Ildkamp er ikke for tøsedrenge!</h1> <article> <h1>Ildkamp er ikke for tøsedrenge!</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:21:00 GMT</p> <p>Lugten af petroleum rammer os som en mur da vi stiger ud af minibussen i Nejapa. Vi har kørt en time i mørket til "We no speak americano" på repeat i alverdens forskellige remixes i en gammel minibus på hullede, bumpede veje, hvor vi til tider måtte stoppe op pga. køer og hunde på vejene. Der er tonsvis af mennesker i gaderne, folk der står op råber "ONE DOLLAR - ONE DOLLAR" uanset om de sælger lysende djævlehorn, oppustelige badedyr, mad, cigaretter eller øl. Lugten af grill og pupusas (lokal mad) bliver blandet med høj musik fra et orkester. Vi ved egentligt ikke, hvad der skal til at foregå - andet end noget fireball af en art. Vi går forbi et lokale, hvor der er samlet tæt på 50 paramedics, som står og får information ved en tavle. Vi undrer os lidt over de mange ambulancer og ambulancefolk, men tænker egentlig ikke videre over det. </p> <p>Pludselig starter fyrværkeriet - en mand med en raket i den ene hånd og en glødende træpind i den anden hjælper med at lyse himlen op i alle mulige forskellige farver - raket efter raket i sine bare hænder. Pludselig stopper fyrværkeriet og folk begynder i panik at trække ud på fortorvet - forvirret står 6 danskere og fatter ingenting, hvorefter en papmache hest indbundet i fyrværkeri og raketter løber gennem gaden og ind i publikum. Efter ham følger en masse andre heste med ild i, som vanvittigt og forvirrende stormer gaderne. </p> <p>Det stilner lidt af og vi morer os over det sjove indslag indtil gaden pludselig lyser kraftigt op igen. Maskerede mænd kommer løbende med ildkugler i hænderne og kaster dem efter hinanden. Pludselig begynder alle at løbe og skrige - der opstår fuldstændig panik blandt publikum og vi har ingen idé om, hvad der sker. Vi står naivt med vores fine digitalkameraer og filmer situationen, hvorefter en ildkugle kommer flyvende fra himlen og lander lige ned blandt os og de 100 andre turister og salvadoraner vi er omringet af. En pige skriger og hopper - en ildkugle har ramt hendes skulder og der er gået ild i hendes hår og bluse. 5 m længere nede af gader råber endnu en fra publikum og begynder at flå sin t-shirt af fordi den brænder. Andre steder er der folk, der hopper og drejer vanvittig rundt om sig selv og prøver at slukke den ild, der er i buksebenet. Ildkuglerne flyver fra side til side - hjertet sidder helt oppe i halsen på os, mens adrenalinen pumper vanvittigt rundt i kroppen - alle skriger - alle løber - der er panik over det hele! </p> <p>Efter, at ildkuglerne kom lidt for tæt på os løb vi bag et hegn og gemte os resten af aftenen i frygt for at miste hår, tøj eller få brandsår. Jeg kan godt se nu, hvorfor der var så mange ambulancefolk og de har uden tvivl haft en travl aften! Da vi gik forbi 'skadestuen' på vejen på vej til bussen hang en lugt af brændt hud og hår som et tungt tæppe over gaderne. <br />Personligt var det en super fed oplevelse, men hold kæft en vanvittig tradition!! </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Det var lige præcis, det jeg mente kære Politiken...</h1> <p>saraschluter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:20:00 GMT</p> <p>- Så du Politikens leder i dagens avis, udbrød kollega Henriette i går formiddags, da jeg var færdig med dagens aviser. </p> <p>Og jeg måtte med skam erkende, at jeg var kommet til at stryge let henover den. </p> <p>- Det er jo nøjagtig det samme, som du skrev i pressemeddelelsen i forbindelse med finansloven den anden dag, sagde den skønne - og storsmilede - Henriette til mig.</p> <p>Og nu er det altså på ingen måde fordi, at jeg er i gang med at anklage Politiken for plagiat, for det var ikke ikke på nogen måde den samme tekst. Men meningen var der. Lederen tager udgangspunkt i katastrofen i Pakistan og ender med følgende konklusion: </p> <p>"At bekæmpe fattigdom er det bedste forsvar imod naturkatastrofer. Det burde være en banal sandhed. Men sådan er det desværre ikke." (læs hele den fine tekst <a href="http://politiken.dk/debat/ledere/1047345/bekaemp-fattigdom/">her</a>)</p> <p>Hvilket vi da også prøvede at få frem i sidste uge, da der kom forslag til finanslov. For her er der stadig ikke nogle nye penge til klimaområdet. Det bliver stadig taget fra udviklingsbistanden. Det er Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke en kende uenige i (som i helt vildt meget uenige i). Derfor sendte vi denne her pressemeddelelse ud - ikke at der var nogen, der skrev den historie, men det er vist også, fordi jeg fik placeret verdens længste rubrik på den... Og for at citere Politiken: Det burde være en banal sandhed. Men sådan er det desværre ikke.</p> <p>---</p> <h1>MS: Se på Pakistan og genovervej den fejlslagne klimaprioritering</h1> <p> 24. august 2010 <br /></p> <div class="clear"></div> <p>Mens 20 millioner mennesker har brug for nødhjælp i det oversvømmede Pakistan, det internationale samfund ignorer en sultkatastrofe i Niger og røgskyerne stadig svæver over Moskva, har den danske regering netop fremlagt et finanslovsforslag, som ikke giver en krone ekstra til klima. Et område, som bør stå øverst, hvis vi i fremtiden skal undgå flere og flere klimarelaterede katastrofer som de ovenstående – og derved ende med at bruge alle de danske bistandspenge på nødhjælp i stedet for forebyggelse og udvikling.</p> <p>- Det er fuldstændig håbløst, at regeringen ikke er vågnet op i kølvandet på oversvømmelserne i Pakistan, siger forkvinde for Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke Trine Pertou Mach.</p> <p>Klimatilpasningsmidlerne bliver taget fra den samlede udviklingsbistand, hvilket strider imod løfterne fra COP15. </p> <p>- Regeringen må lide af kollektivt hukommelsestab, for alle de fine ord om klimastøtte til udviklingslandene fra COP15 er glemt igen. Danmark har en klimagæld til verdens fattigste på seks milliarder kroner. Klimatilpasning handler netop om at gøre lande som Pakistan i stand til at beskytte sig mod klimakatastrofer, som den de drukner i lige nu, siger Trine Pertou Mach. </p> <p>I Copenhagen Accord, som blev besluttet på COP15, står der direkte, at de penge, som de rige lande skal give til de fattige lande som kompensation for klimaforandringerne, skal være ”new and additional”. Regeringen har også både før og under COP15 udtrykt, at de arbejdede for, at der skulle findes nye og yderligere klimamidler. Trods fine ord om puljer og midler, og finansminister Claus Hjort Frederiksens ord – på dagens pressemøde – om at den danske økonomi er i bedring, bekræfter finansloven regeringens plan om at tage klimamidlerne fra udviklingsbistanden. Derved sendes regningen for klimaproblemerne direkte videre til verdens mest udsatte.