Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
"The Revolution will not be televised"
Monday, June 11, 2007
The Revolution will not be televised.
“The Revolution will not be televised” as a phrase has been used widely, and in many occasions it is about the stark revelation that technological change is coming to our door steps. It has also been used as titles in poems and films dating back to the 1960's and 70's. Most recently political analysts have coined the phrase to fit the silent revolution going on in Venezuela after Hugo Chavez outlawed Radio Caracas television which had been critical to his leftist government. When radio Caracas was banned, little did the Venezuelan goverment know that the same TV station would soon re-emerge and start broadcasting on YouTube. Remember Joe Trippi who was the internet guru for Haward Dean during his 2004 run for US president? Mr. Trippi later wrote a book called ‘The Revolution will not be televised: Democracy, the internet and the overthrow of everything.” The book came out in the wake of what is now an internet revolution and the world of information technology we all live in. The real substance of the revolution will not be televised means that a lot of things are taking place in our day and age and which have significant impact on our lives but which, for good or for bad, are not being reported or shown on what we used to call TV. We’ll, one such event happened on Saturday June 9th, 2007, albeit silently, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Denver. A group of Africans calling itself African Heritage Foundation, led by Mohamadou Cisee, a native of Senegal came together for a fund raising dinner that would benefit school children in the Senegalese communities of Bargny, Diorbivol and Keur Samba Kar. It was a scanty 75 to 100 people that showed up for the event. However, the memories and stories narrated date back almost 10 years when tradegy struck the African community in Denver. Beginning with Stephanie Riggs, former News Anchor for CBS4 Denver to Mohamadou Cisee and to Dr. Jim Jackson of Project CURE, everyone heard recollections of the “senseless murder” of Oumar Dia at a Denver bus stop in November 1997. What Stephanie recalled was not just the brutal act of murder of a young man but what is now a legacy of gifting by the people of Denver to Senegal. The death of Oumar Dia, a house keeper at the Denver Hyatt Regency downtown at the time, has since turned into opportunities where top leaders in Denver, where Oumar Dia lived, have all poured out their hearts and souls to help those he loved back in his native Senegal. The pouring out of support for Oumar’s community has included trips and donations to Senegal ranging from donations of medical supplies by Project CURE, and the construction of water facilities to help the people of Senegala and visits by a delagation of Denver city officials to Senegal. “You can’t stop spreading the word about what needs to happen in Africa”, "There is nothing as a hopeless situation” Stephanie Riggs said at the June 9th occasion, after noting the joyous celebrations and greetings that she received when she visted Senegal a few years ago. To recognize the work that Mohamadou Cisse has done for Senegal and rural communities where Omar Dia came from, he was awarded a honorary doctorate of humanities by the Denver Institute of Urban Studies. Representing the institute was Dr. H. Malcolm Newton of who presented the certificate to Mohamadou Cisee.The event wrapped up at about 8 PM MST.
Written by George Bamu at Monday, June 11, 2007 1 comments Links to this post
The Revolution will not be televised.
“The Revolution will not be televised” as a phrase has been used widely, and in many occasions it is about the stark revelation that technological change is coming to our door steps. It has also been used as titles in poems and films dating back to the 1960's and 70's. Most recently political analysts have coined the phrase to fit the silent revolution going on in Venezuela after Hugo Chavez outlawed Radio Caracas television which had been critical to his leftist government. When radio Caracas was banned, little did the Venezuelan goverment know that the same TV station would soon re-emerge and start broadcasting on YouTube. Remember Joe Trippi who was the internet guru for Haward Dean during his 2004 run for US president? Mr. Trippi later wrote a book called ‘The Revolution will not be televised: Democracy, the internet and the overthrow of everything.” The book came out in the wake of what is now an internet revolution and the world of information technology we all live in. The real substance of the revolution will not be televised means that a lot of things are taking place in our day and age and which have significant impact on our lives but which, for good or for bad, are not being reported or shown on what we used to call TV. We’ll, one such event happened on Saturday June 9th, 2007, albeit silently, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Denver. A group of Africans calling itself African Heritage Foundation, led by Mohamadou Cisee, a native of Senegal came together for a fund raising dinner that would benefit school children in the Senegalese communities of Bargny, Diorbivol and Keur Samba Kar. It was a scanty 75 to 100 people that showed up for the event. However, the memories and stories narrated date back almost 10 years when tradegy struck the African community in Denver. Beginning with Stephanie Riggs, former News Anchor for CBS4 Denver to Mohamadou Cisee and to Dr. Jim Jackson of Project CURE, everyone heard recollections of the “senseless murder” of Oumar Dia at a Denver bus stop in November 1997. What Stephanie recalled was not just the brutal act of murder of a young man but what is now a legacy of gifting by the people of Denver to Senegal. The death of Oumar Dia, a house keeper at the Denver Hyatt Regency downtown at the time, has since turned into opportunities where top leaders in Denver, where Oumar Dia lived, have all poured out their hearts and souls to help those he loved back in his native Senegal. The pouring out of support for Oumar’s community has included trips and donations to Senegal ranging from donations of medical supplies by Project CURE, and the construction of water facilities to help the people of Senegala and visits by a delagation of Denver city officials to Senegal. “You can’t stop spreading the word about what needs to happen in Africa”, "There is nothing as a hopeless situation” Stephanie Riggs said at the June 9th occasion, after noting the joyous celebrations and greetings that she received when she visted Senegal a few years ago. To recognize the work that Mohamadou Cisse has done for Senegal and rural communities where Omar Dia came from, he was awarded a honorary doctorate of humanities by the Denver Institute of Urban Studies. Representing the institute was Dr. H. Malcolm Newton of who presented the certificate to Mohamadou Cisee.The event wrapped up at about 8 PM MST.
