Heart of Darkness

The Democractic Republic of Congo is the most dangerous place in the world to be a woman. It’s a place where rape has become a weapon of war. Now a BBC film crew follows Judith Wanga as she meets the survivors of the conflict. She talks to women, children, and child soldiers who’ve been forced to kill so that they themselves will not be killed. To her horror, she discovers that the violence is fuelled, in part, by the need to mine the minerals that go into the manufacture of mobile phones and laptops.

This is quite confronting but an interesting insight into what the life of women in the Congo can look like.

Check it out: http://www.abc.net.au/iview/#/view/607757

Ready to get your running shoes on?

Want to help raise money for raize the roof… well get your runners on!

We would LOVE for you to join the raize the roof team in the 2010 Sun-Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac to be held on Sunday, 8 August 2010.

When you register, you will be given a link to our very own team fundraising page for you to send out to all of your friends and family asking them to be part of the adventure by donating to raize the roof. All money raised will go toward our team total.

You can join our The 2010 Sun-Herald City2Surf, presented by Westpac team and our fundraising efforts by registering here http://www.everydayhero.com.au/events/register/1105?event=1393&join_team=13969.

Once you register your personal account details, please select JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM .You will be asked to enter a team password.

Flick an email to info@raizetheroof.org.au and we will send through the password!

World Refugee Day – 20 June 2010

Scrolling through some docos relating to Refugees and found this inspiring little video depicting a little walk in the lives of those living in a Refugee Camp in Darfur.

It’s a quickie, but a goodie!

Happy Refugee Day to all those around the world…

If you really want to get a hands on experience of what being a refugee might look like, check out the Refugee Realties which is a combined exhibition and simulation exercise that allows people to walk in the shoes of a refugee, and experience the realities of a refugee’s journey.

The Refugee Realities simulation exercise enrols people as inhabitants of an unnamed country from which they must flee. After travelling though dangers, they must cross an international border and learn how to live in a refugee camp. The simulation concludes with a debrief and discussion about what participants learnt, and what all Australians can do to support refugee and universal human rights, both at home and around the world.

For more info head to the Oxfam Website

Botswana ranked Africa’s most peaceful country

The newly released 2010 Global Peace Index (GPI) has once ranked Botswana as one of the world’s most peaceful countries, as well as the most peaceful country in Africa with an improved overall ranking.

Botswana’s worldwide ranking in the 2010 Index was 33 out of the 149 countries measured in the survey, placing it just behind Singapore, France and the UK and otherwise well ahead of most European countries as well as the United States (85).

Since 2008 Botswana’s score has steadily improved, resulting in its moving up seven places in the overall international rankings.

According to the survey’s authors “in a region least at peace Botswana fare best” further noting that its high global position was a result of minimal militarization, and freedom from internal conflicts as well as “low scores for most measures of safety and security [that] point to a relatively harmonious society”.

Read more

Happy Africa Day!

Oh… this always gets me even more excited to head back over to the land of Africa, the most amazing people on the planet!

Enjoy!

Getting a little animalistic!

How exciting it was to be linked up with the inspiring and energetic Kirra from Animalates!

What in the world is Animalates I hear you ask?

Well… it’s a brand new concept developed by a young Canberra entrepreneur. Its goal is to improve children’s overall body conditioning and enjoyment of movement utilizing Pilates movements with an animal theme for children! ROAR!

Not only is the idea second to none but the possibilities for enhancing the lives of children located anywhere in the world is also super appealing. And… bonus! It fits snuggly with raize the roof’s vision of a world that is free illness and suffering for all children.

Kirra and Marty are definitely onto a winner… in fact WIN TV will be piloting the show in the next few months… keep your eyes pealed and your bodies ready to get a little animalistic!

Check it out here: