My Sentimental Spring

We're on the countdown until school is finally over and we'll finally have to decide on what we really want to do with our lives. For most of us, it's about getting a job in the communications field and who isn't excited about it?... Every second year has high hopes for the future especially that each one is armed with a treasure trove of immaculate knowledge and skills.

I would only have to attend my classes until next week. At this point in time, I am finishing off a few more assignments and I'll be done in no time. My work placement would come afterwards but that's already part of working in the real world. Somehow, I would miss school - the wonderful people I've met and made frends with, including those who just made our two-year creative communications program a very memorable one. There are amazing people in our program who can spark a bright light in our midst and can pull off with a really funny joke; with such wonderful people, there wasn't a single day without really laughing our hearts out. There would always be that bunch of individuals who I will remember even after I step out of the college.

Finishing the program would only mean that I will be able to devote more time to my family - something that I have been waiting for these past two years. Being in the program is no easy task; I was informed during my interview prior to entering CreComm that much will be demanded from me. Honestly, I took that very seriously. Having to manage a household; a family with children; and studying in a full-time program were enough to test my determination to succeed and put everything in order. It was a tiring journey but truly a very satisfying one.

As spring is almost here, I cannot help but be sentimental about it all. Leaving school very soon would be a bittersweet experience but I would always cherish the wonderful people I met and the great instructors who made my two-year life as a student simply wonderful.

A Child Only Has To Worry Being A Child

When one's rights are violated, it only makes sense to seek for justice- especially if the rights violated are that of a child's.

I had recently read an article in Reader's Digest (March issue) about a 10-year-old girl from Yemen who was forced into marriage by her own father because of extreme poverty. In their tribal culture and tradition, girls as young as 13 can get married and the husband-to-be will give the girl's family a dowry which usually comes in the form of money.

Nujood is just like any other 10-year-olds. She loves to go to school and plays a lot with her brothers and sisters. But all that had changed when her Aba (father in Yemeni) arranged for her to get married with a 30-year-old man. Nujood  was briefly told about this arranged marriage but she was in no position to question or even complain. Girls and women in Yemen are subservient to their male counterparts, as it is very untoward for girls to disagree.

The marriage ceremony took place and very soon, Nujood was fetched by her new husband who she just saw for the very first time. Life for Nujood changed for the worse. In her husband's house, she was treated like a slave cleaning floors, cutting vegetables, and doing errands for her mother-in-law and at night, she was forced to have sex with her husband. It was arranged between Nujood's husband and her Aba at first, that Nujood won't be touched until she reaches the age of 13 but all that was not followed and their marriage was consummated even from the very first night.

Nujood's story moved me and I felt so much great pity for young girls like her who live in situations like this where escape seems impossible. But not for Nujood- she was able to find a way to go to a court house and file for divorce. As strange as it sounds, filing for divorce even if she's just 10 years old is the only way to escape her horrific life. In the end, Nujood was divorced from her abusive spouse and she returned to her family. An international humanitarian organization is helping her now to get the education she needs and she has more time to play with her siblings. She's happy to where she is now and is more protective towards her younger siblings who might fall into the same trap. Should the same thing happen to her younger sister, Nujood knows exactly what to do- 'she'll call the police.'

Nujood's experience could be the perfect plot for a documentary film but the horrors she went through were unfortunately real. Young girls are given off by their families in marriage at a very young age in certain tribal villages in Yemen. Nujood's case was extraordinary as she was only 10 years old and the agreement made by both parties was not fulfilled. One may think that not only are her rights as a child were violated but as well as that she's a victim of rape under the hands of her husband. The trauma she went through was unbearable for a young innocent girl like her. Not only did she suffer too much pain but she was also beaten and physically abused by her husband and mother-in-law.

I could go in lengths rambling about the injustices suffered by children like her in a country where traditions seem not to protect the welfare of everyone esepcially girls and women. Traditions for one may be good to help preserve the identity of a certain population but if it's 'backward' and denies the very basic rights of its people, I think it's time for change. Easy to say but hard to do- I think that we will always have injustice in this world. People come from different backgrounds and are brought up in different cultures and traditions.

But I do hope that for young children like Nujood who is supposed to just enjoy being a young child can be out there to play as long as she wants; enjoy the presence of her family; and learn new things in school. The only thing she has to worry is how to be a child and that's all. For the rest of us who live in places where children's rights are looked after, let us also uphold the basic rights of children like Nujood.