Written by George Bamu at Monday, June 11, 2007 1 comments Links to this post
Thursday, July 26, 2007
WPF TEAMS UP WITH IMR TO HELP IMPROVE VILLAGERS’ LIVES
From September 30th to October 16th, 2005, Working Partners Foundation and International Medical Relief brought groups of volunteers who worked in three Senegalese villages and provided free health care to thousand of people in the regions of Dakar, Kaolack and Matam. Mr. Mamadou Deme, Minister- Counselor at the Senegal Embassy in Washington D.C. helped plan for the trip.
The first group headed by Mr. Yale King, President of WPF, arrived in Dakar Monday October 3rd. It also comprised Ms. Kelly Carter and Mr. Ed Luminati, both from WPF.
They were joined by Dr. Khalifa Aboubacar Cisse, Djiby Gaye and Mohamadou L. Cisse. Djiby Gaye is Mamadou Gaye’s younger brother and served as the chauffeur.
WPF has initiated many projects in Senegal, and has relied on the professional expertise of Khalifa A. Cisse, a physician who practices occupational Health in Dakar and the generosity of Mamadou Gaye, who tirelessly helps accommodate Colorado groups. Mr Gaye is a cousin of Oumar Dia, a Senegalese immigrant who was slain in Denver eight years ago. Mr. Gaye lives in Dakar, where he owns retail and real estate businesses.
The second group was composed of International Medical Relief’s volunteers. They were medical practitioners, dentists, and nurses among others.
International Medical Relief is a Denver-based humanitarian organization. It frequently sends medical supplies and aid workers to developing countries. Its president, Mme Shauna Vollmer King led in March 2001 a medical team to Senegal and sent another one in June 2003.
IMR medical team landed at Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport early Thursday October 6th. After clearing custom, it boarded a bus hired for in –country transportation and headed to Saint –Louis. This would allow cutting into the 10-hour travel time and being closer to the village of Diorbivol
Starting on Tuesday October 4th the delegation met with various government authorities. The visits, arranged by Minister Deme provided an opportunity for Mr. King to explain WPF’s vision and purpose in Senegal and the continent of Africa.
The Minister of Social Development, Family and Women visited with the group for ninety minutes. She expressed gratefulness and thanked Working partners Foundation for its work in Senegal. She assured WPF that her department would facilitate the humanitarian actions aimed at helping the populations of Senegal.
Mr. King also accepted an invitation to visit the city of Bambey, hometown of the Minister, in the central region of Senegal. He intends to send in volunteers soon.
The group met with Mr. Boubacar Ba on October 5th. Mr. Ba is a senior advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He promised to report to the Minister about the activities of WPF.
On October 6th the group visited Mrs. Joseph Pierre Ndiaye Cabinet Director of the Minister of Education and Ousmane Senghor, International cooperation specialist at the Ministry of Health.
Mr. Ndiaye explained some of the education programs that need philanthropic intervention and asked WPF to determine the forms of its assistance.
Mr. Senghor has been a major support for Colorado teams of volunteers, since 1999. He expressed words of thank and exhorted WPF to continue the good work it is doing in Senegal.
It was on the way back to the Hotel that something important happened:
Mr. King had spotted a youngster walking toward an alley, with great difficulty. He yelled at the driver to stop the vehicle and turn back. Mr. King jumped out of the moving truck and begun a chase after the boy. The incident led WPF to finding the Centre de l’abri. The Centre is located off route de Ouakam, near the French High School, lycee Jean Mermoz. It is home to handicapped children from disabled families.