</p> <p>Regeringens løftebrud på klimaområdet giver seriøse bekymringer for resultatet af det store 2015-topmøde til september, hvor Danmark sammen med Senegal leder forhandlingerne. </p> <p>- Efter COP15 viste regeringen verden, at man ikke kan stole på de danske løfter på et så vigtigt område som klima. Det vil være en tragedie for verdens fattigste, hvis vi ser en gentagelse af det til september, siger Trine Pertou Mach. </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Foedselsdagsfortaellinger</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 03:08:00 GMT</p> <p>I gaar vendte vi hjem fra en weekend i El Tunco, èn af El Salvadors store bade- og surfstrande. Det var virkelig sjovt at surfe, men et fremtidigt raad ville vaere at tage solcreme paa. Jeg har aldrig vaeret saa forbraendt. Smaa andengradsforbraendinger titter frem paa mine skuldre i form af ulaekre gule blaerer, og min nattesoevn er noget afbrudt, naar jeg da endelig falder i soevn. Men heldigvis er der da intet, der kan stille smerten som et godt, dansk foedselsdagsselskab!</p> <div></div> <div>Saa saadan et holdte vi i dag. Vores dejlige og altid glade madmor Yolanda blev nemlig 65 aar i loerdags, saa det maate vi fejre. I anledningen havde vi selv lavet mad til hende. Noget saa dansk som boller i karry og brunsviger (naturligvis). Det var virkelig fantastisk at spise lidt "dansk" igen, naar man nu plejer at faa tortilla og boenner det meste af tiden. Uha da, det var alt for laenge siden jeg havde spist en brunsviger. Foedselsdagssang var der selvfoelglig ogsaa, baade en dansk og en spansk version. I den anledning saa jeg, at hvad Yolandas smil mangler i taender (og her snakker vi i hvert fald 80%) har det saa sandelig i varme. Hele hendes gamle, vise ansigt lyste op da vi sang for hende, og hendes mund former sig som et rundt hjerte.</div> <div></div> <div>Bagefter fik hun gaven: Et gaskomfur. Med tilhoerende gas, der vil blive koert hjem til hende. Jeg havde aldrig troet jeg skulle opleve det, men dèr saa jeg Yolanda graede. Ikke tydeligt, men hun maatte have lommetoerklaedet frem for at fjerne taarerne.</div> <div>Et gaskomfur er dyrt, det koster nok 40 dollars, en pris langt de faerreste nogensinde ville kunne betale. Saa naar Yolanda staar op om morgenen og skal have kaffe, gaar turen foerst ud for at finde lidt braende. Eller det gjorde den, nu er det blevet lidt nemmere.</div> <div>"Jeg ville aldrig have kunne betale for saadan et selv, men nu...", og saa hoerte vi ikke mere. Hun maatte toerre oejnene.</div> <div></div> <div>Bagefter fik vi to af hendes historier, som Yolanda er saa kendt for her:</div> <div>Den foerste er lidt kort, men det viser sig, at Yolandas foerste foedselsdag blev fejret da hun blev 50 aar. Grundene er nok mange, men jeg vil tro at penge har vaeret en meget dominerende faktor. Det er naermest helt surrealistisk at taenke paa. I Danmark bliver det at fejre sin foedselsdag naermest betragtet som, hvis ikke en pligt, saa en rettighed.</div> <div>Den naeste er mere tragikomisk. I El Salvador fejrer man som regel 15-aars foedselsdag paa linje med vores konfirmation, det vil sige superfornemme kjoler for pigernes vedkommende, og ogsaa i Yolandas tilfaelde - en stor og flot lyseroed kjole. Hun var saa glad for den, at hun meget gerne ville beholde den og gaa lidt mere i den, men den var desvaerre blevet stjaalet fra hende. Og som om det ikke var slemt nok, var den endt i haenderne paa en mand, der havde brugt kjolen til at lave sprit, ved at si alkoholen igennem kjolen.</div> <div>En fantastisk tragisk historie, og jeg er egentlig ikke helt sikker paa pointen. Den virker bare til at vaere en viderefortaelling vaerdig. Nok mest fordi det hele er saa forskelligt fra hvad man ville opleve i Danmark.</div> <div></div> <div>Og det er hver gang man hoerer eller ser noget nyt.</div> <div></div> <div></div><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Pool og pupusas</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 02:01:00 GMT</p> <p>I Suchitoto findes et hotel med en fantastisk blaa pool og udsigt ned over soeen. Der boblede 5 danskere rundt i halvanden time i gaar og noed livet. Taenk at det kan vaere saa fantastisk at sidde med ryggen op ad en bassinkant og lukke oejnene og vaere helt stille. Taenk at det kan vaere saa uendelig sjovt at tage billeder af sig selv under vandet. </p> <p>Ind i mellem traenger man til en pause. Fx naar man sidder for ca. 5000de gang og kigger op paa sin spansklaerer og ser sit eget spoergsmaalstegn spejlet i hans ansigt og har en vis mistanke om, at manden rent faktisk tror, man er dum. Eller naar man sidder halvanden time foran en borgmester, som faktisk er ganske interessant, men bare snakker utrolig spansk og utrolig laenge. Eller naar man staar op kl. 6 om morgenen for at vaske toej (det er faktisk rigtig hyggeligt, naar man er to, men det faktum at kl. er 6 om morgenen, er bare svaert at komme udenom). Saa traenger man til en pause. Poolen blev nydt til fulde. -</p> <p>Hyggen fortsatte om aftenen hos Sanna og Mads til rigtig laekker aftensmad. Sanne har tydeligvis forstaaet tilpasselsens aedle kunst; kyllingefoedderne simrede med i gryden for smagens skyld. Jaja, jeg vaenner mig nok til det foer eller siden. Man skal heller ikke vaere sart. Det blev en rigtig god aften med en masse hyggesnak og en diskussion eller to mellem fynboerne og koebenhavnerne. Kulturchok kan skam ogsaa forekomme i Danmark.</p> <p>I dag var hoejdepunktet pupusas paa spanskskolen. Mad som hoejdepunkt lyder bare ikke helt godt, men ikke desto mindre... Vi fik sunget pupusassang ikke mindre end 3 gange, og saa stod vi ellers og klappede loes paa majsmel, boennemos, ost og spiseblomster. Nogen blev lidt tykke og nogen blev lidt tynde og revnede, men det smagte fantastisk. Vi gik glade og maette hjem og sprang frokosten over. </p> <p>Endnu et par gode dage i Suchitoto.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Rich but still poor</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:04:00 GMT</p> <p>By Njabulo Moyo </p> <p>If you are looking for rich and “happy” people in the world then visit Denmark the land were education and health are for free. Rich people are not always happy as most of them leave empty lives without a meaning as they don’t have to struggle for survival and to attain resources. Happiness is an inner feeling of delight mainly as a result of doing well to society and your religion.</p> <p>The Danish version of richness is financial and it tends to isolate religious values .It is a case of the poor go to church because they have a lot to ask and thank God for whilst the rich have everything and God is not worth worshipping .I wonder why the Danes are said to be the “happy” when they isolate foreign nationals as witnessed by the governments failure to integrate foreign nationals They take their privileges for granted and if only they knew of the struggles of a Zimbabwean child then they will realise the value of internal happiness.</p> <p>Having interviewed many people in the main cities I have learnt that the local people are still poor in the soul I am not happy about the welfare system as the government continues to invest is small and stupid technological advancement which has resulted in many of them being lazy and unhappy because most of the jobs are done by computers.