Universal Children’s Day :

How many of us take a bit of time out of our demanding schedules to think about those less fortunate ? How many of us take the initiative to improve life for those people ? For those of us that are eager to help out but don’t know how, JAAGO Foundation provides a great guideline. JAAGO Foundation supplies many underprivileged and poverty stricken children with hope of a better future.

Founded in April 2007 by Mr. Korvi Rakshand, JAAGO has come a long way in these three years. The first project taken on by the foundation was to distribute relief to the 2007 flood victims in Rayer Bazaar, Dhaka. After seeing the appalling living conditions of the children residing in the Rayer Bazaar slums, the JAAGO team formed the idea for their first life-size project: A free of cost English medium school for the children of the Rayer Bazaar area. That programme remains the principle guiding factor of the foundation. At present there are 280 lucky students reaping the benefits of the institution. English was the chosen medium of instruction for the school as learning to communicate in the international language will create a more concrete base for their futures.

The organization has come up with a number of development projects focusing on the sectors of formal education, non-formal education, health & nutrition, public/private health sector development, skill development training, women’s empowerment, information technology, environmental management and so on. At JAAGO, they understand that education is not the only stepping stone needed to build a better society.

Having already brought about such positive results since its inception, you may wonder what JAAGO’s plans for the future are. JAAGO Foundation intends to have a fully operational branch in every district of Bangladesh, to help as many children as possible.... ‘As a young adult of this generation, I can’t turn away from the millions of faces that stare at me blankly, Blank as they have stopped hoping for a better future, stopped asking for an extra meal and stopped expecting anything from the world anymore,’ says Korvi. Such passion and care to reach out to the children is the driving force of the foundation, cementing the idea that the institution will continue to grow.

JAAGO Foundation currently has three Major Sources of Funds :

Child sponsorship, project/program sponsorship and Donation. A monthly amount of BDT 1,000 is collected from each of the 200 sponsors for the 200 children under the child sponsorship program.

The organization also manages to receive project/program sponsorships from various corporate parties. In addition, the members of JAAGO give donations from time to time. These funds, along with voluntary donations from individuals, constitute of the total funding of the organization.

(If you are interested in sponsoring the Universal Children’s Day event or making donation, simply write your name/affiliation, medium of donation, event to which you would like to contribute and email it to (info@jaago.com.bd)

Universal Children’s Day is still an obscure celebration in Bangladesh. However, each year JAAGO create waves of awareness with their massive Universal Children’s Day programme. This year, they will have 1000 volunteers and 1000 street children involved that is double the amount of last year.

Scores of volunteers are recruited to switch lives with the poor street urchins that roam the streets of Bangladesh. For one day, these children are taken off the streets to have a fun day with JAAGO volunteers. They are entrained, fed and taken care of. On this same day, hundreds of volunteers disperse onto the busy streets, armed with flowers, cotter candy, popcorn and good will.

Home in the Global Village :

Welcome home. The immigration official smiled up at me as he handed my passport back. Just those two words and a smile. He did not ask me any of the questions to which I had prepared answers to in my head during my airplane's descent into Chieago's O'Hare Airport. While grabbing my luggage, I was further welcomed y a dozen smiles, and greetings of how ya doing? then the cherry on top. heart rending shout of Baba, Baba, Daddy, Daddy! from my little man, a whirling dervish of madcap hair, long eyelashes, missing tooth, hugs kisses, and manic energy pouring forth in a burst of stories and plans games to be played, books to be read, places to be visited. As I took my wife in my arms and was greeted by the warmth of my mom-in-law, it hit me ..... I was home !

