The State of a Country in Chaos: Haiti After the Earthquake

Haiti was in a dangerous state. Unstable government, dwindling resources and overpopulation plagued the country constantly, leading to overall misery and poverty. Then an earthquake on January 12, 2010 catapulted the impoverished region into a predicament far worse. Everyone has been suffering however it’s been the innocent, helpless children that have been hit the worst. More than a million people were displaced after the quake destroyed their homes or damaged surrounding areas. The freshly homeless now live in camps away from the completely ravaged Port-au-Prince. With the dangerous hurricane and flooding season looming, a race against time to fix proper shelters in safe areas has begun. The country obviously hasn’t forgotten the destruction a flood in 2008 left when it swept through the fairly large city of Gonaives. The strain of camp life isn’t all for the children of Haiti.

For some malicious people, the vulnerability of the youth is an advantage. There have been cases of “very bad people” (from an interview with a native Haitian) molesting, raping or sexually abusing unsupervised children at camps. As if these children aren’t in enough danger, the close-packed environment in the temporary shelters leaves many susceptible to water-borne diseases caused by poor sanitation, like cholera, and contagious diseases, like diphtheria. Recent facilities, despite ambitious pledges for funding and overwhelmingly useful medical volunteers, face the threat of shut down. The children being cared for at these facilities are more vulnerable to these problems if they are forced to abandon their lives a patients and return to regular camp resources, some without the supervision of parents. There were estimated 100,000 orphans in the country before the deadly quake. Officials are still struggling to identify the huge number of orphans in the country since the quake. For the children without parents, protection from other people and from disease lacks. They could be inducted into gangs, or later on forced into labor when they return to the city. The condition in Haiti is far worse than ever before. It’s in a state of turmoil, and the children of Haiti are still in the rubble.

This situation is indirectly leading to violation many of the 54 Rights of a Child, as of late especially Articles 3 (Competent supervision, protection, and medical attention), 6 (Maximum extent of survival and development possible), 23 (Special care when handicapped and injured), 24 (Preventative health care and proper sanitation), 27 (Standard of living allowing full mental and physical development) and 34 (Protection from sexual abuse). Luckily, many countries and organizations have recognized this violation and stepped in to aid our stricken brothers and sisters. Many Harvard medical workers at the top of their field volunteer their time at Foyer of Patience Orphanage or other facilities. UNICEF and its partner IDEJEN (Haiti Out of School Youth Livelihood Initiative) created a “Child-friendly space” at Place St. Pierre in Port-au-Prince. Internation aid and donations have flooded in, so now it’s time to organize, rehabilitate, and rebuild. One hopes that, while a devastating tragedy, the earthquake will do some good. Hopefully it has cleaned the slate on the crowded infrastructure of Port-au-Prince that will allow for more sanitary building and more effective schools. After the devastating earthquake, I think the tens of thousands of casualties wouldn’t want to die in vain; I think they’d want us to take what we can from this, and make things in Haiti better than they ever were before.

The Few Who Make the Change

2010. It’s a year for innovation and setbacks, new chances and old wars. Most of all, it’s a new leaf that we haven’t completely spoiled yet. Thousands of people throughout the world have helped keep this new chance fresh. Powerful people have used their influence, either in their political abilities or socially powerful positions, to positively influence the world. It’s hard to pick just ten because some of the most powerful people are lacking the face of fame, but instead quietly hide behind every day necessities. My nominated top ten are a colorful mixture of economic saviors and raisers of awareness.


Barack Obama: Barack Obama caters not just to his political supporters, but to the good of the United States- and hopefully the world. On his agenda have been healthcare development, money waste reduction, and improvement of the US’s international image; all was in spite of a sea of rabid critics. Extra money wasted on the international diplomats’ privileged lifestyles has been cut back by policies restricting the oft-travelled loopholes of financing. The somewhat unpopular Healthcare Reform was strongly opposed by many middle-class taxpayers. He cared about the little people, the ones without proper representation, the ones who could die from a simple disease the rest of America had long ago dismissed as treatable. He is the voice of the country, which will most certainly bring about the change he promised.

