Event: Cookies For Consciousness

BAKING FOR CHANGE:

Amber
"The Red Velvet Revolutionary"

VS.

Nasir
"The Best Cookie Maker on both sides of the Atlantic"

The aim of this event is to raise awareness and funds for ALIF's work with orphans and vulnerable children, as well commercial sex workers.

The details:
- RSVP is a must - seating is limited!!!!
Email your Name, # of guests, phone # to: hampton29@gmail.com to reserve your spot

- The cost is $5 (minimum - this is a fundraiser remember!)

- We invite you to name our competing cookie (Send suggestions for Nasir or myself to hampton29@gmail.com)

- Desserts, Teas, Coffee, Water will be served

- The prize for the best cookie - ...bragging rights! The REAL prize- Raising money and taking ACTION to make positive change in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children!

- As an attendee, YOU will get to taste test and vote for the winning cookie!

-If you can not make the event and would like to contribute click the following link: EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN!

Presentation at the Ethiopian Cultural Night

On Thursday, April 10th the ESA of CCNY hosted an Ethiopian Culture Night that highlighted the beauty of Ethiopia both past and present, which included traditional dances, a fashion show, guest performers, and traditional Ethiopian dishes. Additionally, I was honored to present on the progress of the Hiwot (Life) Campaign--an initiative to provide orphans and vulnerable children with the opportunity to actualize their right to education. Last year I spoke at the ESA's Ethiopian Culture Night after the recent launching of the Hiwot Campaign, thus I was pleased to announce that the campaign was successful in meeting our stated objective:

(1) Send 50 orphans and vulnerable children to school in Ethiopia:
Currently, 58 orphans and vulnerable children are enrolled in school through the Hiwot (Life) Campaign!

On behalf of ALIF and the women and children we serve, thank you!

Nasir Al-Amin

To learn more about ALIF visit: www.ALIF.us

Event: AMAL for ALIF

L'Altruist Noir Presents: AMAL

The Event: Amal for ALIF
On Friday, April 4th, L'Altruist Noir hosted an evening of chic altruism: AMAL. Amal, meaning 'hope', was held at France Origine (FR.OG). ALIF aids orphans and children of sex workers in Ethiopia by providing them with the opportunity access education. At present, ALIF provides approximately 58 orphans and children of sex workers with the following services:
~educational assistance and sponsorship,
~uniforms & school supplies,
~rent stipends for homeless orphans and mothers with children,

A special thank you to L' Altruist Noir and the following host:
Michael S. Hailu - Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Aja Byrd - MTV Networks
Felipe Tewes - FocusFeatures
Kai Livramento - The Fortune Society
Melanie Kannokada - PulseTV
David Bruhowski - Roque & Dalton Group
Kwame Owusu-Kesse - Triumph
Juan Fortuno - JI Group
Henock Wolde-Semait, MD - Mt. Sinai Medical Community

To learn more about L'Altruist Noir visit: http://laltruist.blogspot.com/

I thank all of the hosts as well as L'Altruist Noir for taking the initiative to put this event together in order to affect change in the lives of the women and children we serve!

Thank you,
Nasir Al-Amin

ESAi 8th Annual Summit

Photo: ESAi
Ethiopian Students Association International (ESAi) 8th Annual Summit

On Saturday, March 29th, I was honored to facilitate workshops on ALIF's work with orphans and children of sex workers in Ethiopia at the 2008 ESAi summit hosted by the ESA of George Mason University and ESAi. The theme of the three-day summit was "Looking Back-Leaping Foward." Additionally, the ESAi is the sponsor of one of ALIF beautiful children sponsored in Ethiopia. On behalf of our sponsored children and ALIF, I thank ESAi for their continued support!

In solidarity,
Nasir Al-Amin

(Columbia University) Presentation: Hearing their Voice

I would like to thank Prof. Marion Riedel of Columbia University and the AGPP Student Caucus of Columbia's School of Social Work for the invitation to present on my work with orphans and commercial sex workers in Ethiopia through ALIF.  One of my aims behind establishing ALIF was to create a medium and/or platform that would amplify the voice of the poor and underserved.  In order to amplify their voice, it first has to be heard and noted, and the accumulation of their voice is identified as a Needs Assessment. While studying at Columbia, one of the courses I took while pursing my Masters was Program Development and Evaluation, with Prof. Riedel.  One of the many skills that Prof. Riedel emphasized was beginning an initiative with a Needs Assessment, essentially their voice.  I have been blessed with the opportunity to walk alongside the poor and in some cases, I've been able to serve them as well--and at the core of that service is hearing their voice--performing a Needs Assessment. 

Again, I'm deeply in debt to Prof. Riedel, Prof. Robertson and other faculty members at Columbia for accentuating the value of their voice.