Colours of Hope Leaves a Legacy

I went down to Siloam Mission yesterday to hand in the reports on my recently concluded Colours of Hope event. I was all prepped up for the meeting with the director, with all my receipts and documents in tow. The meeting went by very smoothly as we skimmed through the papers and ran down the list of donors to be receipted. After our 40-minute discussion, the meeting wrapped up with a visit to the art room.

The director shared so many updates with me that I can hardly remember each one. Everything that she shared had something to do with the impact that my event had generated. I may forget some of them but what remained within me is the great feeling that something really good came out of my hard work; those many long nights that I have endured just so I can stay on top of everything with regards to planning, coordination, and preparation.

As we entered the art room, I was amazed on how differently it looks now. Before it was more of a spare room to store various stuff like chairs and tables but today, the venue is more inviting and exhibits an air of inspiration with walls decorated with framed artworks done by the patrons housed within a board meant for this purpose. Shelves house numerous books as well as game boards, and topped with young plants in uniformed plastic containers.

The director continued on to share inspiring stories and developments. One of which is the joint venture between Siloam Mission and Red Road Lodge to conduct a common art program made possible by a grant recently awarded. Because of my event, many had registered for the art program and many more are interested to join. There are also several interests and proposals coming from the outside and one of which is the commissioning of the patrons’ artworks. Also, Siloam Mission may eventually turn this into a full-time program. There were other wonderful developments happening as well. Patrons were so encouraged that they are so proud and happy to see their artworks on display in the facility. At least for once in their lives, these patrons have something to be proud of which could help them regain their self-worth and eventually move forward from a life of homelessness to a life that is more productive. The place creates so much attention among interested individuals that it can serve as a starting point for people to sign-up for Siloam Mission's other programs.

Before I left the premises, the director pointed out to me the walls of their dining area decorated with artworks. I was so touched by the colourful display that it melted my heart. The director remarked to me, “You have encouraged us.” At that moment, it dawned on me that inspiration, encouragement, and hope were the lasting results of my event and anyone can see it as one walks in at the very area where the homeless come in to seek help and ask for a meal. The very area where people with broken hearts and broken lives, look for answers and find a little comfort from people who care. The colourful display of artworks including a huge heart made out of collage was meticulously created by the hands of the very people suffering from homelessness and poverty. The artwork created was a sign of hope to anyone, who may think that there’s nothing left in life but great despair.

As I left the building, the very faces of people who contributed to my event flashed in my mind. I left Siloam Mission with a big smile knowing that I live in a city where generous people live and where community spirit prevails.

Here are more photos of the art room that I was talking about. The last couple of photos show you the printed cards I received as a token from Siloam Mission in appreciation of my hard work. To Siloam Mission, ‘thank you’ for the great opportunity of serving you!

The Earthquake in Japan: The Aftermath and the Role of Social Media

A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 in the Richter scale hit Japan on March 11th, Friday. The earthquake lasted for a few minutes but had also caused a ferocious tsunami as high as 10 metres (33 feet) which swept away cars, buildings, homes, and caused widespread fires in the eastern coast. This earthquake was the most powerful since records began.

Scores of people were killed and thousands have evacuated their homes especially those who lived near the nuclear power plants, in fear that the cooling systems were damaged. Many people were also stranded in Tokyo since the earthquake started. This catastrophe is so devastating that even though Japan is known to be the most prepared in an earthquake situation, the country is surely not prepared for this one—the severity of the destruction caused by this powerful earthquake is too difficult to comprehend.

Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan makes this his top priority. He would be visiting the places that are mostly affected by the earthquake riding a helicopter. It was reported that two nuclear power plants in Fukushima located north of Tokyo, were damaged by the earthquake. Tokyo Electric Power Co. had taken steps to release pressure from these plants.

As this devastation in Japan unfolds right before our very eyes, it makes me think now on the many communications crisis plans that are in place and are being enforced (or will be enforced) to deal with the many destructions happening all at the same time.

In a situation like this of epic proportions, I have read that Prime Minister Naoto Kan had ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents living within the 10-kilometre radius of the Daiichi nuclear power plant. Scores of people were being moved and this is a smart thing to do in order to make sure that in the event that a radiation leakage happens, people were already taken out away from harm’s way.

Naoto Sekimura, a professor at the University of Tokyo mentioned that a major radioactive disaster is very unlikely since the damaged coolants at the plants only mean a rise in temperature which also stops the reaction. If ever there would be a radiation leakage, it will be very minimal and won’t go beyond a 3-kilometre radius.