Mme Rose Diouf who manages the establishment explained the vital services the Centre provides for these children. Mr. King committed to assist her in helping the youngsters. The WFP donated money and toys amounting to seven hundred dollars.
Mr. King later sent new crutches to the Centre. They will help the mobility of young Joseph Ndiaye who is paralyzed, from the waist down. He is a 12-year-old orphan.
On October 9th, Working Partners foundation held a dinner at the hotel Meridien President and took the opportunity to honor the authorities and its partners in Senegal.
Over the course of ten days the medical team worked in the villages of Diorbivol, Wacka and Keur Samba Ka and at the Centre de l’abri. Hundreds of patients were seen. Thousands of pounds of medical supplies were distributed, as well as books, toys and school supplies.
In the afternoon of October 9th, Mr. King and his associates took a 2-hour flight from Dakar airport to the landing strip of Ourossogui. They met up with IMR medical team and rode back together to the village.
The rainy season had isolated the area and Diorbivol became an island, accessible only by waterways.
It was after a 90-minute boat ride, under the moonlight, that the humanitarians reached the village of Diorbivol. Yet, there seemed no soul asleep. People were singing and dancing on the riverbank and in the main alley. There was the sea of people.
The volunteers were escorted to the compound of Oumar Dia’s family. The welcome ceremony started.
Mattress was set aside for the group’s accommodation. The music was louder, the dancing more frantic. The party was on. The group enjoyed very much the shows.
After a while, one man stood up from among the elders and commanded the crowd’s attention. The drumming and singing stopped. The crowd got quiet. The man, who seemed to be village chief, greeted the Coloradoans and welcomed them in the village. He recalled the previous stays of Americans in the village. He expressed the village’s honor to have such distinguished guests. After the chief’s speech, women and youth representatives greeted and welcomed the group.
Mr. Yale King expressed words of gratefulness and thanks. He said that the main purpose of the trip was to continue developing the friendship existing between Colorado and Senegal. He explained the various humanitarian actions that would take place in the days ahead. Sileye Gaye helped facilitate the communication.
Soon after the speechs, the crowd dispersed. Two subgroups were formed, for better accommodation. Some went to the compound of Mamadou Gaye’s family and some stayed at the Dia’s.
The next morning after breakfast, the group met with the elders of the villages. The group was introduced to the elders who greeted them and welcomed them. The group saluted the elders and discussed the program. In a village like Diorbivol, the society of the elders plays an important role in people’s life. One has to be introduced to and approved by the elders in order to be accepted by all.
The rest of the day and the following one were spent setting up clinic and examining patients.
On October 10th the medical team departed from Diorbivol.
The next destination was Wacka Ngouna and Keur Samba Ka (9 Km. Southeast of Wacka.) Clinics were held in these villages on October 12 and 13.
On October 14th, the medical team visited the children of the Centre de l’abri.
The group went to Goree Island on October 15th and had dinner at Mamadou Gaye’s house.
The group left Senegal early in the morning of October 16th to come back home to the US.
Some were already planning to return.Mohamadou L. Cisse
The first group headed by Mr. Yale King, President of WPF, arrived in Dakar Monday October 3rd. It also comprised Ms. Kelly Carter and Mr. Ed Luminati, both from WPF.
They were joined by Dr. Khalifa Aboubacar Cisse, Djiby Gaye and Mohamadou L. Cisse. Djiby Gaye is Mamadou Gaye’s younger brother and served as the chauffeur.
WPF has initiated many projects in Senegal, and has relied on the professional expertise of Khalifa A. Cisse, a physician who practices occupational Health in Dakar and the generosity of Mamadou Gaye, who tirelessly helps accommodate Colorado groups. Mr Gaye is a cousin of Oumar Dia, a Senegalese immigrant who was slain in Denver eight years ago. Mr. Gaye lives in Dakar, where he owns retail and real estate businesses.
The second group was composed of International Medical Relief’s volunteers. They were medical practitioners, dentists, and nurses among others.
International Medical Relief is a Denver-based humanitarian organization. It frequently sends medical supplies and aid workers to developing countries. Its president, Mme Shauna Vollmer King led in March 2001 a medical team to Senegal and sent another one in June 2003.
IMR medical team landed at Leopold Sedar Senghor International Airport early Thursday October 6th. After clearing custom, it boarded a bus hired for in –country transportation and headed to Saint –Louis. This would allow cutting into the 10-hour travel time and being closer to the village of Diorbivol
Starting on Tuesday October 4th the delegation met with various government authorities. The visits, arranged by Minister Deme provided an opportunity for Mr. King to explain WPF’s vision and purpose in Senegal and the continent of Africa.
