Soya Cows

Child Haven International (CHI):

The sight of poor and destitute children is not uncommon on the streets of Asia. Neither is the sight of disadvantaged peoples. Employment for the lower and disadvantaged class is far and few in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet. It is still a daily struggle for women to meet their basics rights. This blog is a blog of hope. It tells the tale of one family, that is making a difference in the lives of hundreds of women and children in this region in the world, and the story begins with an organization called: Child Haven International. 

Child Haven is home to over 1100 children in nine different cities in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Tibet. It was started in 1985 by Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino-- After adopting and raising 21 children from around the world, and providing help to numerous others, Child Haven was established in order to reach more individuals at a local level. Although this is a small scale project it has no-doubt been a success. Since its establishment Child Haven has not only improved the lives of thousands of children, but it has also been a source of empowerment and has drastically improved the lives of many women living in these countries.  This object has been met through direct employment, education, legal aid, and occupational opportunities (CHI). Women are employed as cleaners, teachers, cooks, cargivers, managers, healthcare professionals, office staff, matrons, ihas, and dhobis. Employees get full access to medical care- and maternity care, literacy classes (should they choose), family planning. Furthermore, basic care, meals, housing and wages are included in employee benefits.

SoyaCow Project:

The SoyaCow Machine was invented in 1988. By 1992 Child Haven had purchased 6 machines for their homes, and since they have being using the Soya Cow machine to provide soy milk and soy milk products to their homes. 

The Soya Cow machine is capable of turning ~1.7 kgs of raw soy beans into 3 gallons of soy milk in about 30 mins.  Soy Milk is a low cost, but nutritious supplement, this offers the children a high dense source of protein. It is cheaper than cows milk. Moreover, it produces ten times as much soy milk at about a ~1/3 of the cost if comparing production per acres (CHI).  The left over pulp, and milk can make products such as yogurt, and tofu, or a nutritious spread for chapattis and other breads. This process is safe and since it is diluted with water it keeps the milk it free from contaminants and pollutants (CHI). 

Aside from the health benefits, This machine has also been empowering women since its invention. Soya Cow machines are intended to be sold to projects or women in developing countries (CHI). As trained Soya Cow technicians the women are able to provide employment and self sufficiency from the profits generated from the product. I though this product, was an interesting innovation with the attempt to empower women and increase the nutrition and food security within and among communities. The program has been sucessful, and there are more than 400 machines in India, and the project is spanning to other regions of the world like: south africa, and Haiti. 

Some Resources:

Child Haven International: http://www.childhaven.ca/soyacow.htm


Soya Cow: http://www.worldsoyfoundation.org/whysoy/soycow.html

Trafficking of Women: A Public Health Perspective

The issue of human trafficking, especially among young women and children, with the intention of sexual exploitation, has grown rapidly over the past decade.  One of the major trends of this is due to the increasing involvement of organized crime who exploit individuals in developing countries (Betti, 2003). Trafficking is now considered the third largest source of profits for organized crime, aside from drugs and guns, which also generate billions of dollars annually. Most individuals come from several parts of Asia.

Human trafficking thus leads to several issues in women’s health. Effects can include chronic, permanent, or even life threatening health consequences. A trafficked and sexually abused individual will find it incredibly challenging to achieve the highest possible level of physical, mental, and social well-being (Pan American Health Organization, 2001). Physical injuries often occur, but even more life threatening are the mental effects that are left behind with a sexually trafficked victim. Long term psychiatric consequences may occur in the form of depression, self-mutilating behavior, personality disorders, etc. Also, sexually abused women can potentially result in a higher amount of diagnosed sexually transmitted infections. Lack of appropriate and available access to health care is also notable a prime concern. Usage of drugs and alcohol has been suggested to play a vital role as a coping mechanism in several instances, resulting in addiction (Pan American Health Organization, 2001). Due to extremely restricted access to proper healthcare, due to locational circumstances, complications of untreated infections can arise.

An estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labour (including sexual exploitation) at any given time 

as a result of trafficking.

