PPI-CY is a member of Cyprus' biggest youth network.

PeacePlayers International – Cyprus was created in 2006 through a grant from UNDP-ACT (United Nations Developement Programme – Action for Cooperation and Trust in Cyprus), and has since received funding from the UNDP in some capacity every program year, including the current one. That makes it part of a unique fraternity created by the UNDP, the Cyprus Network for Youth Development, which comprises over 10 NGO’s that specialize in everything from environmental protection, to traditional Cypriot folk dancing, to using the game of basketball to foster mutual understanding and reconciliation (That’s us!).

Earthdance will continue to bring Cypriot children together for the next two years with the help of the UNDP.

The goal of the network is “to bring together organizations and individuals from all over Cyprus…that address the needs of young people throughout the island, seeking to inspire and energize them to create a peaceful, sustainable Cyprus.” Network activities are very diverse: bicommunal summer camps, nature studies, walking tours, camping trips, overseas missions, and basketball festivals are just a few of the activities offered to the youth of Cyprus in the past six months.

Over the course of the next two years, through funding from UNDP-ACT, PPI – CY and a partner in the network, the Turkish-Cypriot NGO Hasder, will stage two massive bi-communal youth festivals centered around Earthdance, the world’s largest simultaneous peace concert. This past September, over 200 people attended PPI – CY’s portion of the festival, a bi-communal 3-on-3 tournament at the Phanaromeni School in the Old City of Nicosia. In addition to this, UNDP-ACT will provide financial support for PPI – CY to construct an outdoor basketball court in the UN-controlled buffer zone. This new court will allow PPI – CY to have its own court to use at any time and provide a shared space for PPI – CY participants to call their home.

Ledra Palace in the U.N. Buffer Zone, the future home of PPI - CY's home court.

The Cyprus Network for Youth Development has also provided opportunities for PPI – CY’s teams and participants that otherwise would not have been available to them. Four PPI – CY participants went on a bi-communal mission trip to Northern Ireland this past summer, and 15 current and former PPI – CY members attended the Doves Olympic Movement bicommunal summer camp in Agros. While we believe that basketball has a unique power to bridge divides, bicommunal experiences outside of the court undoubtedly can contribute to our ultimate goal of reconciliation.

PPI – CY thanks its partners Hasder and UNDP-ACT for continuing to provide financial assistance to our organization and helping us continue our work. We are also very thankful to be a part of the Cyprus Network For Youth Development. With a tip of our caps to our fellow Network members, we wish them all the best in their endeavors in the new year!

Malalai Joya on the Obama Administration’s coming Afghan Surge to escalate the U.S.-led occupation.

by Malalai Joya

30 Nov 09 | Guardian

East Asian Seas Congress 2009
23 November – 27 November 2009 (Manila, Philippines)

The EAS Congress 2009 reviewed and shared on-the-ground experiences in integrated management of coastal and marine resources under the theme “Partnerships at Work: Local Implementation and Good Practices.” One of its thematic workshops addressed indigenous approaches to habitat protection and restoration, including a session on indigenous knowledge and community-based approaches in protecting, restoring and managing key habitats. Visit the Conference website … Read coverage of the workshop by the IISD Reporting Services …

Oxford Business Group

Long a leader in the utilisation of information technology, Bahrain is working to hone its advantage, further building on its electronic services programme at home while spreading knowledge through cyber-space across the Arab world.

A recent report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) revealed that internet use in the majority of Arab countries remains below the prevailing global rate of 21% of the population. In part this could be due to the low level of Arabic content on websites – presently around 1% of the total.

In its Arab Knowledge report 2009, issued at the end of October, the UNDP said there was an urgent need for further research to understand the interaction of the Arabic language with technological developments and to meet the growing demands of Arab users.

In its report, the UNDP cited Bahrain as one of four Arab countries ranked in the top-50 globally as being most ready for investment in the area of information and communications technology (ICT). That readiness, along with Bahrain’s strong commitment to ICT, may well have influenced the UNDP to partner with the Kingdom in a new project.

On November 2, Bahrain’s eGovernment Authority (EGA) and the UNDP formally signed an agreement to establish the Arab Centre for eContent Development, a USD 460,000 project that will be based in Bahrain.

The main objective of the centre will be to develop Arab e-content by increasing its presence on the web relative to other languages, improving Arab online search engine capabilities and building skills in the area of e-government. It will also audit the quality of e-content and issue accredited certifications, while serving the private and public sectors both locally and regionally. As part of Vision 2030, the long-term plan spearheaded by the Economic Development Board (EDB) that is guiding the economic future of the country, the centre is expected to help foster a robust business environment.

“In part, this will be done by providing Bahrainis with IT training, thus helping to create further employment opportunities. Yet not only could the centre create many jobs locally, the expertise it helps generate will result in thousands of jobs all over the Arab world,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al Khalifa, the cabinet affairs minister who signed the joint agreement on behalf of the government.

“Bahrain is quickly becoming a pioneer in world-class technical initiatives that serve the general public,” said Sheikh Ateyatala, who is also a member of Bahrain’s Supreme Committee for ICT. “This programme will further consolidate the Kingdom’s position globally in the area of e-content, and create a better tomorrow for Bahrain and our fellow Arab nations.”

Bahrain launched the eGovernment project in 2007, with the aim of effectively delivering government services to citizens, residents, businesses and visitors. By the end of 2010, the EGA intends to have some 200 basic services offered electronically, a target it is on the way to reaching, having crossed the halfway point at the end of October.

Almost a quarter of the services currently on offer, including electricity bill payment, flight information and school examination results, are already available through mobile phones, with another 10 to be activated by the end of the year.

According to Mohammed Al Qaed, the chief executive officer of the EGA, by next year Bahrain will be an eGovernment leader in the Arab world.

If this goal were achieved, it would be fulfilling a prediction made even before the country launched its e-government project. Back in 2006, the UNDP issued a report that described Bahrain as possessing the fundamental elements enabling it to create a knowledge-based society, adding that this measure was “not only crucial for economic growth, but for sustainable development across the board”.

