Advertised specials for the week of Sunday, August 3 – Saturday, August 9.  Walgreens

• 10 pack No.2 pencils……………………………………………….. $ .09
• 10 pack Paper Mate 1.2 pens…………………………………………$ .09
• 2 pocket folder……………………………………………………….$ .09
• 6 pk. Paper Mate highlighters………………………………………..$ .09
• Mead Five Star Notebooks………………………………………….. Buy 1 Get 1 Free
• Posterboard or erasers (after coupon)…………………………………$ .09
• Index Cards (after coupon)……………………………………………$ .19
• Legal pad (after coupon)………………………………………………$ .29
• Writing instruments, box, binder, or sharpener (after coupon)….……$ .49
• Pilot Easytouch pen……………………………………………………$ .99
• Binders…………………………………………………………………2/ $3.99
• Acco Paper Clips………………………………………………………$ .19
• Ruler……………………………………………………………………$ .19
• 3 Subject Notebook……………………………………………………$ .99
• Portfolio………………………………………………………………..$ .99
• Sharpener or eraser…………………………………………………….$ .99
• Techniclick II Automatic Pencils………………………………………2/ $5
• Fashion pencil…………………………………………………………..8/ $1
• Mini highlighter pen……………………………………………………$ .19
• Jumbo glue stick………………………………………………………..2/ $1
• School essentials………………………………………………………..2/ $1
• Sharpie accent highlighters……………………………………………..$ .99
• Jumbo book cover……………………………………………………….2/ $5
• Student planner………………………………………………………….$3.99
• Penway kids crayons………………………………………………….…$ .69
• Crayola markers………………………………………………………….$ .99
• Crayola crayons or colored pencils………………………………………$2.99
• Master combination padlock……………………………………………$3.99

Office Max

• Back to school specials are online only this week.

Office Depot

• Office Depot brand slider pencil box………………………………$ .01
• TUG pencil sharpener………………………………………………$ .01
• Scholastic crayons…………………………………………………$ .05
• Office Depot brand 2 pocket folder…………………………………$ .05
• Paper Mate ballpoint stick pens, 10 pk……………………………..$ .25
• Office Depot brand 1” binders………………………………………$2.99
• Mead Five-star assort. Notebooks…………………………………..$2.99-$14.99
• BIC grip pencils, 5 pk………………………………………………$ .99
• Office Depot brand scissors for kids………………………………..$ .79

Staples

• 2 pocket folder……………………………………………………Free after instant rebate
• Staples 1 subject wide-ruled notebook, 70 sheets………………….$ .05
• Staples composition notebook, 100 sheets…………………………$ .25
• 1½” Avery binders………………………………………………….Buy 3 get 1 free
• Accel 3 subject college-ruled notebook…………………………….$3.99
• Fashion 2 pocket plastic folder…………………………………..…$1.00
• Sharpie accent highlighters, 6 pk……………………………………$1.00
• Staples pink wedge erasers, 3 pk……………………………………$1.00
• Wite-out…………………………………………………………….$1.00
• Dixon 12 pk. Yellow pencils………………………………………..$1.00
• Staples dome pencil sharpener………………………………………$1.00
• Staedtler student pencil compass…………………………………….$2.00

Walmart

• Crayola 24 pk. Crayons…………………………………………….$ .22
• 10 ct. Crayola classic markers………………………………………$ .88
• Elmer’s glue…………………………………………………………$ .22
• Pink Pearl 2 pk. Erasers…………………………………………….$ .97
• 24 pk. #2 yellow pencils……………………………………………$ .97
• Avery 5 ct. 2 pocket plastic dividers………………………………..$2.50
• Sharpie Accent 4 pk. Highlighter…………………………………..$1.74
• 70 sheet notebook……………………………………………………$ .05
• Black and white composition book…………………………………$ .50
• Five star 5 subject notebook…………………………………………$3.97
• 3”x5” index cards……………………………………………………$ .46

Target

• Misc. school supplies……………………………………………….$ .50
• NXT notebook, 1 subject……………………………………………$ .85
• Crayola products………….…………………………………………$2.99
• Writing tools…………………………………………………………2/$3
• Tools (compass, scissors, etc.)………………………………………$1.50

