LIBERIA: Health facilities in disarray - malnutrition, unsanitary conditions stifle the young

What will be a country's end when the youth, its greatest hope, are left to fend for themselves, unattended and neglected (both materially and spiritually)! Let this be a sobering lesson to us all. (Excerpt:)

Liberia's population is estimated at 3.5 million. "Over three million Liberians have no access to safe sanitation facilities," says Muyatwa Sitali, communications officer with Oxfam UK...

A relevant quotation from a sacred text states in this regard:

O YE RICH ONES ON EARTH! The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.

- Hidden Words of Bahá'u'lláh

WATER: Poor Sanitation Killing Liberia's Young
By Rebecca Murray

This is 7-month-old Inga Phillips's third visit to the Slipway health centre. The clinic's is unable to care for severely malnourished children with diarrhoea and dehydration. Credit: Rebecca Murray/IPS

MONROVIA and BOPOLU, Liberia, Nov 23 (IPS) - Nineteen-year-old Beauty Phillips clutches her emaciated baby tightly to her chest. At seven months, Inga suffers from malnutrition.

On this chaotic Friday morning in the Slipway Clinic registration room, over one hundred mothers, their crying infants wrapped in traditional lappa cloth, wait on narrow wooden benches for hours to be seen.

"She is always sickly," explains Phillips about Inga's constant vomiting and diarrhoea. "I get my water from the community hand pump, and for my toilet I'm going to the waterside or common toilet. This is why I think my daughter is getting sick."

One out of nine Liberian children die before their fifth birthday, or 110 out of every 1,000 live births, according to the Liberia Demographic Health Survey in 2007. Thirty-nine percent of children are stunted or short for their age. ...

Liberia's population is estimated at 3.5 million. "Over three million Liberians have no access to safe sanitation facilities," says Muyatwa Sitali, communications officer with Oxfam UK, which spearheads Liberia's water, sanitation and hygiene consortium. ...

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has implemented a free nationwide public health care policy for children under five years old, a crucial step towards her promise to provide universal health care for all Liberians.

Still reeling from the decades-long civil war, Liberia's 2008 Poverty Reduction Strategy estimates almost two-thirds of its citizens live below the poverty line. ...

Read the full article here.

Chant of Masnavi by Abdul-Bahá

Enjoy this heavenly chant (click on red link here or at bottom), on the heels of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's Day of the Covenant (which marks His birthday - though it doesn't coincide with it - see note at end) and in anticipation of tomorrow's sober marking of His passing.

`Abdu'l-Bahá walking outside his home in Haifa, Israel.

Masnavi by Abdul-Bahá - "Take..."
http://www.box.net/shared/rg7olextea

Note:
The Day of the Covenant "marks the [anniversary] of the birth of...'Abdu'l-Bahá," as stated in these letters written through Shoghi Effendi's secretary (link to them here):

"...the anniversaries of the birth and the ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá are not to be regarded as days on which work is prohibited...." (Shoghi Effendi's secretary then notes:) "These are the words of the Guardian." (8 March 1951)
"The Day of the Covenant Nov. 26th, and the Day of the Ascension, Nov. 28th, anniversaries of the birth and the Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá must be observed by the friends coming together, but work is not prohibited." (21 January 1951)
Source of both letters here.

Thanks to whoever it was that uploaded the chant!

Photo Copyright Bahá'í International Community

Freedom of expression in belief

This quotation from a talk by 'Abdu'l-Bahá caught my eye:

Every religion and every religious aspiration may be freely voiced and expressed here. Just as in the world of politics there is need for free thought, likewise in the world of religion there should be the right of unrestricted individual belief. Consider what a vast difference exists between modern democracy and the old forms of despotism. Under an autocratic government the opinions of men are not free, and development is stifled, whereas in democracy, because thought and speech are not restricted, the greatest progress is witnessed. It is likewise true in the world of religion. When freedom of conscience, liberty of thought and right of speech prevail -- that is to say, when every man according to his own idealization may give expression to his beliefs -- development and growth are inevitable. Therefore, this is a blessed church because its pulpit is open to every religion, the ideals of which may be set forth with openness and freedom.

- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 197 http://is.gd/54l67

It is stated here that development and growth are INEVITABLE (!) when "every man according to his own idealization may give expression to his beliefs."
What, then, is keeping us from expressing these thoughts of ours (about how to make things better), since we would, by articulation them, improve upon the world?

Bahá'í House of Worship in Ashkhabad before its destruction by an earthquake.

In my understanding, it is saying that even misdirected belief, as long as sincere, well-meaning and conciliatory, should be allowed to be voiced - kind of explodes any conceptions about "absolute truth" one might hold (hail to humility!). Regarding the principle of consultation, 'Abdu'l-Bahá has stated:

Take counsel together in such wise that no occasion for ill-feeling or discord may arise. This can... be attained when every member expresseth with absolute freedom his own opinion and setteth forth his argument... The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions."
- 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections From the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/ab/SAB/sab-45.html

Photo Copyright 2009, Bahá'í International Community
http://media.bahai.org/subjects/locations/temples/Turkmenistan/7041/details

S. Korea as model of development

This OECD statement would reflect the fundamental principle of the interdependence of all nations. And that a nation's priority should be, first, to get on its own feet (often with the help of other, more advanced nations), and second, to fulfil its duty to assist less advanced nations.

