Life Inside a Guantanamo Cell: Amnesty International Tours America's Dark Moment

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Amnesty International is seeking to bring the realities of Guantanamo in some small way to every day citizens, by traveling a life size model of a maximum security cell to cities across the USA.

It is the hope of the organization that getting a glimpse at the harsh realities of prolonged isolation and illegal detention will inspire citizens to speak out on what many believe to be one of the most shameful developments of this administration (as most detained are without charge and those charged, have faced unfair trials by the military commission).

Starting in Miami on May 8, 2008 the tour will make stops in Philadelphia, Portland and then Washington D.C. on 26 June, to mark International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

To learn more about Amnesty's "Counter Terror With Justice Campaign," go to the Campaign PAGE on their site. To make your voice heard against illeagal detention and the close of Guantanamo - sign the petition on the Amnesty SITE



Video Footage Below - Protest in Washington earlier in the year, on 6th Anniversary of Guantanamo. Executive Director of Amnesty International speaks out.

Actress Jessica Biel "Makes the Difference" As Co-founder of Social Change Social Network

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Actress Jessica Biel is promoting her most respect worthy role to date, as co-founder of "Make The Difference Network," a cause oriented social network that connects nonprofit organizations with caring individuals and businesses. The venture is a family effort, and has the backing of Biel's dad, social entrepreneur Jon Biel.

The network already touts 150 non profit organizations and is working on fulfilling more than 250 "wishes" of these entities. The network offers organizations the ability to dynamically market themselves using a social network platform. The site offers the best of what the web now by marrying the social networking capability with eye catching pictures, video and blogs - creating a a user friendly destination that allows each cause to powerfully promote their cause. For users MTDN is an easy to use tool to find causes to be passionate about and find ways to support and promote them.

It's year one goal (in 2008) is to help 5,000 nonprofits raise an average of $500 per month in donations that go directly to the nonprofit, and in year two to raise the same amount for some 10,000 causes. MTDN never takes a percentage of the donations with all donations go directly to the nonprofit.

"Make The Difference Network allows grassroots nonprofits like Glamour Gals to be exposed to new donors, supporters and sponsors. What makes this so exciting is that this community can reach out in multiple ways supporting GG wishes, adding inspiring comments or even making critical donations to our programs." said President and Founder of Glamour Gals, a grassroots non profit that gives facials and makeovers to elderly women in nursing homes using volunteer teens (one of the many organizations on MTDN.com).

To check out and participate MTDN go to their SITE.

(Image Above: Jessica Biel, her mother and father Kim and Jon Biel and Chris Wong accept the certificate of MTDN’s Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action.)

The Global Campaign for Education Sets World Record w/ 7.5 Million Supporters

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

The Global Campaign for Education is currently collecting verification forms from around the world on what it believes to be the worlds largest campaign for education ever, literally breaking the world record for the largest simultaneous lesson in history.

The Global Campaign for Education and the "Worlds Biggest Lesson" has apparently reached some 7.5 million children, adults and teachers, joined by politicians in over 100 countries to learn about the importance of everyone having education. The country with the highest recorded count is Bangladesh, with 2.5 million people taking part in over 25,000 different locations across the country. Millions also took part in lesson in Vietnam and in an impressive campaigning effort a million took part in the lesson in the Palestinian Territories.

Celebrities, Heads of States, and Officials took part in the lesson across the world, with the highest profile being Colombian singer and Grammy award winner, Shakira. She sought international attention as Honorary Chair of Global Action Week, both on a media call with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and World Bank President Robert Zoellick, and as she lobbied Congress with students in Washington.

"I find it so inspiring that there are so many young people who care so deeply about the rights of all children to go to school that they would bring about this global movement," said Shakira.

Amongst the impressive list of others to take part in the World's Biggest Lesson were Papua New Guinea's Head of State Paulias Matane, Afghanistan's Vice-President Ahmad Zia Masuood, Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, Mozambique's Vice Minister for Education, the Netherlands Minister of Development Co-operation, Bert Koenders and Turkmenistan's Deputy Minister of Education, Ms. Gulshat Mamedova.