</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Afhugget hønehoved</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:57:00 GMT</p> <p>Kl. er 06.30 og vækkeurets toner forstyrrer skønhedssøvnen. Vi vågner op i en ny seng efter en nat i selskab med hundredevis af myg og insekter. Vi er langt væk fra byens toiletter, vandhaner, elektriske lys og komfurer - men endnu tættere på livet i El Salvador - vi er på landsby besøg i San Antonio. Her galer hanerne endnu højere, hundene gør endnu kraftigere og kvinderne er allerede ude af sengen kl. 05.00. Formålet med dette weekendbesøg er, at forberede os på det primitive og 'fattige' liv vi kommer til at møde om blot to uger, når vores rigtige voluntørarbejde starter. </p> <p>Vi får sparket os selv ud af den dejlige seng og går med mamá ned for at lave de kogte majskorn om til dej, som skal laves til tortillas. Mens morgenduggen endnu hviler over San Antonio, arbejder kvinderne på højtryk. Der skal laves bønnemos, hentes majs i marken, vaskes tøj, laves tamales, koges flere majs og gøre hønen klar til frokosten. Synet af en høne med afhugget hoved i en grøn plastikbalje var ikke lige noget, der fremmede appetitten. Men maden skal jo på bordet til mændende. Da majsne var blevet malet til en dej gik turen hjem til 'bålet', hvor der skulle klappes tortillas, hvor der kræves talent at lave den både runde og med rette tykkelse. Derefter stod morgenmaden på bønnemos, stegte bananer og selvfølgelig tortillas. Når maven var stillet tilfreds, var det på med vandreskoene og ud i papayamarken. Her skulle alle de visne blade rives af træet, så der var lys og energi nok til papayaerne - dette forgik dog med manden - mens kvinderne stadig lavede tortillas, vaskede gulv/tøj/tallerkner osv.. </p> <p>Om eftermiddagen var vi 6 danskere blevet påduttet at lave en workshop om kommunikation for de lokale unge - vores stammende, haltende spanske forværrede en smule situationen og vi fik ikke helt vores budskab igennem - men vi (og forhåbentlig også dem) havde det sjovt. De lokale unge havde købt en svampebob-firkant piñata til os som vi med bind for øjnene skulle slå ned så slikket væltede ud i bedste fastelavnsstil. </p> <p>Da mørket lagde sig på, blev de kæmpe højtalere sat frem og den latinamerikanske musik blev fyret op for fuldt tryk! Her sidder 6 danskere i plastikstole foran 50 salvadorianere - ude af stand til at snakke sammen pga. 'larmen' - vi kigger bare på hinanden. Endelig tager vi os sammen til at erobre dansegulvet i håbet om at blive assisteret af det salsadansende folkefærd, men der tog vi grueligt fejl. Her stod vi så på de tomme fliser - nu begloet af 50 salvadorianer - hjertet siddende i halsen, svedige håndflader og forvirrede øjne - "skal vi forsøge os med vores salsamoves foran alle dem her?!" Svaret gav sig selv da rytmen spredte sig som en bølge i kroppen - stirret ned af 100 øjne!! Senere på aftenen fik salvodorianerne dog taget mod til sig og vist os deres salsa og reggaton moves. Sjovt blev det nu alligevel. Kl. 22.15 lå vi igen i sengen sammen med alle myggene og insekterne til hundenes evige gøen. </p> <p>De mange indtryk af kønsrollemønstre, samfundsopbygning samt spændingnen og glæden til at komme rigtig afsted, følger med hjem på ladet af pick-up truck'en. </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Familieliv og fest i San Antonio</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:50:00 GMT</p> <p></p> <p>I weekenden besøgte vi landsbyen San Antonio, hvor vi skulle bo hos tre forskellige familier. Billedet ovenfor er af Torunns og Christoffers families soveværelse.</p> <p></p> <p>Familiens udendørs køkken.</p> <p></p> <p>Torunns og Christoffers "Mama".</p> <p></p> <p>Lørdag eftermiddag afholdte vi kommunikationsworkshop for byens unge (m.fl.)</p> <p></p> <p>Landsbyens unge havde arrangeret en piñata for os efter workshoppen.</p> <p></p> <p>Lørdag aften havde byens unge arrangeret en fest for os med masser af dans - og en flok af tilskuere.</p> <p></p> <p>Søndag formiddag stod på rundvisning i landsbyen, som sluttede af med at vi allesammen fik tæsk i badminton af de lokale badmintonbørn.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>En torsdag i soendagens tegn</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:38:00 GMT</p> <p>Det var saa halvdelen af opholdet paa La Plataforma Global i El Salvador. Der er allerede gaaet to en halv uge, og at bruge det efterhaanden slidte udtryk at tiden flyver har aldrig virket mere korrekt. Men naar det foeles som om tiden gaar hurtigt har det jo ofte en aarsag: fx at man har nok at lave, har det sjovt og maaske har en fornemmelse af at det ikke ville goere noget med et par ekstra timer i doegnet... <div></div> <div>Eller hvad med alle tre ting?</div> <div></div> <div>Vi koerer et haardt program her: Der er planlagte "aktiviteter" fra klokken 8.00 til klokken 18.00 hver dag, og kategorien "aktiviteter" indeholder saadan set alt lige fra Workshops om fattigdom til frokost med efterfoelgende siesta. Men selv pauserne har det med at forsvinde nogle gange, naar man ogsaa lige skal have lavet spansklektier, og ogsaa gerne lige vil have vasket toej. Saa... Da der i dag lige pludselig blev fire timer fri paa grund af omstrukturering i skemaet (laes: misforstaaelse og efterfoelgende aflysning), var det baade med aergrelse over at miste et modul i skemaet (oprigtig talt, vi har det faktisk sjovt naar vi har undervisning!) og med glaede over, endelig at kunne nyde at vaere lidt fri.</div> <div></div> <div>Det er tiltraengt. Hver dag bliver man bombarderet med indtryk der har svaert ved at bundfaelde sig oven i alt det som vi laerer, ser og laver. Saa det var nok tiltraengt da jeg i dag bare kunne laegge mig i haengekoejen med noget musik i oerene og bare falde lidt hen. Senere skrev jeg nogle mails, og det hjaelper virkelig at faa skrevet lidt om det man oplever, saa man faar lov til at reflektere lidt over det.</div> <div></div> <div>Aftenen har vi brugt sammen med vores salsa-ven paa diskoteket. En danser, der giver dansetimer paa diskoteket, men det ville nok vaere at skyde over maalet at kalde ham laerer, for det er mest bare kongens efterfoelger i hypertempo og med vrikkende hofter som eneste krav. Bagefter tog vi hjem og saa kick-ass og spiste is og popcorn. Jeg tror at det her har vaeret en rigtig god dag. Det ville have vaeret saadan en dag, hvor jeg hjemme i Danmark ville have vaeret lidt sur paa mig selv over, at jeg ikke rigtig havde lavet noget, men her nede er det omvendt. Og det ser jeg som et tegn paa, at jeg virkelig faar noget ud af det! For selv om vi har travlt, og selv om det er lidt haardt nogle gange, saa har vi det virkelig fedt. Som gruppe, som kommende volontoerer og som venner.</div> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>La Zorra!