A world we dare to imagine part 3

Team 229 is an existing non-Government Organization. Our primary mission is to bring joy to orphans by giving them special moments when other kids have family around. Most orphans in Benin have a very difficult life and abandoned by everybody. We chose Christmas a special moment for kids when they receive affection, love and gifts. I felt heart broken when I saw a documentary realized by a Canadian organization about orphans in Central Africa. I saw innocent ones very sad on a Christmas day. This scene was happening in a neighborhood where other kids were enjoying their gifts while orphans were sad. Loosing parents is generally a fatality in Africa, and children suffer for that because no one cares about them.  

I was looking for a way to give back to my community and I chose to help children in need to have at least once a year, a moment where they will have to enjoy their childhood. I co-founded Team 229 to give back this chance I had when I was a kid – spoiled by toys. The first event was called Christmas toy drive and we expanded this event to Easter which brings the frequency to two events in a year.

In my country giving back to the community is mostly for electoral purposes. I have no ambition in politics. Put a smile on vulnerable faces gives me a satisfaction that no wealth could bring.  I was lucky to have a bike for a year and the year after another toy. I trashed clothes in my life because I found them old. Growing around poverty made me realize that some people will be more than happy to have what I get rid of. I had this idea to collect anything valuable for these kids in need. I expose this idea while working in a Bank to my colleagues who brought me a lot of things: books, clothes, toys, even mattresses. My goal was to ask people’s help without them giving me money. This is what make my organization unique.

When I moved to the US, I realized how big this country is as a consumption society. I realized how people dispose the unwanted items. I will like to collect any valuables and put a smile on mores innocent faces. I solicit Anima Mundi Development Partner’s support to help us with the logistics to collect, store, and ship them to my country to be kid’s treasure.

A WORLD WE DARE TO IMAGINE PART I

Donate your attention

There are countless orphans in my home country Benin, and I, too, have been around poverty throughout my life. To combat the seemingly endless cycle of despair, I co-founded a Non-Government Organization called “Team 229.” The purpose of the organization is to help orphanages by planning and sponsoring activities, such as Christmas toy drive. I want people to think twice before throwing away used books, toys, or clothes. From growing up in poverty in Benin, I have found the old adage to be true: one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

I would like to extend this project to students not only at USC but to other campuses. It is my desire to see students helping children who need clothes, toys, or any other item. There are numerous items regularly discarded around the USC campus, and Team 229 could use these items to benefit a child in need. Additionally, I want to attract potential business women in Africa to invest in Team 229. This idea came from a study showing a growing number of successful business women in Africa. Allowing powerful women in Benin to donate to Team 229 will not only help the children in need, but it will also empower the successful business women to be leader in ending poverty and homelessness in Benin.

I also have in mind graduating students donate a little bit of their time to be pair with other students in Benin to mentor them, and exchange ideas. The purpose of this is to avoid people here to feel harassed, by asking them to give money. Just giving attention could make this world a better place to live.

Benin a real democracy in Africa

Good job Benin

Who could have imagined a fair election in an African country? Africans countries are known for a high corruption and fraudulent election system. Benin, this tiny country on the map, barely recognizable gave the example to dictators around the globe. The Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou, highly favorable in “fake” polls called his challenger, to recognize his defeat. Waoooh this doesn’t sound African…

Prime Minister Lionel Zinsou said in a statement that results showed a clear victory for Patrice Talon. Our neighbors were amazed by this act. I read a comment from a Congolese lady saying “how is that possible a candidate calling to concede his defeat, not even a trouble in the country or people beaten to discourage others to protest, waoooh, good job Benin, I wish we could have the same here in Congo…”    

Patrice Talon sworn in as Benin’s new president Wednesday April 6, completing a peaceful transfer of power in the West African country. He also renewed a promise to step down after only one term.  Although Benin allows its leader to serve two terms, Talon voiced concern that 10 years in office may leave leaders complacent, and said he will work to limit future presidents to one term as well.

Benin is an oasis of stability and democracy in the troubled West African region, where most of its neighbors have struggled with coups, political unrest and the Boko Haram insurgency in recent years. I am so proud to witness this new era, which is a great start for a real development.  