 By Blake Gilmore          Last December, my principal sent me an email with the subject “Blake- you would love this!”  Intrigued, I opened the message, which redirected me to Bank of America’s internship page.  Thanks, but no thanks, Mr. Faulkner.  Interning at a bank?  I’m not exactly financially inclined.  I read on in amusement.  “Do you have what it takes to be a Bank of America Student Leader?  If you are a junior or senior in high school with a passion for improving your community, we would like to help you turn that passion into action.”  Okay, perhaps that does sound like me.  Then it dove into specifics.  Student leaders work at a nonprofit for eight weeks during the summer and get a week long, all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C.  Sweet!            

I was notified of my selection in May.  Technically, I didn’t choose to intern at the International Institute; we were matched together because of my student council project to increase humanitarian aid to Darfur.  Neither my friends nor I had heard of it.  In fact, over the past two months, exchanges like this have been commonplace: Friend: “Let’s go to the mall tomorrow!  I need a bathing suit for Cancun!”

Me: “Sorry, I can’t.  I have to work.”

Friend: “Aww. That sucks,” they say, assuming work constitutes as saving small children from dirty pools or selling flat soda at a rec center. 

Me: “No, actually, it doesn’t.  I work at the International Institute.”

Friend: “Hm.  Never heard of it.”

Me: “It’s a nonprofit organization serving refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants.  I help in different departments in the morning and teach English in the afternoon.  You should come volunteer!”

Friend: “Asylum-seekers… aren’t those, like, crazy people?”

Me: “Err… no.”           

Thankfully, the people at the bank knew precisely what they were doing when they aligned me with the institute.  Its ever-pervasive mission, devoted staff, and strong-willed clientele continually amazed me.  I wasn’t simply regarded as the lowly intern.  Institute employees, especially Kate, included me on important projects and considered my input. They even made their own coffee!  Each deeply values the agency’s mission, a fact clear in their numerous overtime hours.  And there was never a dull moment.  There was constantly someone interesting to talk to and something new to learn.  Yes, my summer has largely consisted of work, but it hasn’t felt like I’ve been working!  Cheesy?  Yes.  Overstated?  Not in the slightest.          

Though my internship has come to a close, I plan on spending more time at the institute during the school year.  I’m forming an after school “tutoring team”, holding donation drives, and completing my photo documentary featuring clients from the institute.  An II high school/college faction modeled after I-Squared is also in the works.  My hope is to increase awareness of the institute and galvanize young people to get involved.  This remarkable organization- and all those associated with it- is long overdue for some recognition.             

Missouri sales tax holiday starts at 12:01am Friday, August 1 and ends at midnight on Sunday, August 3. All school supplies are exempt from sales tax during this period.

Advertised specials for the week of Sunday, July 27 – Saturday, August 2 Office Max

• Schoolio Von Hoolio Crayons, 24 pk……………… $ .01
• Schoolio Von Hoolio 12” Ring Binder Ruler.……… $ .01
• Sharpie Mini Highlighters……………………….…. $ .05
• Office Max Assort. Grips & Erasers…………………. $ .25
• Acme Scissors………………………………….…… $ .25
• All Fashion Notebooks & Composition Books…….. Save 25%
• All Binders & Dividers………………………….….. Save 25%
• Post-It 3×3 5pk…………………………….………… $ .01
• All Bic Pens, Pencils, Correction Tape & Markers….Buy 2, Get 3^rd for $ .01
• All Crayola Crayons, Pencils, Markers, &  Paints……Buy 2, get 3^rd for $ .01
• All Assort. Student Planners & Calendars……………Save 25%

Office Depot

• Office Depot 12” ruler………………………………$ .05
• Wilson Jones 1” Binders…………………………….$ .50
• Office
  Depot
  School Glue……………………………$ .01
• Office Depot Marble Composition Book……………$ .30
• Crayola Colored Pencils, 12 pk………………………$ .50
• TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator……………………..$ 74.99 (after $25 mail-in rebate)
• Assorted Backpacks…………………………………$ 2.99
• Pens, Pencils, Markers & more……………………… starting at $1.99
• Assort. Binders, Dividers, & Sheet Protectors………Save 20%