"The most promising reason to believe that the world will achieve its goals of Education for All by 2015 has been the emergence of strong civil society movement and this mobilization of millions of children, women and men during the Global Action Weeks each year," noted Kailash Satyarthi, GCE President. "We will not fall silent until we have ensured quality education for all."

"One in four women in the world are illiterate. It's not right, and it's not just. The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) has been demanding an end to this injustice since 2000," noted Muleya Mwananyanda, GCE Action Week Coordinator. "By having legislators and government leaders join in the World's Biggest Lesson, we are challenging them to share with us what they are doing to ensure others get educated, and have the opportunities to be sitting where they're sitting now."

The World's Biggest Lesson was the highlight of the Global Campaign for Education's (GCE)'s Action Week which took place 21st – 27th April. Every year civil society across the world takes part in this week that pressures all governments to keep their promises and meet the Education for All goals, which were signed up to by 164 governments in Dakar in April 2000. With the phenomenal success of the World's Biggest Lesson, 2008 has seen the biggest Action Week since the beginning of the Global Campaign for Education in 1999.

More information about the GCE's activities and more highlights from the World's Biggest Lesson at: www.campaignforeducation.org

Strategies for the "Herdball Activist" and Beyond

--Feature: "Sustainable Soul w/Rebecca Hecking"--

All right, last week we wrote about the nature of "herball activism," and maybe if had the chance to read it, you've also taken moments in the week to think about it. What is YOUR cause? What issue tugs on your heartstrings, or gets you so mad that steam comes out your ears? Like the monks who are singularly focused on the plight of Tibet, working for only one or two causes can help us avoid that pulled in a hundred directions feeling that can so easily overtake us in a world of overwhelming need. To use the soccer metaphor again, it is as though we are playing a position instead of trying to control the entire field. It's far less exhausting!

The bottom line here is really a question of maintaining healthy boundaries. Yes, we have a responsibility to do something to make the world a better place, but each of us alone cannot shoulder the burden for all the world's problems. If I were to cross Bono with Al Gore, even the resultant über-activist would not be able to right all the world's wrongs. Let's lose the guilt over what we cannot control.

Activism can take many forms. Focusing locally (for example, helping clean up a park or pitching in at a food pantry) has the potential to be a very satisfying experience. The fruits of one's labors may be immediately seen. Widening from local to global, the activist is usually more detached from the results. Donating money, writing letters to Congress, and signing online petitions are all worthwhile, but can lack the personal connection of local work. To add a "heart" dimension to this type of activism, connect it with spiritual practice. For example, visualize or meditate on the positive changes your donation will bring. Light a candle to honor someone touched by your cause, even if you do not know them by name. Say a prayer. Linking spirituality to activism can impart richness and depth to both.

Despite prioritizing, occasionally I play a little activist herdball myself. We all do. And that's ok. The important thing is to recognize it for what it is, to be aware of the media ebb and flow, and not to burn out by spending all our energy on the cause du jour. Again, the key issue is maintaining good boundaries, and being grounded in a healthy sense of perspective. I've found that it's possible to step onto the herdball field in a conscious way without ending up emotionally trampled. Try these:

• Set aside a fixed amount of money in your budget for causes that "pop up". Keep this separate from any money used to support your priority issues.

• Commit to an action such as phoning your Senators, signing petitions or attending vigils. Keep this as "your" response to herd-type causes. Do what you can. Don't stress over what you cannot do.

• Learn to recognize hype when you see it. I've received mailings that have heart-wrenching photos, provocative language and guilt-inducing pleas for money. Upon investigation, I discover that the group is financially irresponsible (or worse, a complete scam).
  

• In the same vein, make a habit of checking out charities, particularly those that are unfamiliar to you. There are several watchdog groups who monitor how charities spend their donations. Try www.give.org or www.charitywatch.org .

In the end, we must keep up our efforts over the long haul, and guard against activist burnout. The world needs all the help it can get. See you out on the field. Will it be herdball or soccer?


Rebecca Hecking is a writer based in northwest PA who focuses on spirituality and sustainable living, as well as managing editor for Primal Parenting. Her "priority" cause is the environment. However, she has been seen yelling at her television set, then furiously typing out feisty letters to Congress.

