Things I take for granted.

By this time in my life, I 've started to notice a lot things that I take for granted. When I do realize something, I read about it and no longer take that thing for granted. I pass this along to my son as well so he doesn't grow up blind to the fact that we have it good for the most part. I've found an article in an online news source and it blew me away. In South Sudan, the people are rejoicing over the arrival of six motorbike amblances. Yes, I too was surprised but it's true. They have no source of transportation to get to the hospital. Pregnat woman to every day injuries. Who could concieve here in America calling 911 and requesting an ambulance and the dispatcher telling you 'sorry, can't get one to you'. What the hell would you say to that? These motorbikes are equipped with off-road tires and sidecar that you can partially lye down in. Bumpy ride for sure, but since the arrival of these, pregnant mortalities have been cut in half. Not to shabby. These motorbikes can access roads that have blown to shit from all the war and from the fact that the roads suck to begin with. I felt happy knowing that these people can now have some sort of transportation now. These sidecars even come with a shade to keep the patient from suffering from heat stroke.

Where was the mention?

Tuesday the seventh of April marked the fifteen year anniversary of the 100 day genocide in Rwanda. A tragic mark in history that claimed 800,000 lives in just 100 days. I watched a film based on these events in course dedicated to teaching genocides and the effects of. The film was very moving and well produced. The title of the film, before I forget, is "Sometimes in April." It's about 2hrs and 20min long but never has a dry moment. Every scene captures something and before you know it, the credits are rolling. After the film, my wife and I drove to my parents house to pick up our son and while conversing with my folks, she noticed the evening paper. Wouldn't you know. Not a single mention of the anniversary. Not one. Why? Is it not newsworthy to mention the slaughter of 800,000? Is it because newspapers can only focus on one catastrophe at a time? And since Darfur is unfortunately unresolved, we might as well not bring up Rwanda? Again why? Will my son learn about this in school, or are the text books not for revision for another 10 years. I asked some of my co-workers what they thought of Rwanda and if any of them remember seeing anything on the news. Most of them drew blank looks. Not surprised, maybe if news reels began coming out on blue-ray they would know more about whats going on around them. Don't keep your head in the sand any longer.

War Child

I just this very inspiring article about Emmanuel Jal. A former child soldier in the Sudanese civil war. Now turned rapper and activist for peace in the region.

He was six when began training in th e army. Six. My son is nine and I can't imagine him being trained to use weapons and to kill. I t breaks my heart. Childhood is the most pure and innocent time in a persons life. To have that stolen is a crime. But here is an example of how someone took a negative and turned it into a positive. It's awesome to see a person rise and overcome horrible obstacles.

Emmanuel has a new CD out entitled War Child. I have not seen it stores yet but if you want to hear some of it, click here

War Over Water.

I never could imagine a war breaking out over water. That's what happened in a remote region of southern Ethiopia. A new borehole was to be dug and the Gherri from a Somali state attacked the village at night. The Borana, those being attacked, fled with only their clothes that they were wearing.

It's water! Can't you share? It's vital to everyone. The article went to inform us that the borehole was being dug on a plot of land that has never been defined on whose side of the border it falls on. Then figure it out and get back to life. By the way, 70,000 were displaced over this conflict.

Abducted Aid Workers Released.

In a part of the world where violence, rape, death, is an everyday occurance some ray of light manages to escape. Im talking about the 13 aid workers released in Sudan Darfur region after being kidnapped on Wednesday. All ofthem were appeared to be unharmed and in fairly good health all things comsidered.

Im saddened when people are trying to make a situation better to only be rejected or in this case kidnapped. Unfortunaetly, this is just a small example of what is happening in that region. 13 major aid groups in that region have been ousted in result to the ICC(International Criminal Court) issuing an arrest warrent for Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

I truly hope that these aid groups are somehow allowed back into the country, if not the results will catastrophic. They are are doing impossible work where it seems impossible to live. Let them do there work! But no, not this asshole. Al-bashir kicks them out leaving almost 4.7 million people unassisted. No medical treatments, shelter, basic everyday needs that every single one of us take for granted at some point in our day.