With the ramping up of the state’s eGovernment initiative, along with the potential offered by the Arab Centre for eContent Development, Bahrain is well placed to develop a knowledge-based society stretching far beyond its borders.

Arab Knowledge Report 2009
Download (1.8 Mb .pdf)

ILFE

Developed Training manuals for UNESCO, UNICEF, WORLD BANK and Esuela Nueva Foundation. including the two training manuals for UNESCO’s ‘Embracing Diversity ‘ collection of Inclusive,Learning Friendly

Creating the Inclusive Learning Friendly Classroom

Managing the Inclusive Learning Friendly Classroom

Incontro Francis è tornato dal Bhutan dove ha scroccato per una settimana vitto e alloggio a UNDP per una Conferenza internazionale su “Deepening and Sustaining democracy” (12-14 ottobre). Bel posto, tutti simpatici, paese che merita di essere visitato, assomiglia un po’ al Nepal di 20 anni orsono. Anche qui tutto è in movimento e i soldi che provengono dalla vendita di elettricità all’India hanno portato ricchezza, almeno a Paro e Thimpu (le città principali).

Tanto più, nessuno lo dice, che agli inizi degli anni ’90 hanno espulso 120.000 bhutanesi di etnia nepalese (Lhotshampa), sequestrandogli beni e case e mandandoli a languire in campi profughi nel Terai. liberando un pò di spazio e risorse.

Adesso qualcuno è entrato in programmi di “resettlement” e lentamente (20.000 fino ad oggi) sta emigrando in USA, Canada, Australia, Olanda e in altri paesi europei. La situazione nei campi è pessima malgrado le prime evacuazioni. Il WFP ha bloccato l’invio di cibo e alcuni pensano che sia un modo per forzare i rifugiati ad abbandonare i campi e indurli a smettere di chiedere di tornare nella loro patria, appunto il simpatico Bhutan.  Nessuno vuole litigare per accontentarli, così i numerosi incontri fra governi (Nepal, contro India e Buthan e  paesi occidentali donatori)  hanno prodotto niente.

Francis racconta che, oltre alla triste storia dei rifugiati, suonava strano vedere baci e abbracci fra il Primo Ministro bhutanese Jigmi Thinley e il Regional Director dell’UNDP Ajay Chhibber quando è noto che il Bhutan non è ai primi posti, per quanto possa valere, come democrazia.  L’attuale classe politica (due partiti Druk Phuensum Tshogpa- Bhutan United Party- 47 seggi e People’s Democratic Party -PDP- 2 seggi) eletta nelle prime elezioni parlamentari nel 2008 a liste bloccate (come nel passato),  è formata da appartenenti all’aristocrazia, le autonomie locali sono inesistenti, il sovrano mantiene il controllo tramite i suoi uomini eletti e la Presidenza dell’Alta Corte di Giustiza.

Poi, per amordiddio, conclude Francis la gente, almeno a Thimpu , la capitale se la passa abbastanza e la città s’è riempita di bei ristoranti e discoteche negli ultimi anni. I turisti rimangono pochi (circa 20.000 all’anno), per scelta tradizionale del governo, e vi è attenzione alla difesa della natura (circa il 60% della popolazione vive nei villaggi  d’agricoltura e allevamento).

Il Buthan, si legge nell’annuale Report sulla corruzione nel mondo (in base agli indici di percezione del fenomeno elaborati da Transparency International),  è 49° (su 180 paesi), meglio dell’Italia (63°), India (84°), Nepal (143°) e Cambogia (158°).

Poi, però, mi capita sotto le mani un libretto scritto da Tek Nath Rijal, Torture, Killing Me Softly, pubblicato in Nepal dopo il successo del suo libro precedente Nirbasan (in nepali). Il poveretto è stato 19 anni nelle prigioni del Buthan, per le sue attività pro-Lhotsampa e per “Deepening and Sustaining democracy” in quel paese. “This book describes the hell named Bhutanese prisons and is the first documentation of mind control in this part of the globe.  I have presented an account of my harrowing experiences and injustice I continue to suffer, for which the king and his regime of tyranny are mainly responsible. I have been the victim of mind control for the last 19 years,“

E racconta sistemi di tortura morbidi e raffinati come il “mind-control device”. “It is an electromagnetic mind control technique, which can take full control of the person’s body and mind permanently. It uses modulated microwaves to produce audible voices in the person’s head. It is in the form of subliminal hypnotic command and the victim can be hypnotically programmed for the years without knowing. The motive of mind control is to destroy the targeted person’s life. He digresses from his goal, forgets his mission, behaves strangely with his family and relatives and can not follow his routine life. It is used to elicit the required information from the prisoner as it hypnotises him.”  Ricordiamoci un pò anche degli sfigati.

Grassroots initiatives from Bangladesh to Zimbabwe are the Gold Winners of the 2009 SEED Awards
UNEP press release, 10 November 2009

NAIROBI, KENYA: Outstanding social and environmental projects from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Colombia, Southern Africa, India and Niger are the winners of the 2009 Gold Awards. The prize recognizes promising, locally driven start-up enterprises that work in developing countries to improve livelihoods, tackle poverty and manage natural resources sustainably. The Gold Winners include an association of small-scale women farmers in Zimbabwe striving to reverse severe land degradation through organic farming, and civil society organizations in Southern Africa and India that are developing bio-cultural protocols. Read the UNEP press release … Visit the SEED Initiative website …

Saturday, November 14, 2009

I woke up with a tremendous urge to get my poem, “Cushion and Cardboard” to the Governor General. I thought about delivering it directly at Kings House and I also thought about delivering it via the Pastor but I had to get to Mount Zion first (see below).  

Office of the Children’s Advocate

I spoke to Courtney Berry, Investigating Officer at the Office of the Children’s Advocate on Friday (November 13, 2009). He was referred to me by Dr. Sensitivity who happens to know the Children’s Advocate very very well. I sent Mr. Berry a copy of the letter I sent to the Child Development Agency and directed him to my blog posts.    

