Earthquake in China - How it's different than in the past

Recently, it seems as though I just keep writing about natural disasters. Cyclones and massive flooding in Myanmar, tornadoes in the Midwestern USA, and now the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in central China.

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake is no laughing matter. Once when I was in college we had a minor earthquake - I think it was under a magnitude of 3.0, but it was still unsettling. I can't imagine what such a large earthquake would feel like. Reports from people 150 kilometers from the epicenter say it felt like a rolling and shaking, but that sounds too tame. "Rolling and shaking" is what disco dancers used to do; an earthquake has terrible destructive power that far outweighs the impact of the groovy fashions and moves of the disco era.

Over 5,000 people are reported dead in just one county in central China, with more deaths expected to be reported as this area of China has over 78 million residents (Source: BBC). The quake struck at around 2:30 PM, when kids were still in school and people were still at work. Apparently 900 children are trapped in their collapsed school. Can you imagine anything so terrifying as being trapped?

The only positive thing about this event is the Chinese government's reaction. In the past, it shut down access and tried desperately to control the flow of information within China and to the rest of the world. I suppose the government wanted to make sure a positive spin was put on the event, or more specifically, on their reaction to the event.

However, this time it's different. The Chinese government is very quickly disseminating information, and reacting to the event. The media (well, the BBC, which is where I first heard of the quake) is taken aback, in a good way, at the ease with which information has come forth. With information comes the ability to help. This contrasts starkly with Myanmar's response to the cyclones, though aid is slowly trickling in.

I think the reason China is being more forthright about the earthquake is the upcoming Olympics in Beijing. The country is already under a microscope for the way it's handling the Tibet issue. The last thing they need is further condemnation for their mishandling of a natural disaster. So, if the world wanted to influence Chinese politics by giving them the Olympic hosting responsibilities, I would say they have succeeded... at least in this small way.

If you would like to help victims of the earthquake in China, consider the following organizations:

• Red Cross - Provides disaster relief
• Mercy Corps - Works within "disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds"
• China Tomorrow Education Foundation - Builds schools in rural China to ensure education for all
• Alpha Communities - Works with people and communities to realize potential, initiate change, and create opportunities in rural China and Mongolia

Related Posts: Chinese Earthquake: How to help; Global Volunteering; Myanmar Cyclones and What you can do to help; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief, Oh My! ; An Olympic Debate

Photo courtesy of CNN.com and Getty Images.

Chinese Earthquake: How to Help

I'm an avid NPR listener.

This past week when I heard news on the BBC of the earthquake in Chengdu in the Sichuan province I thought, "Isn't that where the NPR people were going to report on the massive changes in China?" Before traveling there, they described the wonderful cuisine of the region, the burgeoning population, and the economic upheaval, and I was quite interested to hear their reports from the area.

I'm sure these NPR reporters were not expecting to experience an earthquake firsthand. However, they have been working diligently to get the story of the thousands of people impacted by the quake out to the rest of the world. It's heart wrenching to hear a parent's sobs when they talk about their missing children, describe collapsed homes, and tell of trapped family members. I only hope that their reporting helps inspire people to give, or to travel to the area and help.

The Chinese government's response to the situation contrasts sharply with the response of Myanmar to the cyclones. Once upon a time in a not too recent past, China would have prevented reporters from traveling to the epicenter of the disaster.

However, this time they are being much more open, perhaps having realized that being open will get them more aid. In addition, like I mentioned before, the upcoming Olympics are likely playing a role in this. The country is under increased scrutiny and don't want additional criticism for their humanitarian mistakes.

If you are interested in volunteering to help the earthquake victims in China, consider the following:

International Organizations

• Red Cross - Provides disaster relief
• Mercy Corps - Works within "disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against nearly impossible odds"
• Feed the Children - Provides food to children and families around the world
  
• Peace Corps - Places volunteers in two year positions to serve the USA in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries
• ORBIS International - Works to build local capacity and develop long-term, sustainable solutions to the tragedy of unnecessary blindness
  

China-Specific Non-Profits

• Empowerment and Rights Institute - Works to protect the human rights of disadvantaged groups including farmers, laborers (esp. female and child labor), migrant workers, complainants and petitioners, and victims of forced-relocation
  
• Dream Corps International - Volunteers work to better the learning environment for students in disadvantaged communities in rural and urban China
  
• Global Volunteer Network in China - Educates children in rural China
  

Do-It-Yourself

• Organize a small fundraising event. With a few friends, contact a local bar or restaurant. Convince the owners to give you deals on food and or beverages, charge a $10 cover fee, and promote the heck out of it to your friends and family, reminding them of the people impacted by the event. Donate the funds to a larger organization.
  