So far, the news that I have been reading give me the impression that the Japanese government is doing its very best to handle this situation. The staff or even advisors to Prime Minister Naoto Kan are certainly doing their homework and trying to anticipate the worst case scenario. Even if the professor interviewed from the University of Tokyo reassures that it is ‘unlikely’ for the radiation to leak beyond the 3-kilometre radius, the Japanese government is certainly not taking any chances of another potential disaster. Removing thousands of residents within the 10-kilometre radius may be a very big and overwhelming undertaking but it’s the best that can be done at this time to ensure that the lives of the Japanese people are not at stake.

The powerful earthquake that shocked the entire country of Japan puts everyone on their feet. I can only imagine now the many crisis communication plans that have taken effect not only on the government level but as well as for the many industries affected by this natural calamity. There were hundreds or even thousands of cars ready to be shipped to other markets but were destroyed by the tsunami making it look like a stack of corroded matchboxes. The person in-charge of the communications for that particular automaker might be doing his work at this time informing overseas customers with regards to this uneventful happening, informing them of delivery cancellations or orders to be put on hold (but it’s also possible that nothing is done at this time since everything was destroyed and communication lines were interrupted). Employees of this car company (and the many other companies affected) will most likely not be able to receive any kind of information from their employer because of the vast destruction caused by the earthquake and the tsunami. Everyone’s priority at this time is to survive.

The Role of Social Media

Once again, people all over the world are embracing the power of social media with regards to the devastation that happened in Japan. Expatriates and travellers in Japan use Twitter and Facebook to contact families and friends, telling them of the latest news. There is even a “Person Finder” web app to link victims with families. More than 7,000 records have been entered since this afternoon and the numbers just keep going. Even before the earthquake stopped, many people instantaneously pulled out their video cameras to take videos and photos, and share the scenes around them with the rest of the world. It was reported that there are more than 9,000 earthquake-related videos and 7,000 earthquake-related photos that have been uploaded to YouTube since the start of the earthquake ranging from first-person accounts to videos and photos taken by media representatives. There are also several fundraising efforts using social media to bring relief funds to Japan.

This land of the rising sun faces a long road ahead before it can finally recover. Not just months but it will definitely take years. This tragedy affects the lives of thousands of people—homes destroyed; industries affected; power plants in the brink of causing yet another disaster; and an economy that was shaken which will cause the nation to be indebted. The global community has certainly started to join forces in order to help. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who are affected, and I do hope that the recovery and healing will take place the soonest.

(This is just one of the many videos you can watch. Go to YouTube for more.)

Artworks that Speak



A landscape artwork done by a patron-artist


I have started  blogging about my Colours of Hope event a week ago and I 'promised' that I'll be blogging more about it.

The logistics of putting up an art exhibit and art auction might interest you (and for sure, there would be people out there who would like to know how I put the nuts and bolts together), but let me talk about the 'humanity' behind the artworks that were displayed particularly the ones created by the homeless.

Portraits, landscapes, and symbolisms were common themes in the artrworks. Most of which were done in pencil and the others took a step further finishing it with watercolours.  The wide array of artworks done by the patrons of Siloam Mission and on exhibit during the week-long event at The Edge Gallery from February 18th to the 24th, showed gallery visitors the creativity of the patrons. A visitor to the exhibit once said that she was pleased to view such artworks because that made her realize that these homeless people are no different from the rest of us.

The wonderful artworks may have shown the artistic potential of these individuals but what was more touching were  the stories behind them. One patron-artist admitted that his artwork on display wasn't supposed to be the one included in the exhibit. Just a few days before the exhibit started, his painting was stolen. There was no clue on who did it and why, but that unfortunate incident didn't stop his determination to be part of a wonderful event. In response, he painted another artwork in just under two hours.What an amazing story! This homeless man wasn't cuaght up in that situation but rather, took a positive step and resolved the problem.

The art exhibit for these homeless people was a 'big' thing for them. Not many people may know about this but for anyone who is homeless, his sense of self-esteem and self-worth are missing. Preparations for the exhibit excited them, and the arts program at Siloam Mission provided these homeless individuals a place to create beautiful works of art that have therapeutic benefits and may usher in the healing process. So when the exhibit started, we had a steady flow of visitors to the gallery from different walks of life including people from the streets. I've seen most of the patron-artitsts visit our exhibit and 'everyone' of them shared his delight on being part of such an interesting endeavour. At least for once in their lives, they had a sense of pride for something that they have done and their artworks proved that point; at least that's the only thing that they can share back to the community.

The event may be over but I'm sure that the sense of pride and joy can still be felt by them. I am just hoping that this positive experience will help these patron-artists to move forward in life and take on an active step towards a life that is more productive. This may not take overnight (it may even take years) but at least a ray of hope can be seen.