Je suis Benin.

Growing a Farmer Part 2

Growing A farmer Part 2

Timmermeister teaches his reader’s to never give up on the American dream. He also highlights how that dream has changed, how he learned to be flexible and adapt as problems arose. The book is as much about the courage to pursue one’s dreams, as it is, a how-to of modern day farming. Timmermeister came up against fierce competition in the early days of his farm. He realized that selling produce at the local farmer’s market was a lot more difficult than it first seemed.

After suffering massive profit losses, Timmermeister carefully decided to pursue dairy farming instead. Presently, Timmermeister has a successful dairy farm that continues to goes from strength-to-strength. Growing a Farmer is a truly inspiring read that goes beyond the assumed narrative, and gives readers value, and food for thought.

Genuis of Money Chapter 13 Part 1: Money and the Modern Mind

Chapter 13 Part 1: Money and the Modern Mind

 

In Money and the Modern Mind, John Bloom dwells on the value of money in our lives. He says that money occupies a much bigger place in our consciousness than we would like to think (Bloom). Bloom points at the fact that people who tend to be generous and sympathetic are rare to be noticed, but still, he emphasizes, that the tendency is gradually turning to better (Bloom).

The author illustrates his hope for our better future with an example of a painter J. S. G. Boggs. He tells a story of how Boggs, having no money to pay for his food, paid in a restaurant by his painting - a perfect picture of a twenty-dollar bill. Bloom describes this as a perfect example of the painter's fight against the money system and argues that Boggs has turned the system against itself (Bloom).

Another example given by the author is from the fairy-tale "The Grave-Mound" by the Brothers Grimm. Here several characters are depicted, each of them with his own attitude to money and with his own inner fight. There is a wealthy farmer, a poor peasant, a soldier and the devil. In the end of the story, when the soldier has tricked a lot of gold from the devil and the peasant wants to take it, the soldier suggests giving it to the poor (Bloom). By these examples, Bloom shows people's dependence on or independence from money. 
  
I agree with the author that our society is, unfortunately, too much dependent on money. I would like the people to change their preferences, however, impossible it sounds. Indeed, there are things in this world much more valuable than money and which cannot be bought.

Genius of Money - Interview with Charles Terry

Interview with Charles Terry

In the interview with Charles Terry, John Bloom has a conversation with Charles Terry, who is a famous philanthropist and currently occupies the post of Terry-MacGregor Associates. Charles terry has dedicated many years of his life to the struggle of helping those in need. He recollects how at the beginning of his career in charity funds he had to overcome many difficulties and he tells about ho he decided to become a philanthropist. Terry says that his personal view on philanthropy is "love of humanity"( Bloom). He also explains how philanthropy can have transformed and released power over the people.

When asked about the money issue, Terry compares it with a natural resource that is necessary for the planet's existence. Terry is that if the money was accumulated properly and wisely, the planet would receive an outstanding benefit (Bloom).

When the author asks Terry why he thinks we have such situation with money, Terry answers that some people having a lot of money are simply afraid to part with it. He says that the money gives people illusionary security (Bloom). At the same time, he thinks that money is indeed powerful. however he warns, this power may be destructive if ill-used (Bloom).

Charles Terry's viewpoints are really impressive. I share his position about the necessity to think thoroughly about the ways of investing and using the money. I also like how he compares money to the natural resource and find his explanation of this point rather sufficient. I think if more people shared terry's ideas, our world would become a much better place to live.

Genius of Money Chapter 7 Part 2 : Culture - For the price of Admission

Chapter 7 Part 2: Culture - for the Price of Admission

In Culture - For the Price of Admission, John Bloom insists on the issue of purchasing tickets for cultural events as opposed to buying some goods or services. He claims that when one buys a ticket for a cultural event, he rather gets a right to be in some place and at some time than a warranty to receive pleasant emotions (Bloom).

Bloom emphasizes that unlike buying some item, while purchasing a ticket for a venue, the person does not receive anything material. He remarks that it is solely up to each individual to evaluate the quality of the performance and to decide whether their needs have been satisfied (Bloom).

