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By Neil, 14 September 2007

After working for the New World Archaeological Foundation for 5 years many thought I would never leave, but today I am announcing that I have a new “real” job (by real I mean it pays salary and has opportunity for advancement). Starting Tuesday I will help refugees from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Burma, and Bosnia resettle into the Salt Lake area. My official job title, I think, is refugee Case Worker, but I am not sure.

The International Rescue Committee was started under suggestion from Albert Einstein to rescue German intellectuals from Nazi oppression. Since then it has grown into one of the largest non government organizations dealing with refugee issues. They have offices all over the world and a presence in every major refugee crisis.

I am excited for the opportunity to work with such an interesting organization and I eventually hope I can take an overseas post after Kate and I have finished schooling.

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By Neil, 11 July 2007

I made this poster a long time ago and after reading a blog about conflict diamonds at Sprol.com I wanted to post the poster. So here it is, just click on the pic or the link and print it. Oh p.s. it was made to print 11×17″ but should work on anything smaller.

or click here

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By Neil, 6 July 2007

While listening to NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” I was reminded how small the world is becoming. Just yesterday, according to the U.S. State Department there were 193 countries, the U.N. reported 192 and now I’m hearing we’re down to 139 recognized countries. What happened to those 43 countries? Where did they go? Oh, wait, they’re still here…they’re just in Africa.

Does anyone else find it strange 99.5% of Americans call any country in the African Continent, Africa? On the show a lady called in to rave about her recent education vacation on a university sailboat, that, as it turns out made port in Africa. They then helped build a school in Africa, and see “the” culture of Africa. The African continent has 54 sovereign nations, colors ranging from dark black to bright white, hundreds of unique cultures, and thousands of languages and dialects. Grouping these 54 countries into one is akin to grouping North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. It would be like me saying, “oh, I just got back from Norsamereuromiddast…it was great! The people are so nice, and the culture so interesting.” And it’s not just little kids, the uneducated, or leaders of the African Union, it’s college students, professors and educators, NGO employees, government officials, movie stars, and old ladies who call radio talk shows.

The following is a list of all 54 distinct African nations with links (the ones I could find) to their official websites listed alphabetically. Let’s all aim for a little more specificity when referring to “Africa,” if not by nation then at least by region. Few African countries share the same cultures, landscapes, environmental and health issues, government styles, or even physical appearance so it makes little sense grouping them all into one. With a little practice and patience we can help redefine how the world views Africa and its many nations.

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Rep, Chad, Congo, Dem. Rep. Congo (Zaire), Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda , São Tomé and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zanzibar, Zimbabwe

(If you know of an official country link not listed please leave it in a comment and I will update it.)

P.S. This article is in the 2nd edition of the Beautiful Africa blog carnival, check it out for more great articles and poems about Africa and in the Small Actions to Change the World carnival.

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By Neil, 12 June 2007

There are an estimated 2 to 50 million insect species on the earth and I have come into contact with just about all of them. I must look like a plump tasty food source or an exterminator to most bugs, because to date I have been stung by 14 bees (alas I am allergic), bitten by a wolf spider or two, most recently kamikazed by hoards of falling hairy caterpillars, attacked by nests of fire, safari and countless other ants, been stung by wasps, slept with hobo spiders, been eaten alive by mosquitoes while others in the same tent received not a sting, attached by a soul sucking gargantuan flying devil while sleeping in Moab, Utah, and wake up now and again to notice a new giant blistering bug bite. For example the following is an excerpt from an email I sent to my friends and family while living in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh, 5 April 2005

Well Monday was buggy; when I woke up I had to kill a few 5″ roaches in my bathroom. They must have had a lot of practice because it took me a while get them all. Later while interviewing three farmers I had just moved my chair into the shade when I started to feel loads of pain on my right foot. I looked down to see my foot covered in red bitty ants. The Bengalis thought this was hilarious and the driver, Tazu, told me, “it is because these ants have never tasted the white flesh before and they just had to try it.” “These ants,” he said, “do not bite Bengali, they have already tasted us and do not like.” That evening while using my roach mausoleum of a bathroom, I encountered a 6″ spider. They are harmless, I was told, and so I left it to its exploring.

Even so, I love insects, they are great little creatures that move our planet along. Many insects are nature’s most powerful pollinators, others are wonderful decomposers, and still others are beautiful beyond compare. Without pollinating insects, plants would have never evolved the beautiful flowers to attract them. Most beetles help decompose dead matter, recycling elements back into the ecosystem. Let us no forget the honey, silk, and waxes we use from insects. While staying among the Masi on a school trip in Kenya, we learned how the Masi used safari ants in place of stitches for deep cuts. The ants would bite the two pieces of skin together, tightly sealing the cut, and when the body segment was removed the jaws remained tightly shut until removed.

I am always amazed by the diversity and abilities of insects, and I dedicate this entry to them. May you live long and prosper (except for the mosquito, flee, and tick of course).

Another article about bugs on my old blog.
Wikipedia article about insects.
Funny insect find on Google Earth.

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By Neil, 20 February 2007

With a handful of Gap returnables (totaling $8), Kate and I skirted through the University Mall trying our best to avoid the throngs of mall-rats, baby toting ‘burbite moms, and arm swinging geriatrics. Through Dillard’s, past Victoria’s Secret, a port side turn at American Eagle, one or two dodges, a jump, a deep breath, and feewf…hello Gap. While Kate returned her armful for a meager eight, I rummaged the merchandise, stumbling upon a table of Product Red.

Product Red. Buy a service or product registered with Product Red and portion of the profits will be spent buying AIDS victims in Africa life prolonging medicines. Product Red has that omnipresent cooperate feel: Red credit cards, Red shirts, Red cellphones, Red pants, Red iPods, Red underwear, Red shoes, and even Red candles. The more Red you buy the more AIDS money you send to Africa. Great idea right!

Now don’t get me wrong I think finding a cure for AIDS is a great idea, I fully support it, would even financially support it if I had the means, but come on…Product Red! I am sure all those involved in the operation are bleeding hearts and have nothing but Africans’ well fair in mind, but just think how much more money they make on the side. Sure they are giving a percentage and I am sure a lot of good will come to those Africans in need, but just think how much more these cooperations are slanted to make. If they give lets say 8% of the profits to Africa, they are still keeping 92% of the profits for themselves. So after every CEO, store manager, worker, cotton farmers, and leather herders has been paid, 8% of the profit is given to African AIDS victims and the remaining 92% is used to buy nice things for the rich. So what is the big deal? Who’s to say these cooperations participating in Product Red aren’t just using the idea to increase their sales and make themselves more money. Nothing like an incurable epidemic in Africa to boost sales and profits.

If cooperation’s were so invested in helping these AIDS patients in Africa why don’t they give 50 or 80% of their profit (remember everyone involved as been paid to this point) to buying the much needed AIDS drugs? And why can’t consumers, investors, and the cooperate world learn to give without getting a t-shirt, watch, or candle in return?

Just in passing, Gap was selling a Red shirt made in Lesotho, Africa from African grown cotton…this probable bing the Product Red’s greatest contribution to African welfare.