Month: March 2010

A Personal Story Straight from the Heart of Haiti

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Fabien Vorbe
Fabien Vorbe

In my last post, I introduced Fabien Vorbe.  All my previous posts have all dealt with professional athletes contributing to the relief efforts in Haiti; however, Fabien’s story allowed me to get an inside view from someone who was directly affected by the earthquake.   

Although we are not professional athletes here at Furman, we did more than enough to help one of our fellow mates.  On January 22, 2010, Furman held a soccer tournament that included all the athletic teams’ girls and boys, as well as coaches and staff. 

Overall, Fabien informed me that the tournament raised nearly $15,000 for him and his family.  Through all the trials and tribulations he and his family have faced over the past couple months, Fabien still puts himself second behind all those who were injured or killed by the earthquake.

 He informed me that his immediate family and relatives are safe and living at his uncle’s house that survived the quake.  Fabien was very appreciative and grateful for the prayers and support from the Furman family. 

Hopefully, with the relief efforts continuing to grow, Fabien, his family, and his beloved country can return to peace as soon as possible. 

For more please check out my interview with Fabien.

Yemen Hits a Local Nerve

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Furman University
Furman University

In my interview with one of Furman University’s most well versed political science majors, Ian McClure, I learned the history behind U.S. relations with Yemen and his opinions on what the U.S. strategy should be to combat the terrorism threat of Al-Qaida.

Ian explained “that U.S relations with Yemen began in the 1950’s and 1960’s when the U.S. aided in the Saudi involvement in the Yemeni civil war between the loyalist faction that supported the king and the Marxist guerrillas in the south where the Al-Qaida group is currently located.”

Ironically, as of Friday, the Washington Post and Reuters wrote that Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen’s president, has announced that Yemen’s war with northern Shi’ite rebels has ended.

Ian is very adamant that the main obstacle to U.S. involvement in Yemen is the dwindling economic state.  According to Ian, “what we [the U.S.] really need to do to combat Al-Qaida in Yemen right now instead of giving them military aid, is we need to be pumping them up economically and financially to the point where they can sustain economic development.”

“Through giving these people a stake we can combat Al-Qaida because one of the main tools they are using is offering economic incentive for people to join their cause, so its not only a cultural connection to Al-Qaida, but a financial connection as well.”

Hopefully, the U.S. government will have innovative strategies like Ian when it comes to fighting the terrorism threat of Al-Qaida.  In my next post, we will hear from randomly selected students and a Furman professor on their opinions of U.S. relations with Yemen.

Hear more from Furman University’s senior political science major, Ian McClure.

Glance at how Yemen has hit a local nerve.

What does the average college kid think?

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Well, I’ve asked some Furman students what they have thought of the United States government’s response to the disaster in Haiti and most are positive responses:

  • “Although the U.S. was not the first to respond– they’ve done a good job helping out” – Furman Sophomore
  • “The United States is participating in Haiti now however it will be interesting to see what they do in the long run.” – Furman Senior

I sat down with Furman sophomore, Sophie More, to discuss: Sophie Interview

Although students may have different opinions on the U.S. government’s role in Haiti, most have shown their support by wearing Haiti t-shirts that were sold during the Furman Men’s soccer tournament that took place to raise money for Haiti.

Haiti Shirts

It’s refreshing to know that college students have an opinion on issues such as the US government’s role in Haiti. Not only do they understand what is happening outside of Furman’s campus but they also show support in fundraising and “Haitian Spirit”.

Obama's Global Health Initiative

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Though PEPFAR under Bush certainly made progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, it is important to remember that epidemics such as these do not exist in a vacuum.  Rather, the cycle of poverty and illness is one that is self-sustaining, and aid efforts must focus relief on both sides of the equation.

The Obama administration has recognized this and developed something called the Global Health Initiative, which “adopts a more integrated approach to fighting diseases, improving health, and strengthening health systems.”  Obama’s 2010 budget brings continued awareness to broader global health issues such as child and maternal health, family planning, neglected tropical diseases, and HIV/AIDS.

Obama’s statement says, “the budget invests $63 billion cumulatively over six years (2009-2014) for global health programs. PEPFAR… will constitute more than 70 percent of global health funding.”

It seems that Bush’s plans neglected an important part of global health and poverty: family planning.  Family planning is a difficult topic in much of Africa, where a man’s wealth is measured partly by the size of his family.

Condoms are associated with STDs and with infidelity, so they are very rarely used within a marriage for family planning. Other family planning techniques, such as birth control pills and contraceptive injections, are being promoted.

Another issue that must be addressed is that there is also still some opposition within African governments to the family planning measures.