Target

• 6 pk. Elmer’s glue sticks…………………………….. $1.00
• Writing tools…………………………………………. $2.00
• 10 pk. Portfolios……………………………………… $1.00
• Composition Book…………………………………… $ .50
• Crayola
  School Supplies……………………………… $5.00
• Plan-ahead student planner……………………………. $2.50

Staples

• Slider pencil case……………………………………… $ .01
• Staples mini stapler…………………………………… $ .25
• Accel 1 Subject, 100 sheet notebook…………………. $1.99
• Bic Brite Highlighters, 5 pk…………………………… $ .99
• Bic Atlantis ballpoint pens, 4 pk………………………. $ .99

Walgreens

• 1 subject notebook……………………………………… 3/$ .99
• Composition book……………………………………… 3/$1.99
• Pens…………………………………………………….. 3/$2.79
• Crayons, markers, or pencils…………………………… 3/$1.99
• Paper Mate Mirado pencils……………………………… 3/$1.99
• Poly portfolio…………………………………………… 3/$1.99
• Punch or Glue Sticks………………………………….… 3/$1.99
• Soft Handle Scissors…………………………………….. 3/$1.99
• Mini Stapler……………………………………………… 3/$2.99
• 5 subject notebook………………………………………. 2/$2.99
• Binder……………………………………………………. 2/$4.99
• School supplies………………………………………….. 2/$ .99
• Art Supplies……………………………………………… 2/$1.99
• 2 pocket folders with prongs…………………………….. 8/$1.00
• Memo books……………………………………………… 8/$1.00
• Splash Vinyl Binders…………………………………….. 3/$2.00
•  

School Supply Specials!

Missouri sales tax holiday starts at 12:01am Friday, August 1 and ends at midnight on Sunday, August 3. All school supplies are exempt from sales tax during this period.

Advertised specials for the week of Sunday, July 20 – Saturday, July 26

Walgreens
* 2 pocket folder……………………………… $ .05
* 5 pk. Paper Mate Mechanical Pencils………. $ .05
* Highlighter………………………………….. $ .05
* Mini Composition Book……………………  $ .05
* Crayola markers…………………………….  Free after mail-in rebate
* Gel Ink Pen…………………………………  Free after mail-in rebate
* Erasers……………………………………… $ .19
* No.2 Pencils………………………………… $ .19
* Wood or flexible ruler………………………. $ .19
* Bic Brite Liner Highlighters………………… $ .19
* Stretchable book cover……………………… 2/$ .99
* 3 Subject Notebook…………………………. $ .99
* Crayola colored pencils……………………… $ .99
* Unibal gel pen………………………………. 2/$3
* Binders……………………………………… $3.99
* Paper clips…………………………………… $ .19
* Poly binders…………………………………. 3/$2
* Tab Dividers………………………………… $ .99
* Clear School Box……………………………. 2/$1
* Sharpener or eraser………………………….. 3/$2
* All in one pencil set…………………………..$ .99
* White posterboard…………………………… $ .10
* All purpose school glue……………………… 3/$1
* Penway kids crayons…………………………. 3/$1
* Elmer’s glue stick……………………………. $ .99
* Graphing scientific calculator………………… $19.99

Staples
* Higlighters…………………………………….. $4.39
* Five-Star Notebook, 1 subject………………… $4.79
* TI-83 Graphing Calculator……………………. $89.99
* Pencil Boxes…………………………………… $1.20
* No. 2 yellow pencils, 6 dozen…………………. $3.49

Office Max
* Tops Composition Notebooks, 100 sheets…….. $ .50
* Glue sticks……………………………………… $ .25
* Poly binders……………………………………. $ .25
* 12” flexible ruler……………………………….. $ .01
* Avery 1” Heavy Duty Binder………………….. 2/$10
* All 1” Canvas Binders…………………………. 2/$8
* Pilot G2 gel pens, 2 pk…………………………. 2/$7
* Crayola markers, pencils, & paints……………… 2/$5
* Wireless 1 subject notebook……………………. 2/$3
* Lunch bags……………………………………… $2.99-7.49

