Global Poverty Monitor

I received an email from Sophie Trevitt this morning, a member of the Stir community, the youth section of the World Vision Australia website. She wrote asking me to run an urgent article about human rights abuses in Beijing with the upcoming Olympics. She feels passionately about this topic, and wrote an article especially for Global Poverty Monitor, in the hope that it would be published on the site today.

So here it is, with many thanks to Sophie Trevitt for her passion and enthusiasm.

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Torch of Hope

By Sophie Trevitt

The goddess of Peace, Justice and Freedom traditionally dances in the five Olympic circles before the celebration of human strength, determination and perseverance begins. Next year, the goddess threatens to dance in circles of torture, murder and organ harvesting.

Beijing was awarded the Olympics in 2001, with the hope that this would be the catalyst for a human rights revolution. Olympic Watch, International Society for Human Rights and Reports without borders have all revealed that human rights abuses of illegal arrests, brainwashing, censorship, nepotism and labour camps are on the increase.

Chinese Citizens are being forcibly removed from their homes, and persecuted upon protesting, to allow for Olympic preparations. The barbaric treatment of Falun Gong practitioners continues. The peaceful qigong practice that focuses on meditation, has seen thousands of its supporters incarcerated in brainwashing camps or psychiatric units and exorcised from workplaces and schools. Two years ago it was revealed that many of these practitioners were harvested for organs, becoming living human stock.

Internationally, The People’s Republic of China carries many titles. China’s support for militarially repressive regimes like Iran, Burma, Zimbabwe and North Korea, reflects its dire treatment of its own people. Complicity genocide is another title when the state-sanctioned violence in Darfur is considered or the military support for the Sudanese regime.

The question remains as to whether we will allow the 2008 Olympics to go ahead, laced with human rights abuse, violence and oppression? Will we allow a celebration of the human capacity to be corrupted by labour camps, organ harvesting and censorship?

The Human Rights Torch Relay will travel the five continents and tell the world that human rights abuses and the Olympic Games cannot coexist. It will arrive in Australia today. Visit www.humanrightstorch.org for information about the route of the relay and to find out what you can do.

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Now why not head over to Current Events Watch and catch up with the latest news?

Til next time…

I’ve got something a little different today. I was reading some articles on Helium this morning and came across this one, entitled Reflections: Poverty. It was written by Toni Doswell. I found it to be an extremely interesting read, and it prompted me to think about some of its issues.

With Toni’s permission, I have included her article below. If you would like to read more, please visit Toni’s helium page.

Reflections: Poverty
by Toni Doswell
Poverty is a destructive force. Deprivation and lack of resources and finances have been the underlying reason for millions of deaths worldwide. Poverty is a force that must be reckoned with if we are to advance as a civilization, or even in our personal day to day life.

We will never eradicate poverty, I don’t feel, but we can do some things within our scope to help ourselves and others not become a victim in its clutches.

Toni takes quite a different view of poverty and it’s causes than I ever have. Can we attribute ‘laziness’ to all forms of poverty? Certainly this thinking applies in some circumstances. But all? Can you ‘manage money’ when you have done? I’m not trying to be condescending here, not at all. I’m merely trying to understand a view entirely different from my own.

I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave a comment on this post with your opinion.

OK, let’s lighten the mood a little now, and why not head over to Globally Green Living and learn about the spotted owl?

Til next time…

What would you say to someone who wants to help but doesn’t know where to start?

Have a really good think about what really stirs you. There are ways to get started no matter what you want to do, but you need to make sure that its right for you. We need people caring for endangered bumblebees just as much as we need people to save the whales; or work with the poor. Think about what injustices in this world really get you going, and there will be an opportunity there for you: you just need to be open to it.

Note from the present: I think this is a really important point for people to understand. Sometimes someone will try to make you feel guilty because you may not support the cause that they think you should support. But always keep in mind that it takes all sorts of people to make up this world. If everyone was absolutely 100% committed to saving the elephants, then what would happen to the starving children of the world; the people dying of HIV/AIDS; or the animals being abused even in the most developede countries? All of tehse causes are as deaserving as each other – whether it’s supporting children, aduolts, sick people, sporting people, whatever. Make sure you choose to support what really stirs YOU – not what stirs anyone else. Anyway, you won’t be able to do any good for any cause, no matter what it is, if you’re not completely passiuonate about it.