• If your employer has a dress code, organize a "$5 for China so you can wear jeans to work" day. Donate the funds.
• Follow Fred's example - collect donations to do something ridiculous, like cutting your hair into a mullet, fasting for a week, or eating 20 chili peppers.
  

Don't forget to vote daily for the Volunteer Boston Blog as the "Best Hobby Blog"!

Related Posts: Earthquake in China Volunteer Opportunities; Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; How you can help - with a mullet; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief - Oh My!; Myanmar cyclones and what you can do to help; Food Crisis - Get on the Seoul Train

First photo courtesy of a Chinese message board: http://bbs.cdqss.com/viewthread.php?tid=344374

Second photo courtesy of the NPR blog on the reporters' Chengdu journey

Earthquake in China: Volunteer opportunities

Our posts about the earthquake in China have gotten a lot of traffic over the past week. It seems as though people are genuinely interested in helping the victims of the earthquake in the Sichuan province, whether it's sending money, hosting displaced persons, or going to China to help rebuild.

I have searched high and low, and have yet to find any specific volunteer trips to Chengdu or the surrounding areas, outside of trips undertaken by non-profits that do disaster relief. If you're a regular citizen who is not already a trained member of a group like Doctors without Borders, you may have to either wait for such trips to get organized, organize your own trip, or find other ways to help.

If you are bound and determined to travel to China to help with the rebuilding effort, I would suggest getting in touch with local organizations with ties to China. This includes various weekend Chinese schools, Chinese cultural associations, and Chinese media outlets. Some of the groups I found include:

• Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association
• Chung Wah Academy of New England
• China Tomorrow Education Foundation - Builds schools in rural China to ensure education for all
• Alpha Communities - Works with people and communities to realize potential, initiate change, and create opportunities in rural China and Mongolia

If you're looking to donate funds, the Chinese language TV station KyLinTV is matching all donations made for earthquake relief (click on the English button on the upper right if you can't read Chinese). Cathay Bank in Boston is also collecting donations. Mercy Corps has partnered with the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation

Don't forget - there is always the option of doing it yourself. You can make a difference. Just start making the phone calls, doing the research, getting the answers. S/he who is determined will not fail.

The conditions in China are not getting better. Dozens of large dams are threatening to collapse, which would cause floods and even more damage. Please, do your part - help the survivors of this tragedy.

Related Posts: Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; How you can help with a mullet; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief - Oh My!; Myanmar cyclones and what you can do to help; Food Crisis - Get on the Seoul Train

Photos courtesy of this Chinese web forum.

Don't forget to vote daily for the Volunteer Boston Blog as the "Best Hobby Blog"!

Olympics in China - Has anything really changed?

With the recent earthquake in China, the Chinese government has had a respite from criticism around the Tibet issue. Instead, the focus has rightly been on helping those people in immediate need. (And in immediate need they still are.) China has been unusually open in the aftermath of the earthquake, allowing journalists to access many of the regions, and welcoming foreign aid unlike Myanmar.

However, that does not mean that China's overall human rights have improved overnight. There was hope that by giving Beijing the honor of hosting the Olympics, the Olympic committee could have a positive impact on China's human rights. Unlike in past years, though, the details of the contract to host the Olympics have not been made public.

Thus far there doesn't seem to be much actual change. China's relations with Tibet have not improved, and the recently released rules and regulations for all Olympics-bound foreigners (as determined by the Beijing organizing committee) are very strict.

Sure, everyone understands that China doesn't want you to bring opium into the country. But they also prohibit “anything detrimental to China’s politics, economy, culture or moral standards, including printed material, film negatives, photos, records, movies, tape recordings, videotapes, optical discs and other items.”

This is the kind of thing Chinese citizens are subject to all the time. Heck, even the internet, which to most people represents ultimate freedom of information, is censored in China (an example of the censorship).

Little reminders like this make me feel lucky to live in the United States, and inspire me to take action to help reform China's regulations.