since my move to Dhaka, and my wife and son's continued transition to life in Dhaka (with extended breaks in Wisconsin), I would often trip over statements referring to my life back home. When talking about he US, or 'coming back home' when somehow did not feel comfortable with referring to both places as 'home'' I had fallen victim to a particular emotion when thinking of America that  seems to only affect liberals, especially ones who look at America from outside its borders a sense of disillusionment, a feeling akin to unrequited love (where the object of the love not only rejects the love, but also all of the values of the lover). Like reports in newspaper and friends' blogs about the rightward shift in American politics since the enthusiasm generated on the left by Obama's election. I have been deeply distrbed by the Islamophobia that seems to have risen to the surface at the prodding of the park 51 controversy in NewYourk. I continue to be bemused by the irrationality country is heading (and whose falt it is as to why we are here). Every newspaper opinion piece, dinner conversation and online discussion seemed to focus on all that ails America, making my detachment from America all that much easier. By the time I boarded my airplane in Dhaka, I was thinking of America as the 'other'. 

However, all that started changing after hearing the first shout of 'Baba! My change in perception has continued in my last few days in Wisconsin as I have been reminded why I love home. Coming home to America, my country which has succored me my whole adult life, educatied me., trained me, helped me find my place in this workd and picked me up when I feel, has wiped out all the doubts, the feelings of disillusionment and of unrequited love, which I have felt while I was away for the last couple of years. 

Breakfast every morning of oatmeal, brown bread and fruits with my family while watching the morning sun stoke the autumn leaves golden. walks by the river in the cool day while breathing out steam, visits to my son's school and eating lunch with his classmates, driving fast on the highway and singing to old songs on the radio with my wife and son, laughing with old friends, with the joy and laughter wiping away the years in between. I am again amazed (like I was when I first landed on these shores 22years ago) at hte courtesy and affability of strangers, the diversity and energy that is present everywhere I go and that seems tobelie all of the pundits who are ringing the death knell of the great American experiment. 

Home is where my son and my wife were born. home is a place which resonates with 'yes'and 'can do' where 'impossible' becomes 'i.m.possible': home is where my mon-in-law is my son's best friend and greates teacher. home is where I looked into my wife's eyes 20years ago and vowed to celebrate with her through times of illumination and love, and support her during darkness and turmoil, and bewith her until death. home is wheremy friends are home is where I will vote on November 3th and hop onto to a planne to fly home that very day. Home is wisconsin, America.

Home is where I was born I was born. home is where my ancestors are buried home is where my mother relished the food she feeds me, and bestows on me her blessings by softly blowing on my head after her prayers. home is where my son's "dadaumoni" is waiting to help him grow, where his cousins are there to help him feel he is part of something bigger. home is where my friends are home is where I go back to work on November 4th. Home is Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Mind / Body Connection : Continue.......:

Given below is and overview of a study conducted by John Hopkins University on some common mood disorder related conditions :

 

Heart Diseases :

People who suffer from depression after experiencing an attack, risk a second one. On the other hand people who generally stay depressed increase the risk of suffering from a heart attack or even dying from a heart disease.

Headache :

Tension headaches which become chronic occur frequently on people with anxiety and depression. They are usually caused by the contractiion of the muscles in the scalp and neck a common physical reaction when one is under emotional stress.

Constipation or Diarrhoea :

www.springerimages.com

Anxiety is often linked with IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) which mainfests itself as diarrhoea or constipation. According to many experts 60% of those have generalised anxiety may make you more aware of spasms in your colon or that anxiety affects the immune system and may trigger symptoms of IBS.

Vomiting and Nausea :

www.archive.student.bmj.com

Nausea and vomiting are also considered as symptoms of mood disorder. According to a study, among the people who had major complaints of nausea, 41 percent were diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 24 percent of them with depression.

Osteoporosis :

www.infolongtermcare.org

One theory is that people with major depression have lower bone mineral density, a measure of the strengh of your bones, than those with no mood disorders. It is also said that is that depression may cause increased levels of a neurotransmitter that interferes with bone building. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with increased fracture risk, but there’s growing evidence that depression itself may put bones at risk.

High blood pressure :

www.adam.about.net

There is evidence that chronic anxiety may lead to high blood pressure. Anxiety is likely to produce temporary spikes in blood pressure rather than presistent hypertension. Frequent spikes can damage your bolld vessels, heart and kidneys and increase your risk of a stroke.

