Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Personal Goal #1 Part 2

Hi guys,

Previously I've posted on the effects of War in the Middle East. For this time, I'll be doing about the causes and effects of poverty in Africa.


Causes of Poverty in Africa

1)    Mismanagement of Lands
There were huge areas of arable land in Africa south of the Sahara Dessert. But due to land ownership issues and the poor state of the legislation governing this, most of these lands are wasted.  Imagine the potential if the lands were used in a beneficial way to sustain farming and food supplies.

2)    Misappropriation of Money
Financial aids were directly provided to the African countries but they were misappropriated by the corrupt government for all the wrong reasons like purchase of weapons, nuclears and other things which leaves little for humanitarian purposes. This effort proves to have no long term benefits to help the country. There were also misappropriation of the monies into large projects that ended up becoming white elephants than their initial intention.

3)    Human resources
Cheap labours are often used those in production and manufacturing industries where other countries have used machines for years in the same area. Though Africa may have rich amount of natural resources to be explored, the use of human workforce has pulled down the efficiency and effectiveness of the industries’ performance in the country.
Also, most of the natives in Africa are illiterate. Those who holds degrees or have furthered their studies are only few and some migrated out of Africa to live a better life. If the people received proper and effective education, the country would have transformed into a developed country given time.

4)    Diseases
People in Africa are often plagued with diseases that are treatable in other countries. This is due to consumption of unclean water as they have no proper water treatment processes nor clean water resources. They are also inflicted with AIDS. Drought and plagues of locusts have caused famine and hunger and people have died from all these conditions with children among the highest number due to poor living conditions and malnutrition.

5)    Conflicts
Internal and external conflicts in Africa has left people to struggle every single day for their survival and worried about their future. People have left their homes to become refugees in neighbouring states who are handling a huge burden in logistics for them. Those who were well educated enough have fled to other more developed countries in search of a better life.

The effects of poverty in Africa are as follows :
1)      High mortality rate especially in children due to diseases and poor living conditions.
2)      Unrest among the citizens due to conflicts and corruption.
3)      People would forever work as cheap labours and not receiving proper education, medical and humanitarian assistance.

As the situation continues to worsen, Africa will never be able to progress further to become a successful, well developed nation.


Thursday, August 25, 2011

LP Goal #1 - Part 1

Hi guys,

As part of my 3 months goal, I have committed myself to research and come up with a presentation on the effects of war and poverty on the Middle East, Africa, Myanmar and India. This presentation will be spread over 4 parts based on the countries of my research. This is the first part : The Middle East.

Effects of war on the Middle East
Over the years, we have heard on the news of wars going on in the Middle East. May it be between Iran and Palestine, citizens overthrowing the current ruler, war against terrorism. It’s endless. The reasons for war to occur are varied. Ranging from political purposes, freedom, disputes over territories, greed…the list can go on.

Yet, with war comes consequences. The innocents were killed and families torn apart. People who thought they fought for the right reason gave up their lives by becoming suicide bombers.
“Geoff Hoon, the [U.K.] Defence Secretary, suggested yesterday (April 4, 2003) that mothers of Iraqi children killed by cluster bombs would “one day” thank Britain for their use.”
Bombs and bullets have no eyes to recognise their targets. They were built to kill and destroy the enemy forces.

 
Children enlisted to become soldiers at a young age. Never knowing the fun and experience of growing up and making new friends when all they learn is to only fight and shoot.

Buildings and houses destroyed, where once these places were called home by its residents now lay in rubbles and ruins. No more can people hear the sound of laughter and conversations among neighbours as they cower in fear at the sound of a gunshot or a plane flying by.
Quoted from BBC News…”Rebuilding the Gaza Strip after Israel's three-week offensive will cost billions of dollars, the UN has warned.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been left homeless and 400,000 people still have no running water”


Social and political stands will change as they make way for the new ruling parties to lead. Such as the changes in Iraq’s political aspect after the execution of Saddam Hussein that ends his dictatorship.

As war continues to rage on, citizens feel unrest as they will never know how much longer they can live before becoming the next to fall by the bullet. Economies fall drastically and riots will break out which further worsens the current situation.




How Do We End War?
The answer is simple, yet it is hard to be implemented.
As quoted by Monica, whose husband is in the army and is currently in custody.
To bring about the change we all are seeking, we must realize that the change must be a choice we all are allowed to make, as individuals and in our own time. We must learn to live our own lives, not to presume to know what is best for others. We must educate ourselves, and we must love others enough to give them the same opportunity for themselves.
Patience and acceptance of others is what will stop war. Education will stop war. Understanding will stop war. Humility will stop war. Realizing our place, accepting our responsibilities and remembering our humanity will stop war.
Love will stop war. You are all free to choose”
Love, Understanding, Education…these are simple yet big words in stopping war. Yet it is hard to be implemented as humans have emotions, beliefs, religion…which created barriers among themselves from making that first move. If only everyone could break down those walls and start loving, understanding, trusting each other, only then there will never be war on Earth.


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