Glimpses of Asia

The Glimpses of Asia Photo Exhibit and Silent Auction approaches: Friday April 11, 2014.   This event is a blissful fusion of photo exhibit, competition, silent auction, and fundraiser for a local NGO.   This is the 2nd year I have organized this event; last year proceeds went to Alpha Montessori for their rooftop garden.  Glimpses is one of many fantastic initiatives under the AWA umbrella. We have 50 spectacular photos this year.  A few are below.  All have been printed and framed and will be auctioned that night. Most significantly, Apne App Women Worldwide will be the beneficiary of…

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Nature Deficit Disorder

Richard Louv is a man after my own heart.  I first heard him speak on NPR years ago and was prompted to buy an early edition of his book, Last Child in the Woods.   I owe him a huge debt.  In this book he ties together trends I had been observing but never quite connected  - at last not nearly as well as he does. Impeccably researched and fantastically readable, this book shows us the connections between modern children's disconnection with nature and such trends as: the rise in obesity and attention deficit disorder;  our emotional well being; notions…

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Holy Family Asha Niwas

The road to Najafgarh is never smooth.  Construction is constant.  Rules of the road veer toward extreme independence.  To my amazement, tight gridlocks form before my eyes: drivers, cyclists, tuktuks – all advance willingly whenever an inch presents itself, tightening the gridlock noose in a form of traffic suicide.  Occasionally at those moments I hear the repetitive whoop whoop siren of an ambulance, equally stuck, the sound repeating itself over and over again without ever seeming to shift position. So it is always like a breath of fresh air when we hit Dichaon road out of town and approach Holy…

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Montessori: Thank You

As a long-time fan of Maria Montessori, a certified Montessori teacher, and a Montessori parent, I am still surprised how few people know about the approach.  It must be education's best-kept secret. If the SXSW EDU conference is starting to cover it, though, perhaps a new wave of Montessori learners is in the works.  Listen and read about efforts to expand Montessori in public schools, especially in Texas, here. To learn more about Building the Pink Tower and their approach to creating a documentary about Montessori schools and helping spread Montessori, check here. Stay tuned for more about the Montessori…

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Calling all photos!

Have you traveled in Asia?  Taken photos?  Want to help a great local NGO? Of course you have and of course you do! 2014 Glimpses of Asia Needs You Here's what to do: choose two photos; give each a title email them to 2014glimpsesphotos@gmail.com pay a mere 1000 INR for each photo accepted see your photos matted and framed and impressively presented at an evening fest possibly win recognition and prizes in one of four photo categories see your photo auctioned off to lots of excited buyers feel good knowing that all proceeds help a local women's NGO And, of…

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Equality Now

Equality Now has been working to end violence and discrimination against women and girls throughout the world.  Since 1992 they have been on the forefront of key issues for women: Discrimination in Law, Sexual Violence, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Trafficking. Equality Now is both deeply respectful of different cultural traditions but also recognizes that the right of women and girls to be free from violence is universal and should not be subject to religious or traditional norms. You can become more informed, and you can help. Check out Equality Now here.

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Petition to End Child Marriage

Equality Now Girls under 18 are forced into marriage throughout the world. Equality Now has been on the forefront of advocacy to end this practice.  "It is a human rights violation that legitimizes abuse of girls under the guise of culture, honor, tradition and religion. When a young girl is married and gives birth, a vicious cycle of poverty, poor health, curtailed education, violence, instability and legal and other discrimination begins." You can help: sign the petition.  This will be presented in June to governments attending the Human Rights Council session. Read more about how you can help Equality Now here.

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