The Health Centre

I now have the contact names for a nurse and a doctor at the nearest clinic to Jerusalem. Dr. Sensitivity gave me the link on Friday. So, with a little more help the boys can see a doctor. Right?   

Introducing Aunt Resilience and the Sabbath Lesson

Aunt Resilience is visiting Jamaica from the United States. She is here for a church sister’s funeral. I just love Aunt Resilience; I love her because she is almost ninety, strong as a lion and appreciates her history. Aunt Resilience is a nurse like I am and a teacher, sewing “Seeds of Insight” to those who are smart enough to pay attention.

Aunt Resilience asked her nephew if He could come down to Stone River (not the real name of the community) on Sabbath. After discussing the request with His wife, the decision was made. God through the Universe had set aside Saturday, November 14th as a special day. Of course I was happy to go along to meet again with the country people and smell the sweet scents of God in all His glory.

“Hustle di Money”

Next door to the Burger King in May Pen was a Captain’s Bakery; we stopped to purchase some snacks. Low and behold! There in the show case of Captain’s I saw some flat buns with these words written in red food coloring on their glazed tops:

Hustle di Money

“Hustle di Money” (this bun was in the centre of the tray).

“Fluffy to di wurl” (this was the largest bun).

“Not nice” (the words on this bun were easily noticed…much clearer than the rest.)

I smiled to myself as I saw how the Captain (or the baker) was using the messages of the streets to market his product. I asked permission from the women selling in the bakery to take a photograph. They agreed.

From May Pen we journeyed on up into Stone River, a community in the constituency of Mr. Pearnel Charles (the man who is known for his half black – half white hairdo which splits his head into two imperfect sides, separating his right head from his left).

“The road does not look familiar at all,” I remarked to my husband.

“Sure, it looks very different ’cause the roads are bad.”

We drove through the unfamiliar roads, my husband hurrying to get to church…we were already late. I noticed two old bridges and as we drove over them, I prayed that they would not collapse with us. I wondered if they would be strong enough to withstand another Hurricane.

“YOU ARE ENTERING STONE RIVER” said the friendly street sign. 

We arrived safely at the square and I immediately remembered the times I had visited before. The Guango Tree was still standing but I did not notice it. The car swerved to the left and in a few minutes we pulled into the church yard and parked. The sermon was already in “full swing.”

The Sermon

“…God’s people should not be altering between two opinions…be sure your anchor holds and grips the solid rock…these people draw unto me with their lips but their hearts are far from me…

…I have shoes on my feet, food on the table, lovely wife and a home…all of these I have yet I am indebted to Jesus Christ…

Whatever it is that is determined by God, no man can change. God said don’t go, but he chose to go…the angel of the Lord withstand him in the way…

On the matter of unequally yoked, the First Elder paused to tell another story, “I know of a sister who married to a man for fifteen years and everything seemed to be going well but after fifteen years the marriage broke up. Even if it took fifteen years, it came to pass…”

I listened to the First Elder preached with his not-so-good English, his perfect message and his loud voice into the Jamaican microphone; I closed my eyes and asked God:

“But a wonda if dis man a drop wud fi mi sah? I hope not “cause I could teach him a ting or two ’bout unequally yolked – I could teach him The Truth about unequally yolked.”     

I decided to pay attention to the sermon and rest my case on the matter of unequally yoked.

The First Elder continued to preach: “The donkey fell down and worship…and even then the man was worshiping in ignorance…God knows how to get your attention…Balaam struck the — these three times you have hit me…these times you have worked me…if I had a sword, I would…any where you ask me to go I carry you…and now that I see something that you don’t see…you want to destroy me.’ After the donkey talk, the man’s eyes were open and he saw…”

Crescendo

CHURCH “if you could see what I see – brethren we should not lack vision. We have everything to empower us to go on. I am with you to keep you. We have the Holy Spirit to show us the way…and if as a church we have such a powerful force…we cannot stay ‘wishy-washy’…”

A church sister who was sitting two benches up and across the far left from me could not stand her ground any longer, she yelled, “HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH!

“We must have that hope that burns within our hearts…” yelled the First Elder.

“AMEN! AMEN!” shouted the sister.

“…Lord, Plant my feet on higher ground…”

The sister got up from her seat and “turn her roll,” clap a few times and shouted again, “HALLELUJAH! YES! AMEN!

“Just over in the promise land…some of us get weary…some of us get tired…there we must enter, never more to roam…we must live a Godly and sober life in this present world…

And God’s anger was kindled because he went…some of us have been too presumptuous…we need to change our ways…God said go with the men…Balaam went with the princes of Balak…we would have save ourselves the trouble we are now in if we listened the first time…and we are so presumptuous that we ask God to bless!”

Again I wondered if the preacher was talking to me ’cause I know the “runnings.” 

As he lowered his voice and settled the congregation he said his final words, “The word that God putteth in thy mouth that he shall speak. For too long as a church we know what God requires of us…There is no lack of knowledge but we fail to surrender…”

Boy, the First Elder “chaw fire” up at Stone River yesterday before he called on the pastor to close the service. The pastor was a young man, well dressed in his deep forest green suit, beige shirt visible only at the collar, deep voice with perfect English and handsome to the bone.

Later Aunt Resilience and I spoke about the “underling” and I asked myself, “Who is the underling? Is it the First Elder or is it the Pastor?”

The Pastor’s wife was also young and bright. She came over to greet us and provided comfort. 

Ras and Son

After church we ate lunch provided by the brethren. Some of us sat on wooden benches under the Guinnep tree, some on the graves in the church yard, some on specially donated chairs and others sat in the vestry. I noticed a Rasta Man too who later told me, “I am a member of the church.” He saw that my husband was taking lots of photographs so he asked for one. I prompted my husband to take the Ras’ photo; it was a wonderful sight, just admiring the Rasventist with his young son.      

