What Became of the Girl in the Photo?

June 8, 1972 - If you saw this photo in Newsweek Magazine on that date

you have never forgotten it.

Have you ever wondered what became of the naked girl in the photo taken during the Vietnam War, by Nick Ut?

Her clothes had been burnt off by the napalm flames that had engulfed her.

Today is the 40th anniversary of the photo.

Her name is Kim Phuc. The good news is that she survived the traumatic burns over her body.

Her life has not been easy. She has suffered pain ever since the napalm explosion. She later managed to escape to Canada, get married and have two children.

Kim Phuc has also established an organization to help children of war, called the 'Kim Phuc Foundation International' which she formed as a way to promote peace and forgiveness.

She finally found happiness and freedom after years of pain and suffering. She later met a pilot who coordinated the air strike on her village - she forgave him!

Dates of the Vietnam War: 1959 -- April 30, 1975

Bless the little children who are the innocents in the big peoples war games.

The Power of Prayer - Pray for Japan Today

This group's sign says "We offer our prayers for the victims of the

Japan earthquake and tsunami."

The monks offer up prayers for the people of Japan

You know that feeling - when the task at hand seems hopeless.

The aftermath of the Tsunami -

A boat that was washed on top of a house

When we hear of disasters that happen in faraway places. and we see the photos of the people who are in pain and suffering, we often feel helpless, that there is nothing we can do.

Yes, we can send donations of money to the International Rescue teams and this

is a source of aid. I am suggesting to you that prayer does make change.

If you find yourself viewing my blog today, I am asking you to take a moment to view these photos again, slowly, and then offer up a prayer for the people in the photos and the people who are affected by this disaster. If each one of you does this then I can feel that I helped in a small way also.

If you do not believe in prayer then believe that others believe and do it anyway.

Feel free to pass this message along to others.

There is power in collective prayer.

peacesojourner

(all photos shown here are from AP)

Thoughts on Hunger and Poverty

When Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of "beloved community" he was describing the ultimate goal of non-violent activism for peace and justice -- a global community of caring where poverty, hunger and injustice are no more.

Poster by Silk Oak - Syracuse Cultural Workers

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October 17, 2010 was recognized as the

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The theme this year is "From Poverty to Decent Work: bridging the gap"

At this time we have more of our human family suffering from the unnecessary evil of hunger than ever before in the history of our planet.

There are millions of residents in the United States who go hungry every day. Children are going to school without breakfast, senior citizens have to decide whether to buy medicine or food and many parents are working two jobs in order to survive.

The most basic principle is the belief in the dignity of the human person. Each person is created in the image of God. Each person is precious. When we close our eyes to our neighbor we close our eyes to God. In this human family no one ought to go without the necessities of life.

Globally, over 1.1 billon people will not get enough food today. Please think about them today. Pray for them today. Then take the time to do something positive on their behalf.

Tell someone about the plight of the hungry.

Make a donation to an organization working to feed the hungry.

Volunteer to help feed the hungry at a local shelter or soup kitchen.

Contact your elected representatives to encourage them to support legislation favoring those who are hungry in a world of plenty.

Don’t let this day slip by without making a difference on behalf of the hungry.

If each of us simply does what we can, right where we are, using whatever resources we have, we can erase the obscenity of hunger in our lifetime.

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How marvelous is your world O Lord!

You have given us the grains of the fields, the water from the seas to sustain and feed us.

Help us to be good stewards, to care for the gift we have been given, to ensure that all have enough to eat.

As we gather today open our hearts and minds to your wisdom.

Remind us that whatever we do for those who are hungry, we do for you.

Lord, hear our prayer

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"I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education culture for the minds and dignity, equality and freedom for the spirits."

Martin Luther King Jr.

The 2010 commemoration will take place today at

United Nations Headquarters in New York.

On this day I urge you to take at least one of the actions listed above

and help to eradicate hunger and poverty.

peacesojourner

Happy News - Haitian Children Evacuated to Shriners Hospital

As I remember back to my childhood, which was blessedly free from major trauma, I can still vividly recall many experiences both good and bad. I try to imagine what a child from Haiti must be feeling right now. Many have become separated from their parents who are missing or dead, and so many others were critically injured. A friend of mine who lives in Springfield, Massachusetts, told me the following story.

Recently eight Haitian children were evacuated to Massachusetts for treatment.

Carolyn Y. Johnson, of the Boston Globe reported:

‘In the midst of swirling snow, a private jet carrying eight Haitian children with life-threatening infections and injuries suffered in last month's earthquake landed at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut at dusk yesterday. (Feb 10^th)

The eight children, aged about 2 to 15, were wrapped in blankets, and given stuffed animals before six ambulances transported them to Boston and Springfield hospitals.

Without the kind of medical care they will have access to here, the children would have died, said Dr. Peter Kelly of Wilbraham, who met the plane at the airport and described the children, many of whom were clad in casts, as "stoic kids."