Gisele Bundchen: Gisele Bundchen is best known as the face imprinted on most common magazines of the decade or branded on the ads of her successful shoe company, Ipanema. The amazingly famous supermodel is known throughout every corner of the world. Unlike most rich, prestigious celebrities, she’s actually using her fame to help the rest of the world. Now a main speaker for UNICEF, using her celebrity to endorse aid programs, Bundchen is more than just a pretty face. Her 28 million dollar fortune is more than just a waste of bank space; it’s also the financing for some of the choicest charities in the world. Her influence must not be overlooked as just the limelight of the most superficial industry (modeling) in the country; it’s the charity of one of the coincidentally wealthiest women in the US.

Catherine Ashton: EU representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:
The EU has amassed great power over the past few decades, so it’s no surprise the leaders of the EU have great influence. After long debate, two sides agreed on Catherine Ashton as EU High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Ashton is practically prime minister to Europe (according to Times Staff who nominated her). She has a firm background in leadership, representation and economics. She has the support of a largely respected and powerful organization in which positions most outliers in Europe covet. Ashton’s eloquent speech and competent leadership have kept the reputation of the EU fairly pristine, even throughout recent issues and scandals, with Greece especially.
It was she who recently carried into action the groundbreaking “Treaty of Lisbon” that promotes EU stability and prevents stagnation of power. This woman is representing one of the strongest governmental organizations in the world, and has the resources to complete every task dedicated towards the stability of Europe as a whole.
http://eeas.europa.eu/index_en.htm

Dan Coudreaut: McDonald’s was sued a few years ago for indirectly causing the obesity of a few ignorant adults. Obesity is a huge worldwide problem, and mega corporations like McDonald’s certainly only fuel the threatening flame. But there have been improvements. Salads, less fatty “snack wraps” and milk were unavailable at McDonald’s until just few years ago. The beef hamburger patties were grossly less proportionate to the buns than they are now. Who is to thank for this promising start? Dan Doudreaut, head of culinary inventions at McDonald’s. He’s more than a savvy and creative business chef. This is a man who cares about the wellbeing of the obese instead of just the artery clogging tradition of one of the most well-known companies in the western world. He still faces the problem of minimizing sodium levels of the meats especially, but that’s not to say he’s using his creativity in just the kitchen. Coudreaut has expressed his opinions on how to improve help, advocating healthier, cheaper alternatives. Dan is one of those people who has it all: undeniable talent, creativity, riches, influence, and a top-notch job. He’s also one of those people whose dedicated each of his above blessings to a healthier world and a much more interesting spread on the world’s dinner tables and car cupholders.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1963755,00.html

Han Han: If a card- carrying Chinese official embarrasses himself with a slip of the tongue, evidence could be found on the satirical blog of Han Han. In a regime considered oppressive by some (certainly Han Han), he has reignited brave free speech. His bitingly sarcastic topics include everything from critiques on modern poetry techniques to modern national agenda. All in all, it makes readers more aware of current situations in China and explains his viewpoint. Han Han serves as a sign to the world that opinionated individuals can survive and succeed. This man is the beacon of hope that people everywhere, especially in China, a hope that the next generation will be aware of current issues and injustices, and will fight back more in a more fiercely clever technique as ever before.

Mir- Houssein Mousavi: No one could forget the atrocious violence of Iran’s election conflict. Thousands of outraged protestors claimed that the results of the presidency votes had been rigged in favor of the opposing Ahmadinejad. Many were dubious that Mousavi’s popular Green Movement hadn’t won over the general public overwhelmingly. His past was even inspiring. Mousavi was born in East Azarbaijan (not to be confused with Azerbaijan), Iran in 1942 to a non-influential tea merchant. He was instrumental in overthrowing the Shah in 1988-9. Some say his attitude later changed from revolutionist to reformer, or “Che Guevara to Gandhi”. He called for bans on TV programs to be lifted, as well as restricting regulations on women. His platform endorsed equal rights and less restraints all in all- serious problems in Iran. Although he suspiciously lost the election to his opposition, Mousavi maintains a huge mass of supporters and foreign sympathizers. This man stands for hope and equality, the promise of evolution in the laws of Iran. Like it or not, the old government should accept that governmental ways are going to change with Mousavi indicating problems in his not spot in the limelight.