Some organizations working for freedom of information in China or with resources about the problem:

• Amnesty International on China
• Global Voices Advocacy
  
• Chinh's News
• Gabriel Real World News
• Chinese Internet Censorship from the CyberCrimes Blog
  

Related Posts: An Olympic Debate; Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief ; Champions of a Cause

Photo courtesy of StuckinCustoms.com's series "Back Streets of Beijing."
Thanks to Krystle for the article idea!

Olympics 2008: Inspiration. No, really.

It's easy to feel removed from the Olympics. After all, they're happening on the other side of the world in Beijing, China. We've discussed the politics surrounding the Olympics, and current events in China like the recent earthquake, but it still doesn't make it [China] real to me.

I honestly don't know that I'll ever really "get" China or even be able to picture it unless I go there, but after my recent trip to the Olympics training center in Colorado Springs, I can picture the Olympics.

Ok, maybe that's even a stretch - but after seeing the introductory video profiling Olympians going to the 2008 Olympics, I feel the Olympics. I want to watch these young athletes compete with their peers across the world. They're working so hard, they're so dedicated, they've given up so much, and what they produce can perhaps be considered art. Watching someone who is excellent at their job is a joy.

It helps that our tour guide was my cousin Kevin Barnett, who was a two time Olympian on the US volleyball team. He is passionate about the competition, the athletes, and the spirit of the event. In fact, he's a commentator for NBC for the Games, specifically the games of volleyball.

The Olympics begin on August 8, 2008 (08/08/08). Watch on your television, or get it on demand on your computer. According to Kevin, you can watch more than one event at once! Ah, the wonders of the world wide interweb.

This is your chance to see people from all over the world, to feel that spirit of togetherness, and to see art in action. Inspire yourself.

My brother Noah showing his excitement about Kevin Barnett's impending tour of the Colorado Springs training center

Related Posts: Olympics in China - Has anything really changed?; An Olympic Debate; Earthquake in China; Chinese Earthquake: How to Help

Photos courtesy of my trip to Colorado this past weekend. Congrats go out to my cousin Keith and his new wife Jessica!

Myanmar, Burma, and Celebrities

There's a lot of controversy around celebrities and their pet causes. Some people think celebrities (and the media who covers them) should leave political and social commentary out of the spotlight. Others think celebrities should be doing more to promote their charities of choice.

I happen to be in that first camp - if celebrities are taking the time to think outside of themselves and their hairstyles and what kind of sunglasses they should be seen wearing, and they can get the gossip rags to cover more than their hairstyles, sunglasses, and rehab stints, more power to 'em.

The recent natural disasters have wrought havoc on the developing nations of China and Myanmar (also known as Burma). Hopefully the sun-kissed celebs will start rallying behind fundraising causes for both disasters. Even though Myanmar has been less "accepting" of donations (and press, whose coverage often inspires more donations), the situation there is quite grave on both the disaster front and the human rights front.

Luckily for us, though, prior to this disaster, our friends in tinsel town were already promoting awareness about Myanmar's human rights issues. Various celebrities have helped create videos as part of the Burma: It Can't Wait campaign, which is trying to raise 1 million voices in support of Burma in the month of May.

Some videos are funny (heyyyyy Sarah Silverman and Will Ferrell), others are more serious, like the one below by Ellen Page. Stars of all stripes and sorts from Sylvester Stallone to Jennifer Aniston are taking the time and using their stardom to raise awareness of important issues. And no matter your personal opinion on the matter of Burmese human rights, I think you should give the celebs kudos for standing up for something.



What do you stand for?

Don't forget to vote daily for the Volunteer Boston Blog as the "Best Hobby Blog"!

Related Posts: Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; How you can help with a mullet; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief - Oh My!; Myanmar cyclones and what you can do to help; Champions of a Cause

Photo of the traveling chicken courtesy of Roger_Travels.

Myanmar cyclones and what you can do to help

The most experience I have had with Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) was my culinary adventures at the tasty Allston Burmese restaurant YoMa. However, recently the country has been briefly mentioned in newscasts after reports of terrible cyclones in the region that have caused massive flooding and distruction.

At first, it was reported just 250 people died, then 22,000, but now it is believed that over 100,000 people have died [updated 5PM 5/7] and thousands of people are missing. If the same percentage of the total population of the United States were killed or missing in a disaster, it would represent over 550,000 people.

