Kids with Cameras

In theaters now, Born into Brothels is a powerful documentary that takes you into the lives of several children in Calcutta whose mothers work in the sex trade. Photographer Zana Briski spent years teaching some of the children photography, with the hope of transforming their lives.

You get a rare glimpse of what life in the red light district of Calcutta is like... through the eyes of the children.

Definitely try to catch this film if you can. It's nominated for this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary.

The Birth of a Movement

Recently, GlobalTribe's Executive Director, Amy Eldon, traveled to the Somers School District in New York to attend a speech given by human rights activist, Kerry Kennedy.

The event was part of a day long exercise in compassion and action, organized by the school district's superintendent, Dr. Joanne Marien.

Marien decided to mobilize her schools to work for human rights after she volunteered at a Nicaraguan refugee camp in Costa Rica.

The goal, Marien said, is to "learn how we, as a school community, can best direct our energy beyond ourselves. We are all partners in a global society."

Read full article: Birth of a Movement

Children 'harmed' by vegan diets?

A US scientist is arguing that it's "unethical" to put children on a vegan (not just vegetarian) diet because it deprives them of essential nutrients needed for their development.

In her study, children put on a meat diet grew more and performed better on problem-solving tests than those who consumed almost no meat.

Don't know if there are vegans among us but if there are, your reaction?

Full report: BBC NEWS | Health | Children 'harmed' by vegan diets

North Shore: 40-Hour Fast

This past weekend was a real milestone for GlobalTribe. Our first chapter in Canada held its first fundraiser: a 40-hr fast to raise money for the War-Affected Children campaign (to build schools in Sierra Leone).

The fast started Friday, February 11, at 6pm and ended at 10am on Sunday. They actually broke their fast at 1020am because one member had started the fast 20 minutes late. They were treated to juices and smoothies donated by Happy Planet and tons and tons of bread from Terra Breads.

On Saturday, they watched Invisible Children, a documentary on war-affected children in Uganda, and then Promises later that night, before staying up all night playing ping pong, guitar, and all the crazy things that teenagers do.

We'll soon post more pictures and a time-lapse video of their sleep over on Saturday.

A reporter was on hand all weekend to do a story for the CBC Radio program, The Current. It will air sometime in March. (We'll keep you posted.)

This was an amazing experience from beginning to end and we want to congratulate the North Shore chapter for their self-sacrifice. (Props to Nicki in Texas who also joined in on the fast!)

Read the poem Daniel (Texas) wrote for the event and post your comments or feedback here.

The Millennium Development Goals

From time to time, you may hear people talk about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It refers to a set of highly ambitious targets that ALL 191 members of the United Nations have agreed to meet by 2015 - ten years away.

The eight targets are...

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

These goals underlie the mission of GlobalTribe and will determine the campaigns we adopt in the future.

You may want to print out this page explaining each of the targets.

How likely are we to meet them? Depends on whom you ask...
Boston Globe: Mission possible

GlobalTribe: Tsunami Relief

The campaign page for Tsunami Relief has been posted. We will add more links, gallery and download items in the near future.

GlobalTribe: Tsunami Relief

CARE: Canada's tsunami response 'amateur'

Ouch! The head of CARE Canada, John Watson, is criticizing the country's response to the tsunami disaster. He thinks the government wasted $20 million sending the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Sri Lanka to help with rescue efforts.

Watson said sending the military team was like using a Cadillac where a motor scooter or skateboard would be most useful.

He suggests Canada create a unified aid delivery system, similar to what they have in the U.K., where all the different aid agencies coordinate their relief efforts.

CBC News: Canada's tsunami response 'amateur,' CARE chief says

Tip: Best Way to Fast

Knowing that some of you are planning to stage a fast as a fundraiser, I thought I might try to dig up some advice on how to do it right. Here's what I found so far...

The Best Way to Fast
Authorities agree that juice fasting is the best, safest, and most effective method of fasting. The classic form of fasting extended, pure water fast) introduces considerable toxins into the bloodstream and has been discredited as the best form of fasting. A water fast is often too debilitating. When fresh fruit and vegetable juices, alkalizing vegetable broths, and herbal teas are used, electrolytes are maintained. The faster receives a daily infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Freshly prepared juices require no digestion and are easily assimilated. Juices do not disrupt the healing and rejuvenating effects of autolysis (self-digestion). By providing about 400 calories per day, the release of toxins from fat cells is more gradual than a strict water fast.

Do not chew gum while fasting; it promotes release of digestive enzymes. During a fast, the stomach is void of solid foods so enzymes can injure the stomach lining. Avoid mints and hard candies. Following the fast, there is a loss of appetite for caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, sugar, and junk foods.

Typically, a well-planned fast allows normal workload, exercise, and study habits. During a fast, walking and deep-breathing exercises provide fresh air to cleanse the blood, effectively regenerating and revitalizing body functions. It is important to get rest, especially when fatigued. Some fasters prefer a weekend fast with less demanding schedules.

Read the full article.

If you come across other resources, post it on the message board.

Meet Ms. Jameson

Intrepid teacher and GlobalTribe chapter sponsor, Wynette Jameson, was featured in Galveston County's Daily News today.

Ms. Jameson has taught English and Journalism for 23 years at Clear Creek High School. She now heads up our biggest GlobalTribe chapter, Jamesons Journalists, with 35 members (and counting).

"Through dedication, her students have raised $15,000 to start a scholarship in the name of Pfc. Ray Joseph Hutchinson, a former journalism student who died while serving in Iraq."

Read full story

Poll: US teens 'reject' key freedoms

A new survey suggests one in three high school students believes the First Amendment goes "too far" in protecting freedom of speech, press, worship, and assembly.

Not only that, only half of students surveyed thought newspapers should be allowed to publish stories not approved by the government.

Is this a good reflection of your views? Take this poll and tell us what you think.

BBC: US teens 'reject' key freedoms