</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 04:23:00 GMT</p> <p>Zorra. Familien paa platformen har knopskudt en stribet killing med rund mave og oejne, der forsigtigt bliver mindre sky. Zorra skal fange rotter og mus, for dem vil vi egentlig helst ikke have med i familien. I hvert fald naar hun bliver lidt stoerre. Lige nu er hun centrum for alles kaerlighed, muligvis ogsaa loppernes. Men det maa vi tage med. </p> <p>Centralt for platformen er i oevrigt en smule aandenoed. De sidste dage har vaeret travle. Indtryk paa indtryk, sprog, blodige film, fodboldkampe og toejvask. Hver for sig fantastisk (selv toejvasken er ganske hyggelig), men til sammen aarsag til at platformen er meget stille her til aften. </p> <p>Begivenhederne har ikke vaeret vilde i dag. Eftermiddagen gik med forberedelse til en workshop, som skal fyres af i weekenden i en landsby, som vi skal besoege. Det starter tanker. Hvordan skal vi forklare aktiviteterne med vores noget brogede spansk? Hvor mange kommer der? Hvad ved de noget om? Skal vi virkelig staa helt alene foran en hel flok latinamerikanske unge? Og selvfoelgelig skal vi det. Men det er meget rart med et par dage til at indstille sig paa tanken. </p> <p>Aftenen foregik paa det lokale discotek med Michael Jackson i oererne, discokuglen i oejnene og en energisk danser, der snakkeder perfekt spanlish, som selskab. Skoent at faa "beatet" hovedet frit for tanker, svedt igennem (igen) og grinet. Det var muligvis ikke koent, men vi havde det sjovt. Dog var der desvaerre ingen voluntoerer, der deltog i den sluttelige freestylerunde (shame on the danes). De lokale var derimod frygtloese. Der er maaske noget, man kan laere der. Aropos det at stille sig op foran en flok unge landsbybeboere... </p> <p>Ps: Siri forsvaerede den skandinaviske aere i smuk stil paa freestylegulvet, saa helt underrepraesenterede var vi ikke.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>A story about home, sweet home</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:49:00 GMT</p> <p>BY Saumu Sheiza - Tanzania</p> <p></p> <p>On the picture: Gonzalo, Saumu and Peace</p> <p>It was surpricing visiting a center for homeless people in Odense called Ågården, as I have never seen something like paid for by the state. The center takes care of people who are 18 years old and more. The municipality of Odense supports citizens in changing their behaviour and giving them training in social skills. I think it is a good way to reduce the number of people living in the street, and instead organise them by help them find a place they can call home for while. <br />I was surprised to see the private rooms and good kitchen. The center is running in a democratic way where those living there seems to have a lot of influence. The daily tasks are divided: cleaning, cooking and arranging trips out of the house. <br />I respect homeless people, because their destinies are often caused by drug abuse. <br />In Tanzania we do not have a place or a budget for helping the homeless. Being homeless in Tanzania is mostly a material problem: some simply cant afford a home. Many children are living on the street and be stigmatized due to malaria and AIDS. In Denmark, it seemed more complicated to me: it is all about the mind of the individual and lack of social skills - not necessarily because you cant afford a place to stay. As resources are limited in Tanzania, this would be a luxury problem. <br />A home like the center we have visited would be great to have in my home country. But so far, the homeless people of Tanzania are certainly not included in the state budget. </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Clean water - a human right</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:27:00 GMT</p> <p>By Samba Diallo, Mauritania </p> <p></p> <p>When I first looked at the map of our jouney, visiting Langeland has excited me the most. I come from Mauretania where water is to fight for. Famillies travel miles and miles seeking rain or any drop of water somewhere in the desert, and some never come back. So when I got off the ferry in Spodsbjerg I felt save. I was sure that at least i would not die of thirst. I remember that last time when I went on summer holiday, 60% of my lugage was about bags of water. Cause you never know where to find water again, and worst, clean water. <br />I live in the Capital city and still the question of water is not answered. Moreover, famillies form the country side come constantly to capital city, where at least they could find hope from politician who keeps promissing that the issue of water would be solved soon. Still, not yet . Consquently, the city becomes full of shanty towns, the few water pipes gets distroyed, by people who could not afford to pay the water bill, desperately tring to find water to drink.<br /> I have often seen a perfect familly of 5 members suddenly reicieving five to six of their cousins from the country side fleeing from lack of water in their villages. Due to that the capital becomes overpopulated. Schools become over crowded, in hostpiatal, you can stand in a line for hours before seeing your doctor and youth from the country side get exposed and used by criminals or even terrorist groups. Women turn to prostitution, elderly and childern become begers walking around the streets.<br />Water is the most important human need, you die from thirst before you die from hunger. Lack of water is like the first domino piece causing an endless negative domino effect. Therefore the politicians should act quickly and find solutions of water. It’s such a shame that a countury of 3 millions habitant, on the coast of the Atlantic ocean, it’s citizen , fight, suffer and die of thirst .</p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Youth must fight for a positive image</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:23:00 GMT</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">By Rachel Gondo (Zimbabwe)</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In the bus on my way to Vollsmose I was told that it’s a ghetto. The bus was full of immigrant-looking people, and I expected Vollsmose to be an overpopulated area with rowdy youth patrolling the streets. To my surprise I met with a group of intelligent and confident young people, just graduated high school, united by their multiculturalism. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Young people all over the world face a lot of social pressure. For the youth in Vollsmosse it is not any different. Having to constantly defend their race, religion and culture does not make life any easier. Although their basic needs are taken care of - education, health, shelter, clean water and food - by the state, welfare also refers to the psychosocial well being of a person.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">To provide this need the ´Unge2Unge´ project is an initiative of the youth in Vollsmosse to send a positive message to their community and the rest of Danish society. This group of strong young people have set on a task of being good role models for other young adults and teenagers in their multicultural community. The youth project was motivated by the great deal of negative publicity the community has been receiving from all sorts of angles.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In Zimbabwe, the youth have also been facing rough times. This has in my opinion affected the positive growth of my generation. Due to the economic hard times my country went through, most young people were forced to abandon their studies. Girls as young as 12 were forced to turn to prostitution in order to bring food to the table for the rest of the family. Young boys resorted to serious crimes such as hijacking and armed robbery.