Thank you,

Nasir Al-Amin

Post Event: Thank You

Serving Humanity: “The best of mankind are those most beneficial to mankind.”

I would first like to convey a sincere appreciation to all of you for attending the fundraising and awareness-raising event hosted by Rodney and Lava Gina on behalf of ALIF. Your attendance and contribution are vital to ALIF’s aim to amplify the voice of orphans and vulnerable children, as well as the clarion call of sex workers for a better life.

In an effort to amplify their voice, the following are short videos that illustrate the plight of orphans and commercial sex workers in Ethiopia:

Title: A Father's Struggle: "I just want to be able to send her to school." {Video Part 1}  

Title: A Father's Struggle: "I just want to be able to send her to school." {Video Part 2}

Title: One Woman’s Story

Title: “I don’t want this life for her”

Title: Sex Work for HIV/AIDS Treatment {Video Part 1} (English Subtitles)

Again, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rodney and Lava Gina for hosting this fundraising and awareness-raising event.

One Life at a Time,
Nasir

*If you would like to contribute to the education of orphans and vulnerable children visit the following link: 

Donate!

EVENT: For The Love of Ethiopia

A life is not important except in the impact it has on the lives of others" (Jackie Robinson)

Event: For the Love of Ethiopia
Host: Amir Rodney Smith
Location: Lava Gina
116 Avenue C, between 7th and 8th St.
Time:7:00PM-10:00PM
Donation: $10

Discription: Ethiopia is a country of distinguished history and presence. We come together in this particular time to remember the historic victory at the Battle of Adwa (March 2, 1896) and to commemorate that victory by supporting Ethiopia's children!

Each of us can change the lives of others today. Guided by a vision and by true faith in the power of one, Nasir Al-Amin established ALIF as a means to support the Ethiopian community one child at a time. ALIF provides scholarships and school supplies for orphaned and vulnerable children within Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Through ALIF, his efforts have created a platform for us to support the change that we want and need to see in humanity.

At the core of this event is the belief that people have the power to change humanity. Therefore, our aim is to remind people of their own power to affect change and assist them with moving beyond issue awareness to actualize social change. We will show video interviews and photo journals of commercial sex workers and orphans, as well as facilitate a brief talk on ALIF’s work with this population in Ethiopia. Join us in our aim to network for social change!

Funds will go to support school fees, uniforms and supplies. Student updates will be provided for those who contribute and who sign our guest list at the event so that each of you can see the benefit of your contribution and become family to a child in need.

*For those who cannot attend but would like to purchase a uniform, school supplies or both, you can make a secure Paypal contribution online by clicking on this link:
BACKPACKS & UNIFORMS

To learn more about ALIF visit:
www.ALIF.us

Contact Information:
Rodney Amir Smith
Phone: 212.477.9319
Email: rodney.l.smith@gmail.com

Thank you for supporting change, action, and unity.

EGYPT: Girls forced to sleep rough in Cairo (video)

Source:IRIN/Youtube

Article: EGYPT: Girls forced to sleep rough in Cairo (video)

*The following are excerpts from the aforementioned article:
There are an estimated half a million street children in Egypt. Many of them are in precarious situation and face violence on the streets. This video short looks at the lives of 10-year-old Sayyida, who’s been living rough in Cairo for at least two years, and single mother Fatma. While they can go to a drop-in centre to get food in the daytime, they face an array of hazards at night in an increasingly hostile environment on the streets.

This video short highlights the dangers faced by people living on Cairo’s streets in a country of some 80 million people bursting at the seams.

Click here to read the full article.

Child labour in Yemen

Source: IRIN FILMS/ Youtube

Yemen's Al Mehwar slum

Source: IRINFILMS/Youtube

Sudanese struggle in the streets of Cairo

Source: Sudanese struggle in the streets of Cairo

Uncomfortable Truths...

By: Nasir Al-Amin

At 8 pm a woman in Ethiopia will prepare her daughter for bed, as she prepares herself for work. Although she works more than a 7 hour shift, on average 10 hours a night, she will only earn around $2.50-$3.50 a night. Beyond preparing herself outwardly, she prepares herself mentally for what the night might bring: physical and sexual assault (slapped, punched, and forced to perform sexual acts), mental abuse, theft, ridicule (from authorities and street gangs) as well as the pain and fear of leaving her daughter alone at home.

Everyday in Ethiopia, thousands of young girls and women (some as young as 15) are in the throes of commercial sex work. Poverty has exploited their orphanhood and/or destitute state. This is an uncomfortable truth, but it is their truth, and thus our truth!

