Monday, February 22, 2010
Check out Thomas De Clerck's blog!
Former IIC student Thomas De Clerck is in Southern Sudan working with the Nuba Project. He periodically post pictures and updates to his blog at http://web.me.com/thomasdeclerck/Expedition_Sudan/Blog/Blog.html. Check it out!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Update from IIC student Thomas De Clerck
Greetings from East Africa!
As of Thursday February 4th I've safety arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, met up with Steve Riley the Executive Director of The Nuba Water Project, and have begun filing the necessary paperwork in order to obtain a proper visa to enter Southern Sudan. As is not always the case in getting official documents in Africa the process has been up to this point surprisingly smooth. All that has been required of us is quite a bit of patience paired with warm smiles and friendly nods.
Whooshing back memorable experiences from my 2003-2005 Peace Corps days in Togo, West Africa, I was privileged enough to enjoy my first shower (by bucket and bowl) a few nights ago after spending two days traveling by air from Los Angeles, California. Readily available hot water and shower pressure are not fully appreciated until one finds themselves without it. After sometime though you can develop an appreciation for the simplicities of life within such countries and amongst such people. Though quite difficult to describe to those who've never had the chance to visit the continent, Africa has a unique air about it and it's refreshing to have returned after approximately five years of being back in the USA. It's striking contrasts of beauty and poverty can be seen in every direction you turn your eyes; quite notably in Nairobi.
The children with their massive smiles of white (or in many cases black and brown with dental decay) run around jubilantly in the dirt and pot-hole laden roads amongst mounds of trash and decrepit buildings which so many of their families call home. The women sing choral tunes as they go about their daily chores of cooking, cleaning, caring for the children, and fetching water and wood for the family. The men and boys are out plowing the fields as the cattle, goats, and donkeys graze to nearly bursting their bellies. There's no doubt of the uniqueness of this place on earth and I do highly encourage those of you who can to make it a point to someday pay a visit which will surely become an experience of a lifetime.
Regarding visits, I invite you all to checkout a site I've created where I'll periodically post updates on this Expedition and The Nuba Project's efforts to bring clean water to the people living in the Nuba Mountains of Southern Sudan. Due to the the generous contributions of some incredible people I've managed to cover most of the costs of this project, though additional support is greatly needed and warmly welcomed. My deepest and heartfelt thanks go out to the following individuals below who have kindly offered their assistance to help make this project successful already:
- Fr. Tom Rielley SJ & Friends
- Mary Rust
- Stacey and Heather
- Fr. Michael McFadden
- Mr. John Sullivan
- Mr. and Mrs. Green
- Mr. and Mrs. Hyashi
- Tom and Drewcilla Annese
- Fabrice and Rachelle De Clerck
- John August Swanson
- Seth Lichtenstein
For those others of you who would like to make a contribution to The Nuba Water Project and my efforts currently taking place in East Africa please send your donations to the following address:
Thomas De Clerck: Expedition Sudan
2919 Waverly Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
I sincerely thank you in advance for your generous support and look forward to sharing with you the project's developments in my next letter. Again, I invite you to make a visit to the following sites for further information, updates, and photos on our work:
http://web.me.com/thomasdeclerck/Expedition_Sudan and http://www.nubawaterproject.org/
Warm and Peace Filled Regards,
Thomas De Clerck
As of Thursday February 4th I've safety arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, met up with Steve Riley the Executive Director of The Nuba Water Project, and have begun filing the necessary paperwork in order to obtain a proper visa to enter Southern Sudan. As is not always the case in getting official documents in Africa the process has been up to this point surprisingly smooth. All that has been required of us is quite a bit of patience paired with warm smiles and friendly nods.
Whooshing back memorable experiences from my 2003-2005 Peace Corps days in Togo, West Africa, I was privileged enough to enjoy my first shower (by bucket and bowl) a few nights ago after spending two days traveling by air from Los Angeles, California. Readily available hot water and shower pressure are not fully appreciated until one finds themselves without it. After sometime though you can develop an appreciation for the simplicities of life within such countries and amongst such people. Though quite difficult to describe to those who've never had the chance to visit the continent, Africa has a unique air about it and it's refreshing to have returned after approximately five years of being back in the USA. It's striking contrasts of beauty and poverty can be seen in every direction you turn your eyes; quite notably in Nairobi.
The children with their massive smiles of white (or in many cases black and brown with dental decay) run around jubilantly in the dirt and pot-hole laden roads amongst mounds of trash and decrepit buildings which so many of their families call home. The women sing choral tunes as they go about their daily chores of cooking, cleaning, caring for the children, and fetching water and wood for the family. The men and boys are out plowing the fields as the cattle, goats, and donkeys graze to nearly bursting their bellies. There's no doubt of the uniqueness of this place on earth and I do highly encourage those of you who can to make it a point to someday pay a visit which will surely become an experience of a lifetime.