Mount Zion

There are many Mount Zions in Jamaica but none as significant as the one up there on top of Stone River. We have been to Stone River many times but never to Mount Zion where it all started. Aunt Resilience changed that yesterday…the Universe through her took me up to Mount Zion. We left the church and drove up to the hill top. On our journey we noticed the narrow road, old buildings, men, women and children. We noticed a go-cart repair yard on the side of the road and the scene moved the grieving daughter to say, “Oh, Jamaicans are so innovative.”       

 

We approached Mount Zion Baptist Church on the hill called Diamond. That was the church where they all worshiped as children. It served as a church and a school in those days. His grandmother is resting on the other side of the road. I thought about her and my grandmother as they sleep on Mount Zion’s hill; one in Clarendon and the other in Hanover. Aunt Resilience and the rest of the party walked around the Baptist church yard and admired the old building. It was still standing tall but was battered and dry; though the grass was cut, there was little evidence of a vibrant life. The old belfry was barely standing and the steps that led up to the church door was hastily daubed with commercially made red oak dye, an indication of the mood that now exists in many of these traditional churches. There was a tiny house adjacent to Mount Zion Baptist. I learned that the “high coloured” minister lived there in those days; it was only two rooms and stood on one wooden stilt and many supporting concrete-stone legs.

Mount Zion Baptist Church

Churches like Mount Zion Baptist were always built with very high ceilings and solid stone walls on the hills…the best hills of Jamaica. I am noticing now that the Adventist churches are built generally out of modest material and situated in the valleys where the people live. People do not have to walk up to the hills for church anymore; the hills with their churches have now moved down to the people.

And so it is with Dancehall…the music have moved down to the valleys to live among the people. That’s why the preacher shouts just like the dancehall artiste because the voice has to be loud enough to spread across the valley and rise up into the hills. 

“If walls could talk,” the voice said.

Everybody sick

Miss Pollie lives on Mount Zion.  She is hard of hearing in her eight decade of life but she remembers everyone. She reminded me of Miss Marry from Georgia Road (where my roots can be found). What a woman fi chat! 

She spoke about Dick, Tom and Harry; ol’ time days and modern days; young wife and ol’ wife. Miss Pollie chat with her mouth and her big round eyes. She chat till she looked like she was tired and then left us with these words, ”Everybody sick…sickness everywhere.”

Curry Pus

On our way down the hill we stopped by the 1954 church to say our last goodbyes. “Curry Pus” was still there walking unsteadily on her crooked cane. She had tumors all over her visible skin; tumors that twisted her nose and tumors that bent her fingers. Her feet were carefully covered but not enough to hide the swelling which forced the shape of her tough slippers. 

“Come out a di church yard Curry Puss,” a young man yelled from underneath the Guinnep tree.

“You rass yu, nuh mek mi tell yu ’bout yu rass,” I heard her say with her sick and needy voice.

Curry Puss obeyed the young man and left the church yard. I did not notice if she was fed but I suspected that she was.

Back to Antonio in Kingston

We descended the hill from Stone Hill SDA and noticed the Guango Tree. It was still standing tall in the middle of the square. I mused, “This country square is not as old as mine in Cascade; not at all.”

We drove back to Kingston in silence. I was thinking about family life with all its complexities and I was thinking about Antonio. My young son was sleeping uncomfortably on the back seat of the car, a space that he had outgrown. I thought about Antonio again and Miss Puncie. The last time I spoke to them was on Thursday. Antonio called me from Miss Puncie’s phone to tell me thanks for the blankets. He asked me to return the call. When I did, I heard a recording of the song, “Mercy Said No” playing like a testimony on Miss Puncie’s cell phone.

“I just want to say thank, Thank You.”  

Tamian was right. Antonio is sincere.

Note to my readers:  All relevant addresses in this letter are removed. The location of the boys is referred to as “Jerusalem” (the pseudonym used for the community so far).   

November 12, 2009

Miss Allison Anderson

Child Development Agency

——————-

——————-

Dear Miss Anderson,

Re: A street child who told his story to the United Nations and Jamaica is still sleeping on cardboards in a park.   

I am aware of a case of four boys (ranging in age from 9 – 15), who appear to be living and working on the streets in Jerusalem (not the real name of the community), who are in need of attention. I met one of them, “Antonio” (not his real name), at the launch of the Study on Child Poverty in Jamaica, held at the Pegasus Hotel on October 21, 2009. His plight was featured on a video diary that was shown at the event. I was informed by Mr. Tamian Beckford that you were apprised of the case after the event.

On October 24, 2009, I visited Antonio at the park; there I learned that he was not alone. I discovered that there were three other boys. Since then, I have been trying to get the attention of the relevant authorities to provide assistance for these children, including the Child Development Agency (CDA) and the Ministry of Health. I have been writing daily blog posts about Antonio’s case to record this effort. So far, I have not had any luck in getting help.

My first contact was with the CDA. Two direct phone calls were made to your office, at which time I mentioned the case to Miss Edwards (October 23, 2009) and Mrs. Waller (after October 23, 2009 but prior to November 3, 2009). Mrs. Waller informed me that she was aware of the case and would wait on Mr. Anderson (Jamaica National Children’s Home) to contact her.

On Monday October 26, the case was also called in to the Office of the Children’s Advocate. Please see link here: http://marcampbellja.wordpress.com/2009/10/26/antonio-thompson-day-6/  

I have also consulted with a number of concerned individuals, including Mrs. Allison Hickling, UNICEF Communication Specialist, who was involved in the launch, and Mr. Anderson from the Jamaica National Children’s Home (mentioned above).

Please see the link here for the first blog or you may read it in the appendix that is attached to this letter: http://marcampbellja.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/child-poverty-and-disparites-what-good-is-a-campaign-without-compassion/. You may also follow the other blog posts from this link.

