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A vouch for climate justice
For about two years, I had been a volunteer for the Liberian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program-Plant For The Planet. As a volunteer, I along with other volunteers planted trees and carried out awareness relating to climate change and its impact on our community. We were informed about how humans’ activities and technological advancements are leading to climate change and global warming. In addition to my volunteer experience, I read several articles that are concentrated on issues related to climate change and how it causes global warming. Like the Roman politician, Julius Caesar once said,...
My personal experience with a virtual world
It was an early morning in 2012. I was in the 8th grade then. My classmates told me stories about how they met new friends and how they even chatted with celebrities and got to experience many amazing things. I was intrigued. I wanted to experience these exciting things they always talked about. Every child wants to partake in the childhood fantasy. So I went on to create a Facebook account; this was the beginning of my journey through the virtual world. As time went by, I became accustomed to checking my social media more frequently. I immersed myself in the social media culture by chatting...
Do we need nuclear weapons?
As the world comes together to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security and civil and interstate wars it is sad when some countries are left behind. Acquisition of nuclear weapon technology has left some countries isolated. The world leaders are fearing that nuclear weapons may enter the hands of terrorists and separatists if these countries happen to possess them. In fact, these countries cannot out rule that possibility if at the time being, they are involved in supporting different armed groups waging wars in different countries. Sadly, enough in their efforts to...
What we want from our leaders
The haunting in the oceans
The Easter bombings: Breaking the cycle of violence
You wouldn’t believe how light a bomb feels in the cradle of your own arms. I remember the warm yellow sand of Batticaloa beaches, pillowy grains sifting between the grooves of my size two feet. Seaweed lined the shore in slimy patches that we tiptoed around, searching for shells hidden among the green carpet. A brisk wind bounced along the rolling tide, and yet all we could feel were the steady waves of the sun beating down on our backs. With a toothy grin and an oversized cap perched on my head, I posed for a photo, brandishing in my arms a landmine the size of my head. That day, we...
Love yourself anyways.
When the sky is all gray And you can't find joy out of your favourite sundae When the heaviness of the winds leave you pale And you can't mold ease out of clay Just remember to close your eyes and exhale everything away And find gratitude in how you've handled it all day And even if you can't Just love yourself anyways.
Well it should be a yes, right?
What if your mother tried very hard to stick to a very packed schedule, yet couldn't do so? Now she's tired like never before. She thinks she's a failure. What would you tell her? You'd hug her, tell her that you love her and that it's okay. Right? What if your father couldn't buy you your favourite toy when you were younger. Now, he can't buy you your favourite car? He thinks he's a failure. What would you tell him? You'd hug him, tell him that you love him and that it's okay. Right? What if your sibling messed up a really important performance because of their stage fright. They think they...
Developing a kinder society to make the world better
When I see news about terrorism, I feel sad. Why do people blame each other's religion? When I see so much racism around, I feel confused. Why should people be selective of other people, if we are same? Sometimes, I think...is it too hard to be respectful, tolerant and good? When terrorism is everywhere and it stands in the name of Islam, it's pretty scary. People start to judge Muslim's and say that we are terrorists. I'm Muslim and it hurts to know that your religion is being mistreated like that, almost everywhere. One day, my friend had to move abroad due to her parents' work. She told me...
DevOcean
Scream
So often, I dream of climbing the highest of mountains, where I can feel the sky’s soft skin with the very tip of my fingers. I can just picture it: standing on that mountaintop, the world so small underneath, the loud grasping wind awakening my soul as it blows violently against my face. I can just imagine the air cutting through my lungs and tearing them open, the taste of salty blood caressing my throat. Oh but mostly, I can hear myself. I can hear myself scream. I would scream as loud as my lungs can possibly bare, right until my voice turns into just a whisper. I would scream to fill the...
The smiling me
Smile and the world smiles with you Isn't that what they all say? But why then, do we live in doom and gloom, Night and day, Where does the reason lay? Smile and the world smiles with you Unwavering, I stand by this But when I worry, When I fret, My oath, into oblivion, fades. Smile and the world smiles with you So why don't we do it all day? Stress and strain Can be kept at bay, It's just a smile away! The smiling me.
Plastic and the suffering of the earth
Just like several modern products and technology, plastic has negative effects. The negative effects of plastic can be hard to observe and may not appear to affect us directly, but plastic damages our planet and health. Globally, the world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic every year and the vast majority of plastic products are not recyclable. United Nations published a report estimating that 79% of plastic waste is thrown in landfills, dumps or the environment, while about 12% is incinerated and only 9% recycled. In fact, 32% of packaging waste-which is estimated a 141 million...
I had a conversation with your heart
I had a conversation with your heart Beautiful and strong it looked, I went closer and saw that it was bruised all over. I knew it was a strong fighter, fighting in spite of injury But I couldn't see happiness in spite of everyday victory I asked it why it wasn't smiling "Because dissatisfaction is overpowering I am a slave to my master, he thrashes me, he's a bit colder He is ungracious for my presence And looks for happiness in the world's leftover Failing every time, he blames me yet another time, takes no pride in his inner exposure." "How can someone give hate to such a beautiful thing!"...
Can we start the change?
How so much plastic ends up in the ocean
There are five great garbage patches which have been growing due to approximately 8 million tons of plastic being dumped in the ocean every single year. In this article I will be talking about how so much plastic ends up in our oceans, and some of the ways in which we can help. Everyone, or at least the majority of people, has heard of the consequences that plastic pollution has on our enviroment, and directly on our health. Animals dying because of too much plastic clogging their organs, sea birds suffocating, turtles and whales ingesting plastic bags have made breaking news in the past years...
From scratch
This is my first and my last blog post on the new VOY website. Why? Because I’ve changed. A lot of things happened in my life this year, good and bad. Countless disappointments. Successes and failures. Loneliness. Loss of the most beloved person... And in between all of these, I forced myself to be happy and to be honest, I felt guilty sometimes for actually being able to feel such a way. So, yes, I suppose I've changed. Change is good, change is crucial. That’s why I feel as if I need to take a little bit of time to process what I had discovered. And I had discovered something most wonderful...
"Refugees are still people"
Omar Osman does not like to brag. After living in a Kenyan refugee camp for 19 years, he came to the United States to attend Central Washington University in 2015. After just a year, he ran for class president--and won. “Students at my school were shocked that I, a refugee, could become class president.” But according to Omar, what “I did was not that extraordinary.” Omar, though, is not giving himself the credit he deserves. Indeed, what he has done, despite the barriers and challenges he has faced, is truly remarkable. Although he received only sporadic formal education as a child, for...
The story of a lynching: A wake up call to protect tribal rights in India
In February 2018, Madhu, an Adivasi tribal youth from the South Indian state of Kerala, was brutally attacked and lynched by a mob that accused him of stealing rice. The assailants then clicked photographs with the injured man whose hands were tied up, after which he was beaten to death. In light of this incident, the Kerala High Court initiated suo moto proceedings. The report of the amicus curiae paints a grim and contrasting picture in a state that boasts of the highest literacy rate and produces exceptional human development figures. It highlights the inherent defects in the channelization...