Point is, 100,000 people killed is a lot of people, and in a country I know practically nothing about. I didn't even know how to correctly spell "Myanmar." So, I looked up a map on Wikipedia:

It's a little smaller than Texas, a little bigger than Afghanistan, and the largest country in Southeastern Asia.

And then I read a little Burmese history. I knew the country was under some type of nefarious government, but I didn't know that it used to be a British colony back in the first half of the twentieth century. It was then briefly a Democracy before a military coup. For the past 10 years it has been run by a strict military regime not known for its humanitarian actions (and that's putting it lightly).

International sanctions are in place, people struggle to get their basic needs met, and they have very few personal freedoms.

The devastating cyclones are one event that the government doesn't want to keep under wraps... mostly because they're using it to show how "well" they treat their people. They're handing out a few blankets and some food, but the area really needs significant help. From the director of Mercy Corps' European office:

"Burma is a country that had great needs even before this emergency. Now those needs are magnified immensely, and it will require a response that's beyond the capacity of any one country to restore normalcy to people's lives."

If you're interested in contributing to the relief efforts, try one of the following organizations:

• Mercy Corps, which works to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression
• Red Cross, which shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters
• Foundation for the People of Burma, which has worked for nine years to provide humanitarian aid to Burmese residents regardless of religion or ethnicity
• Feed the Children, which brings bringing emergency aid to homeless and needy children and families
• Global Giving, which raises funds to help grassroots efforts internationally
  

A video from Aljazeera gives you a better idea of what's going on:



Please, help any way you can.

Related Posts: Chinese Earthquake: How to Help; Global Volunteering; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief - Oh My!; Food Crisis - Get on the Seoul train

Numbers dead and missing taken from news reports citing the Myanmar government's estimated figures. Population statistics used to calculate the equivalent number of US victims taken from US census figures and Burmese population estimates as cited on Wikipedia.

Photos courtesy of the New York Times.

Quilting for a Cause - Midwestern Tornadoes

OYFP promotes volunteerism by educating all y'all in a very casual way about our partner non-profits, and by holding one day volunteer events. But you still may not be convinced that your actions are going to make a difference, or perhaps you're still iffy on the whole "commitment" thing.

We understand that not everyone wants or is able to volunteer hours after hours a week for the good of others. But let this post serve as a reminder that you don't have to volunteer hours after hours to make a difference in someone else's life.

My cousin Liz learned from her friend Adam when that his 91 year old grandmother, who lives in the Midwest, lost everything she owned in the recent tornadoes and floods. Everything she owned. And she's 91!

Instead of just sending a card, making a donation, or casting about for a disaster relief organization with which to volunteer, Liz emailed everyone she knew who sewed, and asked them to put together some quilt squares. She would then piece together the entire thing and send it to Granny, so at the very least she would have a blanket she could call her own.

Liz took action.

In this case, Liz was close to someone who was impacted by the disaster. Sometimes that personal connection makes it a little more real, and makes a little more likely to act. Earlier this year I blogged about my co-worker Fred, who set a fundraising goal ($500), collected donations, and then cut his hair into a mullet. He sent the money off to the Lupus Foundation of New England, mentioning that he knew someone impacted by the disease.

So. Don't wait, act. Think about something you know how to do - maybe you cook a mean scrambled egg - and then use that skill to help someone else (Meals on Wheels, Culinary Corps, or organize your own fundraising breakfast). Let us know actions you take, and we'll help you promote your cause, and be successful.

"What do you think? Should I make some quilt squares to help a 91 year old Nana?"

Related Posts: Flooded Midwesterners still need your help; How you can help with a Mullet; Boston Cares Corporate Volunteer Day; Chinese Earthquake: How to Help; Volunteering at Lunch: It's reading time!

Photos courtesy of Casey (the overlapping squares are hers), Susan (she made four of the pink squares), and Liz (who made the six calico squares).

International volunteering for teens

It all started in 5th grade with my project on Japan. Each of us chose a different country, and we had to make little paper dolls dressed in that country's "traditional" clothing. I was obsessed with Japan - perhaps it was because it seemed so different than my own family and town, which was mostly blond and brunettes, all living in a suburban Boston wonderland.

That obesssion let me to call the number broadcase on Kiss 108: "Do you want to host a Japanese exchange student?"

Why yes, yes I did! No matter I was only in 5th grade.

I think my mom figured "what's one more kid when I already have four?" and a few months later, we welcomed Tomoko into our lives for a month. A year later, we used my dad's frequent flier miles and at 14 years old, I traveled over to Japan alone to visit Tomo and her family.

Since then, some of the highlights of my travels have included a college semester in Spain, being a psychologist in Nicaragua, and traveling around southern India. Apparently, however, kids are not only traveling around the world and doing it at a younger age than ever, they are starting humanitarian volunteering trips before they've even gone to their Junior year high school prom.

Apparently the increase in high school humanitarian trips is not entirely due to an outpouring of good feelings. Parents are encouraging their kids to go on these trips so they have material for a good college essay. Hopefully their essays end up coming from genuine emotion because then we have a win-win situation: the kid learns something that can't be taught in the classroom, and gets into a good school.

However, in yet another example of the increasing class divide, middle and lower class families may not be able to give these kinds of trips to their kids. Hopefully they'll be able to find fodder for their college essays closer to home - after all, volunteer opportunities for persistent and non-commitment-phobe teens are abound.

If you're interested in getting your teen volunteering, send them to the following websites to investigate:

• Your local hospital website (Emerson Hospital in Concord is where I put in 75 hours)
• A nursing home in the area (older adults greatly enjoy visitors)
  
• Foundation for Sustainable Development (for an international experience, usually an entire summer)
• VolunteerMatch, United Way, or Idealist are great databases of volunteer opportunities
  

Keep in mind that the organization is more likely to take your requests for information seriously if the teen calls or emails him or herself. S/he will probably feel more invested in it as well. With a little effort, you (or the teen you know) can have a great volunteer experience and some valuable fodder for that college application essay.

Me, at age 14 in Japan. The yukata was actually crossed incorrectly in the front in the way it is done for someone who has died. Tomoko's friend's mother took me into a phone booth and re-wrapped it for me because I was not, in fact, dead. Letters to my mother about the experience included, "it's hard to walk in those things," "I'm taller than everyone," and "they LOVE firecrackers and sparklers here."

Related Posts: Global Volunteering; SudanReach Foundation and Laura's Experience; Earthquake in China: Volunteer Opportunities; Gap Year

Photos courtesy of Casey.

World AIDS Day - How to celebrate

Today is World AIDS Day.

Why should you care?

Well, according to the Centers for Disease Control, at the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS, with 24%-27% undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection. The CDC estimated that approximately 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in 2006 (the most recent year that data are available).

This means one of your partners could have HIV/AIDS and not know it, putting you at risk.

And the US population with HIV/AIDS is minuscule compared to the rest of the world. More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981. Africa has 11.6 million AIDS orphans. And at the end of 2007, women accounted for 50% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.*

What can you do about it?

1. Be safe. Have safe sex (read: condoms, folks), and if you're frequently using needles, make sure they're clean.

2. Donate money to the Boston Living Center, the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, or the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

3. Volunteer locally in Boston at the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts or at the Boston Living Center. Volunteering internationally is always an option too!

4. Attend one of the Boston area World AIDS Day events, including a memorial service at the Boston Living Center; a talk at the MIT Museum entitled "AIDS: When will it end?"; or a chamber concert benefiting the AIDS Action Committee.

Either way, it's time to take action.


Related Posts: World AIDS Day 2007; 2009 Calendar Benefiting Indian Women; What to ask before you commit to volunteering; International Volunteering; Earthquake in China Volunteer Opportunities
*Stats taken from http://www.avert.org/worldstats.htm.
Images courtesy of WorldAidsCampaign.org.

How to Help out Haiti in Boston

The mainstream media no longer seems to be showcasing the devastation that is going on in Haiti, but that doesn't mean that the issue has been resolved. Actually far from it, and there are still ways you can help impact the lives of the Haitian Community right here in Boston.

From February 8th -21st several Boston area locations along with FUNTOSALUD International will be collecting donations to help Haiti rebuild. The locations are as follows:

• Super Stop & Shop, 779 MacGrath Highway, Somerville, MA
• Haitian Coalition of Somerville, 268C Rear Powder House Blvd, #17C
• Centro Latino, 267 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150

Some of the items they are collecting include:

• First Aid Supplies
• NEW underwear
• Shoes (particularly for children)
• Baby supplies (bottles, diapers, etc)
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Tents
• New Bed Sheets
• New Towels
• School supplies (Notebooks, pencils, book-bags, etc.)
• Personal Hygiene items

Of course you can still make monetary donations or even volunteer directly for the 2010 Border Health/Mission DR/Haiti from April 17-30, 2010. For more information on how to directly volunteer, email volunteer@funtosaludintl.org.