Regarding visits, I invite you all to checkout a site I've created where I'll periodically post updates on this Expedition and The Nuba Project's efforts to bring clean water to the people living in the Nuba Mountains of Southern Sudan. Due to the the generous contributions of some incredible people I've managed to cover most of the costs of this project, though additional support is greatly needed and warmly welcomed. My deepest and heartfelt thanks go out to the following individuals below who have kindly offered their assistance to help make this project successful already:
- Fr. Tom Rielley SJ & Friends
- Mary Rust
- Stacey and Heather
- Fr. Michael McFadden
- Mr. John Sullivan
- Mr. and Mrs. Green
- Mr. and Mrs. Hyashi
- Tom and Drewcilla Annese
- Fabrice and Rachelle De Clerck
- John August Swanson
- Seth Lichtenstein
For those others of you who would like to make a contribution to The Nuba Water Project and my efforts currently taking place in East Africa please send your donations to the following address:
Thomas De Clerck: Expedition Sudan
2919 Waverly Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
I sincerely thank you in advance for your generous support and look forward to sharing with you the project's developments in my next letter. Again, I invite you to make a visit to the following sites for further information, updates, and photos on our work:
http://web.me.com/thomasdeclerck/Expedition_Sudan and http://www.nubawaterproject.org/
Warm and Peace Filled Regards,
Thomas De Clerck
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Fellowship Opportunity
Dear IIC students, colleagues and alumni,
The Center for Judaic Studies at DU has opened up its 2010 Call for Proposals to "The Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel," a fellowship is offered each year to sponsor research projects related to Israel, Judaism, interfaith awareness and more.
As it aims to foster intercultural learning and dialogue, the Vinnik Fellowship is an award that IIC students could especially benefit from. To learn more, please view the attached PDF and visit the CJS website for our complete application information: http://www.du.edu/cjs/vinnik_scholarships.html.
The deadline for application is February 22nd.
To clarify, applicants do not have to be DU-only: the award is open to individuals from all over Colorado. Also, the committee typically chooses more than one applicant to receive an award each year.
Please forward this to any other groups and individuals that you think may benefit from this award. Contact Mackenzie Berg, Program Development Coordinator at CJS, with any questions: 303-871-4633, or mackenzie.berg@du.edu
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to your applications!
Mackenzie Berg, MA
Program Development Coordinator
Center for Judaic Studies
University of Denver
Sturm Hall, Ste. 159
Phone: (303) 871-4633
Fax: (303) 871-3037
CONTACT JENNY HERRON FOR THE PDF ATTACHMENT AND THE LINK TO THE APPLICATION FORM! jenny.a.herron@gmail.com
The Center for Judaic Studies at DU has opened up its 2010 Call for Proposals to "The Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel," a fellowship is offered each year to sponsor research projects related to Israel, Judaism, interfaith awareness and more.
As it aims to foster intercultural learning and dialogue, the Vinnik Fellowship is an award that IIC students could especially benefit from. To learn more, please view the attached PDF and visit the CJS website for our complete application information: http://www.du.edu/cjs/vinnik_scholarships.html.
The deadline for application is February 22nd.
To clarify, applicants do not have to be DU-only: the award is open to individuals from all over Colorado. Also, the committee typically chooses more than one applicant to receive an award each year.
Please forward this to any other groups and individuals that you think may benefit from this award. Contact Mackenzie Berg, Program Development Coordinator at CJS, with any questions: 303-871-4633, or mackenzie.berg@du.edu
Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to your applications!
Mackenzie Berg, MA
Program Development Coordinator
Center for Judaic Studies
University of Denver
Sturm Hall, Ste. 159
Phone: (303) 871-4633
Fax: (303) 871-3037
CONTACT JENNY HERRON FOR THE PDF ATTACHMENT AND THE LINK TO THE APPLICATION FORM! jenny.a.herron@gmail.com
Boulder Film Festival
Hi everyone,
This looks pretty cool. Check out the details at http://www.biff1.com/ and let me know if you want to go!
Here are some film synopses:
Soundtrack for a Revolution
Friday, 9:15pm, The Church
USA/France/UK, Feature Documentary, 2009, 83 min
On the Academy Awards short list 2010
From the Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals
A young black man sits politely at the "whites only" counter in a diner as white men berate him, throw food at him and eventually beat him. But when he hits the floor, another man takes his place at the counter. Watching this ghastly footage, captured during the bitter days of segregation, it seems impossible to imagine anyone willing to endure such senseless brutality. But pair images like this with soul-stirring folk songs like "I'm Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table," "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" and "We Shall Overcome," and suddenly anything seems possible. Soundtrack for a Revolution tells the story of the American civil rights movement through the music that fortified protestors as they struggled for equality. Featuring music by The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, Richie Havens and Harry Belafonte.
