Comments on: Updates: Free Music, My Next Trip, Christmas Tour, Rib Meets Ball, And A Couch Problem

By: Jordan Like the River

Jordan Like the River — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:36:41 +0000

Indeed, TexasInAfrica, that was the BBC article that sparked the question.

Interesting that releasing children from poverty is considered disparate enough from children’s advocacy to protect Compassion… but, I’ll take it, if it keeps them operating.

By: Cory Reese

Cory Reese — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 03:56:13 +0000

I’ve got a spousal thumbs-up for India.

Enough vacation time to choke a camel (only a figure of speech - no animals were harmed during this posting).

And the energy to work hard, serve, and blog my guts out in the depths of Calcutta.

Sign me up!

By: Donna

Donna — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:29:49 +0000

You could call Habitat for Humanity about the furniture. Here there is a resale store and they pick up your furniture then sell it or gift it to needy families.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:40:17 +0000

HAHAHAHA. Barry Manilow of Christian music. Thanks for the ammo.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:21:21 +0000

My friend works for the Refugee Resettlement Program of Catholic Charities and I know for a fact that they pick up furniture for the refuges. Its one of her jobs.

By: Texas in Africa

Texas in Africa — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:53:24 +0000

Anytime.

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:41:21 +0000

Oh, is that all you are? Just a political scientist specializing in African politics. Geesh. Could we get someone with some actual expertise to post on this thread please?

Thanks, TinA. Very helpful.

By: Texas in Africa

Texas in Africa — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:04:55 +0000

Here’s some information on the changes to the law governing the work of international NGO’s in Ethiopia:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7814145.stm

Sadly, it’s not terribly surprising; Ethiopia’s government has become increasingly authoritarian in the past five years or so, and they want to control the huge amount aid money that flows into the country. International donors, recognizing the corruption of the government there, have been channeling their resources into the non-governmental sector in order that those resources will be better used.

As I understand it, the new law shouldn’t affect day-to-day work by international or local groups that help to release children from poverty, but if an NGO (or local organization that receives more than 10% of its funding from international donors) is engaged in advocacy for children’s rights (that is, arguing to the government that more needs to be done), that activity will be severely restricted. The Ethiopian government wants to suppress all political dissent, and I have no doubt that they would remove groups from the country that challenge their policies.

(I should note that I’m not a lawyer; this is just my opinion as a political scientist specializing in African politics.

By: Happy Geek

Happy Geek — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:36:52 +0000

If Free-cycle doesn’t pan out, if there is a seminary in your area post it there. International students often come with the clothes on their backs and will take anything. We’ve even been known to raid the trash a time or two. Americans throw out a lot of good stuff.

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:36:28 +0000

Non-Governmental Organization.

I don’t know anything about any changes in laws regarding NGOs in Ethiopia. I’ll ask around.