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Youth in any country are the future. The young and the old must identify with each other regardless of race and/or religion as I believe that we are what we are because of each other. A positive and constructive mind in the youth is healthy for any nation’s welfare. I was encouraged to keep pushing for a positive image for the youth in Zimbabwe by the young, passionate people in Vollsmose. I realised that we are together in this fight. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;"><span style="font-size:small;font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>A day in school with Gonzalo</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:05:00 GMT</p> <p>By Gonzalo Chavarria, Nicaragua </p> <p></p> <p>On the picture: Gonzalo</p> <p>Today at 8:00 AM I visited Sundhojskolen in Svendborg where I had to teach some classes about my country Nicaragua.<br />The school building looked more like a hotel because of the size and the many (class)rooms, than the old building I see when I go to school at home. In the school yard I saw a lot of happy children running around, playing loudly. I guess the energy comes from eating breakfast, which is a privilege most children in Nicaragua do not have. There the children are more shy and quiet, their eyes less careless. <br />Then I began teaching class in a 9th grade with 25 students, which is considerable less than the 40-50 pupils I use to share classroom with back home. I decided to tell them about something I figured teenagers would find interesting: sexual education in my home country. In Nicaragua it is taboo to talk about what sex is, prevention and sexual transmitted diseases in classrooms, due to religion and culture. Therefore many young girls get pregnant, without knowing how to deal with it. <br />The class told me that this topic is discussed in 3th grade already, and were thus surprised to hear about my childhood-realty. <br />However, I am lucky to even have an education. Because only 40 % of children finish their primary school, after that their parents do not have money to eat or buy schooluniforms. <br />I think one of the biggest reasons Denmark is doing good is because of education. You can feel it when talking to a person, when you see that they respect the traffic signs, when they do not throw garbage in the streets or when they build a country like Danish people have.<br />Education is a way out of poverty and a mean for society to get better. Therefore I wish Nicaragua manages to help the lacking 60 % finish primary school and thereby live up to the Millenium Development Goals. <br /> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Men are all the same</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:01:00 GMT</p> <p>By Laura Wache, Mozambique</p> <p></p> <p><br />In Denmark we visited an instituition called Mandecentret (the Men Centre) in Aarhus that deals with men in crisis situations. I was quite surprised to hear about a centre for men, since I am from Mozambique and there I have never seen or heared of anybody talking about this kind of centres. In Mozambique, we have instistitutions for women only and gender discussions mostly concern women’s disadvantages and disvaluated positions compared to the male opponent.<br />I could understand that the Men Centre in Aarhus was recently established and a newer phenomenon in Denmark, but I find it quite inspiring. Men in Mozambique deal with similar problems like the men in Denmark. Typically, they frequent the centre due to a difficult divorce and they have troubles restarting their life. Instead of sharing their feelings and thoughts with friends like women often do, men tend to isolate themselves dealing with difficult emotions in less healthy ways. They may start drinking or start some kind of addiction, which only brings them futher into the crisis situation. <br />In Mozambique, men are also having problems dealing with divorce and that to an extent that they actually tend to kill themselves. The rate for suicide among young men is very high. I don’t know if it is possible to have these kinds of centres and support for them in Mozambique, but I imagine that a centre like the one in Aarhus could be helpful.</p> <p>Men centres like the one in Aarhus could be seen as a sign of welfare in Denmark, because welfare to me among other things concerns gender equality</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Hvalen er Danmarks største stjerne</h1> <p>saraschluter — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 10:29:00 GMT</p> <p>Dem, der læser min blog fast (og tak til jer tre), vil vide, at jeg her i sommers fik et ret surt opstød over mediernes dækning af den strandede finhval i Vejle Fjord (har du ikke læst indlægget, så er det her <a href="http://ms-action.dk/blogs/sara/archive/2010/06/21/hold-s-229-k-230-ft-med-den-hval.aspx">Hold så kæft med den hval</a>). Nu har infomedia så lavet en oversigt over, hvad der er blevet skrevet mest om i år og tadaaaa vinderen er... Den strandede finhval fra Vejle Fjord. Se artiklen <a href="http://www.berlingske.dk/danmark/hvalen-fra-vejle-topper-i-medierne-0">her</a>.</p> <p>Gider ikke engang komme med en lang tirade om dagens dyr og væsentlighed, agurketid etc. Blot, at jeg tror Pakistan skal være utrolig glad for, at der ikke render en forvirret og forsvunden vaskebjørn rundt i Søndermarken. </p> <p>PS. Mens der bliver talt utrolig meget om Pakistan i disse dage (Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke har også startet en indsamling. Sms STØT til 1919 og giv 100 kroner. De går direkte til ActionAid Pakistans arbejde. Hvis du er i tvivl om, hvorvidt du skal give, så læs her min pakistanske kollegas reportage fra nogle af de ramte områder <a href="http://www.ms.dk/sw176308.asp">"Gud ved, hvor lang tid det tager os, at komme på fode igen"</a>). Og så var det lige, at jeg smed verdens længste parantes ind i det hele, så vi starter lige forfra: </p> <p>Mens der bliver talt utrolig meget om Pakistan i disse dage, så er der absolut ingen, der interesserer sig for den sultkatastrofe, som udspiller sig i Niger for tiden. Vores kolleger i CARE, som arbejder i landet, er ved at være desperate. For de har i månedsvis råbt op i Danmark og internationalt om, at hungersnøden var på vej. Men så kom Haiti. Nu er den her. Men så skete Pakistan. Der er desværre grænser for, hvor mange katastrofer der kan være fokus på på samme tid. Desværre. Se CARE's pressemeddelse fra den anden dag <a href="http://www.u-landsnyt.dk/nyhed/16-08-10/care-danmark-det-ligner-en-global-katastrofekonkur">Det ligner en global katastrofekonkurrence</a> og læs mere om arbejdet i Niger på CARE's hjemmeside <a href="http://www.care.dk/">her</a>. </p> <p>Måske de skulle sende en hval med i nødhjælpskonvojerne... </p> <p>/Sara</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Young politicians should rule the world</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:19:00 GMT</p> <p> </p> <p>By Collins Odhiambo, Nairobi, Kenya</p> <p></p> <p>On the picture Collins Odhiambo, Nairobi, Kenya</p> <p>Today I visited a Municipality Hall where I met an only 22 year old politician from the Social Democratic Party. What a surprise! In Kenya nobody will accept a young Bachelor to represent them, because experience is measured with age, the older you are the more experience you are expected to have. According to the young politician, politics in Denmark is neither a career nor a way to make money, rather a service to people. To me this is a huge difference, Politicians in Kenya are the wealthiest, and can choose not to pay taxes. </p> <p>More surprising to me was when he mentioned that the reason why the Danish society would elect younger persons to elective posts was because the ordinary citizens can’t be bribed or coerced to vote for a particular candidate who people don’t like. This is a sharp contrast to Kenya where bribery and threats during elections are the order of the day.