"I believed the lies of a trafficker"

Source: BBC, Addis Ababa

By: Mohammed Adow

Article: Ethiopian tells of migrant ordeal

*The following are excerpts from the aforementioned article: 

An Ethiopian woman has gone public with her harrowing story about being trafficked to work in Bahrain, hoping this will serve as a warning to others. "I believed the lies of a trafficker and a family friend whom I thought I could trust," says Alem Teklu, 29.

"I ended up being abused, exploited, and held against my will. "My employer refused to pay my salary of more than six months and wanted me to forcefully marry her brother." Ethiopia has for a long time been a source of men, women, and children trafficked for forced labour and sexual exploitation. Every year thousands of young Ethiopians are trafficked for involuntary domestic labour to the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. "Sexual harassment by male members of the family I worked for were a commonplace.  They can endure severe hardship and even death on their arduous journeys to the Middle East. Many believe that trafficking is being fuelled by the abject poverty facing many Ethiopians.

Click here to read the full article!

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.

Another Ethiopian maid is found hanged

Source: Gulf Daily News

Bahrain - AN Ethiopian maid hanged herself at her Bahraini sponsor's house in Barbar at around 1pm yesterday.  The victim, who was in her 20s, was found hanging from a shower curtain rail by her sponsor, Chief Public Prosecutor Ahmed Bucheeri said yesterday. "The sponsor suspected that something was wrong with the housemaid so he broke into the bathroom to find her hanging from the rail," said Mr Bucheeri.

"She had hung herself using her scarf."

Mr Bucheeri went down to the scene and examined the body, along with a medical examiner, who found no signs of foul play.  The sponsor tried to save her by cutting down the scarf but it was too late, said Mr Bucheeri.  "Apparently the housemaid suffered from emotional problems and wanted to go back to her country, but her family insisted she stay in Bahrain," he said.  The sponsor said they had tried to get her medical help before.  "We took her to see a psychiatrist several times to help her get through her problems, but it was no use," he said.  Investigations are continuing.

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.

Ethiopian maid jumped from the second floor of a flat

Source: Gulf Daily News
By: Begena George 

An Ethiopian woman is recovering in a hospital after she jumped from the second floor of a building in an attempt to escape alleged physical abuse by a manpower agency. Serawit Gebre Medhen, 29, is being treated for head and leg injuries at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). She has worked in Bahrain for over a year as a housemaid, but had asked the Maliki Manpower Agency in Isa Town to be sent back to her country, saying that dust and heavy work were bad for her health.

"I first worked with an Iraqi family but they did not treat me well, so I told my agency, which sent me to work with a Bahraini family," said Ms Medhen.

"They were very good to me and treated me well - gave me the same good food that they ate. "But the house had too many dusty carpets and I am allergic to it so I requested to be sent back to my country as my health had failed me and I knew I wouldn't be any good to them. "My 'madam' took me to the agency and the manager got very angry with me when he heard my request and slapped me right across my face.

"This came as a shock to me but my madam too did not protest, maybe because she was scared. "When I tried to explain myself, he ordered me to shut my mouth and if I didn't he would burn my face with a lit cigarette that he was holding." She also claims that a female staff member at the agency hit her many times, once with a hardbound book on her head. "My madam went home and I was asked to stay the night at the office at Jid Ali, where I was locked in.

Click here to read the full article!

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.

Ethiopian maid in UAE commits suicide

Source: Gulf News
By: Nasouh Nazzal

(Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates) - An Ethiopian maid committed suicide on Tuesday in Al Rams area leaving a note addressed to her mother asking for her prayers. The 26-year-old Ethiopian maid identified as A.S. hanged herself to death with a rope fixed to the ceiling of a toilet at the house of her Emirati sponsor. Police have started an investigation into the case. Captain Ahmad Abdullah, Acting Head of Al Rams Police Station said they received a report from the sponsor who was shocked to find her maid hanging.

Police found a letter written by the maid herself. She did not mention a reason for committing suicide.

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.

ALIF-One Woman's Story

This is one woman's account of the poverty-induced decision to engaged in commercial sex work.

Together we can create viable alternatives to commercial sex work!

Join ALIF in this mission:
www.ALIF.us

Ethiopia is a Source Country for Human Trafficking and Sex Exploitation

Source: Department of State

Report: State Department Trafficking in Persons Report June 2006

*The following are excerpts from the aforementioned article: 

Ethiopia is a source country for men, women, and children trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Children and adults are trafficked within the country for domestic servitude and, to a lesser extent, for commercial sexual exploitation and labor, such as street vending. Small numbers of men are trafficked to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States for low-skilled forced labor. Ethiopian women are trafficked to the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, for domestic servitude; other destinations include Egypt, South Africa, Sudan, and Djibouti. Small percentages of these women are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Transit countries for trafficked Ethiopians reportedly include Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. The Government of Ethiopia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. While Ethiopia's ongoing efforts to educate migrating workers about the dangers of trafficking and detect cases of child trafficking within the country are notable, its small number of prosecutions compared to the large number of investigations is a continued cause for concern. To further its anti-trafficking efforts, the government should improve the investigative capacity of police and enhance judicial understanding of trafficking to enable a greater number of successful prosecutions, and launch a broad anti-trafficking public awareness and education campaign.

