The HEAL Africa hospital in Goma Democratic Republic of Congo is not just a hospital - H is for Health care but the E is for Education of both health care workers and the patients - so women who have had surgery to repair the damage done by rape are given the opportunity to learn to read and write or to learn to sew so that they can earn a living as in the Healing Arts program pictured here But some women despite numreous operations cannot be healed - and they have no home to return to either because of... Full article »

Tags: Africa, charity, environment, health

We are lucky enough to be able to share with you some of the wonderful success stories coming out of Africa. The charity African Action on Aids is committed to improving the lives of African's touched by this disease, to support their children and families and to bring hope in times of need. This week we share in the story of how AAA is encouraging orphan girls to study nursing and why a good education can be a lifesaver. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why do we encourage girl orphans who wish to pursue nursing studies? Because there is a shortage of 1.5 million health... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 10:04 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, education, health

Rating:

• Currently 5

  Reader Barbara Ferguson shares with us her pictures from the "Train The Trainers" councelling program she is establishing in the DRC. Barbara recently returned from the Congo and is lobbying the Australian government in hope of increasing our aid to this beautiful region. Barbara's train the trainer program will provide support and assistance for those women and young girls tortured and raped during the decade long war. If you can help please contact us and we will put you in touch with Barbara's organisation. Demonstrating Councelling Techiques.    Celebration Time.         Listening. Sunday School.... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:28 PM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health

In an age when stories of impending doom with regards to the state of the environment are rampant it is great to read something more positive. Lester Brown has was named by the Washington Post as "One of the world's most influential thinkers" and has devoted his life to the global environmental movement. His most recent book, "Mobilizing To Save Civilization" reviews the health of the planet while discussing and offering up practical and positive steps towards a solution. This book champions the cause for education and empowerment (through health care) of the individual as a means to achieving environmental... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:18 PM Comment

Tags: charity, environment, media, reviews

Back on 17th July we visited Barbara on the set of her training DVD  as she prepared for her DRC trip to "Train the Trainers." This program  has been set up by Barbara  to address the Social-psychological conseling needs of survivors of war and torture in the Congo. We join Barbara on her return to Australia after her first training trip. I arrived home yesterday pm - still processing my experiences in the DRC at HEALAfrica - the faith and courage of the people was inspiring - they sing like angels - my favourite moment was on the first day at... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:14 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health

War has never been for the faint hearted but back in the early 1800's many would have much rather died fighting than deal with the consequences of surviving a major trauma. It was during a protracted and bloody battle that Jean-Henri Dunant became so insensed at the blood-loss and tragedy of was that he felt compelled to act. His book "A Memory of Solferino" became his mouthpiece, gaining him access to many people of influence. Dunant went on to form international aid agency the Red Cross along with his business partner Gustave Moynier- a recipient of the boook! While this... Full review »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:46 PM 1 comment

Tags: charity, media, peace, reviews

Global Insights reader and long term friend and work collegue of Dr Suter, Barbara Ferguson talked to us about her motivation for setting up the "Train the Counselor" program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We caught up with her on the set of her training DVD as she prepares to head back to Africa later this year.  The Keith Suter blog team wish Barbara and her team all the best for the coming months and look forward to sharing her updates with you via the blog. Barbara Ferguson taking a break from making her training DVD in Sydney earlier... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 12:24 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, conflict, health, sociology

As the historically significant 'Gully' (Catalina Park) in Katoomba has already been formally declared as an Aboriginal Place, this proposal recommends that this 90 hectare property be used to establish a National Aboriginal Uniting Place. The property has potential to be developed so that elected representatives from the hundreds of Aboriginal Nations in Australia, can meet to establish their independent political identity towards their full representation in all United Nations forums. In this second decade of the United Nation's International Decade of Indigenous Peoples 2005 - 2014, an Aboriginal Uniting Place in Katoomba could unite Indigenous peoples around the globe... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 6:00 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, charity

