"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending"
- Maria Robinson
Eeny meeny miney mo
Too many live under this roof, and one of you must go
The decision is complicated, but we must live with one less
With no money, no clothes, no food; our life is a mess
We are sorry Santos; there is nothing you can do
We've made a decision; there's no place here for you
Now what to do? The street is no place for a boy with 5 years
You're a tough kid, a brave kid; but still hold many fears
I know of a place where the demons of your past can no longer haunt you
And with the love and care you need, a new ending will greet you
"Sign here and here", pronounces Casa Jackson's attorney
"We will find Santos a new home, new hope, a new journey"
The pen scribes the paper; this is the start of a new end
We will never forget your smile, your laugh, your being our friend
Well I guess this is it, look after yourself
Adios mi amor, and good luck in life…
Santos David, given up by his parents as they struggle to support his 7 other siblings. He faces an uncertain and difficult journey but the team at Casa Jackson are giving him the affection, care and support he so desperately needs during this most vulnerable time.
These are the decisions that should never have to be made, and the new endings that should never have to be lived out alone.
Please follow the link below for more information about Santos and a picture of our handsome wee man.
http://www.godschild.org/santos-david/
WE ALWAYS WANT THE BEST MAN TO WIN AN ELECTION. UNFORTUNATELY, HE NEVER RUNS.
"We always want the best man to win an election. Unfortunately, he never runs."
- Will Rogers
- Will Rogers
Dirty politics; a popular phrase come election time, but what are dirty politics and how dirty can they get?
Enter: The Guatemalan Presidential Race 2011…
The leading candidate for the 2011 election - Otto Pérez Molina has somewhat of a chequered past. With a campaign slogan of "Mano dura, cabeza y corazón" ("firm hand, head and heart"), Molina is promoting a hard-line approach to reducing Guatemala’s spiralling violence, particularly in the northern regions of Guatemala that play a significant role in the transit of drugs from South America to the United States. Molina is no-stranger to violence; He was the head of military intelligence in the concluding stages of the civil war in Guatemala that lasted some 36 years – from 1960 to 1996. In June 2011, Molina was accused of genocide and torture by an indigenous organisation and a letter outlining these accusations was presented to the United Nations – the result is pending. The fear among the educated masses is that the reintroduction of a military presence to combat the drug cartels ascendancy will lead to escalating violence and disorder in Guatemala, similar to that seen in Mexico following President Felipe Calderon proclaiming war on the cartels in 2007. More than 40,000 people have died in Mexico since this declaration. Similarly devastating consequences may be observed in Guatemala if a military presence is used to combat the gangs and drug cartels in Guatemala’s north.
Manuel Baldizón is no angel either. A multi-millionaire and devote Christian, his campaign centred around increasing the use of the death penalty and televising executions, and leading the Guatemalan national football team to the World Cup. His campaign however, has been marred by controversy. Baldizón appears to have the support of the outgoing President Álvaro Colom with evidence suggesting that Colom government officials have been handing out vouchers for food and roofing supplies in return for a pro-Baldizón vote. Possibly Baldizón's biggest shortcoming is his apparent marriage (both financially and politically) with the very gangs who are instilling fear in the northern region of Gautemala. Baldizón has also been slated for switching from extreme political left to right to contest this election.
Another Violent Election Campaign Period:
As of 6 November 2011 - the date of the second round of voting, the number of political murders since campaigning began in May 2011 had reached 43. Most of these victims’ lives were claimed by ‘unidentified gunmen’. These murders of candidates and their families, party support staff and activists have occurred predominantly in the northern region of Guatemala as the gangs and cartels attempt to win influence over political candidates and protect their business interests in this major transit route for drugs from South America to the United States. It is alleged that the ‘desirable candidates’ (in the eyes of the gangs and drug cartels) are being paid huge sums of money in return for future political favours.
Money; Money; Filthy, Dirty Money:
While a Supreme Election Tribunal has been charged with overseeing and investigating both the means of campaign funding and the level of spending on each campaign, it appears that the tribunal has failed on both accounts. There is a major lack of transparency surrounding campaign funding, particularly third party and private donations. Both Molina and Baldizón have been accused of receiving large sums of campaign funding from gangs and drug cartels. Furthermore, the Guatemalan Presidential Race 2011 has been one of the costliest elections in history. There is a spending cap of US$6million for each party’s campaign, however, with the lack of funding transparency, both presidential candidates are assumed to have overspent. In particular Molina – whose campaign is estimated to have cost double (or more) of the allowed limit – will likely significantly influence the polling outcome.