We usually taker our mental health for granted. But the fact is that it requires effort to build and maintain both mental and physical health, because both the mind and the body are closely linked. The ore time and energy we can invest in our mental and emotional health, the stronger we will be and the better prepared to deal with difficult and challenging situations. this means a good mental health promotes a health body, which again can be done by leading a healthy and positive lifestyle!

Mind / Body Connection :

www.mindbodyconnection.net

Most people will agree that anxiety, depression, stress and such mental disorders may affect our physical health. In addition, research suggests that mental health conditions may negatively affect ones physical health as well.

 Theses days we are so busy with work, household chores, the kids and a thousand problems that come along with the daily routine that we forget to think about our health. Even if we do manage to find a few minutes to ponder on our physical health, mental health care never crosses our mind. But mental health is just as important: in fact our mental well-being and our physical health are strongly connected. After all we need to be healthy both physically, mentally and emotionally if we need to finish the complicated proposal at work, send children to the best schools, save for the future, buy a house and successfully complete the hundredth task that has been occupying our minds. Everybody wants to enjoy life and live to a ripe old age, right ?

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association (2003), mental health conditions may negatively affect your physical health. For example, anxiety and stress are often associated with severe headaches, stomach ulcers, and hypertension. Many believe that depression and anxiety are condition of the mind influencing one’s mood and outlook on life. But that is party true, The fact is for many people the more common manifestations of depression and anxiety are physical and not mental, which can again lead to long term consequences.

Single Woman About Town. Beware :

Sometime, I feel like I have a tattoo stamped on my forehead heralding my single status and begging for pity from passer-by especially from female ones. It is a touth sale convincing people that being single doesn't necessarily mean I'll end up living alone with dezens of cats.

As soon as people hear the words single and late twenties used in the same sentence, they instinctively offer consolation and half-hearted optimism about a future possible romantic connection. No matter, how much I may protest and assure them that I relish being single, the bottom line, according to the society at large, is that single-ites should be pitied. 

But truth be known, being single at this particular age and period works wonders. 

Personally, I don't think I'm missing out by not being romantically involved. I have a great career, fantastic friends and a strong support system, and if I may add a wonderful future ahead of me. Sure, a lot of my single friends are swiftly getting hitched and starting families, but their life choices do not reflect nor affect mine. 

However, as much as I may shout those words at the top of my lungs, the people around me assume that I must be putting on a brave front. Underneath it all, they assume, I must be an insecure woman hell-bent on getting hitched.

The pressure to conform to the standard hetero normative marriage model is overwhelming, to say the least. There is an unspoken stigma associated in seeing a young single woman enjoying her life. I have had countless relatives, well-wishers, and even acquaintances lament at my single status. The message is quite clear-I am supposed to feel inadequate because I am single. Offtentimes the message is conveyed through countless blind dates, unsolicited advice to change this or alter that to make myself that more appealing to the opposite sex, or blatant arguments that my romantic expectations are fantastical. Suffice to say, their interpretation of my perpetual single-ness stems from my refusal to conform to the conventional wishdom of matrimony at a young age. 

The subtle but potent discrimination from elder females is palpable. But now, even my peers seem to have in herited the bias. Many times, my single friends and I have detected the flicker of pity splashed across the faces of young married women when they inquire about our status. If that isn't bad enough, we, single women, must also be kept at a safe distance from the married men, lest we pry them away from their partners. 

It's astounding to grasp the numerous assumptions that are towed upon us solely on our single status. We are at once sized up, singled out, and ostracized for daring to be single in this society. The thought of us choosing to be single is unacceptable. The perennial belief is that we are constantly on the prowl for the next best male partner.

