ISSN 1710-6931 February 4, 2005 Issue 40
FEATURE ARTICLES

Mohomou Prepares for a Computer Resource Center

by Mengly Taing
mtaing@berkeley.edu

Alex Adjei is a RESPECT volunteer that has collected 420 letters from six different refugee schools for the letter exchange program, including Mohomou Refugee School. He has volunteered there for the last fourteen years since he fled the civil war in his native Liberia in 1990. Today, Alex is one of many in his community who will be helping to install computers in the new computer resource center to allow a broader range of communication for its estimated 2,000 students.

The community has come together to transform an old transit center for refugees into a computer resource center for the students, refugees, and Guineans in the community of Nzerekore, Guinea in West Africa, where the school is located. "The computer center is a complete block building with five rooms and a very big sitting room which is to be [used] for the school." There are iron doors and the windows are covered with steel bars. The building also lacks a coat of paint. more>>

Peace and Mines: Youth Rising to Action

by Lydia Bezeruk

On 13-14 January, the Winnipeg branch of the Youth Mine Action Ambassador Programe (YMAAP) held a "Peace & Mines: Rising 2 Action Symposium" attended by 22 high school students. It provided opportunities for participants to link up with international campaigners fighting against landmines, as well as learn practical skills in government relations, organizing events and engaging the media.

Landmines have killed more people than chemical, biological and nuclear weapons combined. They are often called "weapons of mass destruction in slow motion." Young people have been involved in the campaign to ban landmines since the beginning in 1994. Now, 10 years after the campaign began, landmines are banned in 143 countries around the world; however, they continue to kill and maim civilians for years after. more>>

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Annual Poster Contest

by Anim Haroom

The theme for this year's contest is "The Connected World: What binds us together?" Students from all parts of world are encouraged to enter the contest by creating artwork relating to the theme.

We will select winners in several age categories among refugee and non-refugee students. Entry information and rules can be found on RESPECT's website. more>>


Marc Schaeffer's laptop stolen at his school

by Marc Schaeffer

Having my lap top computer stolen from me has implications for both myself and RESPECT in general.

First, about two years of e-mail were lost. If you have a folder of RESPECT email and you are able to forward it to me in a format that would allow me to import the e-mail I would be indebted to you. more>>


LETTERS

What RESPECT Means To Me

Here are some of the letters from some students concerning the topic: What RESPECT Means To Me.

RESPECT means a lot to me. It is because of RESPECT that I am able to communicate to friends in another country and I hope RESPECT will continue the good work.

Jenneh Cole
Saint Joseph Secondary School Moyamba Sierra Leone

more>>


As in any newsletter or magazine, RESPECT e-zine is committed to striving for interesting articles and announcements concerning refugee issues all around the world.

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