My parents moved to Canada when I was just entering senior kindergarten. I’ve grown up with clean water, a bed and electricity. I’m lucky. When I was in grade 6 I went to the Philippines, where my family is originally from, and I saw people who are not so lucky.

We were riding along in a jitney, a colourful cross between a taxi and a bus, and I am just minding my own business when I feel a rough cloth scrape across my foot. I looked down to find a small child, who was maybe 5 or 6, cleaning my sandals. At first I was surprised and then I just started to feel awkward. I felt awkward because this kid was cleaning another kid’s sandals, my sandals. Then I started to feel guilty, I wanted to give him anything that would take that look out of his eyes but my 11 year old self had to settle with having my parents give him a few pesos so that he could carry on his way.

I think that was my turning point in life when I realized that those kids you see on TV are real, they are in the streets, they are cleaning shoes, they are eating left over McDonald’s fries left on restaurant tables and they’re just kids- kids who are just minding their own business, just like I was minding my own business on the jitney.

I believe that the first step to alleviating poverty is through understanding. An understanding that we are in this world together; after all we all feel the heat of the same sun, all gaze up at the same stars and sleep under the same moon so why can’t understanding and overcoming poverty be something we all do together? It's time we open our minds and realize that poverty affects us all.

Children and Youth Facing HIV/AIDS
August 4, 2008
International AIDS Conference 2008
Jo Anne Tacorda

The session opened with Stephanie Raper, of Australia, a young person born HIV+ and Peter Laugharn, of the Netherlands. During the session similarities between panelists emerged such as their findings related to the discrimination and stigma youth living with HIV face in their daily lives. Adriana Gomez, of Brazil, spoke about a magazine called “Living as a Young Person,” this magazine featured workshops conducted in March – August 2007 and was first published in 2004. During those workshops, youth shared their feelings, fears and hopes. Similarly, Christabell, from Kenya, representing a group called Stay Alive Group support (SAYG), spoke about the wide gap between non-infected and infected youth, young people’s reluctance to get tested, and the lack of commitment young people have to support infected persons. Panelists also touched upon the double standard between adult and children disclosure; adults are told about their status via well trained health care providers while children and youth are often told their status via parents or caregivers who are not properly trained to support them. Discussions also focused on a growing body of evidence that suggests that while orphan hood in Africa is an important factor, it is not the only factor. Research has shown that orphans do not necessarily suffer greater deprivation so, including factors such as orphan hood, we must consider poverty, regional factors, and gender disparities as more effective measures.

Panelists showed that without education youth can perceive HIV+ status as a ‘death sentence’ and untreatable, they feel shame and exclude themselves from society. Those not infected and uneducated about the subject often use derogatory language, play ‘the blame game,’ and excluded HIV+ persons from society; as Christabell noted “discrimination leads to stigma, whether knowingly or unknowingly”. However, with proper support and education youth who are living with HIV have a better outlook on life and can see the possibilities for a brighter future.

In the future Panelists would like to see more effective strategies to combat reluctance to get tested and hold youth accountable to know their status. Panelists recommended that health care workers and parents receive training to properly support young people, take them through the testing process and also to communicate status disclosure with youth appropriately since “trust in [your parents] is key, if you can’t trust your parents who can you trust?... Keeping an illness from a child, a child who has their own body and their own mind, is devastating and should not happen” as Stephanie Raper noted. Best practices include those exemplified by SAYG who provides psychological support, opportunities to form partnerships on health issues and information for peer education. SAYG uses effective approaches including community asset mapping, programs and interventions and community resources. Developing disclosure guidelines and best practices is also important. There is also a strong need for youth friendly services so that youth feel comfortable about being tested and are open to receiving support.