Yep, the pressure to throw away my single-ness is a constant uphill battle. There are bad days when I want to cave in and marry the next Tom. Dick or Harry who happens to fancy me: and then there are the good days when I discover that I am sheltered from the complications and distractions that a romantic entanglement might bring. I've learned a while ago that adhering to societal rules won't guarantee happiness. So, I take immense pride in knowing that I am because that is what I choose right now.

Tisa Mubaddes

is a member of 

Writer's Block

and is currently

working on a novel.

Sensibly Single :

Till date being single has worked for me perfectly. I know that I am single because I have reason to be. To me it is never an issue, as I do believe in fact and reality. Single or not, my happiness is the foremost important thing in my life. In a way, I am never single..... I always have me with me. I also have my work, my passion and my art. In a country, We have never had the privilege of knowing what it is to be just ‘me’. We are different countries girls have two is actually the father’s den and the other with our husbands. But I need to see and be in my life, my own life. in fact it is applicable for men, too. I need to feel and know that it is actually my life, after all. Being single is still a new concept in our society and it is simultaneously very fashionable and also not yet socially ‘acceptable’. But I believe it is a necessary step in one’s life, to come out of the box, out of the convenient way of life, and to deal with it practically. This gives me the strength to be an individual and to support myself Firstly, I have to be strong enough to support myself, and only then can I support the rest. In order to do that I need to know how to face reality without any back-up, this will eventually help me raise my own family in any given situation.

My father died when I was a teenager and my mom was in her early thirties. His sudden death forced us into a reality with us three children and a single (widowed) mother. She was a working woman and an exceptionally courageous one at that, and we all managed to pull it. off together as a family. I watched her struggle, constantly learning, while leading her life without any support. It was a huge pressure for her to deal with it all on her own. Over time I gave a lot of thought to the situation and realized that if she had her own life at some point she would have had the opportunity to prepare and strengthen herself for a situation like the one she was faced with when my father died. It is the same with divorced/separated women. they know how to handle being alone if they learned how to be single firstly. Of course there are many hurdles to face as a single woman, but it is still our life and we have to make the best use of it no matter what. It should be a choice, a choice of wanting to live life to its fullest. If being ‘single’ makes one feel happy, so be it! I always looked for.

Challenges and being single has given me the opportunity to see it all fun, pain, gain, all of it. Single life teaches me to be prepared, to be aware and to be accountable of my own judgment and my own decisions. I know exactly what I want from my life. Being single brings me closer to my life and my surroundings. Though it is not all fun, it is surely worth living alone at some point of our lives!

One piece of advice though: do not make single-hood the motto of your life. Keep a partner or lover as close to your heart as possible, if not close to your house. So, when the right time comes, you can be together and make life more meaningful, joyful and live with one another in LOVE.

Parenting : A-Z

People say that being a parent is easy,but parenting is difficult. We receive no formal training, nor are we provided with a clear set of guidlines about the right way of parenting. But once a parent. we are constantly scrutinised and criticised on how we proceed with the job. Most of us muddle along on our own way. Usually one tries to be just like ones parents or does the exact opposite things, depending on the one’s experiences while growing up.

being effective parents requires a lot of dedication and patience along wigh love, care and attention. It may be time consuming but brings very rewarding fruits in the long run. Our kids today are the future generation of tomorrow and they will prosper when devotion and effort is put into bringing them up. Parenting is tough. It is one of the most important responsibilities you will have in your life. Wigh all the complications and distractions of the modern world one has to stay connected with the kids no matterwhat their age is. When a two way communication is established and maintained, there develops and effetive parenting process as well as a set of successful parents.

But what are the thumb rules of being good parents ? Back when our parents were born, parenting techniques and skills were learnt from the extended family. the elders, like grandparents, uncles, aunts, in-laws and others were there to guide and impart wisdom to the younger generation on the likes of pregnancy, childbirth and raising children. Today jnuclear families are prevalent in our society, with nobody to provide suggestions and advice to couple.

Remember what Gandhi said, ‘If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.’ children bring us much joy and contentment. Taking the time to plan ahead can lessen the stress and worry we experience while rasing them.