Thus, as Bloom argues, from an economic point of view, when a person buys a ticket, he makes a contribution to the orchestra's (or other performance company's) development. As for the person's own benefit, it is not guaranteed that he will receive his money's worth. However, Bloom says that by buying tickets for cultural performances people support culture, which is extremely important (Bloom).

I think the author makes a good point in his approach to considering spending money on cultural events. I agree with him that it is necessary to support culture. I also support his idea that every person individually makes a choice as to whether the money spent was worth it or not. Even though purchasing a ticket may not guaranty any rights, but only a possibility to attend some kind of performance, it is still worth spending money on culture. In most cases, the emotions people receive are valuable. 



(Justin)

When buying a ticket to a specific performance or cultural event, we think about our purchase as a spectacle for us, not the ones who are playing or performing; however, this works as a reciprocal relationship. We, as fellow “show goers”, have to comprehend the simple give and take relationship of going to a cultural event or performance. Even though we go to events and concerts to see artists and performance that appeal to our interests, we are also go to provide an audience for the performer/artist. Without our physical representation or tickets, these talented and hard-working artists and performers would have no life at all. These fearless people who want to perform to show their passion to feelings need us to be there in order to make them feel that their hard word didn’t go to waste.

Genius of Money Chapter 9 Part 1: Money and the Dance of Death

Chapter 9 Part 1: Money and the Dance of Death

The theme death was common for European art and literature of the sixteenth century due to epidemics and wars that occurred from time to time. Death itself was both frightening and exciting, as it was considered as an inevitable ending. Therefore, people of art and literature found inspiration in reminding others that existence is not everlasting. The culture of Europe, and Germany in particular, death was perceived as a powerful force of making people think about their actions and thoughts.

Hans Holbein the Younger shows death as a creature of bones and flesh that comes to people of different income and strata of life. It has its body language and can even dance. By mirroring a man and dancing, death is like mocking at him showing its power and mightiness. Actually, death can also be considered as the man's own shadow. The entire scene takes place in the man's most sacred chamber where he keeps his treasure. It reminds people what value money really has. He cannot protect all his money bags and coins as well as he cannot give them to death in exchange for his life. This money never brought him happiness, though he became inseparable from them. The man created a prison for himself with no chance of getting free. Money that he considered being his power, now became his vulnerability.

In my opinion, the message of Hans Holbein is clear: do not see salvation in money. At the end, you will not be able to take all your treasures with you, so it is better to care about your soul and spirit. Otherwise, a person risks losing something more valuable than money even before the life ends.

Growing A Farmer part 2

I had a good time reading this novel. It gave me a flashback of people’s life in my hometown. Having a land, then a farm, and creating a business from it, is a true and strong experience Timmermeister shared with us. “Growing A Farmer” is a book that could be read, and understand by different types of people. I was fascinated by the writing style of the author even though the crudeness of the tone used and scenes described without detour were numerous. This is what made this book unique. Kurt also explained the path of our food origin to what is presented to us as available. He addressed the reality by pointing numerous industries as unethical. He probably brought the attention of the animal defenders on him.

His way of presenting and narrating his experience made me appreciate his book. He over detailed most of the scenes, which made the reading a little bit difficult. Overall the Growing A Farmer’s journey was a special one, because it made me navigate through a subject very familiar. His business model gave me a good idea for old days to keep me active. I would like to pay a visit to his farm to put clear images on the long pages read.

We must solve the Global Warming crisis

Through the last century, industrialization has revolutionized the world, in all aspects of life. While this has had its benefits, it has also created a world that is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuel. It caused one of the biggest problem on earth known as global warming. The effects have been seen all over the world, and quickly became a major topic of concern. This issue has been fueling controversy all over the news and in the current presidential debate.