Target
* TI-83 Graphing calculator………………………. $88.99
* Writing tools…………………………………….. 2/$6
* 2 pk. Elmer’s glue……………………………….. $ .20
* Wood ruler………………………………………. $. 20
* 2 ct. pink eraser………………………………….. $ .20
* Pencil sharpener…………………………………. $ .20
* 12 ct. #2 pencils…………………………………. 2/$3
* 12 ct. colored pencils……………………………. $ .88
* 70 sheet, 1 subject notebook…………………….. 2/$3
* 3×3 post-it note cubes…………………………… 2/$3
* 3 pk. Scotch Magic Tape………………………… 2/$3
* Avery 1” 3 ring binder…………………………… 2/$3

Walmart
* 70 sheet notebook………………………………… $ .05
* Elmer’s glue or 2 pk. Glue stick…………………. $ .22
* Bic 10 pk Blue pens……………………………… $ .88
* Trapper 70 sheet notebook……………………….. $ .88
* Trapper poly portfolio……………………………. $ .88
* Crayola 10 ct. markers…………………………… $ .88
* Twin pocket paper portfolio………………………. $ .15
* 1” Economy 3 ring binder………………………… $ .97
* 1” Durable 3 ring binder………………………….. $2
* Composition notebook……………………………. $ .50
* Five Star 5 subject notebook……………………… $3.97
* Book cover………………………………………… $ .74
* 12” flexible ruler………………………………….. $ .97
* Scientific calculator……………………………….. $9.97
* Crayola 12 pk. Pencils…………………………….. $ .88
* Crayola 24 pk. Crayons……………………………. $ .22
* Bic 10 pk. Mechanical pencils…………………….. $1.82
* Highlighters, 4 pk………………………………….. $1.74
* Pink pearl 2 pk. Eraser…………………………….. $ .97

Office Depot
* Backpacks (starting at)………………………………$ 5.99
* Translucent 2 pocket poly portfolio………………… $ .01
* Notebook filler paper………………………………… $ .15
* Scholastic crayons…………………………………… $ .25
* 1” vinyl binder………………………………………. $ .50
* Color view binders…………………………………… $3
* Insertable tab dividers……………………………….. $4
* TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator……………………… $74.99 (after mail-in savings)

Drought and Conflict in Somalia: Two large issues both unnoticed by the world

By Erin Schmidt

Somalia, located on the eastern border of central Africa is a country in conflict for many reasons. Sadly, it is also one of the many whose conflicts are going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace. The country of Somalia is facing two conflicts currently: drought and violence. Since 1991, Somalia has virtually had no effective government. It has also been labeled a “humanitarian disaster zone” for over almost twenty years. In 2006 a transitional government supported by Ethiopia, threw out numerous Islamists in the capital of

Mogadishu after years of civil war. Since that time, the Islamist militia, known as al-Shabab, have increased their resistance and violent activity in the region around the capital and throughout the country. The United States has placed these al-Shabab groups on the list of “foreign terrorist organizations”. They are made up of youth and military members of the former Sharia courts which were part of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). These courts ruled regions of Somalia until 2006 when the transitional government removed them from power. In the last fifteen months alone, hundreds of thousands have fled the region which estimated 20,000 people fleeing monthly. Attempts to negotiation with the militia groups have all come up short.

There are currently 2,400 African Union peace keepers in Mogadishu with more planned.  Also in the region around Mogadishu are 1,600 Ugandan troops and a planned combined 8,000 troop African Union force, but this large force has yet to be assembled and plans are looking more long term than short term. Ban Ki-moon has asked the UN to send 27,000 peacekeepers into the region but this has yet to happen, and it doesn’t look good for this conflict in Somalia.