Mugabe and the White African
Namibia/Zimbabwe, Feature Documentary, 2009, 94 min
On the Academy Awards shortlist
"The finest new documentary this year" Washington Post
"Excellent, moving anti-racist documentary. This is one of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen."Daily Mail, London
Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent land seizure program in 2000. Since then, the country and its economy have descended into chaos by the reallocation of formerly white-owned farms to ZANU-PF friends and officials with no knowledge, experience or interest in farming. Mike, like hundreds of white farmers before him, has suffered years of intimidation and violence at his farm. In 2008, Mike took the audacious and unprecedented step of challenging Robert Mugabe before the SADC (South African Development Community) international court, charging him and his government with racial discrimination and violations of human rights.
DIVE!
U.S., Feature Documentary, 2009, 45 min
Grocery stores around the country are filling their dumpsters with food, billions of pounds of good, edible food. Why is all this food being thrown away and not given to people who need it? And what kind of society wastes this astronomical amount of food, while making it illegal to give it to the poor and the hungry? Jeremy Seifert's great film is a foray into the food waste generated in Los Angeles by large supermarket chains such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes—and how a growing movement of people is collecting and redistributing that food every night through the act of illegal dumpster diving.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Sunday, 10:00am, Boulder Theater
USA, Feature Documentary, 2009, 93 min
On the Academy Awards short list
"So many people risked their livelihoods to put the 7,000-page Pentagon Papers out there—we have not celebrated Daniel Ellsberg enough. Let’s begin." New York Magazine
Daniel Ellsberg is a pivotal figure in American history. It was Nixon's obsession with destroying Ellsberg that led to the Watergate burglary, Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War. This thrillling documentary (the title comes from Henry Kissinger) is, in effect, the nail-biting prequel to All the President's Men. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a high-level Pentagon official, former Marine and Vietnam War hawk discovers top-secret reports detailing the lies the Pentagon had been telling the public about the war. In the breathtaking race to smuggle out the thousands of pages of top-secret documents and give them to newspapers before the government could get injunctions, this film becomes an exciting journalistic drama. Narrated by Ellsberg himself, with a background of Nixon's White-House-taped voice sputtering, "We've got to get this son of a bitch!"
This looks pretty cool. Check out the details at http://www.biff1.com/ and let me know if you want to go!
Here are some film synopses:
Soundtrack for a Revolution
Friday, 9:15pm, The Church
USA/France/UK, Feature Documentary, 2009, 83 min
On the Academy Awards short list 2010
From the Cannes and Tribeca Film Festivals
A young black man sits politely at the "whites only" counter in a diner as white men berate him, throw food at him and eventually beat him. But when he hits the floor, another man takes his place at the counter. Watching this ghastly footage, captured during the bitter days of segregation, it seems impossible to imagine anyone willing to endure such senseless brutality. But pair images like this with soul-stirring folk songs like "I'm Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table," "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" and "We Shall Overcome," and suddenly anything seems possible. Soundtrack for a Revolution tells the story of the American civil rights movement through the music that fortified protestors as they struggled for equality. Featuring music by The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Joss Stone, Richie Havens and Harry Belafonte.
Mugabe and the White African
Namibia/Zimbabwe, Feature Documentary, 2009, 94 min
On the Academy Awards shortlist
"The finest new documentary this year" Washington Post
"Excellent, moving anti-racist documentary. This is one of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen."Daily Mail, London
Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent land seizure program in 2000. Since then, the country and its economy have descended into chaos by the reallocation of formerly white-owned farms to ZANU-PF friends and officials with no knowledge, experience or interest in farming. Mike, like hundreds of white farmers before him, has suffered years of intimidation and violence at his farm. In 2008, Mike took the audacious and unprecedented step of challenging Robert Mugabe before the SADC (South African Development Community) international court, charging him and his government with racial discrimination and violations of human rights.
DIVE!
U.S., Feature Documentary, 2009, 45 min
Grocery stores around the country are filling their dumpsters with food, billions of pounds of good, edible food. Why is all this food being thrown away and not given to people who need it? And what kind of society wastes this astronomical amount of food, while making it illegal to give it to the poor and the hungry? Jeremy Seifert's great film is a foray into the food waste generated in Los Angeles by large supermarket chains such as Whole Foods and Trader Joes—and how a growing movement of people is collecting and redistributing that food every night through the act of illegal dumpster diving.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Sunday, 10:00am, Boulder Theater
USA, Feature Documentary, 2009, 93 min
On the Academy Awards short list
"So many people risked their livelihoods to put the 7,000-page Pentagon Papers out there—we have not celebrated Daniel Ellsberg enough. Let’s begin." New York Magazine
Daniel Ellsberg is a pivotal figure in American history. It was Nixon's obsession with destroying Ellsberg that led to the Watergate burglary, Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War. This thrillling documentary (the title comes from Henry Kissinger) is, in effect, the nail-biting prequel to All the President's Men. In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a high-level Pentagon official, former Marine and Vietnam War hawk discovers top-secret reports detailing the lies the Pentagon had been telling the public about the war. In the breathtaking race to smuggle out the thousands of pages of top-secret documents and give them to newspapers before the government could get injunctions, this film becomes an exciting journalistic drama. Narrated by Ellsberg himself, with a background of Nixon's White-House-taped voice sputtering, "We've got to get this son of a bitch!"