Marissa Mayer: Information has become a more needed commodity than ever before. The internet has helped to largely expand the ability to share and gather knowledge. There are still zones of the world, however, that have been kept in the dark, often because of language barriers or search inabilities. Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience for one of the most powerful search engines on the planet (Google), has set out with a mission to change all that. A new feature, Internet Search Translate, allows a user to select a website that they wish to view in another language, choose to which language to which they wish to view the site, and comprehend. This was all the vision of Mayer, who, believe it or not, influences every foreign search we ever make. She’s hidden behind a computer screen, unbeknownst to many, but she’s still there, alive, kicking, and universalizing information. Because, after all, why should what an individual knows be restricted by a simple, thin barrier of language?
translate.google.com

Manmohan Singh: India is a country that has its share in problems. Literacy, poverty, and environmental destruction all plague this densely populated country. Prime minister of India, Manmohan Singh, has worked to ease the lingering pain of his country. His approach: improving the economy first, and letting its good effects stitch together aspects of his land that have fallen into disrepair. Under his diligent care, India’s economy has been raised around 8-9% since when he first came into power. Stabilizing the country is another approach of Singh that is obviously working. He made several speeches in Kashmir in 2006 onwards, hoping to reconcile small farming villages and nip impoverished terrorism in the bud. Singh hopes to globalize his country by improving his and the entire country’s foreign image, by improving industry (especially in nuclear energy, in which he nudged the US into a deal exchanging fuel for other resources, with the promise of allied inspection) and by building ties with Israel, a country largely unpopular with neighboring Arab regions bordering India. This is a man who knows exactly what his country has to offer, and where globalization can heal a country housing nearly 1.18 billion people. His influence has coaxed his country to reform, and with his influence, I believe the improvement will continue steadily uphill. It will be a long, tiresome journey to success, but for now India is in fairly good hands with their prime minister, Manmohan Singh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manmohan_Singh

Sheik Khalifa: The United Arab Emirates is known as one of the most innovative regions in Western Asia. That reputation was compromised in late 2009 when the economy in Dubai crashed, with the potential of reinjuring the entire world economy. Sheik Khalifa, Emir of the United Arab Emirates, understood the depravity of the situation. He reflected on his cornerstone policies: preserving the heritage and culture of his country, improving public security, resculpting the country’s international reputation, and safeguarding the environment. He decided it was in everyone’s best interest to use the money he had wisely amassed throughout his reign, some of it his private funding. His donation potentially saved the world from an economic fall. The city of Dubai appreciated the prestigious leader and in return, the architecturally groundbreaking Burj Dubai was renamed in his honor.
http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/zayed.asp


Mark Zuckerberg: A viral trend is affecting the world as you read: Facebook. It’s more than social networking, it’s about social awareness. Need to know what life is like 13,000 miles away? One click will tell everything necessary. It’s connected the world like never before, and one young man is responsible. One of the youngest billionaires in the world, Mark Zuckerberg is responsible for this new connection. The website was founded in 2004 and has evolved the world as we know it. Technology will never be the same because of one man who, with one simple click, introduced the world to a taste of the future.
http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?execbios.

Haiti (2006) in 200 Words

http://erinsblog.typepad.com

The impoverished condition of Haiti has led to violation of Child Rights. In most areas of health, Haiti is the lowest in the region. The infant mortality rate is 1:14. Of children 1-4, 58,000 died- 19% of the regional total. Immunizations lack, with only 58% of children with the measles vaccine. Malnutrition also affects ¼ of kids under 5 severely, leading to intellectual and physical handicaps. Hospitals are few, especially in rural areas.
AIDS has left 5,000 infected babies born each year, with 56,000 kids orphaned. Those orphans live on the streets, often exploited or forced into gangs or prostitution. Restaveks, children sent from impoverished families with false promises, can be abused or denied food, rest and education.
Transport, funds, and training lack, leading to bad quality schools. It’s no wonder that 1/3 of youths is illiterate: school costs money. Students also miss school to fetch water. Unsafe water cannot be treated because only 3% wood is left for feeding fire. Sanitation is often a problem because of overcrowding and lack of facilities. Water contamination can lead to diarrhea, cholera or other illnesses.
Hope comes in the form of a new government supporting the PAFC. Preval calls for public support and donations. Donations have come with the earthquake, but post-earthquake one must ponder the desperation of Haiti now.