Global warming is the rise of the earth’s temperature on the earth’s surface. It is caused by the release of a gas known as carbon dioxide. It is released by the use of man-made fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and naturals gasses. Carbon dioxide traps heat inside the earth’s atmosphere that would usually be in outer space. As the earth’s surface heats it becomes too warm to live in and many people, animals and plants will suffer. (EPA) The earth’s temperature naturally changes over the years, but over the last half of century, the record high temperatures drastically increased. Scientists have even warned us that in the last ten years we have had record high temperatures, which means the average temperatures in the United States could increase up to nine degrees. (NDRC) 

Major consequences of global warming that scientists have noticed are the hurricanes, tropical storms, drought, and floods. Every year, the US and countries around the globe get hit by hurricanes and tropical storms, but during the last five years their damages have really increased. Global warming makes the ocean water warmer, which makes the storms much more powerful. Another frightening effect of global warming is the rising of the sea level. Scientists have discovered that this could eventually lead to coastal flooding. Areas in the United States that could be heavily affected are all of the eastern sea board, areas of Gulf of Mexico, and almost all of Florida. A beautiful place like the Florida Keys could soon be underground if we do not put a stop to this. (NRDC) Couples islands will disappear in the next 50 years. Population living on the coast in Bengladesh have been forced to relocate due to the sea level rise. The rapid melting of ice is also a consequence of global warming. When the ice is melting and flouting, it affects animals’ survival. Polar bear researchers predict that the number of bears will decline almost by 30 percent in the following 35 to 50 years. (Harden) Nature has means of restoring and repairing itself, much like a wound that the body heals. But too much is too much.

Science is making great leaps and advances towards predicting future correlations between nature and human events. Carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere once again exceeded 400 parts per million Monday November 9, 2015, but this time they may never fall back down, according to scientists…While not a tipping point that signals climate catastrophe, the 400 ppm mark is an important symbolic threshold in the fight against climate change. It represents a 43 percent jump in greenhouse gases since pre-industrial times and underscores governments' inaction and worsening global warming impacts. (Bagley) At this level, we will assist to the worst case scenario of catastrophes on the planet. This should be a serious matter for all candidates to the next presidential election. We unfortunately observe very indelicate ones refuting this evidence. They are trying to elaborate schemes that climate change is a scam in order to secure electoral financing by powerful lobbies. We cannot cheat with the nature. Man-made disruptions on nature have finally taken its toll and are coming back to haunt us. We must accept the truth and do something now. Sacrifices we need to make range from giving up or reducing their use of various carbon dioxide products, to paying new taxes such as carbon taxes.

Our world is changing whether or not we want to admit it is our fault or not. It is evident that global warming has a profound impact on the earth we live on and each of our daily lives. The temperatures are increasing and so are our energy bills. We need to ease our earth’s pain of the threatening oil dependence. We must commit ourselves to constantly researching energy and environmental impacts of energy to come up with innovative information. Policies need to be thought of, created, passed, and put into action properly. It will be necessary to create a sustainable environment and economy for the US. We owe something to future generations in terms of conducting energy and environmental research and coming up with various energy policies that are forward thinking. To people already disproportionally affected by global warming, we owe constant research and effort to show that we will be helping them and helping to mitigate global warming impacts in the future. "For the sake of our children and our future, we must do more to combat climate change. Now, it’s true that no single event makes a trend. But the fact is the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat waves, droughts, wildfires, floods—all are now more frequent and more intense. We can choose to believe that super storm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just a freak coincidence. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science and act before it’s too late." (President Barack Obama)

Works Cited

Bagley, Katherine. "As CO2 Passes 400 PPM, What Goes Up Might Not Come Down." As CO2 Passes 400 PPM, What Goes Up Might Not Come Down. Insideclimate News, 11 Nov. 2015. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.

EPA. "Greenhouse Effect, Climate Change." Global Warming: what it is. 23 Oct. 2006. 4 Oct. 2008.

Harden, Blaine. "Global warming threatens polar bears." Global warming threatens polar bears. 5 July 2005. 3 Oct. 2008.

NRDC. "Issues: Global Warming." Global Warming Basics. 2 July 2007. 4 Oct. 2008.

USA. White House. Briefing Room. Remarks by the President in the State of the Union Address. By Barack Obama. Briefing Room, 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.