but with no living family there or money for relocation the life he now lives he felt was his only option.


There are many foreign nationals who live in situations of destitution and squalor at times particularly in the United Kingdom where they have no access to public social services to assist them when they encounter life issues. Like Peter, many become homeless, either sleeping on a relatives sofa, or in a hostel or shelter, the latter often run by religious groups rather than government initiatives. Many turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape and others choose to take their own lives, unable to cope with the pressures of life where they are and unable to return to their home countries. In the article 'Homeless Briton' it is shown that ethnic minorities like Peter, who are often foreign nationals are three times more likely to become homeless as a result of various social issues primarily relationship breakdown or loss of employment. A growing issue as the population of foreign nationals grows due to immigration which is largely tackled by many charities and religious groups, which needs more attention and due consideration from a social services perspective in the UK.

Peter's Photo Gallery

LRBT Appeal for Flood Relief in Pakistan

Images and Information from the Graham Layton Trust.

A really good friend of my brought the work of the Graham Layton Trust to my attention recently and shared with me the serious post flood conditions that the people of Pakistan are living in. This article is therefore an appeal for your support for the LRBT Flood Relief Pakistan project that is being run by the Graham Layton Trust to help the people of Pakistan. The following is some key information about the current situation in Pakistan, there is a great deal more information and an opportunity to donate and get involved in this cause on the Graham Layton Trust website.

The need

Those affected by the flood are in dire need of clean water, medical treatment, shelter, food (and cooking utensils), clothing and fodder for their surviving livestock as a starting point in the short term. In the long term they will need assistance to rebuild their communities and re-establish business, agricultural activities and restore infrastructure. If you have any of the skills necessary to help with this effort please do consider offering your time as a volunteer with a relevant agency to 'be the difference' for the people of Pakistan. Contact the Graham Layton Trust for information about how you can volunteer and get involved.

People stranded due to the floods

LRBT’S Appeal

'We need your help to support LRBT’s mobile teams operating in the flood-devastated areas of Pakistan.' 

LRBT's seven medical teams are treating victims of the floods at free Medical Relief Camps within the catchment area of LRBT hospitals throughout Pakistan. LRBT’s teams consist of locals who know the area, speak the language and are familiar with the customs. LRBT is fortunate in enjoying goodwill resulting from its work over the past quarter of a century; we do not foresee any security problems in the areas of operation. 

LRBT is treating the following diseases: Diarrhoea, Gastroenteritis, Cholera, Malaria, Vomiting, Skin infection, Cough, fever and Eye infections.

You can support their work by giving a donation that will buy more medical supplies, food and essential personal hygiene items that these people are in desperate need of. 

Please support this cause and help with the crucial work that  the LRBT Flood Relief Program is doing.

Click here to DONATE