From a number of visits made to the boys, I have gleaned some information about their living circumstances, but I do not have all the facts. I realize that this is a very complex matter and requires due process be followed, including a thorough assessment to ascertain the actual conditions regarding their living circumstances and relationships with their parents/caregivers/relatives.

I hope there is a way the CDA can assist these boys without committing them in a prison-type place of safety. Possible humane options that have arisen in my various conversations include:

• Assistance through the public health route, though they do not appear sick. One of the boys has some rashes on his legs and feet; another boy’s legs appear a little swollen.
• Placement in the Jamaica National Children’s Home, the Possibility Programme or relevant Children First programme, the latter through the expert intervention of Mrs. Claudette Pious (who has been made aware of this case). 

Though something needs to be done soon, we should all act with care. As you are well aware, if treated with insensitivity and force by the police or any other entity, these boys will probably just run away again if they are stripped of their rights and freedoms. I am praying for a good outcome for all of them.

Sincerely,

Ann Marie E. Campbell

cc:        Leroy Anderson, Director, National Children’s Home         

              Tamian Beckford, CARICOM Commissioner on Youth Development

              Sheila Campbell-Forrester, Chief Medical Officer

              Mary Clarke, Children’s Advocate

              Allison Hickling, Communication Specialist, UNICEF

              Claudette Pious, Children First

Appendix

When a child tells his story of homelessness, poverty and hunger to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Child Development Agency (CDA) and others at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel but has to return to the streets, something is wrong!

A few days ago I received an e-mail from Andrew Francis, Youth Coordinator for the HIV/AIDS Programme at the Ministry of Education and Co-founder of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network regarding the “Launch of the Study on Child Poverty and Disparities in Jamaica & Observation of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty” at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kingston. I immediately entered the date into my Google Calendar and made arrangements with my husband to transport our son home from school.

Dr. Michael Witter

While I had more than one reasons to attend this launch, I was motivated by my desire to meet Dr. Michael Witter, Seniour Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the presenter for the study. I wanted to ask him a question that had been on my mind for quite some time. And frankly, I developed a liking for the man when I met him over eight years ago in his office at UWI. I had gone there at the recommendation of my boss to share the findings of our (Campbell & Campbell) qualitative study on prostitution. Dr. Witter expressed an appreciation of the findings and as I recall now, he encouraged us to continue with the good work. I knew then that he valued qualitative inquiry.

Before starting his presentation on the “Study on Child Poverty and Disparities in Jamaica” Dr. Witter highlighted the emotional dub piece by Jahzan, the moving testimony of Shelly-Ann Fraser, O.D., Olympic Champion, and the Video Diary on the “Faces of Child Poverty in Jamaica.” He was humble enough to admit that his “dry” presentation of the data was just another way of telling the story of child poverty and disparities. As I listened to Dr. Witter, I heard a man calling out for help and I saw a man who was in touch with the realities of the poor. I felt encouraged that this was an economist who was not limited by definitions; he understood that poverty was  more than the inability to afford a minimum diet. I heard him repeat the importance of looking at parental love and I felt his pain.   

I walked over to Dr. Witter after the launch and waited my turn to introduce myself and ask my question. Before I was finished with my introduction, he looked me in the eyes and told me that he remembered me from the meeting we had in his office in 2001. My heart was moved by the sensitivity of the man.

“Dr. Witter, why should a parent invest in a college education for her son? Are there any studies out there that show that a college education guarantees employment?”

He smiled as if he knew exactly why I asked the questions and suggested that I look at the population of the unemployed in Jamaica…

“They are mostly uneducated.”

After chatting for about five minutes, the gender perspective emerged and we cried silently in our hearts about our boys.

Antonio Thompson (not his real name)

While I lingered at my table to process my thoughts after most of the participants left, Tamian Beckford (a former street boy, now university student) approached me with a serious look on his face. He knew Antonio, the fifteen year old homeless boy in the video diary. Tamian knew where he lived and slept. Tamian also knew that Antonio was ready for a change in his life; he wanted to get off the streets and return to school. Tamian knew.

“But how can this be? How can we stand by and watch him return to the streets when he wants a home? I know that there are probably hundreds of children out there who are homeless but this one is now standing here asking for our help!” 

Tamian said that he was trying to get him placed into the children’s home where he (Tamian) once lived but the process was taking some time.  Tamian, Tazh (my colleague and friend) and I stood there helpless. Even if we gave him some money he was still homeless, uneducated, hungry, violence prone, and parentless.

Tamian knew. Dr. Witter knew. Tazh knew. I knew. Every single development practitioner who was in that conference room knew and yet we were all helpless.

The Challenge

As we “Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty\”  with UNICEF, UNDP and other partners in Jamaica, let us find a way to assist Antonio. What good is a campaign without compassion?

Tamian’s frustration

Tamian is now very frustrated. He called me yesterday and we spoke for about five minutes before my cell phone battery lost all of its energy. As I connected the cell phone to the charger and plugged it in the socket, I felt confident that my phone would be ready again in another fifteen minutes or so and before the night was over, it would be fully charged for the day ahead.

Unlike Tamian, I am not frustrated at all right now. Maybe it is because my expectations were lower than his from the very beginning of this journey. Instead of the frustration, I am feeling a great deal of sadness for my country of birth. However, I am also thanking God and the great Universe for bringing this wonderful boy into our lives at this time. He is a good boy; a boy that reminds me of my own sons. I can just imagine how tiny Antonio was at birth – just like this one. I remember the day they were born as if it was yesterday. I sat on the hospital bed and looked into their souls, once when I was in my early twenties and then again when I was thirty while I thought about my purpose here on earth. I was a mother and a wife; a daughter and a sister; I knew what I wanted and so did they.

Many years later, I am here at this place with so many of you. I know what I want out of life and so do you. We all need each other in one way or the other; to express our feelings through Antonio’s story.

Men still rule

In Jamaica, men still rule. We women sometimes think we do but when it comes time for the IMPORTANT matters to be settled, such as who will conduct the “search” or who will sign the ”form,” we realize again that the seeds, while they might be vulnerable, they are designed to last for years without dying.