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Help Haiti and get paid!
ACET, Inc. has received an immediate request to provide assistance to the devastation from the recent earthquake that has befallen the nation of Haiti. We are looking for anyone interested in going to Haiti to help for a 3- 6 month period. There are no particular skills sets defined at this point, except the willingness to help wherever needed. We will be presenting folks and highlighting their unique skills and trade qualifications, so if the opportunity to help in your area exists it will be noted and presented. As you can well imagine, any skill that you may have can be of great help.
Typical skill sets needed:
Carpenters
Masons
Electricians
Medical Personnel
Communications
Builders
Heavy Equipment Operators
Plumbers
Logistics
Etc.
THIS IS NOT A VOLUNTEER REQUEST – you will be paid for the work you do. This is a temporary employment assignment that will include travel, expenses, remuneration with an understanding that housing accommodations will be very basic. All that is needed at this point is a passport or ability to obtain one ASAP.
This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the people of Haiti!
Onekqua Beverly
Corporate Recruiter/Security Specialist
ACET, Inc.
301-861-5023 (Office)
301-885-3199 (Fax)
otbeverly@adamscomm.com
www.adamscomm..com
Typical skill sets needed:
Carpenters
Masons
Electricians
Medical Personnel
Communications
Builders
Heavy Equipment Operators
Plumbers
Logistics
Etc.
THIS IS NOT A VOLUNTEER REQUEST – you will be paid for the work you do. This is a temporary employment assignment that will include travel, expenses, remuneration with an understanding that housing accommodations will be very basic. All that is needed at this point is a passport or ability to obtain one ASAP.
This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the people of Haiti!
Onekqua Beverly
Corporate Recruiter/Security Specialist
ACET, Inc.
301-861-5023 (Office)
301-885-3199 (Fax)
otbeverly@adamscomm.com
www.adamscomm..com
Monday, January 25, 2010
Film Screening: The End of Poverty?
The End of Poverty?
Thursday, February 4
7:00 PM
Mercury Cafe
2199 California St, Denver
$10 suggested donation
Global poverty did not just happen. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, the problem persists because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies — in other words, wealthy countries taking advantage of poor, developing countries.
Renowned actor and activist, Martin Sheen, narrates The End of Poverty?, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning director, Philippe Diaz, which explains how today’s financial crisis is a direct consequence of these unchallenged policies that have lasted centuries. Consider that 20% of the planet’s population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate. At this rate, to maintain our lifestyle means more and more people will sink below the poverty line.
Filmed in the slums of Africa and the barrios of Latin America, The End of Poverty? features expert insights from: Nobel prize winners in Economics, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz; acclaimed authors Susan George, Eric Toussaint, John Perkins, Chalmers Johnson; university professors William Easterly and Michael Watts; government ministers such as Bolivia’s Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and the leaders of social movements in Brazil, Venezuela, Kenya and Tanzania . It is produced by Cinema Libre Studio in collaboration with the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.
Can we really end poverty within our current economic system? Think again.
Thursday, February 4
7:00 PM
Mercury Cafe
2199 California St, Denver
$10 suggested donation
Global poverty did not just happen. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, the problem persists because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies — in other words, wealthy countries taking advantage of poor, developing countries.
Renowned actor and activist, Martin Sheen, narrates The End of Poverty?, a feature-length documentary directed by award-winning director, Philippe Diaz, which explains how today’s financial crisis is a direct consequence of these unchallenged policies that have lasted centuries. Consider that 20% of the planet’s population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate. At this rate, to maintain our lifestyle means more and more people will sink below the poverty line.
Filmed in the slums of Africa and the barrios of Latin America, The End of Poverty? features expert insights from: Nobel prize winners in Economics, Amartya Sen and Joseph Stiglitz; acclaimed authors Susan George, Eric Toussaint, John Perkins, Chalmers Johnson; university professors William Easterly and Michael Watts; government ministers such as Bolivia’s Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera and the leaders of social movements in Brazil, Venezuela, Kenya and Tanzania . It is produced by Cinema Libre Studio in collaboration with the Robert Schalkenbach Foundation.
Can we really end poverty within our current economic system? Think again.
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