Prosecution
The Ethiopian Government's law enforcement response to trafficking improved in 2005. In May, the government enacted a new penal code with improved anti-trafficking language that criminalizes most forms of human trafficking. Working with a local NGO, police monitored five key towns for possible trafficking. At security checkpoints throughout the country, the Immigration Authority verified the legality of migrants' travel documents. Border guards on the Bossasso route reported mass movements toward Somalia; the guards stopped travelers without proper documentation and issued warnings about the dangers of irregular migration. In 2005, 520 cases of child trafficking were reported, eight of which remained under investigation at year's end. Police referred 38 cases to the prosecutor's office: by the close of the reporting period, two resulted in conviction, 18 were pending prosecution, and 18 were closed for lack of evidence or because the defendant absconded. The low conviction rate for trafficking cases serves as a poor deterrent to traffickers, who can operate with relative impunity. In late 2005, police officers assigned to anti-child trafficking units in Addis Ababa were transferred from those duties to deal with recurring street disturbances. The Ministry of Labor (MOLSA), in cooperation with the Airport Immigration Authority, prevented an unspecified number of labor migrants without valid employment contracts from departing for the Middle East.

Protection
The government provided limited assistance to trafficking victims over the last year. The child protection unit in each Addis Ababa police station collected information on rescued trafficked children to facilitate their return to their families; it also referred 262 girls to an NGO for care pending transport home. The Ethiopian consulates in Beirut and Dubai dispensed limited legal advice to trafficking victims and provided temporary shelter for victims awaiting funds to pay off abusive employers for their freedom. In 2005, MOSLA investigated 52 complaints filed by returnees and families of aggrieved employees by verifying employment agencies' reporting through the Ethiopian missions abroad: 45 complaints were determined to be unfounded, four were amicably resolved, and legal proceedings for contract violations began against labor migration agencies in three cases. Government authorities made no effort to interview returned victims about their experiences in the Middle East.

Prevention
Ethiopia's efforts to prevent international trafficking increased, but measures to increase awareness of internal trafficking were lacking. During the past year, the government tightened its implementation of foreign employment regulations, resulting in a trafficking route shift; more Ethiopian victims are reportedly transiting neighboring countries rather than flying directly out of the main airport. The Immigration Authority continued to provide printed information on trafficking to those applying for passports and required applicants to view a video on the dangers of human trafficking. MOLSA supervised the work of legal labor migration agencies through surprise inspections and required biweekly reports. In 2005, the number of registered agencies rose from five to 17, facilitating the travel of 6,200 workers to six countries. MOSLA, in conjunction with Ethiopian consulates in the Middle East, approved foreign labor contracts for an additional 1,345 workers; many Ethiopians still continue to seek international employment through black market channels. The inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee convened regularly, but its activities were not disclosed. The counter-trafficking task force, chaired by the

Click here to read the full report!

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.

Understanding Sex Work in Ethiopia{Part 1}

This brief clip is one of a 6 part series entitled, "Understanding Sex Work in Ethiopia," which is a part of a larger documentary ALIF is working on about the plight of orphans and commercial sex workers in Ethiopia.

For more information about the documentary contact Nasir at Nasir@ALIF.us.

The small hands of slavery: modern day child slavery

Source: Eldis
Authors: Save the Children UK
Publisher: Child Rights Information Network , 2007

Article: The small hands of slavery: modern day child slavery

*The following are excerpts from the aforementioned article:

Across the world, millions of children are currently being subjected to slavery. This report provides an introduction to the circumstances and abuses of children in the eight most prevalent forms of child slavery:
~child trafficking
~child prostitution
~bonded labour
~mining work
~agricultural labour
~child soldiers
~forced child marriage
~domestic slavery

Photographs, case study examples and direct quotes illustrate the experiences of enslaved children.
The report presents recommendations for governments and international organisations on actions to combat child slavery through:
~interventions to rescue and protect enslaved children
~legislation to criminalize child slavery
~the reduction of the supply of children for slavery, through measures such as working with communities and families to ~address poverty, provide them with access to credit, and offer education

Click here to read the full article!

*Note the abovementioned excerpts are direct quotes from the article and thus all credit and references should be afforded to the authors/sources.