I heard this today..the end broke my heart..

foundmylazybum

 It's kinda sad..and thought provoking.  It's about Haiti..

 

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124464928

candm

I thought it was a fairly good article/piece b/c it represented both sides of the issue. My friend linked to it on FB this morning and this is what I wrote:

I have a strong opinion about UNICEF. The running background story in the article you linked sums up UNICEF pretty well?they promise a lot, but do relatively little to improve life for the children of Haiti.

UNICEF?s position is inconsistent: "No one has the right to decide where a child should be except that child's family," Stern says. Yet when a birth family makes an independent and educated choice to relinquish a child for adoption (which everyone agrees should be a last resort), UNICEF no longer acknowledges that family?s rights.

I?d rather see UNICEF directing all of its funds to help children, rather than using those funds to buy IBESR (the Haitian social welfare ministry) workers new SUVs and to fight international adoption. In a country with an estimated 20,000 new orphans (orphaned as a result of the earthquake), UNICEF has registered 300? Is that effective by any stretch of the imagination? UNICEF should do more to feed impoverished children and reduce illegal trafficking while leaving international adoption (a 2-3 year process during which time ample steps are undertaken by both the Haitian and US governments to make sure everything is legitimate and ethical) alone

foundmylazybum

I know you have a strong opinion about the 'CEF Candm, and I also feel kinda bad when I post these stories (I think this the second or third one I've posted) and it has UNICEF in it b/c it kinda comes off like I'm a supporter! I'm not! I'm not "against" them either..I'm sadly..uneducated : / So I'm totally neutral on the topic, but when I read the story THIS  " UNICEF?s position is inconsistent: "No one has the right to decide where a child should be except that child's family," Stern says. Yet when a birth family makes an independent and educated choice to relinquish a child for adoption (which everyone agrees should be a last resort), UNICEF no longer acknowledges that family?s rights" also stood out to me as well, and I remembered what you had kinda said about it...I felt--suspicious...

 I guess what made me really sad--and mad, was the part at the end where this kid who had hope that one of these agencies was going to help him out...he clearly feels like he is sick of this life..and then..nothing...and I guess I'm wondering who's fault that is? (Should I be looking at you UNICEF?)  

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Sad. 

CaptainSerious

foundmylazybum:

 I guess what made me really sad--and mad, was the part at the end where this kid who had hope that one of these agencies was going to help him out...he clearly feels like he is sick of this life..and then..nothing...and I guess I'm wondering who's fault that is? (Should I be looking at you UNICEF?)  

I'm not sure it's anyone's fault, but UNICEF certainly isn't helping the problem.  As awful as it is, think of it this way, if the problem goes away, UNICEF officials would have reason to withdraw from the country and relocate.  I'm sure they don't want to move, so why not just not make things better.  Scream and yell and make it seem there's a huge problem, but don't do anything to fix it...and you can stay in the best quarters on the island, and not have to leave.  Sweet!

I'm sorry, I was all worked up already, and now that needs-a-sweater-for-my-feeble-brain's got me ornery.

candm

foundmylazybum:

I also feel kinda bad when I post these stories (I think this the second or third one I've posted) and it has UNICEF in it b/c it kinda comes off like I'm a supporter! I'm not! I'm not "against" them either..I'm sadly..uneducated : / So I'm totally neutral on the topic, 

. . .

 I guess what made me really sad--and mad, was the part at the end where this kid who had hope that one of these agencies was going to help him out...he clearly feels like he is sick of this life..and then..nothing...and I guess I'm wondering who's fault that is? (Should I be looking at you UNICEF?)  

Oh, I wasn't taking it as an attack by you at all. I'm sorry if I sounded overly defensive. I agree with CS's position--probably not UNICEF's fault, but how much are they helping really? Or are they just making a lot of noise?

foundmylazybum

Darn the internet! I don't think that at all Candm! I could just see how it would be conceived that I might be supporter when I keep wandering in with all these UNICEF posts and really I just keep happening upon them. 

For the record, I have never thought that you (or Captain) have been overly defensive about the topic of  UNICEF--just have a strong opinion..I like it! I'm glad that you say what you think!  I really respect that...and it has made me more aware when I'm listening--a more critical listener if you will.  I've found it helpful to me as a learner.