The Peoples’ Voice:
In my best beginners Spanish I was having a conversation the other day with someone about the upcoming elections.
I said to them:
Para las elecciones del domingo…
So, the elections are on Sunday…
To which they replied:
Usted lo está pronunciando incorrectamente!
Enter: The Guatemalan Presidential Race 2011…
The first round of voting – 11 September 2011, saw 10 presidential candidates reduced to 2 candidates as no candidate managed to obtain the 50% + 1 vote required to become President elect. I am writing this blog on the eve of the second round of voting – 6th November 2011, whereby the top 2 candidates (Otto Pérez Molina and Manuel Baldizón) from the first round go head to head to become President elect.
The Candidates:
The Candidates:
The leading candidate for the 2011 election - Otto Pérez Molina has somewhat of a chequered past. With a campaign slogan of "Mano dura, cabeza y corazón" ("firm hand, head and heart"), Molina is promoting a hard-line approach to reducing Guatemala’s spiralling violence, particularly in the northern regions of Guatemala that play a significant role in the transit of drugs from South America to the United States. Molina is no-stranger to violence; He was the head of military intelligence in the concluding stages of the civil war in Guatemala that lasted some 36 years – from 1960 to 1996. In June 2011, Molina was accused of genocide and torture by an indigenous organisation and a letter outlining these accusations was presented to the United Nations – the result is pending. The fear among the educated masses is that the reintroduction of a military presence to combat the drug cartels ascendancy will lead to escalating violence and disorder in Guatemala, similar to that seen in Mexico following President Felipe Calderon proclaiming war on the cartels in 2007. More than 40,000 people have died in Mexico since this declaration. Similarly devastating consequences may be observed in Guatemala if a military presence is used to combat the gangs and drug cartels in Guatemala’s north.
Manuel Baldizón is no angel either. A multi-millionaire and devote Christian, his campaign centred around increasing the use of the death penalty and televising executions, and leading the Guatemalan national football team to the World Cup. His campaign however, has been marred by controversy. Baldizón appears to have the support of the outgoing President Álvaro Colom with evidence suggesting that Colom government officials have been handing out vouchers for food and roofing supplies in return for a pro-Baldizón vote. Possibly Baldizón's biggest shortcoming is his apparent marriage (both financially and politically) with the very gangs who are instilling fear in the northern region of Gautemala. Baldizón has also been slated for switching from extreme political left to right to contest this election.
Another Violent Election Campaign Period:
As of 6 November 2011 - the date of the second round of voting, the number of political murders since campaigning began in May 2011 had reached 43. Most of these victims’ lives were claimed by ‘unidentified gunmen’. These murders of candidates and their families, party support staff and activists have occurred predominantly in the northern region of Guatemala as the gangs and cartels attempt to win influence over political candidates and protect their business interests in this major transit route for drugs from South America to the United States. It is alleged that the ‘desirable candidates’ (in the eyes of the gangs and drug cartels) are being paid huge sums of money in return for future political favours.
Money; Money; Filthy, Dirty Money:
While a Supreme Election Tribunal has been charged with overseeing and investigating both the means of campaign funding and the level of spending on each campaign, it appears that the tribunal has failed on both accounts. There is a major lack of transparency surrounding campaign funding, particularly third party and private donations. Both Molina and Baldizón have been accused of receiving large sums of campaign funding from gangs and drug cartels. Furthermore, the Guatemalan Presidential Race 2011 has been one of the costliest elections in history. There is a spending cap of US$6million for each party’s campaign, however, with the lack of funding transparency, both presidential candidates are assumed to have overspent. In particular Molina – whose campaign is estimated to have cost double (or more) of the allowed limit – will likely significantly influence the polling outcome.
The Peoples’ Voice:
In my best beginners Spanish I was having a conversation the other day with someone about the upcoming elections.
I said to them:
Para las elecciones del domingo…
So, the elections are on Sunday…
To which they replied:
Usted lo está pronunciando incorrectamente!
You are pronouncing it incorrectly!
I am just a beginner so replied:
Como es eso?
How so?
They replied:
No son la eleccione, es la corrupción…
I am just a beginner so replied:
Como es eso?
How so?
They replied:
No son la eleccione, es la corrupción…
It is not election, it is corruption…
Sidenote:
The outcome of the 2011 election has been declared with Molina emerging the winner with approximately 55% of the vote. Perhaps the most telling outcome of this election was the turnout at the polls. The second round of voting to choose between Molina and Baldizón saw only 45% of eligible voters turn out at the polls (compare this to say New Zealand, where voter participation sits around 80% of the eligible population).