</p> <p>I have to admit that the visit to the Municipality has changed my perception of politics in general. And I hope that my people back at home will borrow a leaf from Denmark and start to elect politicians because of their policies and not because of the size of their wallets. The world needs fresh and innovative minds and this can only be got in our youths. I believe youths have so much to offer to the people and if they were given a chance in leadership positions, we would see a better world.</p> <p> </p> <p>On the picture: Peace, Rachel, Gonzalo, Saumu, Collins and Samba</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>No woman should die while giving life</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:43:00 GMT</p> <p>STORY BY LIZZIE CHIHANA </p> <p></p> <p>(on the picture), a pregnant women (5th month) from Zambia hitchhiking around Denmark tracing welfare. </p> <p>As we sat down after dinner during coffee my host family asked me about the health system back home in Zambia which is in the southern part of Africa.<br />Being pregnant (5th month) for the first time it is not easy to get very good medical facilities in a developing country. My host family, whose wife is called Lara, is also expecting their first child. She told me how good and advanced the health system is in Denmark. As we talked I realised that we had all the same feelings of pregnancy and childbirth but yet our conditions are so different. She feels the baby kick like I do, I long to have a healthy baby, so does she, but she will bring life in a good, safe, and condusive environment. As for me I have to walk through the difficult and insecure path.</p> <p>She mentioned how expectant mothers are taken care of during pregnancy and childbirth. They have their own midwives, doctors and they are prepared psychologically and physically.<br />It really grabbed my attention because it is nothing near, to what I come from. In Zambia it is a completely different and sad story, because the health system back home is so poor that one cannot afford to have their own doctor.</p> <p>At the small clinics a pregnant woman does not get all the attention that she needs and deserves, this includes them not having access to an ultrasound because if you do not have money then everything is always expensive. This results in most women delivering the babies at home and puts them in a very risky situation, resulting into many deaths both by the mother and the new born.</p> <p>During one of the hitchhiking tours, I was privileged to visit a fertility clinic and got ultrasound. This was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my unborn baby with modern technology. From the top of the head to the bottom. The doctor told me he could see if there was any kind of defect. I saw my babys bladder, spine, heartbeat, and all the movements it was making. Now that is every womans dream. And me just watching my baby with all the movements made me realise how backwards our technology is back home in Zambia.</p> <p>As you read this you would probably wonder why a pregnant woman in her 5th month is hitchhiking around Denmark. Some would think it’s risky and very dangerous to stand by the road for a long time and carrying a big bag on your back. But to be honest it is much more safe than having no access to good medical facilities when giving child to a baby. </p> <p>In a typical Zambian rural area some pregnant women have completely no access to any health or medical facilities while others have to walk many kilometres to get to the nearest health centre. That is why so many women die while giving birth and on their way to the clinics. I strongly believe and feel that pregnancy is a very sensitive and special time for every woman. Good medical facilities and health systems are every woman need and wish. If we could all the proper attention to each and every pregnant woman then this world would be a better place for that special time when one brings life to this world.</p> <p>Life is precious and should not be taken for granted in any way. It is every mother hope that one should not die while giving life in this special way.</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Danish way of dressing is a surprise</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:19:00 GMT</p> <p>BY: Poverty Alfred Taban (Sudan) </p> <p></p> <p>Short skirts, tight trousers, shorts, and tops - I was choked and surprised when I first saw the Danish women way of dressing in real life, because women in southern Sudan may end up being arrested or even rapped by young men wearing clothes like the Danish women. </p> <p>It seems that Danish women like to wear short skirt, pair of shorts and tight trousers or even slim fit. In my own opinion it seems like they are used to it and feels comfortable and confident dressed in this way and the government do not interfere. </p> <p>The situation is quite different in southern Sudan. Here the tradition does not allow a dress code similar to the Danish because they find it being the western way of dressing, which may increase the rate of sexuality in the country, because such kind of dressing exposes the nakedness of women, which the tradition cannot allow.</p> <p>Relating to the issue of such dressing many women were imprisoned last year for wearing tight trousers and “western clothes”. A female journalist was arrested, because she dressed in a pair of trouser but through media support she was luckily released.