Kelly is president of the board of CRUDEM, a nonprofit that runs Hopital Sacre Coeur, the Milot, Haiti, hospital where they were treated before being transported to the United States with the help of a private jet provided by an anonymous donor.’

Five of the children who have serious orthopedic injuries and infections are being cared for at Shriners Hospital in Springfield, two with burns were brought to Shriners Hospital in Boston, and the most severely injured girl was admitted to Baystate's pediatric intensive care unit. The five children at Springfield Shriners were operated on the following day.

Springfield is home to the Shriners Hospital, which has been providing free medical care to children since 1926. Many years of dedicated service.

Can you imagine being a child, experiencing an earthquake, being severely injured, taking your first journey on a plane, seeing snow for the first time in your life, being transported many miles in an ambulance and then being settled in at a hospital where you do not know a single person and no-one speaks your native language?

Here is the ‘happy news’ part of this story. Upon their arrival the children were greeted by the soothing voices of a group of students who could speak their language.

Over the next few weeks, local American International College students are taking turns at Shriners Hospital and Baystate Medical Center to translate for the children, who were all severely injured in the January 12 earthquake.

"They got off the plane, and we just comforted them," said Cherline Arnoux, a junior from Boston who is studying criminal justice and business.

Fedeline Osyln, of Boston, a first-year graduate student studying clinical psychology, said she moved from Haiti with her father when she was 9. Her mother and some siblings are still in the country but were not hurt in the earthquake.

She said she remembered how overwhelming it was when she first came to the United States, and hoped she could make it easier for the children.

"I want to give something back to my country, and this was a way I could help," Oslyn said.

Twelve students have volunteered to help and pledge to see the children through this crisis in their lives.

I pray that the children will recover not only from their physical injuries but also the psychological trauma that they are experiencing. They are being comforted with the professional care from the medical staff at the hospital and from the sincere love that is being given to them by twelve young Haitian college students.

The children will have an incredible story to tell one day, when they become adults. I am guessing that some of those students may still be around for them even then. Life has a way of bringing people into our lives in the most unexpected ways.

peacesojourner

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:

In recognition of the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, today’s observance focuses on the plight of children and families living in poverty and the need to fulfill children's rights. The events will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Since the adoption of this event in 1992, there have been considerable advances around the world in securing children’s rights to survival, health and education. A better protective environment has been created to shield children from exploitation and abuse as well. Nevertheless, there is still much to be done to create a world fit for children.

Poverty is a global phenomenon. No matter where you go, individuals living in absolute poverty will never be far away in fact extreme poverty exists in practically every country on earth.

There are several ‘Social Definitions’ of Poverty - Some people describe poverty as ‘a lack of essential items’, such as food, clothing, water, and shelter that are needed for proper living. Poverty is also described as a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information.

When people are unable to eat, go to school, or have any access to health care, then they can be considered to be in poverty, regardless of their income.

It does not take governmental statistics to prove that a person has to fit a certain category. When one can look at a hollow eyed child whose body has so little meat on it that you can see his/her skeletal bones poking out you, are aware that they are in serious need of food and assistance.

There is merit in giving donations to children’s organizations in various countries also, but have you noticed any children in your own neighborhood or city who are undernourished, not dressed appropriately according to the climate temperatures, or living in run down buildings?

The most commonly used definition of global poverty is the absolute poverty line set by the World Bank. Poverty is set at an income of $2 a day or less, and extreme poverty is set at $1 a day or less.

1.1 billion people, or 21% of the world population, have incomes less than the World Bank’s ‘$1 a day’ line for extreme poverty. 2.7 billion people have incomes less than the World Bank’s ‘$2 a day’ line for poverty. Almost one-half of the world’s population lives in poverty, mainly in sub-Saharan African and South Asia but also in your country as well.

Poverty should be defined by an persons inability to affect change in their lives. Another factor, many experts on poverty talk about when they talk about defining poverty, is empowerment.

'Empowerment' refers to the ability of an individual to make choices regarding his or her life. Often, the poor are not empowered - they are forced to work at certain jobs or do certain things, and often, this state of existence can be linked to poverty.

So I ask you, were you aware of the serious lack of nutrition and health care for so many people in the world?

Have you ever made a conscious effort to assist a person or family who is living in extreme poverty?

Have you ever volunteered at your local food pantry or homeless shelter?

If you are not available to volunteer are you able to send in a donation to assist a similar mission in your own place of worship, neighborhood, state, country or even in another country?

When you sit down to eat your daily meal has your body received adequate nourishment for that day?

Let me know what you are doing to assist or if you have any suggestions to help. Are you training your children to have humanity in their hearts to recognize and help those who are living in extreme poverty?

I guess that my point in writing this is to say

“Won’t you please reach out and help? Please.”

Today is set aside to help to eradicate poverty. Give it some thought!

Blessings to you and yours.

peacesojourner

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“Rich and poor, we have entered the same mysterious gateway of human birth, into the same adventure of mortal life. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich. We are inevitably our brother's keeper because we are our brother’s brother, [we are our sister's sister]. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.