The Minister of Social Development, Family and Women visited with the group for ninety minutes. She expressed gratefulness and thanked Working partners Foundation for its work in Senegal. She assured WPF that her department would facilitate the humanitarian actions aimed at helping the populations of Senegal.
Mr. King also accepted an invitation to visit the city of Bambey, hometown of the Minister, in the central region of Senegal. He intends to send in volunteers soon.
The group met with Mr. Boubacar Ba on October 5th. Mr. Ba is a senior advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He promised to report to the Minister about the activities of WPF.
On October 6th the group visited Mrs. Joseph Pierre Ndiaye Cabinet Director of the Minister of Education and Ousmane Senghor, International cooperation specialist at the Ministry of Health.
Mr. Ndiaye explained some of the education programs that need philanthropic intervention and asked WPF to determine the forms of its assistance.
Mr. Senghor has been a major support for Colorado teams of volunteers, since 1999. He expressed words of thank and exhorted WPF to continue the good work it is doing in Senegal.
It was on the way back to the Hotel that something important happened:
Mr. King had spotted a youngster walking toward an alley, with great difficulty. He yelled at the driver to stop the vehicle and turn back. Mr. King jumped out of the moving truck and begun a chase after the boy. The incident led WPF to finding the Centre de l’abri. The Centre is located off route de Ouakam, near the French High School, lycee Jean Mermoz. It is home to handicapped children from disabled families.
Mme Rose Diouf who manages the establishment explained the vital services the Centre provides for these children. Mr. King committed to assist her in helping the youngsters. The WFP donated money and toys amounting to seven hundred dollars.
Mr. King later sent new crutches to the Centre. They will help the mobility of young Joseph Ndiaye who is paralyzed, from the waist down. He is a 12-year-old orphan.
On October 9th, Working Partners foundation held a dinner at the hotel Meridien President and took the opportunity to honor the authorities and its partners in Senegal.
Over the course of ten days the medical team worked in the villages of Diorbivol, Wacka and Keur Samba Ka and at the Centre de l’abri. Hundreds of patients were seen. Thousands of pounds of medical supplies were distributed, as well as books, toys and school supplies.
In the afternoon of October 9th, Mr. King and his associates took a 2-hour flight from Dakar airport to the landing strip of Ourossogui. They met up with IMR medical team and rode back together to the village.
The rainy season had isolated the area and Diorbivol became an island, accessible only by waterways.
It was after a 90-minute boat ride, under the moonlight, that the humanitarians reached the village of Diorbivol. Yet, there seemed no soul asleep. People were singing and dancing on the riverbank and in the main alley. There was the sea of people.
The volunteers were escorted to the compound of Oumar Dia’s family. The welcome ceremony started.
Mattress was set aside for the group’s accommodation. The music was louder, the dancing more frantic. The party was on. The group enjoyed very much the shows.
After a while, one man stood up from among the elders and commanded the crowd’s attention. The drumming and singing stopped. The crowd got quiet. The man, who seemed to be village chief, greeted the Coloradoans and welcomed them in the village. He recalled the previous stays of Americans in the village. He expressed the village’s honor to have such distinguished guests. After the chief’s speech, women and youth representatives greeted and welcomed the group.
Mr. Yale King expressed words of gratefulness and thanks. He said that the main purpose of the trip was to continue developing the friendship existing between Colorado and Senegal. He explained the various humanitarian actions that would take place in the days ahead. Sileye Gaye helped facilitate the communication.
Soon after the speechs, the crowd dispersed. Two subgroups were formed, for better accommodation. Some went to the compound of Mamadou Gaye’s family and some stayed at the Dia’s.
The next morning after breakfast, the group met with the elders of the villages. The group was introduced to the elders who greeted them and welcomed them. The group saluted the elders and discussed the program. In a village like Diorbivol, the society of the elders plays an important role in people’s life. One has to be introduced to and approved by the elders in order to be accepted by all.
The rest of the day and the following one were spent setting up clinic and examining patients.
On October 10th the medical team departed from Diorbivol.
The next destination was Wacka Ngouna and Keur Samba Ka (9 Km. Southeast of Wacka.) Clinics were held in these villages on October 12 and 13.
On October 14th, the medical team visited the children of the Centre de l’abri.
The group went to Goree Island on October 15th and had dinner at Mamadou Gaye’s house.
The group left Senegal early in the morning of October 16th to come back home to the US.
Some were already planning to return.Mohamadou L. Cisse
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