Children and Youth Facing HIV/AIDS
August 4, 2008
International AIDS Conference 2008

The session opened with Stephanie Raper, of Australia, a young person born HIV+ and Peter Laugharn, of the Netherlands. During the session similarities between panelists emerged such as their findings related to the discrimination and stigma youth living with HIV face in their daily lives. Adriana Gomez, of Brazil, spoke about a magazine called “Living as a Young Person,” this magazine featured workshops conducted in March – August 2007 and was first published in 2004. During those workshops, youth shared their feelings, fears and hopes. Similarly, Christabell, from Kenya, representing a group called Stay Alive Group support (SAYG), spoke about the wide gap between non-infected and infected youth, young people’s reluctance to get tested, and the lack of commitment young people have to support infected persons. Panelists also touched upon the double standard between adult and children disclosure; adults are told about their status via well trained health care providers while children and youth are often told their status via parents or caregivers who are not properly trained to support them. Discussions also focused on a growing body of evidence that suggests that while orphan hood in Africa is an important factor, it is not the only factor. Research has shown that orphans do not necessarily suffer greater deprivation so, including factors such as orphan hood, we must consider poverty, regional factors, and gender disparities as more effective measures.

Panelists showed that without education youth can perceive HIV+ status as a ‘death sentence’ and untreatable, they feel shame and exclude themselves from society. Those not infected and uneducated about the subject often use derogatory language, play ‘the blame game,’ and excluded HIV+ persons from society; as Christabell noted “discrimination leads to stigma, whether knowingly or unknowingly”. However, with proper support and education youth who are living with HIV have a better outlook on life and can see the possibilities for a brighter future.

In the future Panelists would like to see more effective strategies to combat reluctance to get tested and hold youth accountable to know their status. Panelists recommended that health care workers and parents receive training to properly support young people, take them through the testing process and also to communicate status disclosure with youth appropriately since “trust in [your parents] is key, if you can’t trust your parents who can you trust?... Keeping an illness from a child, a child who has their own body and their own mind, is devastating and should not happen” as Stephanie Raper noted. Best practices include those exemplified by SAYG who provides psychological support, opportunities to form partnerships on health issues and information for peer education. SAYG uses effective approaches including community asset mapping, programs and interventions and community resources. Developing disclosure guidelines and best practices is also important. There is also a strong need for youth friendly services so that youth feel comfortable about being tested and are open to receiving support.

This is just two actions that i know that have been in effect to stop Canada's Cruel Seal Hunt

1. Parts of Europe have banned Canada's seafood and seal furs products

2. Some U.S. states and Canadian citizens have boycotted Canada's Seafood Industries

If you know some others please respond, so i can add them to the list.

I was asked what as the DFO and this is what i found out about that organization. DFO what does it stand for? It stands for the Departmart of Fisheries and Oceans. The DFO basicly helps regulate Canada's Waters.

Vision
Excellence in service to Canadians to ensure the sustainable development and safe use of Canadian waters.

Mission
It is our mission, as DFO employees, to deliver to Canadians the following outcomes:

Safe and Accessible Waterways;
Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems; and
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
In working toward these outcomes, the Department will be guided by the principles of sound scientific knowledge and effective management.

Mandate
On behalf of the Government of Canada, DFO is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada’s scientific, ecological, social and economic interests in oceans and fresh waters.

DFO is a national and international leader in marine safety and in the management of oceans and freshwater resources. Departmental activities and presence on Canadian waters help to ensure the safe movement of people and goods. As a sustainable development department, DFO will integrate environment, economic and social perspectives to ensure Canada’s oceans and freshwater resources benefit this generation and those to come.

The Department’s guiding legislation includes the Oceans Act, which charges the Minister with leading oceans management and providing coast guard and hydrographic services on behalf of the Government of Canada, and the Fisheries Act, which confers responsibility to the Minister for the management of fisheries, habitat and aquaculture. The Department is also one of the three responsible authorities under the Species at Risk Act.

In real terms, what do they do?