</p> <p>Many of the students in southern Sudan are restricted to wear the school uniform and if they wish to differ from one another they are only allowed to use two peaces of private clothing. The explanation is that it is believed that they attract boys attention in school, and that they furthermore will end up going to discos. </p> <p>Most tribes in southern Sudan don’t allow their children to put on trousers. And I don’t understand the importance of such kind restricted of dress code, but I am still not used to the women’s way of dressing in Denmark. </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Only healthy souls can develop a society</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:08:00 GMT</p> <p> By Apayi Nasab Peace, Uganda</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p>On the picture Peace, Rachel and Saumu</p> <p>The other day I visited a Danish hospital. I was amazed with the facilities – clean beds, free food, lots of nurses and plenty of space for the patients to feel comfortable. </p> <p>This is totally contrary to the hospitals in Uganda. Here the rooms are very narrow with 25 crowded beds on each side of the walls. Patients of all ages and different diseases are mixed together - this can easily spread infections from one patient to another. Privacy is limited to people who can afford it – and they only get a thin curtain to devide their rooms. There are few nurses and one or two experienced docters per hospital who can not attend to thousands of patients who need to be exermined and treated as well. This eventually leads to high death rates without being attended to.</p> <p>I experienced that Denmark enjoys free health services and have enough rooms to accomodate patients in all hospital centers. I have never attended free health services in my country because every health service you need costs a lot of money, even small things like toilet paper, gloves for the nurses and razar blades you have to pay for. Mattress and blanket you have to bring yourself. </p> <p>I am glad for the Danish people because the state accounts for every citizen in aspect of health care. Healthy souls are important in achieving a welfare society and developing a country. I hope many developing countries like my country Uganda could adopt free health care.<br />Unless the developing states figure out to solve the health care problems for its citizens, it will take long to develop.</p> <p>On the picture below: Peace</p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Ei helg i San Salvador og Juajua</h1> <p>Global Platform El Salvador — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 01:12:00 GMT</p> <p>Torsdag ettermiddag drog me inn til San Salvdor. Me snakka med lokale rfivillige om dei og deiras arbeid. Veldig interessant:) Fredag mornings var det off we go paa besok til ein skule der me motte mange glade og hyggelige barn. Ei dame fortalde masse historiar fraa omrade om vald og misbruk av unge barn. Sterk inntrykk. Me kjorte saa vidare a saag paa der dei rike budde og handlesentera deiras. Store kontrastar. Var oppom paa utsiktspunktet Djevelens port. Mykje taaka saa saag ikkje saa masse. Men fin tur. Paa vei ned var me innom ein restaurant og aat popusas. Kjempe godt. Om kvelden var da ut og testa nattelivet i San Salvador. Det var liv. </p> <p> </p> <p>Morgonen etter blei me kjort av roberto til Juajua. Regna mykje saa da endte med at me satt og saag paa film paa hotellet. Var nedom ein tur paa ein svaer marknad og aat god mat. Om kvelden blei da meir film. Dagen etter var me paa rappelering. Kjempe kjekt. Litt skummelt, regna masse men fekk ei oppleving utan om det vanlege. Guiden vaar hadde teke med ein god lunsj som bestod av baguetter, gronsaker og egg. Me bada i ein liten oppdeming og. Var ikkje SAA kaldt. </p> <p>Blei henta av Roberto som kjorte oss heim igjen til platformen. Ei knall kjekk helg som me ikkje kjem te aa gloyma med det forste:)</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Public toilets are not for free</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 11:08:00 GMT</p> <p>By John Mulingwa, Kenya</p> <p></p> <p>Picture taken by Njabulo Moyo<br />On the picture John Mulingwa</p> <p><br />As a public toilet operator in Nairobi, Kenya, I never imagined that there would be pay toilets in Denmark. I was really surprised to find out that indeed there are public toilets. I only thought that it existed in Africa and Kenya to be specific. I could not believe my eyes until i paid 2 DKK to access the not so clean toilets. </p> <p>It is interesting that these public toilets are manned by machines, whereas in Kenya it is an employment opportunity for many people .The machines are denying many Danes employment opportunities. My other observation is that people with disabilities have equal spaces in the toilets unlike in my country, where we only have one room which has given me a reason to lobby for the increase of rooms for people with disabilities.</p> <p>Another thing I didn’t see in these toilets is showers whether hot or cold, which in Kenya is the opposite. You can take a shower while on transit. I would encourage the Danes whenever they visit Kenya to at least visit our public toilets and if possible take a hot shower in any of the public toilets. Also this brings more cross cultural relations and allows for room for comparison of the welfare systems. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Send me to prison, please!!</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:53:00 GMT</p> <p>By Grasia Maria Banegas Estrada, Honduras</p> <p></p> <p>Here I am lying in my bed, considering seriously committing vandalisim in Demark. Nothing that requires blood, just something that will keep me locked up for at least a year. Recently, I visited a Danish institution for criminal youth called Solhaven. This place is the last stop before regular imprisonment. Solhaven is the last opportunity for young kids to change their criminal ways. The innovative part of the centre is that they use care and involment instead of punishment and consequence in their quest to rehabilitate the young criminals.</p> <p>Judging from the state of this institution, welfare in Denmark is just overwhelming compared to Honduras. The quality of the homes in which these kids are being taken care of is just too perfect to be called a prison. A normal Honduran would have to work 10 years straight and have two jobs a day in order to live similar to how these kids live. Still they wouldn’t be able to pay for trips to Italy and skiing in the holidays, which are common holiday activities at Solhaven.<br /> <br />Solhaven is indeed a piece of heaven... No average Honduran kid would be able to receive these privileges (not to mention the young criminals), having a room with a flat screen television inside just for yourself, a game room in which you can play pool and minisoccer - this Honduran kids can only dream about. In Honduras, if you are given sentence to prison then you have to share a room with four more criminals regardless of the age and crime they comitted. Have you ever heard the say, “eye for eye, tooth for tooth”? Well in Honduran prisons the word is that if you are sent to prison because of rape, the punishment you get is that they arrange 15 big men waiting for you in a cell to rape you.</p> <p>So if you see a Honduran girl looking a bit like Pocahontas beware - because I may still be thinking a bit of doing vandalism, since I always have wanted to go skiing on Christmas. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Pre-experiencing Danish winter</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:48:00 GMT</p> <p>By Lucy Fondo (Kenya)</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p>A Kenyan winter is a Danish summer. This early morning in Hirsthals is cold and rainy day and we are going to a fish auction on the harbour. Due to the weather the amount of fish today are not overwhelming but the technology is devastating compared to what Kenyan fishermen are experiencing. </p> <p>In Kenya the fishermen are not as well organised and controlled as in Denmark. Normally every fishermen fish for himself and sometimes fishermen end up being arrested by the neighbouring country’s navy for fishing and trespassing international borders. This happens because of the competition of catching more fish. </p> <p>Danish fishermen has also experienced competitions and some have also tried to fish outside the permitted territory but the strict control of the fishing makes it very difficult to come around the authorities and not being caught with illegal fish. The fish are counted and the prices are regulated and governed by the public market price. </p> <p>In Kenya price control is foreign to many fishermen and the market is based on “first-come-first-service”- basis. No standard number of fish per day is registered and recorded and it is based on presumptions most of the time. As the day goes by they lower the prices, because of the poor preservation methods making the fish go bad. </p> <p>At the auction in Hirtshals we experienced less than 5 degrees and my legs still feels sore from the cold. If this cold is a pre-experience on Danish winter I imagine that I could end up like the dead and frozen fish on ice easily during the coldest months in Denmark. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Even children can be made by machines</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:32:00 GMT</p> <p>By Sony Valentino, South Sudan.</p> <p></p> <p>When visiting a fertility clinic in Brædstrup yesterday I realized that having a child is not something to do with man and woman alone but we can get children also by machines and this can help people who are not able to get babies by themselves. According to own thought I was thinking women alone con not make babies but I was suppress to hear that the Danish Government can allow two ladies to be to gather as couples but they can still have a child if they want to and its by use of the machines i.e. artificial insemination.<br />I also came to learn that I can still get a child when getting old. The doctor was able to tell us clearly the reason why many Danish women delay to have a child. They want to achieve certain goal in life before having a baby. For example they want to complete their education, have a car and many other things that the Danish people think it is good to have them first then one can have a child after. In south Sudan women often have children from the age of 16. `<br />However in south Sudan many women often have some biological problems that they cannot get babies by themselves. Such kind of women end up with stress because there is no fertility clinic found in south Sudan were one can get a baby. In south Sudan if a woman is not able to get a baby, she is always in trouble were she will be despised in the family, the husband will divorce her and the in lows will also stigmatize her for not having a child – they will say you are eating our food for nothing and yet you were here to multiply the number of our family. Some of these women do not feel good because they are over looked. But in Denmark sperms are kept in class containers that the doctor who works in the fertility clinic can be able to make babies for those who cannot make by themselves, this has surprised me. <br />Although there are women who goes to antenatal clinic, but the quality is not like what happens in Denmark.<br />Therefore the health care in Denmark is for everybody regardless of being poor or rich.<br />Among the participants who came from different developing countries in Africa, one of the lady from Zambia is pregnant so she was able to see her baby in the scan machines in the fertility hospital in Denmark.<br />Women in south Sudan have big problems in the presses of laborer even if they can get babies by themselves.</p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> <article> <h1>Why the danes suffer from pshychiatric problems</h1> <p>Line Bjerregaard — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:48:00 GMT</p> <p>By<br />John Mulingwa</p> <p></p> <p>Picture painted by Luis Marcussen better know as the artist Ovartaci, who was hospitalised for 56 years at the psychiatric hospital in Risskov, which was the first psychiatric hospitals in Denmark (1852). The hospitals founders believed that patients should be allowed to express the selves through art - a tradition which is still on going at Risskov Psychiatric Hospital today. </p> <p>Picture taken by John Mulingwa at Psychiatric Museum, Ovartaci, Risskov Århus</p> <p>As a 27 year old youth leader and human rights activist from Kenya, I have learnt that the Kenyan welfare system for the people with psychiatric problems is still far much behind and in a sorry and miserable state as compared to the Danish system. Psychiatric patients are isolated and in many cases they are in a prison like situation. Psychiatric problems are not viewed as an illness but as a spell that occurs due to witchcraft. In the Kenyan society stereotype beliefs such as witchcraft are adopted towards psychiatric patients because of lack of knowledge and the advice they get from the traditional healers .Culturally it is seen as curse and punishment for a wrong doing either by the person or their relatives. </p> <p>Our health care system has failed to deliver and carter for people with psychiatric problems. This is mainly a result of the fact there has been an exodus of doctors to Europe in search for better salaries and living conditions and no research has been conducted so far to assess the situation. Statistics in Kenya show that many young people suffer from depression and drugs and substance abuse which can be dealt with through counselling and recreational programmes. Upon talking to one psychiatric professor (Raben Rosenberg), from the department of Psychiatry in Risskov (Aarhus) I learnt that Denmark has the capacity to treat patients with the use of advanced technology such as computer data capturing and the use of brain scanning machines. One wonders why the Danes suffer from psychiatric problem in a welfare system that is well organised.</p> <p>The hospital is in an impressive status as witnessed by the happy and creative patients. The Kenyan situation has been worsened by the fact that information dissemination is poor and has a propaganda agenda. We only have one psychiatric hospital in the capital city (Nairobi) which makes it inaccessible by the patients. I would encourage the Danish people to at least have an exchange programme with the Kenyan doctors and health care workers on how to improve our health care system and it will be an important initiative since we have a new constitution that guarantees right to health care to all the citizens.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p><div style="clear:both;"></div> </article> </main></body></html>