Related Posts: Quilting for a Cause, Disasters, Crises, and Donating Blood, Earthquake in China

Photo Courtesy of: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gVvarxGvZL23FdNSDY2WkYCNXYT5lrS7Cus1jnaXYko12_FAM0EkiSadahhFYrkDo8w1QPwPfvYWshWKxlDMJjPwUuYef9KJEm1vw8pNRI5zMyPguqzx5hTn138maxEzsUPZuwY_mFaG/s660/haiti+needs+our+help.jpg

Disasters, Crises, and Donating Blood

Often times during crises, we feel helpless. We want do something, not just sit watching, or give money. It all feels too ineffective. I can't tell you how many emails OYFP received asking how to volunteer in China earthquakes in China earlier this year... but I didn't have anything to tell the people who contacted us, other than to direct them to other organizations.

This feeling of helplessness when witnessing other people's pain and suffering is not a pleasant one. Sometimes people even feel guilty for not being hurt - especially during 9/11. What I find interesting is that the Red Cross has found a way to take advantage of this feeling. Whenever there's a crisis, the Red Cross runs ads along the lines of, "You can help. Give blood today, and ease the suffering of the people in China/Indonesia/Louisiana/New York City/Galvaston, TX."

Do you think your blood actually goes to those places? In most cases, probably not. But the Red Cross is able to sell the blood to hospitals that badly need it for those small every day crises - car crashes, train accidents, house fires, etc - and use that money to help in the larger disasters.

The Red Cross has found a way to let people help - and it's more than just giving money, or donating clothes. You give a piece of yourself- literally. So though I think the ads are a little misleading, I still think everyone ends up winning. The Red Cross helps people, and you feel like you did something to make a difference.

If you're interested in donating blood, look on the Give Life blood donation website. You can also read a list of blood donor guidelines.

Related Posts: An Olympic Debate; Earthquake in China; Global Volunteering; Tornadoes, Cyclones, and Disaster Relief; Champions of a Cause
Photo courtesy of cayusa.

MEFA: Down and out

A few months ago, we wrote about how MEFA (the non-profit Massachusetts Education Financing Authority) could not find any financing to provide low interest college loans to Mass state residents. Their goal for the year was to raise $600 million from private financing, which they would then lend out to college students.

Well, things didn't improve, as you might have guessed. MEFA raised no money, and has no low interest loans to offer. Governor Patrick is trying to raise funds for the organization by getting the Massachusetts state pension fund to buy $50 million in MEFA bonds. The effort, though noble, will not come close to the $600 million they were shooting for, even if the bonds are purchased by the state.

What does this mean? Fewer kids may be able to afford college, or if they do go, will come out with much larger debt loads. They'll enter the work force (if they can find a job) and be working their butts off just so they can make their loan payments.

"Wait," you say, "I already am doing that."

Sure you are... but it's going to be worse for those coming after us. My siblings and I chose to go to state schools, and had very little debt due to our parents' diligent saving and our hard work over summers and during the school year. However, the price of state schools is increasing, and the number of students who want to attend the more affordable University of Massachusetts is skyrocketing. The more kids that want to attend, the more competitive admittance is. That leaves students who may not have had the best grades in high school (but who have plenty of potential) with fewer options.

So where does that leave us? State schools are more expensive, less well funded (which may impact the quality of the education), and more competitive. Students can't get affordable loans.

Geez. I've pretty much talked myself into a corner. I guess I should start saving for my theoretical kids' theoretical college educations... unless you have an alternative solution...?

My sister Kristen (on the left) learns how to be an artist at UMass Dartmouth

Related Posts: Higher education in danger for the Bay State?; Give pregnant teens a chance at education; Our intern at OYFP; Earthquake in China Volunteering;
Photo courtesy of my sister Kristen.

Is NBC Really That Bad?

Clearly mistakes were made. Ratings were lost. Feelings were hurt.

NBC screwed up. Big time. By trying to shake up the up the late night show lineup, they inadvertently rattled the cages of throngs of die-hard Conan O'Brien fans. This has been the center of attention throughout popular media for the past week, even on NBC shows, and especially on Conan's show.

