The $100 Challenge

This week we finished our study of Africa by reading about famine, and watching the clips from the New York Times (see last week’s blog).
We all need to ask ourselves if this is a crisis we should be more involved with. Should we be urging our government to do more? Should we sponsor an organization that helps feed the people of Africa, or could we purchase fair trade coffee or beads for life in an effort to help people become self-sufficient? One of the groups I am especially interested
in is Heifer International. I have put their catalogue on the board if you are interested in seeing how a small amount of money can help purchase a pig, goat or sheep to help a family become self-sufficient. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times is an advocate of micro financing, which lends small amounts of money, mainly to women, to help them start a cottage industry. Take a look at “A Powerful Truth” to see how
this program works. And closer to home, why not participate in the $100
Challenge??? (See below.)

Our final activity for our unit on Africa was watching “War Dance” and then comparing and contrasting our lives with Nancy, Rose and Dominic. You quickly recognized that you have much in common with these young people: a love of music and dance, the importance of family, town and heritage. But there are also stark contrasts: they live a life filled with terror and shortages of basics including food, water, and schools. If you are interested in learning more about Nancy, Rose and Dominic, I have provided a link to the web site so you can check on them. It is truly an inspirational story. I want to compliment you on your respectful attitude towards the movie. While it is not easy to read subtitles and
hear much of the dialogue in a foreign language, you paid attention. While I have seen this movie numerous times, I am still moved by certain phrases, especially when Dominic says, as they are driving to the capital, “I am excited to see what peace looks like.”

A special nod to one of your own, ZH, who composed an original song based on “War Dance.” Next week we will take a moment and
listen to this inspirational percussion-based song. Great job ZH!

Africa Power Points

Your reflection sheet and rubric will be returned next week. I hope you saw this assignment as an opportunity not only to learn about Africa but also to practice your group skills and presentation technique. While Capstone is a solo show, it is still useful practice presenting with a group.
Using note cards and practicing your presentation are essential for a
successful Capstone event.

South West Asia

You have the rubric for the South West Asia map which is due on November 8. Keep in mind that you are doing one map that combines physical as well as political features of the region. Many people still refer
to this region as the Middle East, but geographers have renamed it South West Asia in an attempt to sound less Euro-centric. Politically, militarily and economically, this region is of critical importance to our nation and poses some of our greatest challenges. It is likely events there will be affecting you for the rest of your lives, and as responsible citizens you need to be informed.

Your current event from this region is also due on November 8. You are encouraged to look for stories that might appear on the front page of major newspapers. You will be amazed how easy it is to find major news stories on Syria, Yemen, and the continuing conflict between the Israelis
and the Palestinians.

End of the Quarter

We are just about at the end of the quarter. We will continue to update our status of assignment sheets next week. By keeping your folder up to date, you can monitor your grade and keep work organized as
we move closer to mid-term exams.

International Speaker Series

I am pleased to announce that our speakers’ series with international officers from the Naval War College will continue on December 16
with officers from Lithuania and Peru. On January 13 we will hear from Brazil and the United Kingdom, on March 16 India and the Philippines, and on April 13 Argentina. I am continuing to work with the Naval War
College to invite other speakers and will let you know when they are scheduled. Please mark your agenda books for these days. Our speakers are always during the advisory period. A permission slip will
be available the week of the visit and you must present it to your advisory teacher. This is a great opportunity for to learn more
about other countries from some of their top military leaders.

Bank of America Responds

Bank of America recently imposed a $5 monthly fee for people who use debit cards. Many people have begun to use debit cards in an effort to better monitor their expenditures and avoid running up credit card debt.
One customer, 22-year old Molly Katchpole, originally from RI, was appalled at the idea of paying money to get access to her money and her outrage led her to start an on-line petition opposing the fee. The Saturday Newport Daily News had an article about Molly in the Business section on page 5 (I would like to give you a link but the Newport paper charges for the on-line version). In a matter of a few weeks she collected over 300,000 signatures and eventually forced the bank to drop the fee! This is clearly a victory for the little guy and demonstrates the strength of protests and petitions. And speaking of political power…

Student Political Boot Camp at URI

On November 18, URI will be hosting a political boot camp for high school and college students. The three day event is “about empowering youth with the skills to create change.” If you are interested you can go to http://www.ofbyforrhodeisland.org/.

And now for the $100 Challenge!

Many students commented on their power point reflections
and after seeing “War Dance” that they would like to do something for the young people of Africa. With this suggestion in mind, I have come up with the $100 Challenge…for those who would like to participate, we will collect money in each of the CWI classes. For every $1 you donate, you get to vote for one of the possible recipient organizations. And I will match all donations up to $100! You can look through the
catalogues on display in the front of the room and see that we could purchase mosquito nets, soccer balls, honey bees or make a donation to the music program of Patongo. A very small amount of money can make a big difference in the lives of people who survive on so little. Think
about how you would like to be involved and donate to the $100 Challenge!