February 22, 2012

Children's Day, February 22. 2012 - The "F" Word

Children's Day on our blog is a place where we want to put a spotlight on children's issues. But most of all we wanted that the 22nd of each month to be a celebration of the children's spirit, the beauty and wonder of childhood. Children are not just the promise of what they might become but also the source of a particular kind of wisdom and love.

"What we need to learn from children isn't childish. Being with them connects us to the deep wisdom of life, which is ever-present and only asks to be lived. Now, when the world is so confused and its problems so complicated, I feel we need our children more than ever. Their natural wisdom points the way to solutions that lie, waiting to be recognized, within our own hearts."
Michael Jackson

Unfortunately, around the world adult actions leave children in harms way, having to fight for their right to live. Reports from all over the world speak of abuse, negligence, poverty, slavery ...

In July 2011 news were showing a story that seamed brought out from archives. Drought and famine in Africa. Without sustained actions from international community to help end poverty and put a stop to conflicts that rage in the area, under severe weather conditions caused a huge humanitarian crisis.

F*****

In October 2011, ONE International organization launched a campaign, following the severe effects of the drought on the people in the Horn of Africa, in trying to gain support from as many voices in the word denouncing the obscenity of what was going on:

30,000 children died in just 3 months

The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity


The campaign is aimed at getting people together and speak up. Join our voices and let our leaders know we won't accept people dying in poverty and silence, urge them to act now with much needed aid but most of in getting them to move towards tackling underlining causes of poverty and famine.

This is about suffering, it's about life and fighting for it. In a poverty and conflict torn region, children find themselves struggling for every breath, fighting severe malnutrition and starvation.
If we don't protect our children, we have no future. Without making a better today we will not be able to build a better tomorrow.

"Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, 
a life free of violence and fear."
 Nelson Mandela 

8 months after the UN declared famine in Somalia a study reveals that a good harvest made possible by good weather conditions and the efforts by aid agencies, organizations and people around the world have improved the situation. 

We CAN make a change.

"125,000 no longer face severe malnutrition
– thanks largely to the efforts of the Somalis themselves 
and the humanitarian aid they’ve received"
Senait Gebregzhiabher, the head of Oxfam in Somalia

"Hope is such a beautiful word, but it often seems very fragile. 
Life is still being needlessly hurt and destroyed."
Michael Jackson

Around 10 million people in the Eastern Africa are still depending on food aid to survive (2.3 million in Somalia alone). aid workers are being attacked, while war is still going on.
West Africa might face a food crisis this year.

Our help is still needed. Can we make this the last famine? 
For more information and for ways to help please visit:








Also read




February 19, 2012

Rest In Paradise, Whitney Houston


Yesterday  Cissy Houston shared her daughter with us one final time, selflessly allowing us all to grieve. The homegoing service was powerful, very personal, not staged and brought us to tears. We were blessed and privileged to whitness tears and laughter from Whitney´s family and closer friends via TV or internet - and it was spectacular. 


Ebony Magazine tweeted: "This is a global Black moment for the world to see." 
And yes, it was.
It also was a global moment of love, which is always stronger than death.






In case you missed to watch the service or want to rewatch some of the remarkable speeches  or tributes from Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, R.Kelly please find some takes on YouTube.




Yesterday was Whitney´s day... 


Today , as the world moves on, our prayers go out to Whitney Houston´s family, especially her daughter Bobbi Kristina and her mother Cissy. We are sending out our love to anyone who loved Whitney Houston as a person and  feels unable to move on, because they have lost much more than one of the gratest voices ever. 


She had to fight  against a lot in life - may she now rest in paradise.






Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson were bonded in friendship for over 20 years. May they now continue their friendship in heaven.




"Gone Too Soon"

Like A Comet
Blazing 'Cross The Evening Sky 
Gone Too Soon

Like A Rainbow
Fading In The Twinkling Of An Eye
Gone Too Soon

Shiny And Sparkly
And Splendidly Bright
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like The Loss Of Sunlight
On A Cloudy Afternoon
Gone Too Soon

Like A Castle
Built Upon A Sandy Beach
Gone Too Soon

Like A Perfect Flower
That Is Just Beyond Your Reach
Gone Too Soon

Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight
Here One Day
Gone One Night

Like A Sunset
Dying With The Rising Of The Moon
Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon
~ Michael Jackson



*