Sunday, March 27, 2011

Blink Eleven


I reckon this will be the last one of these I do for a while - I will soon be switching to a less internet friendly environment. Blogging will continue but blinking will be on pause.


So then...here goes... Stories from West Africa you may have missed.

Emma Thompson has an adopted son from Rwanda and they both recently visited Liberia.

The situation in Ivory Coast is ever changing - here are some pictures from Abidjan and others from amongst refugees in Liberia.

The state of teenage pregnancy in Sierra Leone.

I think this is a great example of the kinds of difficulties which you can run in to when trying to help someone from a great distance on your own rather than with the help of a person or an organisation based locally.

The story of a compassionate entrepreneur from Liberia - Christine.

An interesting article looking at poverty and development in Africa - some grim reality but also healthy amounts of hope.

The story of a child soldier.

And finally...

The latest famous type I have discovered is really a Sierra Leonean (others being your man from Grey's Anatomy and Ryan Giggs!) - Idris Elba.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Aradhna - "adoration"

I came across this band when I was working on all things Indian in London. With one member being born in India and the other growing up in South East Asia, they blend guitar with sitar and a love of bhajans - a classical form of devotional song in India. As they have released an album with accompanying music videos it is time to share!

"Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy
Those who are poor in this world
Blessed are they, blessed are they
For the kingdom of heaven is theirs
...
Those who make peace will be called the children of God - Sri Yeshu Ji"




Of the next video, the director says this:

The diya, or Indian oil lamp, a symbol of worship,is floated on the Ganges river early in the morning. The vastness and power of the swollen river is a reflection of God who created it.

Not far from this tranquil scene, just up from the river's edge, there is a deep well called the Lolark Kund whose stone steps form the shape of a cross.It remains closed, except for one day in the year.

On this day, thousands of married couples in their last hope to be granted a child by God,descend the steps together break their glass wedding bangles, throw off all visible signs of their marriage,and plunge five times into the claustrophobic waters. They emerge and remove the drenched and cursed clothing, changing into new clothes and climbing the steps with renewed hope.

This is worship. To be content, but to also weep with longing.

God embraces us in either case.


"Truth, we greet you.
In you the whole Universe is held together
...
One without second, we greet you
Your Great Liberation brings us loving oneness with you
As though no separation exists between us.

Oh Supreme One, we greet you
All pervading and eternal."

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Blink Ten

Stories from (mostly) West Africa...

Susan is in Silverdale!

Here is the story of the moment when this young woman from Sierra Leone met the sponsors who have been caring for her for years (and here's a video showing that moment too!).

Susan speaks for herself further on down...



What can you buy for $0.03? That depends. Are you in Liberia?

A point of view: Filippo Bozotti from Tribewanted after 6 months on a Freetown beach. Have a read.

Sad news from Africa Mercy where 11 people were hurt and one person died in what sounds like a scrum to get medical treatment from Mercy Ships staff.

UNICEF reckon that the number of children who aren't 5 years old yet but are living in Sierra Leone without enough food to eat is 300,000.

Tensions continue in Ivory Coast as there seem to be growing fears about how this will impact the rest of the region. Particular focus has been on Liberia - many of the refugees have fled there and some fighting has taken place quite close to the Liberian border. In the words of Liberia's President, "May God give them the courage not to follow our path, because we know what that means."

Charles Taylor's trial is finally over and so the verdict will be given in about 4 months.

The University of Michigan is partnering with two Liberian universities to develop programs in engineering, science, technology and agriculture while the US State Department organised a delegation to look in to encouraging women in both Sierra Leone and Liberia in their use of technology for empowerment.

Also...

What has been happening in Japan is too big for any words I can think of trying to lay beside it. I just cannot imagine what those in the middle of it have been through no matter how incredible the images or frightening some of the footage.

And finally...

While I don't like the suggestion that today is but a Catholic holiday, I liked how Donald Miller rounded up his St Patrick's Day blog...


Saturday, March 05, 2011

Blink Nine


Stories from West Africa you may have missed...


Life in Sierra Leone's main prison - Pademba Road. (If you read this be sure to scroll down and take note of the comment by "Vallens" - an important criticism to be aware of.)

With the incredible events in North Africa and the world's news media rushing from one major incident to the next it is easy to forget the stories that once held our attention. The crisis in Ivory Coast rumbles on.

Sierra Leone is currently hosting the Mercy Ship's floating hospital, Africa Mercy.

Looking at all the children enrolled in Children of the Nation's residential care and village partnership programs in Sierra Leone, half of them are girls and young women. Here the chief economist from USAID talks about the importance of unleashing their power.

Here are two short films about the work of Italian NGO COOPI. With subtitles in Italian it is a chance to see just how good your krio is!



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