It is absolutely vital to look at the AIDS crisis in the greater sphere of global health.  Hopefully policymakers will continue to take this into consideration when they decide how aid money is spent.

Porche, a Furman student, with an AIDS orphan during Furman's study abroad program to Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.
Porche Warren, a Furman student, with an AIDS orphan in Namibia. (Photo taken by Liz Lineback.)

Listen Listen to an interview with a Furman student about her own experiences learning about AIDS while in Africa.

View a slideshow of images showing materials brought back from Porche’s trip to Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana.


Creative Thinking: Haiti Yard Sale

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Early on a Saturday morning in February, I grabbed some coffee and headed over to the Greenville Technical College’s Barton Campus. As I pulled up, the first signs of the Haiti Relief Yard Sale that I had read about online were prevalent.

boy w/ sign sign

International Exchange Students at GTC decided that a creative way to contribute to the Haiti Relief Efforts would be to collect items from faculty and students to sell in a yard sale.

There were dozens of students eager to talk to me about their efforts to support Haiti during such a trying time.

The atmosphere was hopeful and everyone was smiling.

I spoke to the Project Director, Ayesha Ahmad, about what the money was going toward.

She said:

  • Students had taken initiative and came to her to hold the yard sale
  • They were hoping to raise approximately $2400 for Haiti
  • Plans to send money to Haiti through the American Red Cross have been made

Seeing local relief efforts in Greenville reminded me that we, as college students and Americans, have the ability to contribute to Haiti’s need for moral and financial support. All of us have the power to take the initiative and help such a needy cause. Going to Greenville Tech’s campus and seeing students supporting Haiti showed me that it isn’t just the rich and famous that have something to offer.

For more images of the yard sale.

Lending a Hand to Haiti, No Matter How Small

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Symbols of local efforts to help raise money for Haiti
Symbols of local efforts to help raise money for Haiti

In my previous posts, I have talked about the government or big organizations helping raise money for the Haitian relief effort, but there are many other efforts going on, on a much smaller scale that desreve to be mentioned as well. Younger adults especially, who have ties of their own to Haiti have done what they can to get the word out and rasie support for the Haitian people.

I myself, with my parents and siblings living in Port-au-Prince Haiti, have raised money be going around and talking to the sororites and fraternities on campus.  Another haitian student here at Furman, Fabien Vorbe, who also happens to be on the varsity soccer team help set up a fundrasier for Haiti as well. When I asked him how about this soccer extravanza put on to raise money for the earthquake relief he said,

“It was nice seeing how many people actually came out to support the cause. It was fun and helped out my people a the same time. Even though I can’t be in Haiti right now helping, I feel like this is helping too. “

Students playing soccer during Haiti Extravaganza (media credit: Stephen Meyer)
Students playing soccer during Haiti Extravaganza (media credit: Stephen Meyer)

Other students from schools all over have held similar events, telling their own personal story of their connection to Haiti and getting their friends and classamtes to help out. One of my friends who attends school in New York had T-shirts sold and printed with all proceeds going to Haiti. Another one of my friends went around and spoke to local businesses asking for donations and raised over $2,000. 

There is no requirement for lending a hand, and no donation is too small. Haiti needs help and everyone can do something.

Rachelle Audio bite

Not for Profit Spotlight

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International Justice Mission (IJM) is a Christian affiliated, human rights agency that works with cases of slavery, sex trafficking, property seizure, police brutality, and illegal detention.  While the global organization was founded in 1997 with its headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Furman Chapter of IJM was founded four years ago.  Perhaps IJM’s most unique characteristic is that the personnel that rescue victims, work under the justice system of that country, as the agency’s goal is to co-exist in the nation, serving the people perhaps even despite corrupt governments.  Additionally, IJM works heavily in providing aftercare for victims of slavery and sex trafficking.

IJM Collage

Furman IJM Chapter’s primary goal is to spread awareness to students about global issues, specifically through Cultural Life Programs (CLPs).  Several examples of the more recent panels include: The School of the Americas, Faces of Homelessness, Burma and the International Criminal Court, and Photography and Social Justice.  The group is made up of mainly fifteen strongly committed members.

When speaking with the Acting President, Junior Sarah Grace Brooks, she said, “The most rewarding part of working with IJM at Furman has certainly been the relationships with people in the organization.  Through the time of prayer at each meeting we are able to see the bigger picture, and hopefully through our work we can inform students of social injustices so there is a hope of beginning to correct them.”

Be sure to look out for events hosted by IJM in the next week, as it Justice Week on campus.  Learn more about the issues with which IJM deals each day of Justice Week.

