In the first days following 9/11attack on our country a person representing the federal government was visiting a kindergarten class. She told the children “someone who did not really like us” had attacked our country, but the government is keeping everyone safe, and their families are keeping them safe as well. They were not to be afraid because many people were around them to protect them.
One little girl came up to the speaker and said “If they knew our names would they like us?”
This bit of wisdom from a small child has inspired the “I Know Your Name” medallion. In English in says “I work and pray for peace.” In Arabic it says “I pray and work for peace.” The group of stars in the center is a symbol for people of all races and religions under one God.
Each person who orders a medallion is asked to 1) list up to three children’s names on the order form – children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or children of friends; 2) indicate if children’s names are Muslim or non-Muslim. These names will be inscribed on the back of the medallion.If they are Muslim names, that medallion will be mailed to a non-Muslim person to wear. If they are non-Muslim names, the medallion will go to a Muslim person to wear.
We will no longer be faceless, nameless people to each other. We will have begun to know each other’s names. It’s hoped that this medallion will move people to actions and to prayers that will help our children and grandchildren - be not enemy combatants – but friends and neighbors.
(Part of the proceeds of the sale of the medallion will go to groups that promote friendship and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.)
“I Know Your Name” Medallion
1534 North Moorpark Road #191
Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
Monday, November 8, 2010
Giving African girls a chance to learn
Her mother explained that the girl was not intelligent and would probably fail. She stated that she would let her finish this school year, then keep her home to teach her how to be a good wife and mother. I could not accept that fate for a little girl who only wanted me to assist her. I asked her mother to allow me to work with her.
I researched the whys and wherefores of the little girls' educational failures and I discovered that many girls do not have books and school supplies, or the time or a place to study after school. I began haunting all the public and private development agencies, local and national government institutions, asking for assistance to support our little girls. I was refused. So we started teaching ourselves.
The girls wanted me to continue the program but I informed them that I hadn't been able to find the money. They said they could raise their own money. They raised enough to buy their school books and supplies. The little girls brought in older siblings and relatives who had already failed and been expelled from school. The older girls did the cooking and selling. They became our financial support and grew into our entrepreneurs. We export five blended hibiscus teas, dolls and household products to pay for the schooling. We have decided to become green, with an aggressive environmental education and agricultural development entrepreneurial program.
Eventually we got public and private financial and technical support to expand the number of girls that we teach each year. We now have 3,383 girls and want to increase our numbers to 5,000 this year.
To read the full story, please go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/21/vaughn.senegal.education/index.html?hpt=Sbin
I researched the whys and wherefores of the little girls' educational failures and I discovered that many girls do not have books and school supplies, or the time or a place to study after school. I began haunting all the public and private development agencies, local and national government institutions, asking for assistance to support our little girls. I was refused. So we started teaching ourselves.
The girls wanted me to continue the program but I informed them that I hadn't been able to find the money. They said they could raise their own money. They raised enough to buy their school books and supplies. The little girls brought in older siblings and relatives who had already failed and been expelled from school. The older girls did the cooking and selling. They became our financial support and grew into our entrepreneurs. We export five blended hibiscus teas, dolls and household products to pay for the schooling. We have decided to become green, with an aggressive environmental education and agricultural development entrepreneurial program.
Eventually we got public and private financial and technical support to expand the number of girls that we teach each year. We now have 3,383 girls and want to increase our numbers to 5,000 this year.
To read the full story, please go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/21/vaughn.senegal.education/index.html?hpt=Sbin
Rescuers save family adrift at sea for 6 days
Rescuers spotted a family of four who had been lost at sea for six days and helped them safely to shore in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati, authorities said.
Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal New Zealand Air Force found the family Saturday.
They had gone missing October 31 after setting sail from Kiribati in a four-meter (13-foot) aluminum boat, Maritime New Zealand said in a statement.
To read the full story and to watch the video, please go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/08/kiribati.family.rescue/index.html?hpt=Sbin
Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal New Zealand Air Force found the family Saturday.
They had gone missing October 31 after setting sail from Kiribati in a four-meter (13-foot) aluminum boat, Maritime New Zealand said in a statement.
To read the full story and to watch the video, please go to:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/08/kiribati.family.rescue/index.html?hpt=Sbin
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