Of these:

o 1.4 million – 56% - are in Asia and the Pacific 

o 250,000 – 10% - are in Latin America and the Caribbean 

o 230,000 – 9.2% - are in the Middle East and Northern Africa 

o 130,000 – 5.2% - are in sub-Saharan countries 

o 270,000 – 10.8% - are in industrialized countries  

o 200,000 – 8% - are in countries in transition

The Traffickers

• 52% of those recruiting victims are men, 42% are women and 6% are both men and women

• In 54% of cases the recruiter was a stranger to the victim, 46% of cases the recruiter was known to 

victim

• The majority of suspects involved in the trafficking process are nationals of the country where the 

trafficking process is occurring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18zc-8ruUjM&feature=related

References:

Betti, S. (2003). New prospects for inter-state co-operation in criminal matters: The Palermo Convention. International Criminal Law Review, 3(2), 151-167.

Pan American Health Organization. (2001). Trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation in the America's. Retrieved from http://www.paho.org/English/AD/GE/Traffickingpaper.pdf

The Males... and Technology

Circumcision without Anesthesia,

Scientific American: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=rwanda-investigating-adult-male-circumcision-without-anesthesia

Male circumcision has been widely promoted by the WHO and UNAIDS as a means of reducing HIV/AIDS transmission (SCTA 2011). The virus rates are high in sub-sahara africa, but there is a lack of medical infrastructure to preform circumcisions (SCTA 2011). 

Rwanda is investigating a new type of circumcision, without the requirement of anesthesia. PRPEX is an elastic mechanism clamps around the penis foreskin clamping off the blood supply, allowing the foreskin to dry up are be removed about a week later (SCTA 2011). This procedure takes less than four minutes to complete, compared to the 20 mins the traditional methods require. It is estimated that 12 million men will recieve this producdure by the end of 2012 (SCTA 2011). In the initial testing of this product, the results look promising! However, with all new initiatives it still requires more testing (SCTA 2011).

International Women's Day - March 8, 2011 (100th anniversary)

International Women’s Day one day during the year (March 8) where women are honored with respect for their achievements and successes, and are globally recognized both by women and men. In several areas of Eastern Europe, mostly Russia, this day is celebrated and is more widely known and recognized in comparison to several other nations. This week was the 100^th anniversary of this honorable event. One important topic is the social and political struggle that women are faced with on a daily basis. Such issues are discussed with hopes to new solutions, for example, in areas where women are considered to be significantly less authoritative than men, with hardly any rights amounting to what men receive. It is important to bring forth the fact that women have truly fought for equal voting rights, working rights, and equal rights in holding a position in public office. Due to this, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, states that “Women have shaped history due to their great accomplishments and contributions, and because of that they should be commemorated not only on this one day, but for the entire month of March, namely Women’s History Month.” 

In Rotterdam this past week, they celebrated women’s day with a gathering in the city to celebrate, commit, and connect with one another to improve 3 areas of daily life: Personal, Family, and Country challenges. For personal challenges, this includes personal health and well being, and employees as business owners and entrepreneurs. For family challenges, this includes helping families to be healthier and to prepare for the future now. Finally, for country challenges, this includes letting voices be heard, and coming together to help make positive changes in our communities and areas we reside in.

In Russia, this is considered to be a national holiday, where women are recognized with gifts and compliments to show women that they are appreciated for their love, devotion, and work, as well as contributions to society. All women in Moscow were given a rose for the national celebration day together.

This all certainly contributes to the overall health and well-being of women as they have gained confidence and security in their actions, thus encouraging them to further advance in their continual fight for equal rights. This has also provided mature and healthy mental health in women to inspire others to do the same and to know anything is possible as long as you set your heart to it.

WHATS HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD THIS WEEK!

INDIA: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/features/women-missing-india%60s-corridors-power_528285.html

CANADA- http://www.cbc.ca/q/news_promo/2011/03/09/is-coverage-of-international-womens-day-still-r ' elevant/#socialcomments

Comment Posted:

"Despite all your joy about the success of the 'womens movement', there is still a sizable minority right here in Canada where the women have nearly no rights.

