Salem-News.com Volunteers articles Page 9

Uganda Forces More Than 1,700 Refugees Back to Rwanda

“This operation by the Rwandan and Ugandan governments completely disregards the rights of refugees who have well-founded fears of returning to Rwanda” - Bill Frelick, director of the Refugee Program at Human Rights Watch

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Reports indicate on July 14th and 15th more than 1,700 Rwandan refugees from both Nakivale and Kyaka camps were forcibly rounded up and sent back to Rwanda by the Ugandan and Rwandan police.

Announcing food distribution, and information on the outcome of asylum appeals many began gathering around the trucks in the hope of attaining either. Police and camp commanders then forced the Rwandans onto the trucks at gunpoint using the deception and deceit.

Bikers Ride Across Oregon for Babies

Thanks to the support of generous bikers, this event raised over $54,000 in its first two years.

(SALEM, Ore.) - On Saturday, August 21st die-hard bikers and weekend warriors from across the state will ride together to raise urgently needed funds to help every baby be born healthy. The 3rd annual Bikers for Babies will start at Harley-Davidson shops in Bend, Salem and Eugene at 9:00 a.m.

Individual riders as well as motorcycle clubs will hit the road to help support March of Dimes research and programs to help moms have full-term pregnancies and babies begin healthy lives.

Innovation of the Week: Slow and Steady Irrigation Wins the Race

Since installing her own drip kit, Elizabeth has seen her income rise to between Z$1 million (US$10) and Z$4 million (US$40) per week.

(ZIMBABWE) - After Elizabeth Samhembere’s husband passed away in 2004, she struggled to feed her family. A small-scale farmer in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth had trouble getting water to her crops, and her children were too young to help with the labor-intensive task of irrigating the vegetables and strawberries she grew.

Improving Farmer Livelihoods and Wildlife Conservation

The latest good news from West Africa.

(OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso) - Earlier this month, we highlighted Nicholas Kristof’s op-ed in the New York Times about Gabon, a country in West-Central Africa where the rights of farmers are frequently in conflict with wildlife conservation efforts.

One young village chief and farmer, Evelyn Kinga explained that she doesn’t like elephants because they eat her cassava plants—a crop her livelihood depends on—because she doesn’t benefit from rich foreigners who come to Gabon for eco-tourism.

Family Completes Horseback Trip Across the US for Akha Hill Tribe

The total trip back to Salem was 476 days.

(SALEM, Ore.) - August will mark 20 years working for the Akha hill tribe in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, China and Vietnam on the part of the non profit based in Salem, The Akha Heritage Foundation.

In 2007 Matthew McDaniel and his family planned a trip across the US by horseback, to publicize the story and the plight of the Akha people in Thailand.

Salem-News.com Needs Viewer Support

We are only asking for help from those who can spare it, we do not expect viewers who are also struggling to provide financial assistance.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Several years ago, in 2004, we set out to create something that can make a difference in the world.

Innovations that Nourish the Planet

Feeding Communities by Focusing on Women‏.

(DAKAR, Senegal) - Revolutionary conspiracy theorists within the southwest hemisphere could be getting closer to connecting the graphic dots of murder and violence with impunity, narcotics trafficking as revenue, and an ideology that seeks to go beyond just financial enrichment and wealth.

Mexico's Los Zetas movement is becoming clearly more violent, using direct military confrontation and intimidation in attempts at neutralizing government and taking control of national territory.

Lives Lived and Lost in Time- Remembering Chatila

When will the time come when justice is addressed for this outrage against humanity?

(TRIPOLI) - As I walked the alleyways of Chatila yesterday, I could not help but reflect on the consequences of the mentality that justified it or the consequences caused by those devastated by it.

As I wait here 30 years later to board a boat to defy the Israeli’s continuing occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people in Gaza, I cannot avoid the reality on the ground that Israel has created.

The Golden Rings of Betrayal

Report Coincides With New Effort to Break Gaza Siege.

(BEIRUT) - On the 21st of June Haaretz published an article, “Lebanon allows Gaza-bound ship to sail to Cyprus.” Two ships may be involved, one with a contingent of Americans, approximately 10, another with a group of women including Nuns, the Miriam.

This new effort at breaking the Israeli siege of Gaza follows the attack on the boats that sailed from Turkey where 9 people were killed by Israeli naval forces.

June is Adopt a Cat Month

It can be a matter of life and death.

(SALEM, Ore.) - I am sitting on my couch watching a bounding nine-week old kitten race around my living room. Bouncing on things and attacking everything in sight. He is an orange tabby with blue eyes and long fuzzy kitten hair.

He is absolutely, irresistibly adorable. And he will probably be euthanized within two weeks.