Tree Climbing

In 1983 the Second Sudanese Civil War began. It was simply a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil war ending in 1972. I have never learned about this war, though it was one of the longest, most destructive wars in the 20th century. About 1.9 million civilians lost their lives and 4 million throughout the war became refugees (Wiki). The main cause of this second civil war was the dispute between the Northern Sudanese and the Christian/animist Nilotes of Southern Sudan over religion, economics, and ethnic differences.
The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) was a rebel group that was formed during this war to oppose the Sudan government. This group protected large numbers of young men from being recruited to the Sudanese Army by placing them in a camp in Polataka, South Sudan. This camp is controlled solely by the rebel officers who in turn trained these young boys to fight against the government.
It is sad to think that these boys are raised in an environment so open to violence and hatred. I enjoy the simplicity of this picture. Nature in itself brings peace. These boys are simply trying to enjoy a childhood that they have been lacking; a safe haven where they can escape the monstrosity of war. What better place then a tree?

Works Cited:

"Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2010.

Photograph from Sebastiao Salgado's book, " Migrations: Humanity in Transition."

Must See!!!

Recently, since reading the book "Life to Tell," by Immaculee Ilibagiza, I have been very fascinated with the Rwandan Holocaust. My friends and I decided to watch the movie, "Hotel Rwanda," to get a better grasp of what really occured in 1994. I was absolutely amazed at the amount of violence and corruption between the two rivals; Hutu and Tutsi. There was no mercy. Such hatred between these two groups resulted in millions of innocent lives taken. I could not even fathom how such opposition could possibly be taken to the this extremity in such a short time. It was not just merely killing, but torturing and slaughtering in the most disgustingly, twisted ways imaginable. The part of the movie that left me most unamused and upset was the lack of support from the fellow countries. It was as though the world were watching a bully attack a helpless child, with only the courage to give verbal support. Verbal support was not going to save the millions of lives that were ruthlessly taken. It was action that was most desired, needed, and ironically deprived of. Eventually the rebel army came and help was provided.

The details and acting are very respectable. I enjoyed the overall theme of unconquerable love and bravery. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who would like to educate themselves about this horrible genocide. I hope this movie will strengthen your desire to serve and lift others as it has done so for me.

Taken

I grew up in a house full of girls. Boys seemed foreign to me for the first part of my life. The main male influence in my life was that of my Dad. He is my biggest fan. My sisters and I could always count on his support and love. I do not take that for granted.

It broke my heart when I saw Salgado's picture of these young girls and woman holding pictures of their kidnapped husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons. The night of July 31, 1983 in Beharke, Iraqi Kurdistan, soldiers under Saddam Hussein's rule, unexpectedly broke into the homes of innocent villagers to take all the men. The woman are still awaiting news of their loved ones; to know of their location or just simple knowledge of their existence. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have my father taken from my home; never to see him again. The pain and unsettled emotions would constantly be tearing away at my soul. It blows my mind as to what allowed such corruption of government officials to tear lives and families apart forever.

Works Cited:

Kyranlucien. "Sebastiao Salgado, Photographer of the worldfull of ashes and gray sadness...."Chess Blogs. N.p. 01/23/2010. Web. 10 Feb. 2010


Salgado, Sebastiaos. Photograph. "Migrations: Humanity In Transition {The Human Family Around the World}." Legends Online. pdn & Kodac Professional, N.D. Web 10 Feb. 2010

Tanzania 1994

Tanzania is the largest East African Country (945,000sq km). A majority of Tanzania consists of savannah grassland and desert. She is neighbored by: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, and Mozambique. You may ask what this has to do with anything? Well it has significant value to the reoccuring problem that Tanzania has been struggling with for years; refugees. Since the 1950's, Tanzania has continued to be a home to many seeking for saftey and peace. Over 800,000 refugees fled to Tanzania during the 1990s in two groups. The first was to Kagera around 1994, and the second flood of refugees came to Kigoma in 1996 (Wildlifeextra.com).

This photograph was taken by Sabastiao Salgado in 1994. A majority of the refugees in 1994 were Rwandese trying to avoid the mass genocide taking over their land. Currently, while reading "Life to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of Rwanda, I have been more aware of the horrors that have occured during the Rwandan Holocaust. The continual battle between the two leading tribes; Hutu and Tutsi, left many dead, hurt, and alone. Many times these refugees would leave with the bare minimums; however, some were lucky enough (like this young man above) to bring tools and equipment to help them survive (Salgado). I can't even fathom what it would be like to drop everything in my life and leave to a foreign country with no idea as to what the next day would have in store. However, many have ventured the journey and will continue to do so. The more I am learning about the lives of those suffering in distant lands; the more I am coming to the realization of my life's oblivion and deprivation.

Works Cited:

“Refugee Problem in Tanzania causing Needless Destruction of Wildlife.” wildlifeextra.com. Wild Dog Design & Bright Interactive, 2008. Web. 3 February 2010.

“Diocese of Kagera in Tanzania.” Revd Christine Axford. Diocese of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich, September 2005. Web. 3 February 2010.

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.