You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know – William Wilberforce
This is a perfect example of why I love World Vision so much. This is the kind of humanitarianism I’m happy to support. Now, if they could just figure out how to foster this kind of environment in the US.
He holds his son up, the proud father of 28 days. He wants us to see the boy before we leave, though the still-so-small baby seems only to want to go back to the nap he was clearly interrupted from. Like all the fathers in this village, his hope for his son is to get an education. But unlike so many of the fathers we’ve met, this father wants his son to have the life he’s had. Joffrey is the imam—the Muslim leader—of the village. Though only 26 and with so much of the boyish grin still left, he has big hopes for his people. Hopes that started when he was a young boy, attending the local child societies. It was there he first encountered children from other villages—and from other faiths. He tells us it was these child societies (a program of World Vision’s) where he first gained a…
Today is World Humanitarian Day, it’s a day recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. The day was designated by the General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff. Everyday, all over the world humanitarian workers devote themselves to helping others despite the sacrifices this often requires them to make. People risk their comfort, their health, their reputations, and many times their lives to help those in need.
The theme for this years World Humanitarian Day is “I Was Here”. The idea is to honor those who have, and continue to sacrifice for common good by sending out a unified message of hope through both word and action. The UN wants to send the biggest social media message ever, a message of hope from 1 billion people who have added their name and pledge to do one good act today in recognition of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and those who still carry on their noble mission by rushing assistance to those who are suffering. To play a part in this big even just add your voice to the millions of people around the world who also pledge to do something good, somewhere, for someone else. Even if you miss the deadline, you can still honor international humanitarians by carrying on their hope and mission of a better world for all people everywhere, no matter their location, beliefs, sex, age, or status.
Here is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Humanitarian Day:
Secretary-General’s Message for 2012
This year’s World Humanitarian Day presents an historic opportunity to bring together one billion people from around the world to advance a powerful and proactive idea: People Helping People.
That is the best way to honour the many fallen aid workers we mourn today, and to celebrate the efforts of others who carry on their noble mission by rushing assistance to those who are suffering.
The spirit of solidarity that animates these courageous efforts drives our commemoration of World Humanitarian Day.
I have seen that spirit in my travels around the world, as I meet with relief workers who leave the comforts of their own homes to aid others in need.
I also saw that spirit earlier this month when I met Beyoncé Knowles, the superstar who is donating her song, “I Was Here,” to our global campaign promoting action for a better world.
Millions of people have already gone to our website to register their support and share their actions. From international efforts to avert a hunger crisis in West Africa to urgent assistance to civilians in Syria to a single good deed from one neighbour to the next, the spirit of People Helping People improves conditions for all.
Let us give meaning to World Humanitarian Day by registering acts of good on the website:www.whd‑iwashere.org. Individual actions may seem small, but collectively they will reverberate around the world, generating unstoppable momentum for a better future.
Nabeel Rajab, a man I respect and admire very much, who is a symbol and hero to many Bahrainis was dealt an unexpectedly large sentence today – 3 years in prison- for attending and instigating illegal gatherings. Rajab, who is already serving a three-month sentence for posting anti-government comments on Twitter, was in court for the verdict. He is president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights.
Bahrain has experienced near daily protests since February 2011 following an uprising by the kingdom’s Shiite majority seeking greater political rights from the Western-backed Sunni monarchy. At least 50 people have died in the unrest and hundreds have been detained, including prominent rights activists and Shiite opposition leaders.
Rajab’s arrest will certainly motivate even more “illegal” gatherings. Hopefully, the excessive sentence of such a prominent human rights advocate will give western politicians the proof they need that “…Bahrain’s rulers are far more comfortable with harsh repression than with the reforms King Hamad keeps promising,” as Joe Stork, deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division said.
I can almost hear the enraged chant of “Down, Down Hamad” now.
Charity Miles is a new free app for Android & Apple that turns you into a corporately sponsored athlete walking, running, or biking for a charity of your choice! Just choose a charity and press start. As you walk, run, or bike, the app tracks your distance and you earn money for your charity. Bikers earn 10¢ per mile; walkers and runners earn 25¢ per mile, all up to the initial $1,000,000 sponsorship pool. As you walk, run or bike with Charity Miles, you also help attract more sponsors to increase our sponsorship pool for everyone.
When you finish your Charity Miles session you can share your achievements with friends & followers on Facebook & Twitter. It also illustrates your impact for you, for example if your charity is The Nature Conservancy a 3.23 mile jog gives 8,083 breaths of fresh air. Charity Miles is a fun new way to stay motivated with your workout, to work together with family and friends to raise money for causes, and to literally make every step count.
For Those Who Can't Fight 