290 Views!

Hey! Has it been a while or what? I'm pleased to announce that we have made it to 290+ views! That is truly a great achievement. Thanks to everyone who has viewed and supported this blog! Recently, we have been creating letter's to send to the Wednesday Journal to continue spreading the word about slavery in Mauritania, and no doubt this will help raise awareness for this big issue. As soon as all the letters are in, I'll do my best to get them here! Keep making a difference, everyone!

120 Views!

We've done it! We've got 120 views on this blog! Better yet, we've raised more than $1500 dollars for the kids in Sudan. Still, there's more that we can do. Go to this link to get an order form for water bottles. Thanks for all of your support!

Welcome Parents!

Brrr! Has it been cold!

What a couple of cold days has it been! With two school closure days, no less, bringing our total to four. But now, it's back to work, and that means, first of all, conferences! While you're waiting for your turn, check out our YouTube channel, here. Our students have been working hard on these videos! Also, be sure to check out our other posts.  Stay warm!

Mauritania

           When people hear the word slavery, they usually think of the American Civil War, and that it happened a long time ago. However, it still goes on today. Mauritania, the last country to abolish slavery, did so in 1981. Yet, it is still generally  accepted, and ignored by the government and many people who live in rural areas. In fact, only one person has been convicted of practicing slavery, and many still continue doing it today. Think about that for a second. There are still people in slavery, people who aren't considered people, but property, and treated like it. And this isn't just a one in a million occurrence. In fact, it is estimated that up to 20% of the population in lives in slavery. These bonds however, aren't just physical, but also mental. Many people living in slavery believe that they are doing the right thing, that they are meant to be slaves, and inferior to their masters. Many are physically abused, and work long hours without pay, or much food. Isolation has only aided these slave masters, allowing them to escape prosecution, detection, or media coverage. With this isolation, slaves have not been able to see outside of the world of their surroundings, and haven't been able to break free. This isolation has also resulted in not many knowing about what's going on, and thus being oblivious to these terrible practices. Media coverage is almost non-existent in this part of the world, and often requests are blocked by the government. And to top it all off, the few activists who are trying to raise awareness are arrested, and imprisoned by the government. Still, there is hope. The modern practice of slavery cannot be condoned. If everyone works together, we can end this dark practice once and for all. To see what you can do, visit stoppingslavery.org. Together, we can change this world.

South Sudan

       

           You're thirsty. What do you do? Simple. You go to the faucet, and get a glass of water. It only takes you a couple of seconds. Easy, right? Well, it's a much longer process for almost 2.5 billion people on the planet. These people have to go to extraordinary lengths just to get a simple sip of water, and even then, they are forced to drink contaminated and unsanitary water. 

         Take South Sudan for example. You may have seen it on the news a year or two back as the world's youngest country, the product of a civil war in Sudan. Even now, it continues to be rocked by poverty, political insecurity, and lack of access to resources. But the people have to deal with one more problem. Yes, you guessed it, water access. Everyday, children and their parents have to walk miles just to get water for drink, a process that takes hours. Think about that for a second. Walking hours to get something that is taken for granted here in America.  These kids aren't just having to go huge lengths to get basic necessities, but they're missing out on their education, something that is vital if they wish to rise out of the poverty that plagues the nation. This not only handicaps the current generation, but future ones and well. 

         Despite this, people in South Sudan are forced to continue with this, since they have no other options. In fact, there are many people who can't access water at all in South Sudan, and other places around the world. So, what can you do to help? Go to water.org to see what you can do, and to donate or find out more about South Sudan's situation, visit HopeForAriang.org. Remember, everyone can make a difference.