Now that you’ve read about this, why not head over to the Astrology Explored blog and see what’s happening over there?

Til next time…

Your friends and family must be very proud of your achievements? Are they entirely supportive of your goals?

My family, especially my Mum and Dad, have been wonderful. They are always ready to support me, whether its financial assistance or emotional support that I need. There were many people who were wary of me going to Mozambique last year, and then to South Africa and Kenya this year, but my parents continue to defend and support my decisions. I know all this has been hard on them at times too, especially watching as my life fell apart after I got back from Mozambique. But they support everything I do, even when the thought of me travelling alone scares them.

Helen Keller once said: Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.

And in the words of Dr. James S. Vuocolo: Some folks go through life pleased that the glass is half full. Others spend a lifetime lamenting that it’s half-empty. The truth is: There is a glass with a certain volume of liquid in it. From there, it’s up to you!

And finally, from Josh Hines: Whether or not we realize it each of us has within us the ability to set some kind of example for people. Knowing this would you rather be the one known for being the one who encouraged others, or the one who inadvertently discouraged those around you?

Now why not check out the latest entry over at the Step-Family Talk blog? There’s always something interesting going on over there…

What goals do you have for the future besides your trip in July?

I plan to continue supporting my sponsored children and the Chitima Health Centre, and to plan another trip next year. Who knows where I’ll be going! I’m also looking forward to graduating from law school next year and seeing where my degree can take me.

Has this been a highlight of your life so far?

All of this has been more than a highlight of my life, it has completely redefined who I am. I am a different person now than I
was before I began my involvement with Africa.

William Penn once said ‘expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or ablities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.’

On the topic of education, Thomas Moore said: Education is not the piling on of learning, information, data, facts, skills, or abilities–that’s training or instruction–but is rather a making visible what is hidden as a seed… To be educated, a person doesn’t have to know much or be informed, but he or she does have to have been exposed vulnerably to the transformative events of an engaged human life… One of the greatest problems of our time is that many are schooled but few are educated.

Now that you’re done here, pop on over to Superstar Couples and see what’s new in the life of the celebs. See you next time!

Does it make you realise how good we have it here in Australia?

Absolutely. I feel so guilty when I find myself complaining about insignificant things. It really is a reality check when you think of
how people live in other parts of the world, but I do think that it would be hard to imagine unless you’ve seen it. I don’t think that people can be expected to really know just how good we have it here until they’ve seen how other people live.

What has been the most rewarding thing about all of your volunteer work?

The most rewarding part of all my volunteer work is the change that I have seen in other people. My parents now sponsor three children of their own, and while I think it is important never to preach and impose your views on other people, it really is amazing how much can be achieved just with leading by example. Sometimes all it takes is to show someone that you can do something for them to realise that they can do it too. One member of my family is even talking about going on a volunteer placement next year, but he wants to work with animals instead. The most rewarding thing I have experienced is to learn that people really do want to help, and sometimes they just need someone to show them how.

Would you recommend it to others, why?

I would highly recommend this kind of work to anyone. But I think its also important to really think about what you feel strongly
towards before you choose where to give you time and/or money. Some people feel that conserving the environment is the most important thing, while others tend towards animal conservation and protection. I just happen to tend towards people living in poverty, so that is where I direct my time and money. We need all kinds of people supporting all kinds of causes, so whatever your ‘thing’ is, find a way to make it happen.

How can others follow in your footsteps and work with the poor in Africa?

There are many ways that people can get involved. It is always possible to fundraise for a charity like World Vision, but I would
strongly recommend something a little more personal which is many times more rewarding. If you can afford it, sponsor a child. Child sponsorship is your key to a whole community that needs your help. Otherwise, consider different ways that you can travel to Africa and work with the poor first hand. STA Travel offers travel grants to people who have a great idea and need travel assistance. You could always go through Overseas Working Holidays like I am, where you pay your own airfares and accommodation, which is a definite way of getting to Africa rather than hoping to be accepted into a study tour or grant.

Would you recommend it to other young Aussies, why?

I would absolutely recommend child sponsorship to all Aussies, young and old. The best part of child sponsorship is the communication back and forth between the child and the sponsor. If the child is older, he or she will write letters to you themselves, which may then be translated if necessary. If they are younger, they will draw pictures for you and dictate a letter. It is an amazingly rewarding experience that I highly recommend.