Jamaica is dormant like dried seeds. Because of many factors, our men have lost their way and turned over their primary responsibilities to women. As a result, we are in a constant war of the sexes and the genders. It is now being manifested in our music in ways that are alien to the eyes. Men are now trying their best to “match up” to the skillful females in the dancehall and on stage. It is so sad to see what is happening…men looking like helpless monkeys trying to calm roaring lions braced against their cages. But is this really what is happening in the Dancehall called Jamaica? Or is it that our men are still superior?

Is it going to take a man or a woman to get Antonio some asistance? I guarantee that whosoever steps up to the plate will have an impact on this boy’s life forever. So, will it be the men?

Cushion and cardboard ( a message for the Governor General).

Last week I met a church sister in the fabric store

She was looking for some material by the door

For the church benches are just too hard these days

When cool air blows and the Governor General prays

When pickney sleep on cardboard in the dead of night

Curled up like a snake on Jamaica’s back they fight

Faces pressed on brown cardboard instead of cushion

We spread out on red cushion instead of a cardboard demonstration 

Church benches are not supposed to be covered with cushion

We should not be sitting long enough there to get a vision

Church benches should be made from cardboard boxes

Versatile enough to accommodate our bottoms and our messages

How dare they even think of redoing those benches

When children are running away under fences?

How dare they think of redoing those benches

When homeless pickney de pon di street in trenches? 

It is time that we take the family life programmes to the streets

Save the children before we save their soul, that’s how we do it!

Ask the Governor General if him want cushion seat or see their feet 

And I guarantee you he will refuse the comfort and accept the heat.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Drafted letter for the Child Development Agency (CDA); now awaiting on feedback from Allison Hickling, Tamian Beckford and Mr. Anderson.

Plan to send off letter to the CDA tomorrow (November 12, 2009). 

Received e-mail today from a CDA staff member. Apparently an effort was made by the Agency to locate Antonio but according to the e-mail:

“our (CDA) checks have revealed no information on Antonio. He was not admitted to the Jamaica National Children’s Home and despite visits to the the ’street location’ he was not found.”

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Basically things are at a standstill now as we wait on the Child Development Agency to act in the best interest of the children.

Allison Hickling, Mr. Anderson and I met for lunch on Monday I think it was. Tamian was absent due to his involvement in the National Youth Parliament.

1) We discussed the complexities of the cases…this is bigger that one person; bigger than a team of 3 concerned citizens.

2) The community dynamics – role of children in assisting/working in the community / supporting the community

3) The leadership/group dynamics … can the boys adjust to a new environment?

4) Who they identify with (dancehall)…

5) Identified basic needs (toiletries, blanket); will need a team to intervene – social worker, physician, psychologist, community leaders, church, etc.

6) Rotarary has an event / health fair planned in a couple weeks…that could be an opportunity for the team to enter the community.   

7) When money is not enough…….

Plan:

a) Contact the expert community annimator/ child protector / seasoned advocate and NGO …

b) Follow up on call to Mrs. Waller

c) Write letter to the CDA/CMO outlining the case and requesting formal assessment/mapping and necessary community intervention

Opportunities: The Jerusalem community could be the start of opportunities for homeless boys, then move to other communities.

We are still hopeful.

Q: What is Poverty in Jamaica?

A: There is no such thing as Poverty when there is dancehall music. That’s the winning ticket for “at-risk” boys.

Q: What is Poverty in the USA?

A: There is no such thing as Poverty when there is rap music. That’s the winning ticket for “at risk” boys.

The influence of dancehall and rap artists is real. Sometimes the solution to the male teenage “rebellion” lies in the music studio…just ask us, we know.  Maybe what these kids (like Antonio) need is a music studio instead of a home. We cannot fight dancehall and rap; we need to understand that the “music” will never die as long as Poverty gives them a reason/s to express themselves.

I hope Jay-Z will understand why I had to use his video clip to demonstrate this lesson.

An honest youth

The Gold Laureate

About a year ago I lost my gold necklace; it was a gift from my husband. I could not recall where I lost it…though I was convinced that I removed it at my hairdressers’ while fitting a Lignum Vitae necklace that I later bought from a male peddler. I knew that my husband was going to be disappointed with me for losing the special gift. I told him the truth about the incident and resigned myself to accept the hurt by telling myself that the necklace was only “material.”

The Car-wash

My husband took my car to the car-wash today; it was overdue for a thorough cleaning. I continued with the clean up from the Sabbath dinner while he waited on the car. About 5:00 pm my husband walked into the kitchen, placed his hands on my shoulders and asked me to close my eyes. I obeyed, because I remembered that wives will be “submissive” to their loving husbands. I felt the cold metal touch my warm skin at my neck and I decided not to protest…not anymore.  

“Why did he go out and buy me another necklace? That’s the last thing I wanted. I would have preferred if we took another trip down to Jerusalem and checked on those boys instead.” I tried my best to control myself.

“Ok, open your eyes.”

I obeyed and looked across to the French-door-style cupboard that served as a mirror. I was disappointed that my husband went out to buy me another gold necklace but I controlled my feelings. I stepped closer to the cupboard where I was loading the clean dishes and soon noticed that the new necklace looked very familiar. IT WAS MY LOST GOLD LAUREATE!

We both laughed as I asked myself, “Where did he find it?”

“Well?”

“The young fellow who cleaned your car found it underneath your seat, apparently when he blew out the car with the air hose. He placed it on the back seat and left it there. I did not see it until I returned to the parking lot at the hospital; that is when I saw it on the back seat.”

“What? He found my necklace and left it in the car for me? Oh God, there is hope in Jamaica!”

Let us go back down there and thank him some more,” my husband said with deep respect and appreciation.

Jevonie Maxwell

There he was. Only eighteen years old. He has been washing cars here at the foot of the hill for a year now. I asked his permission for my husband to take a photograph with us standing by my car. I shook his cold shriveled hands and held him around his damp waist as we both smiled for the photo. His boss passed by and smiled. We all knew that Jevonie was an honest kid and with some more opportunities he would be going places.

