Milange, Mozambique

Mozambique has continued to struggle with floods. Recently in 2008, over a hundred thousand were forced to leave their homes in the midst of overwelming rainfall. The year 2000, was one of the worst for these individuals living in Mozambique. Over 800 died between the months february and march.

However, there is another penetrating issue also facing the civilians of Mozambique-Cholera. Fernanda Teixiera, the Secretary-General of Mozambique's Red Cross, expresses his concern, "This year is worse than previous years, even worse than years in which we had floods. There are more cases and the fatality rate slightly higher." Over 12,00 cases and 157 deaths in Mozambique; 92,811 cases and 4,077 deaths in Zimbabwe; 3,033 cases in Nampula and 2,427 cases in Cabo Delgado. There are many causes to these horrific numbers. Mainly the poor sanitation and constant rainfall have a large part for the spread of Cholera. Less than fifty percent of the 21 million people living in Mozambique have safe drinking water available to them.

This problem is not recent, it has been influencing the lives of Mozambique people for years. This photograph (Salgado, 233) is located in a refugee camp in Malawi, 1994. Many times, when mothers died from the Cholera epidemic, it would be the responsiblity of another woman to take in the abandoned children. It would appear that many mothers had twins because of the close relationship in age of the children. This woman pictured, has taken on the responsibility of caring for anothers' child. This battle of Cholera continues. With the increase in sanitation and the decrease in the amount of rainfall-this disease will be better controlled. However, many individuals in rural ares often do not seek for assistance or have the opportunity to be blessed with health care. By the time they finally do, it is many a times too late.



Works Cited:
"Mozambique: Worst Cholera Outbreak In A Long Time." African Press International (API). Web. 26, March. 2009.

Mannak, Miriam. "Mozambique: Floods Threaten Hundreds Of Thousands Of People." Time. NowPublic, 1 Jan. 2009. Web.

Haiti. This word has been the center focus of this past week. It is difficult for me to keep up with the world news while attending BYU. Most of the time this is a blessing; however, this past week it has completely shocked me. As I went home this weekend for the holiday my mind was utterly shattered. The newspaper, television, common conversation, everything was centered around the horrible incident that recently occured in Haiti. Reading the 50,000 reported deaths is a different experience than visualizing specific, individual deaths of little children. My body became numb as my mind became paralyzed. How could I help in such an overwelming task? What role could I play? I continued to ask myself this question this past week...the answer continued to come up as a blank.
I then realized, this is what my english class is focusing on. Whether gorilla warfare or natural disasters, humanity is effected. I chose these photographs of Rawanda because of the parallel symmetry they portray to this current situation we are experiencing in Haiti. These individuals are located in Goma, Zaire. This picture captures the Rwandan refugee camp known as Kibumba. After the death of the Rwandan President Habyarimana, April 6, 1994, the Hutu (ethinic majority) led an uprising against the Tutsi (minority). It was estimated that between 500,000-1 million individuals died in this massacre, lasting 14 weeks. This Rwandan camp housed over 250,000 people. Waiting was all that one could do. Just as the Haitian people only desire the necessities of life; food, water, shelter, and medical assistance-so did the Rwandan people. It is such a sad time in life, but it is one that offers many opportunities to serve and assist those in need.
The question still comes down to what can we do?

I suggest these two websites for more information about how to get involved: http://www.lds.org/humanitarianservices/0,19749,6208,00.html

http://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/

Works Cited:

Mountain Gorilla Protection: A Geomatics Approach, "Gorilla's in the Database." The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, 1992. Web. 20 Jan. 2010.
http://www.informatics.org/gorilla/digmaps.html


Morello, Debbie. "U.S. News & World Report 70th Anniversary Photography Special." USN&WR, 20 Jan. 2010. Web.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/photography/70thanniversary/90s/bestof/best7.htm

In my current english class I have been given the opportunity to research and enjoy the photographs of humanity around the world. Sebastiao Salgado, originally an economist, began to travel to Africa where his passion for photography emerged. It is his passion for capturing humanity at every angle that begins our adventure as students. I have the privilege to become well acquainted with photographs like this one displaying men, women, and children from all over the world. These photographs are not "sugar-coated" but rather define reality at its greatest. It's ironic that in Portuguese Salgado means "salty" (Salgado, 17 Times, #9). It is necessary to reveal what is happening around the world. This is the purpose of my blog. I would love to share the research and photographs that mean so much to me with all of you. I really hope that these photographs find a place in your heart as they have found a place in mind. It is comforting to know that we as viewers can make a difference and promote Salgado's purpose, to create awareness.

Works Cited:

Galeano Eduardo. "Salgado, 17 Times." An Uncertain Grace: Photographs By Sebastiao Salgado. New York: Aperture, 1990.

"Sebastiao Salgado." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc, 2009. Web. 23 Dec. 2009.

Precious!

I absolutely adore this picture. My sister captured this picture when my grandma took all the girls in my family to San Fran. I come from a family of all sisters. I have grown up caring for my great-grandma who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I have spent countless hours in retirement homes. I have grown a love for the elderly as well as for little children. I have moved ten times in my life. I really have a love for the diversity and unique qualities that people possess. I hope to major in a field where I can help and bless the lives of others.