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required."(1)

Korea's story demonstrates the changing face of international development assistance. "Making good use of this assistance," said Oh Joon, "we worked hard to overcome poverty and achieve development. For many Koreans, including myself, it happened in our own lifetime. As a child, I went to an elementary school where we drank milk and ate corn bread that came in containers marked 'United Nations' or 'US Government'. A few months ago, I visited a kindergarten in Mongolia where children were studying with textbooks marked as gifts from the Republic of Korea."

"This is happening in the middle of an economic crisis," remarked OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, "when many countries are holding back, Korea is signalling the way forward, as it has done in many areas."

"OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) welcomes Korean membership," 26 November 2009 © OECD
http://www.oecd.org/document
/50/0,3343,en_2649_33721_44141618_1_1_1_1,00.html
Note: (1) From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi
http://bahai-library.com/compilations/living.life.html

"Hindu" Barbie doll pictured in front of India's Bahá'í Temple

The "Hindu" Barbie doll blends nicely into the beautiful gardens surrounding the Bahá'í "Lotus" Temple in New Delhi, India.

Toys can certainly be used to promote spiritual values, as here - hypothetically - unity in diversity!

Ye are all fruits of one tree, the leaves of one branch, the flowers of one garden.
Bahá'í writings

Sites on the temple:

Photos of the Bahá'í House of Worship, New Delhi, India

Baha'i Temple in India continues to receive awards and recognitions

Distinguished visitors praise Baha'i Temple

Barbie-photo source: View it here. Copyright metadata:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leonardlow/ / CC BY 2.0

Aerial photo of the Bahá'í House of Worship © 2009 Bahá'í International Community

The experience of eloquent speech - here on issues of governance in E.U.

It's rare to find such outstanding diction and expression as is wielded here - by former President of Latvia Ms. Vike-Freiberga.
(Excerpt:)

...Europe. Now, for the first time, it has a common voice on the international stage. It must use it well and use it sparingly. That means worrying less about detail and concentrating on the big ...issues — a little less time worrying about the curvature of bananas and a little more devotion to energy security and the environment.

"Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." - Bahá'u'lláh

November 21, 2009

Focus on the big issues, not the bananas

Open elections, greater democracy, energy and aid should head the list for Europe's new leaders

Vaira Vike-Freiberga

Yesterday was a good morning for Europe. Now, for the first time, it has a common voice on the international stage. It must use it well and use it sparingly. That means worrying less about detail and concentrating on the big issues — a little less time worrying about the curvature of bananas and a little more devotion to energy security and the environment.

It also means addressing valid concerns that the European Union's governing structures should be more democratic. Choosing Herman Van Rompuy as first President of the European Union and Baroness Ashton of Upholland as High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy long before the sea bass and wild mushrooms were discreetly placed on the dinner table on Thursday evening in Brussels hardly assuages those concerns.

Making the selection somewhat more transparent would no doubt have enhanced the EU's democratic credentials. There is no reason why all candidates could not declare themselves publicly beforehand. The citizens of the EU's 27 states would surely have felt more confident if they had heard candidates set out their vision on television.

It isn't difficult to communicate with the public, especially with the new technologies available to us. I was surprised by the volume of response that my candidacy received on the internet; it showed that it is wrong to say Europeans don't care who is appointed.

Ultimately, I suspect, the president might be elected. In the future, it might be possible — indeed exciting — for 500 million people to elect their president directly. It is a goal worth aiming for if we are to carry the confidence of Europe's citizens.

The union was founded to cement Europe in peace. We risk losing that if people feel alienated, have no interest in voting for their European parliamentarians and don't care what they are doing. It hardly needs a historian to point out the dangers of such sentiments becoming commonplace in a recession.

Europe is as democratic as it can be for now. It is quite a challenge to stitch together this varied group of countries, different in size, weight and economic clout, with disparate pasts and levels of internal democracy. While Western European countries have taken decades or even centuries to hone their democracies, the countries that emerged from communism are only now evolving theirs. To get this far has been a huge achievement.

We must continue to be courageous. In my lifetime I have experienced the horror of war and totalitarian rule. Europe can never again have a political system imposed on it from above. Nor can powerful countries impress their will on smaller ones. There needs to be equality at some level regardless of disparities in size. This happens in federations such as Canada and the United States. Prince Edward Island (population, 140,000) is not the same as Ontario (population 13 million); New Hampshire (1.3 million) is not the same as California (36 million).