I love Conan, and like many other fans, felt slighted, even personally insulted, by NBC's selfishness and insensitivity. How could they do that to Conan?? But upon reflection, was I really mad at NBC or simply frustrated with an unfortunate situation. NBC's not a person. Getting angry at a television network is like a five-year-old ragefully throwing his Wii controller because he can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. Or like me ragefully throwing my Wii controller because I can't beat the last level of the new Mario game. It's pointless.

Sure, we can point fingers at Jeff Zucker, or other NBC senior leaders. But come on. The point of NBC, and pretty much every other for-profit company in the world, is to make money. Do you really the current situation would be handled any differently with different corporate leadership? There are profits to maximize and shareholders to please.

Again, I'm a huge Conan fan and am deeply regretful that he's leaving The Tonight Show, but that's business. Even show business.

P.S. In slightly related NBC news, I thought it was awesome of SNL's Weekend Update to plug donations for Haiti last Saturday. There are numerous relief organizations and ways to donate to help Haiti recover from the recent earthquake. If you haven't already donated, texting HAITI to 90999 is quick and easy way to give $10 to a tremendous cause.

Fish out of water - My experience in Nicaragua

While cleaning out my computer's hard drive the other day, I came across this essay I wrote about my experience volunteering in Nicaragua with the Foundation for Sustainable Development. Unlike most "volunteer" programs, you are actually expected to do work, and since I had a bachelor's degree in psychology, I was a psychologist!

More difficult than the work, however, was fitting in. This essay discusses how I finally managed to do that.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I am 5’9”, blond, and have blue eyes. I could not look more different than Nicaraguans. The average Nicaraguan woman is 5’2”, brunette, and somewhat rotund from the deep-fried foods that are consumed with abandon. The average Nicaraguan man can’t be taller than 5’5”!

During my four month stay in Nicaragua, I could not have become more painfully aware of these simple physical differences. However, I found that the barrier to “fitting in” wasn’t the presence of the physical differences, it was my attitude towards them. I had to accept that I was different and acknowledge that I would never be able to camouflage myself. Only then was I able to feel and act like I really belonged.

The first few days in Nicaragua were the hardest. I was literally a fish out of water, tossed into a hot, dry, and worn-out land when I was used to a cool, placid, and plentiful ocean. Every molecule in my body screamed to be back where I could breathe! My previous world, the one where all of my friends and family still lived, seemed incredibly and unbearably far away.

After my vision cleared and I learned how to breathe, it became evident exactly how different I appeared. The people of Nicaragua (men especially) did their part to remind me as well. “Hey muñeca.. chela… ¿que pasa?” [Trans.: Hey doll.. whitey.. what’s up?]

Everywhere I went, people pointed and commented. More than once, children poked or slapped any part of my body that they could reach, to see if the “doll” was real. With all of these constant reminders, how could I help but concentrate on how different I was than “those people”?

Spending time with Aimee, a tall, blond Peace Corps volunteer who had been living in Nicaragua for over a year, helped me both acknowledge and accept my physical differences. She had learned to laugh, saying “When the two of us living, breathing muñecas walk down the street together, they just don’t know what to make of it! We’re unbelievable!” At that point, I spoke Spanish like a native Nicaraguan. I was so brown I looked like a sorority girl who had fallen asleep on her tanning bed. But I was never going to look like I belonged.

Looking back on my trip, I realize that this was the turning point. After I accepted my physical differences, I made a few Nicaraguan friends. More than one told me, “You’re different than the other gringos. You speak, you listen, and you understand.” We talked about music, parents, favorite foods, best friends, and what exactly the mayor was thinking when he proposed dumping the city’s trash in the nearby volcanic crater.

I will never take for granted how much easier life is when you physically fit in. I will never forget that in order become part of a culture different than your own, you must acknowledge that you are a fish and everyone else a mammal.

This is not exclusionary, pessimistic, or close-minded.

Robert Reich, who at 4’9” is one of the shortest politicians out there, starts every speech with a joke about his height. By acknowledging his physical difference, he makes it possible for everyone to stop concentrating on his stature and start concentrating on what he has to say.

Once you get the elephant in the room out of the way, it is possible to start forging friendships, really learning what it’s like to live within the new culture, and creating an experience that you will never forget.

Nora, Aimee (the Peace Corps volunteer) and two of her friends at a park in Granada. The photo is a scanned in negative because back in 2003 I didn't have a digital camera.

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Photos courtesy of Casey.