Legendary Primatologist Jane Goodall Honors Visionary Youth Around the World

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

This week the legendary primatologist Jane Goodall symbolically passed the torch to the next generation of change makers at the Jane Goodall Global Youth Summit. The week long event explores how each individual can make a difference in protecting the future of our planet and will include participants from 28 countries on six continents.

Since Goodalls rise to fame in the 1960's through her ground breaking study of Chimpanzee's in East Africa, her life's passion has been to inspire youth to work towards a more humane world. The now 74 year old Goodall spends some 300 days a year on the road using her fame to inspire young people to act on critical issues within their communities. The summit honors inspired young people from around the world manifesting extraordinary contribution within their regions.

Among the group honored are individuals such as Chi-Chung Lin, 21, who advocated throughout Taiwan for the use of reusable chopsticks (2.8 million disposed daily), and 23 year old Weldon Korir of Kenya who founded a youth group working towards HIV and malaria prevention. The group honored represents the spirit of the best of what is possible for our future.

Speaking at the summit, Henri Landwirth, 81, a Holocaust survivor and longtime philanthropist behind such foundations as Give Kids the World, reminded the young people that his work and the work of his generation was nearly over.

"I am one of a dying generation. You youth have to do it," he said. Looking at the amazing group at the summit this week...the future certainly looks bright.

For more information on the Global Youth Summit, go to their SITE

Phoning In a Healthy Planet: The Earth Day "Call for Climate" Initiative

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Tomorrow April 22 marks Earth Day, one of the largest global events of the year. First produced in 1970 by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, the event now marks it's thirty eighth year through a massive global campaign including every day citizens, thousands of organizations worldwide and countless celebrities lending names to efforts around the world focusing on global warming and a cleaner environment.

One such effort especially worth noting in the U.S is the Call for Climate initiative which encourages people to call Congress and demand climate change action to be taken. The effort is planned by the Earth Day Network and is one of the thousands events the organization is backing, including; Breakfasts, Scuba diving contests, celebrations, parties, wine and food festivals, marathons, and concerts. The Call for Climate initiative is a unique effort asking participants to literally make their voices heard and call for immediate change from our policy makers. Celebrities recently spoke out on the effort.

“It doesn’t take a doctor on Scrubs to tell you our climate is changing,” said Zack Graff (of Scrubs) who has joined Kevin Bacon and Chevy Chase in recording messages encouraging people to support the campaign. “Earth Day Network wants you to call Congress on Earth Day, April 22, and ask them to take tough and fair action on climate change. Put this number in your phone now – 202 224 3121. That’s Congress. Ask your representative or senator to bring us a healthier climate.”

Wherever you find yourself tomorrow - commit to at least one activity that shows your commitment and interest in preserving our planet. In the mean time, jot down the number above...and put that phone to good use !

For more information on the Earth Day Network go to their SITE.

Connectivity That Matters: New Social Network Aims to Save Lives

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Web entrepreneur wonder kid Tom Hadfield, who in his teens launched and sold Soccer.com to ESPN for a whopping $40 million, is gearing up for a more noble and hopefully equally as successful web venture in MalariaEnagage.org. The site, launched on Sunday, is designed to help fight Malaria, which he became familiar with first hand after a trip to Zambia last summer.

"Traveling across Africa and seeing the devastation caused by malaria made me realize there was more to life than putting up soccer scores," said Hadfield.

"Everyone I met at an aid project making mosquito nets in Zambia had either lost a child to malaria or knew someone who had."

The site encourages people to donate $10 or more to help support seven different research projects in Tanzania, such as developing plants like lemongrass to repel mosquitoes. But Hadfield sees MalariaEngage.org as more than a fundraising tool.

"MalariaEngage.org increases the return on investment of donors by connecting them directly with researchers working on malaria prevention treatment," said Hadfield.

"It's about more than about giving money -- it's about creating connections. By encouraging individual participation and involvement, we will create international communities of common interest. This is the essence of social networking."

Hadfield who is now twenty five and attending Harvard co-founded the site with health professors Peter A. Singer and Abdallah S. Daar at Canada's McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health at University Health Network as well as the University of Toronto. Hadfields hope is that he will create a platform that will allow consumers to support researchers and causes through meaningful human networks of change.

