Sunday, June 26, 2011

FAO Media Centre: Annan warns hunger could become permanent disaster

FAO Media Centre: Annan warns hunger could become permanent disaster

Annan warns hunger could become permanent disaster


Land size of France bought by hedge funds in 2009, says chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

Photo: ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
Kofi Annan addresses the 37th FAO Conference, 25 June 2011.
25 June 2011, Rome - Kofi Annan, chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, has warned that the current food security crisis, with almost one billion people hungry, could turn into a permanent disaster, endangering millions of lives as well as international cooperation.

"Along with tackling the linked problem of climate change, delivering global food and nutrition security is the challenge of our time,” he said.

Delivering the 27th McDougall Memorial Lecture on food security today, the former UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner said, "if countries cannot come together successfully to deliver food security – this most basic of human needs – our hopes for wider international co-operation look doomed."

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Riots in Dakar: Senegal's Abdoulaye Wade backs down on run-off

Protesters cover their mouths as they run through a cloud of tear gas during a demonstration in Senegal's capital Dakar 23 June 2011 

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has dropped some of his planned constitutional changes, officials say.
He no longer wants to reduce the proportion of votes needed to win a presidential election, and avoid a run-off, from more than 50% to 25%.
As MPs met in the capital, Dakar, to discuss the planned amendments, riot police used tear gas and water cannon against demonstrators outside.

Read full story from the BBC here --> http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13887613

Some more photos of the riots from my camera:

















Monday, June 20, 2011

Living lessons: The Pig and The Horse

The Pig And The Horse

There was a farmer who collected horses; he only needed one more breed to complete his collection.
One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him.
A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, who said:
- Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the third day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down.

Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation.

The next day, they gave him the medicine and left.
The pig approached the horse and said:
- Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep!

On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left.
The pig came back and said: Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three...
On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said:
- Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow.
Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses.

After they left, the pig approached the horse and said:
- Listen pal, it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three.Good, good! Now faster,come on.Fantastic! Run, run more!
Yes! Yay! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!

All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting: It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's kill the pig!

Points for reflection: 
This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things happen.

THINK....
LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL!

If anyone ever tells you that your work is unprofessional, remember: amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic.

REMEMBER…
DON'T LOOK TO BECOME A PERSON OF SUCCESS, LOOK INSTEAD TO BECOME A PERSON OF VALUE!
 
And when it’s your turn, remember to speak up for the pig :-)

Have a Lovely Day

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Breaking News! - Mariama Bah graduates to High School & Bella Bah wins President's Education Award

Breaking news!

 


Today, the Bah family is celebrating two happy events:

  • Mariama Marissa Bah (Grade 8), has graduated from Middle School to High School at the ISD, at a ceremony held today 14 June.
  • Bella Bah (Grade 6) wins the President's Award for Education Excellence, in recognition of Outstanding Academic Excellence.

We are very proud of you both and thank God for everything.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Discover the 90/10 principle

Discover the 90/10 principle




Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way you react to situations).

What is this principle?
10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react.

What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have no control over this 10%.

The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light. but you can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how you react.

Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in a 30 mph speed limit.

After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse.

You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a bad day?
A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is "D". You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day.

Here is what could have and should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say, "Its ok honey, you just need to be more careful next time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day you are having.

Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.



Here are some ways to apply the 90/10 principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge. Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your temper? Pound on the steering wheel? A friend of mine had the steering wheel fall off. Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry about it.

You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated? It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another job. The plane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why take outpour frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger. Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse.

Now you know the 90-10 principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 principle. It CAN change your life!!! Enjoy...