I am a part of that minority. We are suppressed.
We cannot be elected leaders, or for that matter, vote on who the leader of our community is. The only jobs i can really do are gardening, cooking, cleaning or as is commonly known "homemaking". I have a lot of spare time i could use to make money for our community, but cant get a job. I may work in the education field, basically the only full time job a women can have. But that doesn't interest me much. 
We can't get a drivers licence, to leave the place, we have to ask for permission from the leader, and then, ask for a male [with a licence] to take is where ever we want to be. Once there, we have to get money from the male to buy stuff, they have they community credit cards. 

My opinion on important issues is never requested, or used. And i have to struggle for every single opportunity i get.
When I marry, i'm expected to move to my husbands community, for as a women, i have no significant role in the culture and community that my current community would want to hold on to. 

I live in the 1800s. And can't do anything to speed up time. 

I am a Hutterite."

INDONESIA:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/03/09/cities-hear-women’s-voices-int’l-day.html

BRAZIL:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/mar/08/brazil-international-womens-day

NETHERLANDS:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/11/dutch_feminism

BABIES!

This week Vicki and I watch the documentary “Babies”. The documentary follows four babies born in different cultures in Japan, San Francisco, Mongolia, and Namibia through their first year of life, and the different upbringings each child receives in each culture. It did an excellent job at highlighting the different lifestyles, environment and living conditions in the different cultures. I also thought that the film did an excellent job at interpreting the different bonds between mother and child, from birth on.  For me, this documentary was more a “cultural” experience than a public health issue. It was interesting to see how other cultures approach child rearing, and the different ethic and values across the globe. Sure, it is easy to pick out the lack of infrastructure in Namibia, and compare it to the baby in San Francisco, or Japan, but I thought that each baby, especially those growing up in Mongolia and Namibia, got to explore their surroundings in a reflection of what each baby had access to. The babies in the developing countries were really endearing because they easily entertained themselves in their natural environment, where the babies in the developed nations were stimulated by material entertainment (rattles, puzzles, and jolly jumpers etc..)  I found it difficult to favor one type of parenting over the other, because each culture had a unique means of raising their child. this documentary  made me question if the "western" upbringing is to isolated of an upbringing?  I definitely think that anyone who is interested in childhood development should watch this documentary!!!!

Documentary - "Babies"

This documentary is an illustration of four different cultural upbringings in the following countries: Mongolia, Japan, USA, and Namibia. Each video depicts different lifestyles and traditions that these babies are faced with, or blessed with, depending on the country. Comparing these cultures and their healthcares is imperative for gaining a general understanding of the medical and health concerns that develop within under-developed societies in comparison to developed countries. It is evident that Japan and the USA are the developed countries, while Mongolia and Namibia are still struggling for healthy survival practices. For many reasons, a lack of resources and awareness can be basic causes for an unhealthy upbringing of one’s child. In this case, we see that both of these factors play a role in Mongolia and Namibia.

In this documentary, many different health related aspects were briefed throughout the film. For example, some areas that we felt were most pertinent to healthcare were: Bathing, Feeding, Waste Removal, and Overall General Sanitation. The following table acts in accordance to the film, so although these may not necessarily be the “general” habits, these were some things we saw in the film.

	Bathing	Feeding	Waste Removal	Sanitation
Mongolia	From a bucket of dirty water	Breastfeeding from mother and little food often	Baby laying in his own pee all day since no diaper to absorb it	Poor sanitation. Naked bottoms not protecting from diseases
Namibia	Mother would lick her child clean	Children eating from the mud , but later it showed one major meal	Baby would poop on mothers leg in use of toilet, and mother would wipe it with leaf	Poor sanitation. Children playing with the animals and then sticking hands in mouth
Japan	In a clean bin, and sometimes with breast milk even	Nutritous meals for the baby with milk bottle	In a diaper, and then distributed into a receptacle	Overall good sanitation habits.
USA	In a bathtub with soap and clean water	Breastfeeding, bananas, and other nutrients	Diaper, which was switched out often, and bottom cleaned	Very good sanitation. Child taken care of by both parents.

It is amazing to see the development of each child and how the impact that the mothers nuture and care has on each one of them. The American child that was taken care of by both parents and brought to parenting classes developed good motor skills early on and was nurtured, fed, and received lots of attention and care. The baby was handled and looked after, as well as in Japan. The babies in Mongolia and Namibia were obviously not taken care of as well, however we feel that the mothers really tried, yet there was just a major lack of resources.