The 2^nd issue facing the country of Somalia concerns effects from the drought in the Horn of Africa. More than two million Somali citizens rely on food aid and this number is growing. The food aid, mainly from the World Food Program is reporting that total over 14.5 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance throughout Somalia. World Food Program vehicles are not able to access the people because of the militias, mentioned above, overtaking roadblocks and sometimes the food itself. There is chronic insecurity in the region and millions are suffering, especially the children. Infants are all underweight and showing signs of chronic malnutrition. The rain has not come for the third year in a row, resulting in crop and land destruction. Families are being forced to flee after reduced to poverty, and many families are being wiped out completely.

It is sad to report on such atrocities especially given that the International Institute serves hundreds of clients from Somalia. It is also heartbreaking that such violence is occurring literally under the world community’s eyes. The UN is overwhelmed and unable to provide proper resources needed for current missions, yet alone future needed missions, such as in Somalia. The situation in this region is at immediate emergency level, but yet it remains “unnoticed”. Who is going to come to the aid of the country and the region? Sadly this is a question without many coming forward to answer the call.

If you would like to learn about the region or for more information please consult www.bbcnews.com where information and images for this article was taken. As well as:

http://www.unicefusa.org/ 

http://www.icrc.org/eng

http://www.sos-usa.org/pages/default.aspx

http://www.usaid.gov

 By Blake Gilmore

Cesar Figari is on a mission: find someone who’ll cover George Williams’ shift while he’s on vacation.  This is a surprisingly daunting task.  As reigning king of the front desk for the past 20+ years, George sets a high precedent.  He knows everything about the Institute- who’s in the building, the services the institute offers, who the computer class teacher was in 1992.  He handles potentially chaotic incidents with adroitness and a smile that would soften Kim Jong-Il.  George has big shoes to fill, and it shows in fellow employees’ aversion to doing so.  As a lowly intern, though, I had no clue what his occupation entails.  “The job is tough,” Cesar tells me, his Spanish accent adding spice to his words, “You have to ring the bells, answer the phone, sign out the keys, and be here at 8:00AM every day.  You must always keep your eye out for anyone suspicious.  Are you prepared for this?”  Seems simple enough, I think.  How hard could it be? 

Flash-forward to my first stint as front-desk girl.  People of wide-ranging ethnicities gather by the counter, armed with questions I probably can’t answer.  Just as I assign a young mother a morning class registration number, the phone rings.  Then, rushing to answer it in 3½ inch heels, I slip and dramatically plop onto the floor.  Laughter ensues- apparently the hilarity derived from others’ small misfortune is universal.  Swiftly recovering from my embarrassing faux pas, I grab the receiver and attempt to play it off as if nothing happened.  “Good morning, International Institute.  How may I help you,” I cheerfully greet, masking the fact I’ve repeated this about fifty times this morning.  “Jasmina!  Please!  JASMINA,” the woman on the other end clamors in a thick Bosnian inflection.  She sounds distressed.  I skim the extension list for the name as the phone rings again.  A tiny red light flashes, pulsating with the sound of the ring.  “Jasmina A— or Jasmina J———-,” I ask.  “OK,” shouts the woman hastily.  I search through the four pages of type-written notes I collected from George’s training session for an answer.  Nothing.  I take a guess and transfer the woman, accidentally hanging up on the next caller.  As I notice I’m late on chiming the bell, yet another call comes in.  “Good morning, International Institute, how may I—no, George isn’t here.  He’s out until Wednesday, but I can probably help… hello?  Sir, are you there?” 

It’s now obvious why staff members run for their cubicles when asked to cover George’s shift.  Thankfully, however, I figured out the technical aspects by the end of the week.  This allowed me to focus on the enjoyable features of the job.  Yes, it carries a great deal of responsibility, but it’s accompanied by a sense of accomplishment.  The greatest part about working the front desk, though, is what you gain from interacting with clients and staff members from around the globe.  As George so poignantly articulates, “This is the only place where you can see the whole world without ever leaving your chair.”  I’m grateful for the knowledge I’ve garnered from this experience, but happy I will no longer have to endure headaches from irate foreigners yelling into their phones. 