Justice Week Schedule:

Monday, March 29: Slavery and Sex Trafficking

Tuesday, March 30: Police Brutality and Property Seizure

Wednesday, March 31: Fair Trade v. Free Trade; Justice Celebration

Earthquake Shakes Chile

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Aid comes in many different forms.
Aid comes in many different forms.
Chile is shaken after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake sent shock waves through the country early Saturday morning, February 27th.  The epicenter was located 70 miles from Concepcion, Chile’s second largest city.  The earthquake is the fifth largest on record in the world and the strongest in almost a century.  The death toll, estimated to be more than 700, does not even compare to the 200,000 killed in Haiti in January. 

 

For Chile, earthquakes are nothing new.  (In schools, children learn to seek shelter from the tremors before they learn to read.) 

 

The earthquake has exposed fault lines of a different kind. 

 

For one, US intervention—whether militaristic or monetary—is not always welcomed in Chile, especially since the Pinochet revolution in 1973.  The recently declassified “Pinochet Papers” show how the Pentagon was extremely influential in overthrowing Chilean leader Allende and was guilty of atrocities in human rights.  Chile, as well as much of Latin America, has not forgotten—or forgiven—the U.S. for meddling in their political affairs.

 

Secondly, the quake exposed Chile’s great economic divide between the rich and poor.  It was the poor communities, living in the margins of society, which were hardest hit by the disaster.  They do not have the financial resources to rebuild. 

 

So what has the US done to help?  Not nearly as much as what they did for Haiti.

 

President Obama pledged “help if they ask for it” and USAID has sent approximately $11 million in relief.    

 

Some U.S. companies have even sent money for the relief efforts:

 

Even so, it appears economic aid from the U.S. to Chile in this crisis has not—and will not—cover over years of unwanted involvement.

A woman holds her child amidst the rubble. A man waits in a makeshift hospital. (inset: US companies that have sent aid)
A woman holds her child amidst the rubble. A man waits in a makeshift hospital. (inset: US companies that have sent aid)

Domestic Overhaul

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This past week, Furman students traveled all over the southeast and all over the world for their Spring Break.  Most students flying to their various destinations probably wouldn’t realize that each airport that they flew out of has its own unique security measures implemented to curb terrorism in the air.

 

Here are some examples of different airports around the country following Napolitano’s warning against “cookie cutter” security measures:

– DHS has announced that it hopes to install 11 new “advanced imaging technology units” in airports around the country before summer 2010. Boston Logan International and Chicago O’Hare International will be the first recipients of these units.

 – Cincinatti/Northern Kentucky International has received new equipment that tests for explosive residue by a quick swipe of a swab across your palm. After an security overhaul in November 2009, CVG has had 6 positive explosive tests, all of which were false alarms.

 – Mineta San José International upgraded to a new IP- based video surveillance system. This has “provided the airport with clearer and more detailed images than with the previous system, and vastly improves the airport’s ability to search for specific events in the footage.”  Also, when an alarm is triggered somewhere within the airport, cameras will automatically focus in on the area from which the alarm was set off.

 A college student’s take on airport security

 – Pictures and information on other domestic airports

Bad Soccer Played for a Good Cause

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Fabien Vorbe, U-17 Haitian National Team, Furman University Paladins
Fabien Vorbe, U-17 Haitian National Team, Furman University Paladins

Recently I had the privilege to interview Fabien Vorbe, a Furman student-athlete, who was born and raised in Haiti. 

He came to Furman University with great anticipation as a highly touted soccer recruit.  At the young age of 17, Fabien became a prominent player for U-17 Haitian National Team, competing against countries from all over the globe. 

He was named captain for the team and helped them reach the U-17 World Cup in Korea in 2007.  Fabien hails from one of the most notable footballing families in Haitian history so it was no surprise when Fabien exhibited splendid prowess out on the pitch. 

Fabien brought this prowess to Furman by starting at forward as a freshman.  This past winter, like most college students, Fabien returned home to visit his friends and family for Christmas break. 

On January 10, he left his native home to come back to school.  The Haiti he left drastically changed the day he got back.  A disastrous earthquake ravaged his home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010. 

Fabien received word that his family made it out alive but his house was destroyed.   Some of his closest friends and teammates died in the earthquake.  Also, he was devastated to find out that his Haitian National Team coach lost his life along with 30 Football Federation members. 

To help raise money for Fabien and his family, Furman University held a school-wide soccer tournament on January 22, 2010.  I had the honor in participating in the tournament and felt honored to help out. 

It was great to see students, fellow athletes, and coaches donating to help Fabien and his family.  The story was covered by the Greenville News. 

Check out the interview with Fabien in my next post and also check out these pictures of Fabien.