Today's drive back down the mountain from Wentworth Falls was a little different to normal. On a cold and wet Blue Mountains day it is unusual to see more than just a handful of people about - bedraggled dog walkers making their way back home or sorry looking commuters queuing for the bus. This morning however, was different! Coming around the bend after Lawson I was surprised to see a band of yellow making its way proficiently down the grassy bank that doubles up as a pavement. Getting closer I could see through the mist that these were indeed people... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:04 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, charity, health, science

President Obam. How is he going after close to 200 days in office? What would his report card say? Join Dr Suter for a pleasent afternoon's discussion on Sunday 14th June in the Smith Room, Wesley Centre, 220 Pitt Street, Sydney.         Entry is $10 and bookings and timing enquiries should be directed to Rosemary Cottrell on 02 9263 5569 or e-mail wesleymission@wesleymission.org.au... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 3:19 PM Comment

Tags: charity, Keith Suter

More than twenty five years after the world first became aware of AIDS, it is clear that AIDS is still a threat in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its debilitating cycle definitely impedes on many aspects of the continent's development. Unfortunately, the death toll has been so heavy and overwhelming that official policies and strategies have tended to place more emphasis on treatment rather than prevention. On the other hand, community responses throughout Africa have mirrored their social base and have generally adapted their initiatives to local needs and available resources. In so doing they have focused mostly on prevention and mitigation. Prevention,... Full article »

Tags: Africa, charity, health, sociology

                    African Action on AIDS is a non- for -profit organization working with Africa's women and youth whose lives have been affected by AIDS. We educate women and youth with the knowledge that they need to stay alive and teach them to share the knowledge with their peers. AAA has consultative status with the United Nations and has been working in this field since 1991. One big lesson we learned during all these years is that no amount of drugs can cure people who live in unclean environment with little... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 1:04 AM Comment

Tags: Africa, charity, health

Rating:

• Currently 4

The Playing for Change organization was set up by Mark Johnson in Santa Monica, California five years ago.  Mark recorded street musicians playing the famous Ben E.King song "Stand By Me" and was touched by the power of the songs message. Inspired, Mark took his camera's around America and later around the world, recording and interviewing street musicians  and sharing it through You Tube and later his web site: www.playforchange.com. The movement uses the power of music to transcend cultural, political, economic, ideological  and language barriers in order to build a more peaceful and harmonious future for the worlds citizens.  The... Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 11:09 AM Comment

Tags: charity, peace, sociology

Lawyers Beyond Borders is an exciting new initiative developed by Australian Volunteers International allowing lawyers to use their skills where they're most needed. Full article »

Tags: charity, law

A moving story of Christian the lion who was purchased by Australian's John Rendall and Anthony Bourke from UK department store Harrods in 1969. Christian was released back into the wild a year later. Full article »

Posted by: Webeditor at 7:25 PM Comment

Tags: charity, environment

The United Nations Association of Australia Katoomba branch opened its doors to the public on Easter Monday with a tour of their edible garden and an update on the work being carried out under the UNAA's environmental program. I went along with my family to get some "green" inspiration. Full article »

Tags: charity, environment

Australia's gambling problem is getting worse and there are some terrible social problems. However, keep an eye on the legal system because there may be some interesting developments Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 5:02 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, charity, health, sociology

If a charity works with the same person with the same problem over a long period of time, then that charity has failed. This is a grim fact - but one that needs to be confronted. Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 4:54 PM 1 comment

Tags: charity, religion, sociology

Wesley Mission has been a pioneer in credit counselling though its Credit Line service. One of its longest-running tasks has been that of helping the victims caught up in the HomeFund scandal. Some progress has recently been made by the Federal Court in settling the problems caused for the borrowers who have been badly burnt by the scheme. Greg Kirk of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, writing in the current edition of the Centre's "Bulletin", provides an overview of the HomeFund debacle. HomeFund was a government-sponsored home loans scheme with the stated purpose of assisting people who could not afford... Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 4:41 PM Comment

Tags: Australasia, charity, economics

Tony Abbott, the Minister for Employment has recently been in the news regarding his comments on why people are poor. The ensuing debate over poverty then generated more heat than light over what should be done about ending poverty. Full article »

Posted by: Amanda Foxon-Hill at 4:30 PM Comment

Tags: charity, sociology