Post and photo by Erin Schmidt, Advocacy Intern 

The International Criminal Court  (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands charged two Congolese militia leaders with war crimes last Friday, June 27^th. The International Criminal Court is the world’s first permanent war crimes court. It is currently hosting the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The trial underway at this time is that against Charles Taylor former leader of Sierra Leone.  These charges represent the beginning of the second case launched by the World Court since its creation in 2002. The first trial conducted by the court was also of another Congolese militia man, Thomas Lubanga. This case has been suspended over issues related to evidence withholding from the defense. 

The two men charged are Germain Katanga (Head of Patriotic Forces of Resistance of Ituri) and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui (Head of Allied Front of Nationalists and Integrationists militia). Both are accused of “planning and ordering an attack, in which more than 200 villagers were allegedly killed”. The incident was part of the overall Ituri conflict. The conflict raged on after the peace accord ended Congo’s 1998-2003 war. During the conflict, militias from the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups were pitted against one another. (www.worldbank.org/drc)

Witness reports claim that the victims of this crime were burned and many women were forced to become sex slaves, these are both crimes against humanity and thus cause for International Criminal Court indictments. The Court began its “confirmation of charges” Friday June 27^th, in which evidence will be presented to support the charges including: murder, sexual slavery, rape, inhumane acts, and recruiting child soldiers. After this there will be 60 days in which the court will decide whether or not to go to trial http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7477702.stm.

I have personally had the opportunity to visit the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands and visited the Special Court for Sierra Leone’s case against Charles Taylor this spring. I found the court to be very interesting and a real hope for future justice for the millions of people in the world that are affected by such crimes. The Court however, is complex in its evidence collection and case research, the main reason why there has only been one case so far. There are challenges to the International Criminal Court, but hope is alive and well that it will continue its pursuit for global justice in our complex world and can help serve as some small sense of justice for those from the region. The International Institute St. Louis, currently is serving clients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

For more information on the International Criminal Court please go to http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en Or for information on the DRC and how you can help, go to http://www.theirc.org/special-report/congo-forgotten-crisis.html

By Blake Gilmore

My last two weeks have largely consisted of introductions. From greeting staff members throughout the building to meeting the other (amazingly ambitious) interns, my memory often fails me in recalling names- and foreign pronunciations make it more difficult!  There is one name I haven’t had trouble with, however: Elizabeth.  It’s an easy name to recall, not only because it’s easy to say, but because it belongs to such a dynamic human being. 

As I anxiously waited to be assigned someone to teach in my first English class, I heard a voice resonating across the room.  “Ey, what’s your name?  You new?  I’m Elizabeth,” summoned a woman sitting at a desk, her gold outfit contrasting with her rich ebony skin.   She motioned for me to sit, eagerly informing me she left Liberia four years ago with her daughter.  “I was married to king of village,” she affirmed, mouth running like a cheetah’s, “He have seven otha’ wives, but I no care.  I am the first wife, so I get food first!”  Though I don’t catch everything she says, it’s impossible not to be engaged in her narrative.  In a somewhat awkward gesture, she then lifted up her shirt and pulled a beautiful necklace from beneath her belly.  Staring adoringly at the rainbow assortment of beads on a string, she told me this is what her husband gave her when he proposed.

Luckily, noting Elizabeth and my quick companionship, the director of the English tutoring classes paired us together.  Elizabeth had already answered the daily questions while the other clients were still copying from the chalkboard.  “Today is Monday,” she exclaimed as I looked over her work, “Today is sunny!”  She danced around in her chair, clearly proud of her correct answers.  She struggled as we read the Level 2 Day 5 passage, continually mispronouncing passeenyahs (passengers) and pardame (paramedics).  Instead of getting frustrated when I correct her, however, she lets out an infectious laugh. 

While other students filed out immediately after the bell, Elizabeth stayed to tell me why she left Liberia. “The poor men no like the rich men.  There was big fight over dahn-mo,” she stated.  Dahn-mo?  My curiosity piqued, I researched recent Liberian conflicts at home.  Her comments about “danh-mo” suddenly made sense, as Liberia’s former president was involved in the illegal diamond trade.  The country’s second war, a conflict between various rebel groups and the Liberian government, surged from 1999-2003.  Thousands of Liberians narrowly escaped the volatility engulfing their nation.

