ISSN 1710-6931 March 18, 2005 Issue 43
FEATURE ARTICLES

Translating RESPECT's Message

by Jason Miks

It would be tempting to think that translating RESPECT's message into different languages is as simple as copying the text into an online translator and transposing the results onto the website. Yet the reality is not so simple. more>>

A Second Chance: Online Volunteers Support Refugee Community in Uganda

by United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

In the northern Ugandan district of Kitgum, nearly two decades of ongoing civil and tribal conflicts have devastated the region's population. Many people have been killed, abducted, or forced into fighting. Those left behind end up in refugee camps where they live in fear and have little promise for a better future. Children and teenagers are the most vulnerable, as access to quality healthcare and education is scarce. more>>

PHOTO GALLERY

 

Francis Abayomi

Francis Abayomi has made a significant impact on the lives of refugees during his first year as RESPECT Nigeria Country Coordinator.


AFFILIATES

RESPECT Nigeria Country Coordinator Makes an Impact in First Year

by Lillian Langford

(this is the first in a series of three articles regarding RESPECT Nigeria)

"My vision of a world that works for everyone is a world free of [the] poverty which brings illiteracy, lack of information and education, conflict…inequality, unaccountability, ignorance…government corruption, HIV/AIDS, and unemployment." These are the words of Francis Abayomi, the country coordinator of RESPECT Nigeria, who has spent the past ten years turning this vision into a reality. Mr. Abayomi, having obtained his Higher National Diploma (HND) in civil engineering from Yaba College of Technology, is now completing his graduate studies in the same discipline at the prestigious Ladoke Akintola University of Technology in Ogbomosho (Oyo State, Nigeria). Born as the first of five boys, Francis has long understood the gravest threats to his native country, Nigeria, and our world as a whole. Now, through his own education and experience, he is committed to fighting against them. more>>

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Trouble in Togo

The mailing of non refugee students letters from Togo to Tanzania and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been delayed due to the recent political turmoil in the country. Indeed after the death of Togo President Gnassingbe Eyadema in January, the Army bypassed the country's constitution and appointed Eyadema's son the new president. It resulted a street agitation from the opposition movement against what they called a "coup d'etat".

Complexe Le Savoir, the students High School is located in Be, a Lome neighbourhood which happens to be part of the opposition's territory. The movement called "Togo a Dead Country," organized by the opposition parties, has greatly affected school schedules and the lives of the students in this high school in Togo. Mr Amakouévi Mensah d'Almeida, letter exchange contact teacher, reported the death of two students: one shoot in the head and one beaten to death by "men in uniform."

RESPECT deeply regrets such tragic events and conveys all its condolences to both families. The letter exchange program is to teach about living together in peace, it is so sad the students have to face cruel violence in their school. As soon as the national situation settles down, the first letters will be sent to refugees in New English Center for Hope, Tanzania and Peace Institute, DRC, let's hope these inspiring school names will help to build a warm and peaceful exchange between the young pen pals.


Two RESPECT Cameroon members resettled in Winnipeg

Two Yaounde refugee pen pals have flown to Canada after being resettled with their family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. INGABIRE Adeline and MANIRAKIZA Eric are two Yaounde Respect Club members who were about to take part in a letter exchange with the Bourg Madame High School Solidarity Club in France. Their families were elected via a sponsorship program for resettlement in Canada. They have just arrived there and they are already suffering from the huge temperature gap (Yaounde 86°F - Winnipeg 0°F), and have difficulties to understand the Canadian accent but they soon will adjust to their new environment. We wish them a good luck for their new Canadian life. Nestor Nyoma, Yaounde Respect Club coordinator will probably recruit two new members to take their place in the letter exchange program.


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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