A small gift for Antonio and the other boys

Miss Puncie’s street-side market was still open. I met her daughter and her young son tonight (Sunday night)…they are so beautiful.  I asked for the boys and Miss Puncie willingly went to get them across the playfield. 

“I brought you a little something…it is not much.” One of the boys took the black plastic bag but did not open it. Like a mother Miss Puncie took the bag and inspected the contents while the boys watched. Antonio seemed sad tonight. He said he tried to call me today but got no answer. I told him that I saw the missed calls and I tried to return the call but got no answer. I asked him in semi-privacy if he knew about the “Possibility Programme” (for street boys) but he seemed unaware. 

“Would you go there (to the ‘Possibilty Programme’) if they have space for you?”

“Yes, I would go anywhere right now?”           

 ”Ok, I am not making any promises but we (Tamian, Allison and I) are going to try our best to work out something for you.”

 He was happy to hear Tamian’s name. His face lit up for a brief moment when he spoke about Tamian.

 ”I will tell Tamian that you would like to hear from him.”

 In a whisper I asked Antonio a question that I had in my mind from the day I met him at the Pegasus…I thought I heard someone said that he was sleeping on cardboards…I wanted to know for certain but I was hesitant before.

 ”What are you sleeping on Antonio?”

 ”Cardboard.”

 ”Do you have a blanket?”

 ”No.”

 I looked at Miss Puncie with all the children around her and she looked at me…we exchanged a few words as woman to woman.

 Tomorrow is day 20. How much longer will he have to wait? I will look around the house for a blanket and pray hard tonight that he will have a home soon-soon (very soon).

2006 Annual Report — English

2006 Annual Report — Spanish

2006 Annual Report — French

I bought four toothbrushes today (Friday); one yellow, one red, one sky blue and one royal blue. I also bought one large tube of toothpaste…there are many basic needs.  

The Possibility Programme 

I am now waiting on a another call from Allison. She called earlier today and told me that the “Possibilities” Programme (for street boys) was contacted and they have space available. Birth certificates and immunization cards will be needed at some point after admission. 

 A meeting is being planned.

Sabbath Fellowship

We are having a special family member for Sabbath lunch tomorrow so I cooked all Friday afternoon; lamb, chicken, fried tofu with curried potatoes and more. My son asked, “Why don’t you cook like that every Sunday?” I really think he missed my cooking.  I thought about how Sabbath lunches should be and how I used to cook Jamaican style breakfast and dinner every Sunday. All the preparation today reminded me of my Trini-Jamaican friend and sister in Georgia; I am sure she was cooking too. I really miss those Sabbath lunches in Georgia. 

Things might be different right now but tomorrow will be like the good old days. My Trini-Jamaican friend and sister will not be here with us in the flesh but I am looking forward to a great day with my biggest sister-in-law and the rest of the Family.    

Has Antonio ever experienced a Sabbath dinner?

Has he ever experienced a day of family fellowship?

Does he know what it is like to rush to the dining table prepared with delicious food by the hands of loving moms?

Was he ever scolded for leaving the dirty dishes in the sink on the day of his kitchen duty?

How does he feel now that he is not getting his mom’s sweet home cooking? My prayer is that this period of his abscence from the home will be short. I pray for a reunion, dear God.

Teeth and Bones 

(An inspiration from the boys and the men in the park, November 4, 2009)

They all have nice teeth, everyone

Like ivory, like pearl, like diamond

I can see their teeth when they smile

Full of hope despite their common mile

I admire their teeth

The men’s teeth are not easily seen

They stay at a distance to observe the scene

There are many men in the park sitting

Laughing, reasoning, smoking, eating, listening

I am aware of their teeth

I could not see the gatekeeper’s teeth

He passed by quickly and spoke last week

There was not enough time for introductions

He moved through fast as if on a mission

I understood his teeth

Yesterday I saw many teeth and two broken legs

The sufferer’s teeth were all gone except for two pegs

Two old and rotted teeth told a story of poverty, politics and development

Teeth that begged from a stone transformed into his wealth and contentment

I respected his teeth

No smile, no frown, no talk, no golden crown

Easy walk, matching clothes, handsome to the bone

A big young man with sealed lips, shades, no threat

Could not tell the story of his teeth or his bones yet

But I felt his teeth and showed respect.

Copyright, November 5, 2009

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

On my way through my bedroom door I called to tell Mr. Anderson that I would arrive fifteen minutes late. Traffic was pretty light so I made it through quickly and arrived safely at the corner just before Technology Square University (not the real name of the University). I observed all the government and quasi government buildings. About three hundred yards later, the road surface changed from Jamaican asphalt to Jamaican potholes ranging in width from about one foot to over six feet and deep enough to “mash up” my car. I followed Mr. Anderson’s instructions and drove underneath the aqueduct. The road was isolated except for one boy in a khaki suit I saw walking towards the main road. I followed the road slowly allowing my car tyres to “ease down” and “ease out” of the large holes in the road until I saw the small sign on the right hand side of the road with the words:

“Jamaica National Children’s Home”

There were also other signs posted but they were not very clear to the observer. I decided to stop at the gate where I saw a slim young woman in a bright pink blouse.

“Is this the National Children’s Home Miss?”

“Yes,” she replied.

I realized that she had a speech impairment when she responded. I asked for Mr. Anderson’s office and she walked me up to the top of the walkway and pointed to the office door.

“I knocked on the blue wooden door and entered when I did not hear a voice on the other side.

“Good afternoon. My name is Miss Campbell and I am here to see Mr. Anderson. He is expecting me?”

“Yes, please have a seat… ”

 Mr. Anderson was a tall dark-skinned man with a friendly nose and experienced eyes. He was comfortably dressed; no jacket, no tie, no judgements.

I offered to shake his hand as we entered the small conference room knowing that there was important business at hand.