To check out this sensational new initiative and Become Part of the Change, go to www.malariaengage.org

Architecture for Humanity to Give Technology Access to 50% of Planet by 2015

--Weekend Feature Archive--

Architecture for Humanity seeks to provide creative solutions for humanitarian crises by offering architecture and design services to those most in need. The organization taps a network of professionals worldwide who donate time and talent to help communities recovering from disaster as well as those seeking community development support services. The multifaceted organization, amongst other things, advocates for good design, publishes a book, engages in public policy, as well as spearheads the first ever open source open architecture network that is the first site on the net to provide access to open source architecture plans.

Currently, the organization is spearheading an exciting initiative called the AMD Open Architecture Challenge which is an international design competition that is open to all (not just architects). The competition is seeking to find the best solutions for building sustainable low cost technology facilities for those most in need. Their objective is to tilt the scales on who has has access to technology(currently 20% of the 6 Billion humans on this planet), by helping create community facilities that will give access to 50% of the world by 2015.

For more information or to enter the competition go to their site at www.architectureforhumanity.org, and watch the fantastic video below of founder, and TED Prize winner, Cameron Sinclair discussing the vision of Architecture for Humanity.

Herdball Activism:Charity in a Pack Mentality World

--Feature: "Sustainable Soul w/Rebecca Hecking"--

Five year olds do not play soccer. They play “herdball”, as it is jokingly referred to by my teenage son who referees their games. Instead of spreading out on the field and playing a position (such as midfielder or forward), they bunch up in a herd and chase the ball back and forth on the field. “Team” has little meaning except for the matching t-shirts.

From where I sit watching the big wide world go by, it seems to me that adults play a sort of media-directed herdball of our own. Remember any of these?

• All those red ribbons for AIDs awareness worn by celebrities at the Oscars

• RAWA : the organization of Afghani women who resist the Taliban

• The tsunami that washed away entire villages in Indonesia

Each of these was and is important, but I haven’t heard much about them lately, and I suspect you haven’t either. I detect a pattern. Some event or issue triggers a flurry of media attention, followed by another flurry of activism, donations, demonstrations, and letter writing. Then, time passes, public interest wanes and the media goes on to the next issue or event, followed of course by the next flurry of activity. The issue “ball” gets chased by the well-meaning herd until it goes “out of bounds” (off the media radar). A new ball is tossed into play, and the game continues until the players quit from exhaustion.

I have spoken with weary, burnt-out people who are tired of playing this game which appears to accomplish nothing. They have become cynical, and feel torn in a hundred directions for a hundred worthy causes. The sheer magnitude of the world’s many problems feels overwhelming to them, and constant appeals for action or donations only make matters worse.

At the moment, one of the “balls in play” is the politics of Tibet. We have seen activist monks protesting and suffering for their cause. These monks are most decidedly NOT part of the activist herd. Their entire lives have been given in service of preserving Tibetan culture and religious faith. They are deeply grounded in their cause, linked by both physical geography and spiritual practice. Although they too may feel fatigued at times, they aren’t going to take up another issue anytime soon. They are playing for keeps. The herd may chant “Free Tibet” at the Olympic games this summer, but the monks will continue working long after the media hoopla has faded.

I’ve said in previous columns that a sustainable soul is dynamic, grounded and self-renewing . If you’ve been engaged in nothing but herdball activism and are feeling burnt out from it, maybe it’s time for a change. Instead of running with the herd, take some time and really examine which issues touch your heart. Think for a moment. What is THE most important issue to YOU? The environment? Human rights? Cancer research? It doesn’t matter that there are a thousand other equally important issues out there. For now, simply figure out what resonates with you on a deep level. Next week, we’ll explore ways to work for your cause without burning out, as well as think about how to consciously “run with the herd” if we choose.


Rebecca Hecking is a writer based in northwest PA who focuses on spirituality and ecology, as well as managing editor for Primal Parenting. She has watched many games of herdball over the years, and has loved every minute of it.