That is not to say that Europe is ready to become a federation. In 50 years' time, perhaps, but it is not something that can be imposed. If it is to evolve, it must happen slowly and openly.

There has been much debate about whether the president of the European Council should be a consensus builder or a strong personality. One would hope to find people with both qualities. The idea that a conciliatory politician must necessarily be a boring personality is nonsense. This is a presidential position. Europe's leaders should be exciting, inspiring and able to give citizens confidence in their future.

The time for faceless bureaucracy and high-table deal-making is over. European citizens expect their representatives to be visible and to talk to them. We hope to see the new leaders on television, explaining what they are doing to the citizens of all member nations of the EU.

In ten years' time I hope Europe will be speaking with one voice on the crucial issues of the day where common interests transcend individual countries' needs. A common energy policy with respect to the sourcing and distribution of gas and oil, for example, should exist at a European level. As a big customer Europe can get a better price from a powerful supplier such as Russia than separate countries trying to get a deal piece by piece.

In terms of foreign policy, Europe spends three times as much on aid to developing countries as the US, but makes less of an impact because it is done in a scattered way. Better value would be achieved through stronger co-ordination of European efforts.

Now that the EU is working within the framework of the Lisbon treaty it must avoid the risk of getting stuck in technical detail. The larger it grows, the more it must rise above the minutiae of administration and put more oil on its wheels. Maybe it should do fewer jobs, but do them really well.

The European Union's founding fathers knew that it had to be built brick by brick if it was to be accepted. We are an extraordinary continent of diverse sovereign states collaborating more and more closely, cautiously delegating elements of our sovereignty into a central pot.

Europe has come a long way. To get where we are today took courage and grit. The worst is behind us. Though we will still be hit by crises and challenges, we have a structure for peace and stability. Let's use it well. Go to it, Europe.

Vaira Vike-Freiberga was President of Latvia 1999-2007. She is vice-chairman of the Reflection group on the long-term future of the European Union

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6926160.ece

Baha'i House of Worship gains new admirerers

Not surprising that people should become attracted to these unique structures! Here on a photo-technique site. Photo of the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

(View original here)
Twilight Blue - Photograph at BetterPhoto.com

"Bahá'í architecture is very different from the sacred architecture of any other era, because its goals are to unify the people of many different races, backgrounds, and religions into one central area where peaceful and harmonious thoughts prevail." http://is.gd/4ZbQP, http://is.gd/4ZbRC

Build ye houses of worship throughout the lands
The Bahá'í House of Worship is dedicated to the praise of God. The House of Worship forms the central edifice of the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár (the Dawning-place of the Praise of God), a complex which, as it unfolds in the future, will comprise in addition to the House of Worship a number of dependencies dedicated to social, humanitarian, educational, and scientific pursuits. 'Abdu'l-Bahá describes the Mashriqu'l-Adhkár as "one of the most vital institutions in the world", and Shoghi Effendi indicates that it exemplifies in tangible form the integration of "Bahá'í worship and service". Anticipating the future development of this institution, Shoghi Effendi envisages that the House of Worship and its dependencies "shall afford relief to the suffering, sustenance to the poor, shelter to the wayfarer, solace to the bereaved, and education to the ignorant". In the future, Bahá'í Houses of Worship will be constructed in every town and village.

http://bahai-library.com/writings/bahaullah/aqdas/notes.html

November 2009 - Man confirms the existence of water on the moon

"There is water on the Moon, scientists stated unequivocally on Friday.
"Indeed yes, we found water," Anthony Colaprete, the principal investigator for NASA's Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite, said in a news conference. "And we didn't find just a little bit. We found a significant amount."

Mission Finds Water on Moon, NASA Scientists Say - NYTimes.com

Source: www.nytimes.com

The discovery, which came out of a mission a month ago, confirmed scientists' suspicions and could help explorers.

CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/11/13/water.moon.nasa/index.html

NASA, via Reuters

This artist's rendering released by NASA shows the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite as it crashed into the moon to test for the presence of water last month.

In the days to come, ye will, verily, behold things of which ye have never heard before. - Bahá'u'lláh
http://is.gd/4V7dQ

Soundbites from Farhang's talk at the Baha'i Center in Oslo today

Some highlights from the talk, which was about Farhang's experiences with using the Institute courses to promote the Faith's growth, in Spain.
The world of humanity is sick. The purpose of the Ruhi courses (http://is.gd/4UvJU) is to create healthy "cells" in this ailing "body". It is not about study, but about learning, through practice, to become able servants to our fellow men. We focus on man's spiritual reality. Begin by nurturing ourselves (reflect on the holy verses morning & evening), then nurture others by sharing with them the verses & prayers at opportune moments. Thereby the heart is connected to the heavenly Source (the Baha'i Scriptures).

"....the whole human race is encompassed with great, with incalculable afflictions... Incline your ears to the sweet melody of this Prisoner." http://is.gd/4UvUW
(Like to join a course with me here? :-) Excerpts: http://is.gd/4UvTx )