Mr. Anderson handed me a brochure after we informally agreed on the purpose of the meeting. We were about to discuss our concerns about Antonio.

I learned that the Jamaica National Children’s Home is situated in close proximity to the Land Lease and Mudd Town communities in the Eastern St. Andrew constituency led Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlet, a Member of Parliament of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party. The home has been owned and operated by the  Methodist Church since 1999. According to the brochure, “It receives a small subvention from the Jamaica government yet it relies on the support of people and organizations from all over the world to provide the quality care…” for the children. The brochure states, “We are in constant need of even the barest essentials, including clothing and food.”  

Mr. Anderson reflected on the needs of Antonio and the other boys:

“Where they are…

What the possibilities are…

How the transition is going to take place…

How will trust be handled…

It would not be surprising if these children are on ”fit person order”…

Highway Baptist (not the real name of the church) is just down the road…

They will need one hour per day for about three days per week to start, to include personal development…

The hours cannot be long…a less intense programme is needed…

You have to allow them to succeed…

There must be consistency.”

Mr. Anderson kept thinking about Antonio as he verbalized a plan for the boys…

“Antonio is not a typical street youth…he is indecisive…anywhere that has the strongest influence…who he is surrounded by.”

Mr. Anderson was also touched by Lascell (not his real name). We both know (from our discussions with him) that he wants to return to school…Lascell seems to be a recent “drop out.”

Lascell loves his mother but he knows that his stepfather loves his mother too, so he ran away.

Mr. Anderson and I agreed that these two boys (Antonio and Lascell) need URGENT ATTENTION. Antonio is fifteen and Lascell is fourteen.    

So what is the plan for these boys?

1. Mr. Anderson will go and visit them once per week.
2. Mr. Anderson will communicate with the person who runs the educational programme at the Highway Baptist Church.
3. He will call Mrs. Waller at the Child Development Agency next week Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. I wondered about the reason for his delay in calling Mrs. Waller and asked him to clarify.

Rationale: “To let him (Antonio) know that there are others who want to help…give them enough room to say what he (Antonio) wants. It must be guided. We have to let them know that nobody wants to take them over…we just want to facilitate their development. They want their freedom…these boys can propel themselves.”

As we closed the meeting, I noticed a framed picture of a light-skinned woman on the wall.

“Who is that lady?”

“That is Ivy McGhie, former chair of the board…She was more than a chair.”

“So who is the current chair of the board?”

“Cecile Bernard.”

“Oh, really…the same Cecile Bernard who worked with PACT?”

“Yes, she is still with PACT.”

“Oh I see. I know Cecile…nice lady…”

I told Mr. Anderson that I would be documenting the meeting and sending the report to some key stakeholders involved. I told him also that I was blogging about the special case and that UNICEF had an interest (UNICEF representatives have written to me by g-mail). I also informed him that this year (2009) is the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC).

We wrapped up our meeting after about an hour and I hurried over to the Mona Visitor’s Lodge to join the meeting that was already in progress. I arrived just after the break and just in time for Dr. Marcus Day’s session on “Drugs and HIV – Is HIV changing the face of drug policy?”

Later in the day I called Alison Hickling, Communications Specialist at UNICEF to confirm our trip to Jerusalem (not the real name of the community). We agreed to meet in front of the park on Wednesday at 12:30 pm. My husband will be my chauffeur again.

I pray for peace, harmony and completeness in Jerusalem today.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Yesterday I spoke to Mr. Anderson for the second time. He is the man in charge at National Children’s Home. I now have an appointment to meet with him and I must say that I am both anxious and excited to meet this man. I think I am anxious because of all the uncertainties involved in this case yet I feel so excited that this might be the opportunity for Antonio to start a new life.

I called Tamian and told him that I have an appointment set with Mr. Anderson for Tuesday morning at 10:00 am. We both realize that Mr. Anderson has concerns about Antonio’s case; concerns that I will explore further when I meet him in his office.

“Seeds of Insight” at the Table

A friend and colleague who is now the Executive Director of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition gave me a scholarship to attend a conference on Jamaica Drug Policy which is now in progress at the University of the West Indies/Mona Visitor’s Lodge. Sponsors include the Caribbean Harm Reduction Coalition, the Caribbean Alcohol Research Institute and the Open Society Institute & Soros Foundation Network. I am thankful.

 I completed the registration form with all of my contact details and for the first time I wrote “Seeds of Insight” in the space provided for ORGANIZATION.

When Ian described the participants around the table, he referred to me as an activist.

“An activist?!”  I laughed not knowing if I was ready for the “new” label. Nevertheless, I introduced myself as “Ann Marie Campbell, now sewing ‘Seeds of Insight.’”

As the meeting progressed, I was humbled to hear on at least three occasions when the participants followed through on the theme of spreading and sewing seeds…seeds of change that will grow over time. 

I realized that Ian was reading my blog posts and it only took a few minutes for the other participants to connect with the theme without losing their focus on the agenda.

Dr. Imani Tafari-Ama

I met this powerful Rastafarian woman last night at the re-launch of her book, “Blood, Bullets and Bodies:  Sexual Politics Below Jamaica’s Poverty line. I bought a copy of her book and she signed it with her name and her contact information.

After the programme was over I stayed behind to mix and mingle with some of the dreads.

“You smile a lot, don’t you?”

“Yes” I replied as I started to laugh with the wise Rasta Man. “I laugh a lot too.” I did not tell him the reason I was laughing at that time but Bethany would know.  

“Yeh man, I can tell.”

“Well to tell you the truth, I cry a lot too.”

“When do you cry my sister?”

“I cry when I remember my mother and her life…I also cry when I see boys that remind me of my own two boys.”

The Rasta Man was now listening even more intently.

The last time I cried was at an old man’s funeral (See Antonio Thompson: Day 12) where I saw the mourning mother with her pre-teen son. I knew that he was an adopted child. I cried because he read one of the Bible lessons eloquently and he was recognized as an official grandchild.