Save lives.
Work with security forces to ensure the safe and secure use of Canada’s waterways.
Help with ship-to-shore communication, navigation, and clear passageways for safe water travel.
Study, conserve and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Conduct scientific research and related activities, which are vital to the understanding and sustainable management of Canada’s oceans and aquatic resources.
Work in collaboration to manage the commercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries.
Provide services to fishermen such as issuing licences.
Create the conditions to support a vibrant and sustainable aquaculture industry.
Maintain a network of harbours.
Ensure compliance with environmental standards and regulations in support of economic development and other activities.
Provide high-quality hydrographic data, products and services.
Respond to ship-sourced oil spills
Develop and promote the wise use of technology to ensure the long-term health of Canada’s waters.

To clear things up, my blog title 'all you need is one.' comes from this quote:

"At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world. Some are running scared. Some are coming home. Some tell lies to make it through the day. Others are just now facing the truth. Some are evil men, at war with good. And some are good, struggling with evil. Six billion people in the world. Six billion souls. And sometimes -- all you need is one." -Peyton Sawyer

I think it fits my topic well, and that is why it is a part of my blog title.

What I've learned and recognized is that there can be alot of supportive people on my issue but also alot of unsuportive people. My views is that gay rights will become better and that people will learn to accept it more even if not everyone will (hopefully, a majority though) accept it . And I can't be angry about it because there will always be differences. Not everything in this world can be perfect where everyone is the same and the share the same minds and I accept that. I accept everyone opinions on my Gay Rights issue, whether they support what I support or not. Because really theres no point in arguing when not necessary because it can go on forever

Did you know that global warming can cause many different problems? Did you know that some animals are close to extinction because of global warming. Global warming can cause different problems, mostly the problems can relate to global warming, without global warming, the world will have less problems, don't you think so?

Question:
What is your reaction to my statement?

This week, I've learned that donation to global warming research is useless. We are humans, the researchers are human, too! They won't be some other cretures that careless, they can do research themselves, they don't need money to eat, so there is no reason for us to donate some money to this reaseaches. If you have any concern about My Progress Throughout This Week's Opinon (2), please feel free and talk with me about it. Thank you, folks.

Some of the global warming researchers had brought their attention on the consumers for global warming. The researchers said that the consumers had given lots of thoughts and commons helping the researchers to have a better knowledge on global warming. They had even did some charts regarding global warming, if you have seen or know anything about this, please respond my blog ASAP. Try to include some information that I do not not know and try to give some feedback to my blogs, thanks.

Sometimes temperature rises, and carbon dioxide rise with the temperature, they must have some connections with each other, don't you think so?

1. Yes, temperature has a connection with carbon dioxide.
2. No, temperature has no connnection with carbon dioxide.
3. Not sure, I do not know.

Have you notice that the sea level has rised in the these days? Has Antarctica been smaller than before, I think some of Antarctica had melted because of global warming, right?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not sure

I just came up with this idea when I saw an article saying technologies have make education worse.
How would we do this same project without the technologies????????

1.We wouldn't know the social issues that are happening far away from us (like genocide) if we don't have good technologies in the media
2.Takingitglobal. When we post blogs on takingitglobal, anyone in the world could respond to us.
3.we would have to read books to do research if we don't have access to the internet
4.it would be harder to find a book in the library if we don't use the internet.
5.Surveys. We wouldn't be able to survey the diversity of people if we just survey the people around us. When we want to make a graph of the results, the computers can make it easier for us.
6.Ask an expert. We wouldn't able to ask an expert unless we interview the expert face to face.
7.Presentation: all of us are using the smart board and PowerPoint. Technology's also making learning fun.

hehe, we are so lucky that we can do the speech project in the computer lab =P

People who used to be on the inside reported that it was so easy for them to steal weapons and explosives and unleash them onto the streets. I still need to find out more on the dealing drugs part of it that will most likely be the next blog.

In 1992 Newfoundland and Labrador, the cod stocks collapsed, the Canadian governmeant then realized that they had to close the fisheries causing over 40,000 people to lose their jobs. Communities struggled to recover from this state of shock.The Canadian government had been warned by scientists and environmentalists that the cod stocks were overfished and overexploited before this catastrophe had gone any further. This is a great example of outcomes when overfishing occurs. The future is still unclear for the cod stocks, but this catastrophe has become a warning bell to other countries that practice this overfishing.