The people of Guatemala have voted with their feet, and that vote is a vote of no confidence in either candidate.
Sidenote:
The outcome of the 2011 election has been declared with Molina emerging the winner with approximately 55% of the vote. Perhaps the most telling outcome of this election was the turnout at the polls. The second round of voting to choose between Molina and Baldizón saw only 45% of eligible voters turn out at the polls (compare this to say New Zealand, where voter participation sits around 80% of the eligible population).
The people of Guatemala have voted with their feet, and that vote is a vote of no confidence in either candidate.
JUST A BOY
“Infants are the most vulnerable victims of poverty. Children come into the world ready to thrive and grow. When they are denied proper and sufficient nutrition in their diets, their systems are ill-equipped to prepare for it and the consequences can be permanent. Casa Jackson for malnourished Infants is rejuvenating the most defenseless victims of Guatemala: malnourished infants. In addition to professionally treating these young children, it is a safe haven for them, providing them with love and affection.”
Julian is just a boy…and now I wonder if he will grow to be a man.
To learn more about volunteering at Casa Jackson and what else you can do to help please click here:
http://www.godschild.org/casajackson/
- Luke Armstrong, Director of Social Service Programs for La Asociación Nuestros Ahijados
Timid watchful eyes follow me across the room. As I approach, a fragile hand clutches my finger the other grasping my scrub top. Out of the crib, and into the communal area. A temperature check, some medicine and we are ready to play – of sorts. Julian is one of the many children that make up the 43% of the population under 5 years of age in Guatemala that are chronically malnourished. With such severe malnutrition Julian is at higher risk of significant mental and physical development problems. For many children, like Julian, it is not so much play time as lay time.
Julian is severely ill. He is a patient at Nuestros Ahijados’ malnutrition hospital Casa Jackson in San Felipe, Guatemala. Chronically underweight Julian will live at Casa Jackson for an indefinite time. I guess you could say Julian is one of the lucky few identified by this and similar organisations for the remedial treatment, love and affection that he desperately needs.
Ironically I have written above that Julian will reside at Casa Jackson for an “indefinite time” – never have truer words been spoken. Sadly, halfway through writing this blog Julian’s circumstances changed significantly. 4 days after Julian underwent several blood transfusions and received the treatment he required for a crippling parasitic infection his parents arrived at Casa Jackson. Unexplainably they demanded that Julian be discharged. Although he had received the treatment, Julian was still dangerously underweight. Casa Jackson aspire to help malnourished children and will firmly stand by this aspiration, however they will not force families to admit their children and nor will they keep them against the wishes of the family. Needless to say Julian wasn’t at Casa Jackson during my next shift, merely 12 hours after tucking him into his crib for the night.
It is staggering that even a great service such as that provided by Casa Jackson can be unequivocally rejected by the parents of a child whom is clearly in need. This situation begs the question: At what point does lack of education become ignorance? And in this case, neglect?
Julian is severely ill. He is a patient at Nuestros Ahijados’ malnutrition hospital Casa Jackson in San Felipe, Guatemala. Chronically underweight Julian will live at Casa Jackson for an indefinite time. I guess you could say Julian is one of the lucky few identified by this and similar organisations for the remedial treatment, love and affection that he desperately needs.
Ironically I have written above that Julian will reside at Casa Jackson for an “indefinite time” – never have truer words been spoken. Sadly, halfway through writing this blog Julian’s circumstances changed significantly. 4 days after Julian underwent several blood transfusions and received the treatment he required for a crippling parasitic infection his parents arrived at Casa Jackson. Unexplainably they demanded that Julian be discharged. Although he had received the treatment, Julian was still dangerously underweight. Casa Jackson aspire to help malnourished children and will firmly stand by this aspiration, however they will not force families to admit their children and nor will they keep them against the wishes of the family. Needless to say Julian wasn’t at Casa Jackson during my next shift, merely 12 hours after tucking him into his crib for the night.
It is staggering that even a great service such as that provided by Casa Jackson can be unequivocally rejected by the parents of a child whom is clearly in need. This situation begs the question: At what point does lack of education become ignorance? And in this case, neglect?
Julian is just a boy…and now I wonder if he will grow to be a man.
To learn more about volunteering at Casa Jackson and what else you can do to help please click here:
http://www.godschild.org/casajackson/
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