Darfur's Children of Conflict: Amnesty's Call for Help

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

The United Nations African Union peace keeping force has been deployed for over a year now and yet so little has been accomplished. Of the four million people affected by the conflict in Darfur, 1.8 million are children under eighteen. Of the 2.3 million people who have been displaced, one million are children. Since April 2006, 120,000 displaced more children have joined the number due to the conflict. With inadequate attention, support and aid, the horrifying numbers keep growing daily.

Just this past February Sudanese forces and government backed militias attacked villages in West Darfur causing some 800 children between 12 and 18 to be left unaccounted for by the attack. This month for thousands of children who are turning five, their birthdays are marked by actually never having even known peace. Children who have survived attacks remain traumatized, while those who live outside of caps remain fearful of attacks on their villages.

Amnesty International is asking for your help. With a few simple prompts on their site you can write a letter to Mr Rodolphe Adada, the Head of UNAMID – the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation (which acts to support the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement, as well as to protect its personnel and civilians). The letter will be a call to Mr Adada to take steps to effectively protect the children in Darfur.

Take a minute to make your voice HERE

Minorities & Indigenous Groups: The Forgotten Victims of Climate Change

--celebrity + charity +global relief--

Reuters just released a story about the finding in the "State of the World's Minorities 2008" report from Minority Rights Group International (MRG).

The report showed that minorities and indigenous people bear the brunt of the climate change crises. The report cited examples of poor response to providing aid to this demographic in cases of natural disaster as well as the hardest hit areas impacted by climate change often being the areas inhabited by this demographic... specifically noting the plight of the Dalits of India, the Roma of Slovakia, the Rama of Nicaragua and the Inuit of the Arctic as examples. Of course top of the list of problems cited in this study was industry's big footprint in indeginous communities citing mass clearance of land for bio-fuels and impacts of mining. The report said it was high time the poor and marginalized people of the world were put on the political map.

"There is now a greater urgency to make these voices heard in the climate change debate," said MRG's policy chief Ishbel Matheson.

The moral here speaks loudly - when caring about the world...it's climate, it's "health" and it's welfare, we need to care for it's people alongside, all of them - not just the ones that look like us, speak like us, and live near us. In a beehive, every bee has a function and purpose, in this hive we need to recognize we have the same. We need to become increasingly aware that disturbing Eco-systems is just as perilous as disturbing the human Eco-system, made up of elaborate webs of social communities that create a delicate "systemic social harmony."

Here is a fascinating talk on the subject given by Majora Carter, elaborating on the imbalances of the Eco movement in minority neighborhoods in the U.S. called "Greening of the Ghetto." Carter is a Macarthur Award winner and founder of Sustainable South Bronx, an organization dedicated to holistic community development.

Tom Hanks Helps Africa Get Connected

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Information is power - and as much of Africa is cut off from electricity on most of its continent it is has no access to information about everything from the political climate to the weather climate. Freeplay Lifeline radios offer an innovative solution through a wind up mechanism, or solar power.

On February 1, Tom Hanks and Ebay partnered to auction off 10 celebrity autographed lifeline radios which helped raise $13,000, and helped some 10,000 children and adults get access to Freeplay radios. Having these radios helped these families get access to information to improve the quality of their lives. The effort was also produced with the support of Creative Artists Agency and Auction Cause, an Los Angeles based auction management agency.

“The extraordinary technology of the Freeplay Foundation’s Lifeline Radio can bring vital information to isolated people all over the world,” said Tom Hanks. “For example, right now there are more than 13 million children orphaned by AIDS. Most can’t attend school and can’t afford batteries or electricity to power a radio. The Freeplay Foundation can hand these children a lifeline to the outside world by giving access to radio programs that teach them how to grow their small garden plots to feed themselves, take care of their chickens or goats, and prevent deadly diseases like malaria and AIDS.”

For more information on this important initiative see the video below of Tom Hanks, and check out www.freeplayfoundation.org to see how you can help empower others through access to information.

Sand Artist, Sudarshan Patnaik, Joins Greenpeace to Highlight Global Warming

--art + architecture + design--

Indian sand artists Sudarshan Patnaik is known for his incredible coastline compositions of temples and other sacred imagery. Now with the support of Greenpeace, the artist is taking his sand art and using it as a work of activism to highlight the impact of global warming.