Sauri, a Village of the Millenium (100 words)

http://blogs.millenniumpromise.org/index.php/2010/02/24/kenyan-ministry-of-education-delegation-impressed-with-sauri-school-meals-program/

The village of Sauri, Kenya, population 65,000, is improving every day, rapidly developing in efficient farming, quick and communal medical programs, education, training and communication over the past 5 years, sparking positive attitude. Sauri is one of 80 “Millennium Villages”, popular and renowned Jeffery Sachs’ simple, technology-based program bent on eradicating poverty. There are still concerns that corruption in governance and lack of data has been overlooked and that the program won’t translate worldwide. The western public is relied on for donations, but Sachs says the public is uninformed of the program, and of the links between terrorism and poverty. Is there hope for Sauri?

Escaping the Clutches of Poverty

http://bloggussatiricum.blogspot.com/&usg=__OVPCRoykxHWLfdT3TDW-

The Roma children in Macedonia are dressed in faded clothes that drape across their bony frames. They never have enough to eat. Washing car windows, begging, picking pockets is the rhythm of life for the impoverished. But inside one small school in Skopje, there is a new electric atmosphere of hope. There is a passing out of bread and soup. Delighted squeals of the little children ring out with every new donation of pink shirts or blue jeans. There is a poster in the corner reading, “Education is the Solution!” Gaily the children challenge the volunteers to a dance-off; they are politely declined. Those kids aren’t fazed at all though; they can dance their traditional dances by themselves. Says Vadah Kyalli, a teacher at the school, “There is a welcoming future, if we can just help them.”

“Why in the 21st century do we have people so poor that they cannot even stay alive?” (Jeffery Sachs) Poverty affects over a billion people. But extreme poverty can kill. World Bank has worked on raising awareness for both extreme and regular poverty. World Bank is a bank that receives donations from richer countries, and then loans non-interest financing out to developing countries for development and reconstruction projects. World Bank defines poverty having no access to physical needs- hunger, lack of savings, no education, inadequate shelter, and no close source of drinking water- because of finances, as well as a psychological feeling of helplessness and shame. It causes death and hunger, a cycle that is nearly impossible to break. This is because the destitute often fall into a “poverty trap”, or the theory that poverty is passed from generation because of lack of education and opportunities. But I discovered that poverty is a truly preventable thing. There are a few solutions to huge problems, at an even smaller cost. Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease accepted as preventable, is one of the top killers of the impoverished. But through a 7-dollar bed net, not only can the infection be stopped, but also the carrier mosquitoes killed. For some 1.4 billion people in the world, however, a mere 7 dollars is an unimaginable sum. The current poverty line has been drawn at US $1.25 each day. For these people, it is a struggle to even eat. It is dire to have such a large relative percentage of the world barely able to support their needs, but there is a glimmer of hope. In the 1980’s the population under the poverty line was 1.9 billion people. That means that 500,000,000 people have escaped their vicious poverty trap.


World Bank isn’t the only organization easing poverty. Non-profit organizations such as Red Cross/Crescent/Crystal, UNICEF and Save the Children are there to help. These organizations work not only to comfort those in poverty but also to break the cycle of poverty through education and opportunities. There is still hope, and if the numbers of impoverished keep decreasing the way they have in the past 20 years, there is hope.

credit to www.thelifeyoucansave.com/topic.html

Rights of A Child

Those Blinded Can Heal Through Peace

Hate, conflict, and pain. All can be caused by animosity and intolerance. When others humiliate or hurt us, we often don’t want to heal- we want to get even. There have been wars between two cultures, just because they dislike each other. These conflicts have been carried throughout history with a hateful tongue, and made to boil in our blood. When Macedonia wanted acceptance into NATO, Greece denied the developing country because of an old feud. Meanwhile the level of those jobless has heightened more than ever in Macedonia, and it maintained its spot on the lowest income list. Those without jobs were simply casualties of an ongoing battle between governments. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Any eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Once a wrongful act directs itself at something in our personal lives, our allegiance to our nationality or religion can make us desire revenge. But revenge is an endless cycle, a chain reaction, that simply goes on and on and on. The way to reach peace is to turn the other cheek (unless the situation is dangerous) and wait for the perpetrators to tire of their relentless jabs. These actions may infuriate us, but those very actions can build the road to peace.




charlierooney.com

We all see the world. We've at sometime witnessed injustices, discrimination, or another human rights violation that tarnishes the good name of our planet. Maybe we've even taken part in them. But although watching without doing anything is the problem, watching could also be the solution. By paying attention to the world around us and intervening where we can, we can protect human rights. It also goes with Gandhi's quote, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." If we keep exacting revenge, eventually we'll destroy our beautiful home- and all those on it.