New York, N.Y. A group of recent graduates beam with pride as they accept congratulations from assorted friends, teachers and strangers. Wearing flowing green robes they sit with loved ones, many of them clutching tiny babies who in a few years will have vague yet colourful memories of this wonderful day. Father and son at a [...]
Archive | Human Rights
RSS feed for this section
Eyewitness: New Dawn in Philippines thru PREDA Boys’ Home
Olongapo, Philippines. The Jeepney’s engine is roaring up the streets that tie up the hills of Olongapo. I am commuting to the PREDA Boys’ Home – a Social and Human Development Center. PREDA is a Non-Government Organization (NGO) that has been active in the Philippines for 38 years. The Boys’ Home, also known as Bukang Liwayway [...]
Olympics in U.K.: Double-Amputee to Compete
Johannesburg, S.A. South African runner Oscar Pistorius is set to become the first amputee to compete in the Olympics. The South African Olympic committee said Wednesday that it had selected Pistorius, 25, a double amputee, to run in the individual 400 meters and the 4 X 400 relay. South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius competes in a [...]
London Olympics: Double-Amputee to Compete
Johannesburg, S.A. South African runner Oscar Pistorius is set to become the first amputee to compete in the Olympics. The South African Olympic committee said Wednesday that it had selected Pistorius, 25, a double amputee, to run in the individual 400 meters and the 4 X 400 relay. South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius competes in a [...]
Riveting Speech on Prison Reform from Experience
New York, N.Y. I was fortunate to be invited to The Osborne Association’s 2012 Annual Lighting the Way Breakfast recently where I heard attorney Elizabeth Gaynes present the following speech. Liz is the executive director of the Osborne Association, an 80-year-old nonprofit that has pioneered programs that empower individuals with current or previous involvement in [...]
Miss America Advocates for Prison Reform
New York, N.Y. Recently I was surprised to meet Miss America following her rousing speech on the rights of prisoners and their families to a particularly well-heeled crowd at the church-turned-ballroom known as 583 Park Avenue. The event was The Osborne Association‘s 2012 Annual Lighting the Way Breakfast. Although I have heard of the organization through [...]
Nepal Plans to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Kathmandu, Nepal. It wasn’t until Bhakti Shah, 32, was working as an instructor for the Nepalese army in 2002 that she decided to act on her feelings for another woman. Shah was training new soldiers and says she fell in love with a trainee, Durga Thapa, who is in her mid-20s. Bhakti Shah and Durga [...]
U.S. Rep. Maloney on Abhorrent Anti-Gay Legislation in Uganda
U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney knows wrong when she sees it.Here, testifying in Congress on Uganda’s Abhorrent Anti-Gay Legislation. The first letter was to Barack Obama, asking our President to speak out publicly against this proposed legislation to bring further attention to the issue. The second letter was to Ugandan President Museveni, urging him to [...]