The artist created miniature sand sculptors of famous heritage sites, including; the Jagannath and Konark Temples in Orissa, the Shore temple in Tamil Nadu and the Gateway of India at Puri in Orissa. Seven tonnes of sand were used over two days to complete the work.

Here is video footage of the event, courtesy of Reuters:

Millions Worldwide Set To Shut Off Lights Tonight as Part of "Earth Hour" Energy Initiative

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Today, March 29, 2008, citizens all over the world plan to highlight the problem of global warming by shutting off their lights at 8pm local time. The effort is the brainchild of the World Wildlife Fund and is organized under the name “Earth Hour.”

Since its creation in Sydney in 2007, millions of people, businesses, governments and civic organizations in nearly 200 cities around the globe have agreed to turn out for Earth Hour. More than 100 cities across North America have also agreed to participate, including; Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix and San Francisco and Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Be a part of the change and turn your lights off for one hour tonight at 8:00pm. Join a global community of millions worldwide tonight by taking a stand for a more energy conscious planet. Go to Earth Hour to get more information on other ways you can easily get involved.

Below is a video from Earth Hour on the incredible global movement behind this initiative.

Twenty Six Foot Robot Lead's GreenpeaceE-Waste Protest

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Greenpeace strikes again!

Yesterday activists from the organization protested against the massive amounts of e-waste that Phillips generates. The organizers of the protest placed a twenty six foot robot made entirely of electronic trash directly outside a Phillips shareholder meeting. Protesters then climbed a facade of the Amsterdam hotel and posted a massive banner reading "Phillips: Simply Take Back and Recycle."

"Philips should take responsibility for its own e-waste," said a Greenpeace spokeswoman in a Reuters interview on Thursday.

"Philips has to set up collection systems in all countries where it puts products on the market. In this way, Philips can prevent the e-waste ending up in developing countries."

The company quickly responded citing its position as leader in the Dow Jones sustainability index for personal and household goods.

Gerard Kleisterlee, the company's chief executive, responded to the event at the shareholder meeting, simply citing that e-wast was, in their opinion, the "responsibility of consumers and governments."

Great...and gas emissions are also only the fault of consumers ? Nothing like a good game of productive finger pointing to end our week, eh?!

Vagina Monologues Raises $50 Million Towards Programs Ending Violence Against Women

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Eve Ensler has made headlines for over a decade with her jaw dropping, mind expanding and awe inspiring performances of "The Vagina Monologues." But beyond theatrics the monologues have become both a metaphor and a vehicle for empowering women around the globe.

Since 1998, Eve has been performing her production as part of "V Day Events" all over the world, to raise awareness and money to battle violence against women. From China to Australia to Nigeria, Ensler's riveting message of reclaiming the female identity has become a living organic metaphor for taking back women's voices and power in cultures where it has been stolen. Along the way she has won the support of a who's who list of celebrity authors, artists and actors.

To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $50 million and educated millions on the issue of violence against women, and how to put an end to it. The funds have supported the reopening of women's shelters, the funding of over 5000 community based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. In addition PSA and media campaigns have brought awareness to this critically important issues.

On April 11 and 12, 2008, V-Day celebrates it 10th Anniversary in New Orleans with a slate of celebrities including Salma Hayeak, Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Fonda and others. April 12th will feature an incredible evening of international performances of The Vagina Monologues and musical performances, as well as speeches from V-Day activists from across the globe, including Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eastern Europe.

The tickets are only $25. For more information on how to support V-Day (or even host a V Day event in your area) and/or attend the New Orleans event - go to their SITE.

(Pictured above Eve Ensler and supporting celebrities of V Day)

Prince Harry's Sentebale Charity For AIDS Orphans Fails to Pay Out

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Sentebale (translated to mean "forget me not"), a charity set up by Prince Harry to provide assistance to AIDS orphans in Southern Africa (Lesotho) seems to have "forgotten" to hand out any of the $2.5 million it has raised since its launch two years ago.