Elizabeth’s optimism in spite of all she’s been through inspires me.  In fact, I might create a photo-documentary share her story!  I will certainly never forget her. 

Another guest post from Ashley Mace:

As today is World Refugee Day, I logged onto my computer to find some uplifting statistics about the effects of our efforts to resettle victims of overseas conflict and oppression. The statistics on solely refugee aid seemed a bit inconsistent so I stuck with general foreign aid statistics. Laudatory claims that the U.S. is the leading donor of monetary assistance could be found on many websites, as we donate a whopping $12,900,000,000 to general foreign aid initiatives. We comprehensively blew other countries like Great Britain (we send $8 billion more) out of the water. The next closest donor gives $3.5 billion less.  I thought, “Way to go, America! You rock! What a great example of benevolence for the other stingy countries.”  And then reality struck… 

One web site I stumbled upon opened my eyes by putting this statistic into perspective. As you scroll down the page the U.S. drops to LAST PLACE in a comparison of ten internationally respected countries when the foreign aid is a function of our GDP (gross domestic product).

Norway, a country that certainly does not carry the international clout that we do, offers fully 6.5 times more than we do. An average citizen in Norway gives $390.39 annually while an average American gives $43.22. Who is the stingy country now?  

In this entry I don’t mean to confuse with statistics and lingo, but I want to highlight the fact that although we claim superpower status, our immense power has not been met with an equivalent generosity towards others. To me it seems absurd that we should give so little when we have been blessed with so much. No clear solution exists to rectify the situation but we could begin by urging our representatives to support expansion of our assistance. 

With great power comes great responsibility, and accordingly we need to be more responsive to the interests of other countries with much more immediate dangers than we experience here in America.

Against All Odds is a refugee simulation game created by the UNHCR. You can play it here: http://www.playagainstallodds.com/. Today is World Refugee Day, so tell someone you know to play the game and learn about the refugee situation world wide.

Our intern, Blake, played it recently, and here’s her reflection.

A fully armed officer shoves a paper and pen before me.  “Do you give up the right to vote?”  NO, I mark.  I value my democratic rights, thank you very much.  A massive fist bludgeons my face, staining my paper crimson.  “Is homosexuality a crime?”  I check NO again.  Wasn’t gay marriage just deemed legal in California?  More blood.  Alright, perhaps there’s a pattern here.  “I promise to never spread information forbidden by the government.”  Yes?  Phew.  No reward, but no violent upswing, either.  Interrogated further, I agree to renounce my faith, discontinue speaking in my native tongue, and assert the police have treated me well. 

Okay, so this isn’t technically happening to me, per se.  I’m playing Against All Odds, a virtual reality game created by UNHCR to mimic what life’s like for refugees.  Though my artificial entity receives the blows, my physical self’s emotions are fully engrossed. It’s just a computer game, I try to remind myself, though it’s hard not to internalize events on the screen.In the next scenario, I haphazardly flee with only a few belongings.  Despite successfully crossing the border, I make dire sacrifices.  When my best friend neglects to bring his identification along, for instance, I’m forced to decide between getting caught at the checkpoint or leaving him behind.  I find myself in a philosophical conundrum.  Is one’s life the same without friends?  For the sake of strategy, I choose to abandon my comrade, but I don’t know what I’d do if this were real.             

Eventually I arrive at an intake center where an interpreter helps me adjust.  Surely, things will be easier from here, I think.  Wrong.  I’m humiliated in trying to determine my new classmates’ social cues, told I’m improperly dressed at my first job interview, and consistently overhear complaints about immigrants.  Even my neighbors slam doors in my face, claiming they didn’t take chances with foreigners.  So much for a warm American welcome…              

I sit and stare at the screen for a moment after the game ends, thinking about the awful decisions I had to make to survive and the harsh reality of prejudice.  I sincerely hope I’m never put in a similar situation.  Real life generally isn’t as merciful as computer game designers allow.