The charity, set up in honor of Harry's late mother Princess Diana, received $325,000 for a concert last year and $1.6 million from a British Red Cross Lesotho fund. But the charity has only distributed $182,000 , while paying some $543,000 on staffing expenses, with one official getting a whopping salary of $195,000 according to accounts filed by the Charity Commission.

Officials of the charity cite that it takes time to establish the organization before handing out money. But two years and over half a million dollars is a whole lot of waiting and spending, none of which I am sure was made public to any of their generous donors. Prince Harry said he was "bitterly disappointed" by the charity's performance and said he desperatly wanted the money sent as soon as possible to the orphans he met in Lesotho.

Valuable lesson learned. Big names behind charitable causes do not offer a seal of guarantee on good performance (nor good business practice). Let's hope Harry puts some of his high influence muscle to move those generous funds where they belong...in the hands of ailing children and not in the bulging pockets of Sentebale executives.

(Pictured above, Prince Harry visiting AIDS Orphans in Africa)

Director David Lynch Donates $1 Million for University Meditation Scholarship

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Film director David Lynch ("the Elephant Man," "Mulholland Drive" "Twin Peaks") is a well known meditation enthusiast and decades long practitioner. Now the enlightened auteur is turning philanthropist and donating a whopping $1 million towards a scholarship fund for students looking to learn transcendental meditation at the Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield,Iowa.

The hope of the move, is to increase the overall number of students practicing meditation on the Fairfield campus that also teaches undergrad and grad courses in everything from computer science to sustainable living.

"America urgently needs at least one university to teach the science of peace — and to actually promote peace in the world," the filmmaker said in a statement Thursday.

The university will host "David Lynch Weekend" on April 25-28, featuring performances by Donovan, Moby and Chrysta Bell.

For more information on the David Lynch Weekend, go to www.lynchweekend.com

Reese Witherspoon Supports the United Nations in Women's Empowerment Initiative

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon met with U.N on Tuesday as part of an effort to raise money for a UNIFEM campaign, and fund rive, to end violence against women worldwide. UNIFEM, founded in 1976, is the women's fund at the United Nations which is used to provide financial and technical assistance to foster gender equality and women's empowerment.

"Two of every three people living in poverty in the world are women," UNIFEM director Joanne Sandler said. "And the violence against them is a pandemic hidden among the estimated $9.5 billion that criminal networks earn from human trafficking, mostly women and children."

Witherspoon is promoting a new Women's Empowerment Bracelet which she hopes will raise awareness against domestic violence issues. The initiative is done in collaboration with cosmetics giant AVON (for whom Witherspoon is the Global Ambassador for Women's Empowerment), who has vowed to match the first $500,000 raised in the campaign. The money from the campaign will be used to provide more education and job training for women as well to enforce laws that benefit their standing in various cultures worldwide.

To support this great cause, buy the Women's Empowerment Bracelet for only $3, at www.AVON.com


(Witherspoon pictured above with UNIFEM Executive Director Joanne Sandler and Andrea Jung, CEO of AVON)



Reese Witherspoon speaks at United Nations - Video Courtesy of Associated Press

Fashion Models Help Fight Child Labor & Environmental Injustice of Conventional Cotton Biz

--celebrity + charity + global relief--

Who said model are all looks and no brains clearly never met this bunch of gals. Irina Lazareanu, Coco Rocha , Catherine McNeil (pictured above), Caroline Trentini, Siri Tollerød, and Behati Prinsloo are amongst a group of nineteen beauties who volunteered to be photographed by Eric Guillerman for a new 'Pick Your Cotton Carefully" campaign launched by the Environmental Justice Foundation, a film and advocacy organization "training individuals and grassroots organizations to document, expose and create long term solutions to environmental abuses."

The photographs will feature the models in cotton t-shirts made by EJF and designed by "A-list" designers such as Luella, Christian Lacroix, Betty Jackson and Katharine Hamnett. EJF's campaign is designed around the theme of “childhood, lost innocence and hope” to represent more than a million children around the world forced to labour in cotton production.

To buy a shirt, and support the cause go to the EJF SITE

Here is an amazing documentary featured in a previous post on The LOHASIAN, called the 'Conventional Trap.' The film exposes the harsh realities of growing conventional cotton. Directed by Altemeier and Somji.