Today is Wednesday, March 13 . Today we had a Ugandan Refugee named Walter come and talk about his experience's and troubles.
Walter, If I remember correctly, Walter's trouble's all started when he started working for the government of Uganda. There was rebels who wanted to take down this government and asked for his help. Because he didn't believe in violence, the rebels later showed up at his home, hiding and waiting to arrest and possibly kill him. His neighbor told him before he went home and he stayed with his neighbor. His neighbor them smuggled him across the border to Kenya to keep him safe. They fled to the capital of Kenya which is Nairobi. There he found refuge but wanted to go to Italy wherew his sisters were living. So he went to Italy and stayed ther for a while. Then eventually he came here to San Diego and started the AAA(African Alliance Asociation). Now he's helping refugees like him find a better life here in the United States.
There's a differnence between when you've heard about this happening and want to help, and when you've actually gone through it. Walter is one of those who's experienced it for himself. What I learned today is to keep praying for help when you need it and never give up. God will always be there to protect you, and help you through it.
David Ramirez
-mrp
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Day 7, 1st day of Media Creating
Today is Tuesday, March 12. Today, we started working on our Media/ Documentary.
Our topic is Diversity. With that topic I decided to create an iMovie about poverty. I would have an intro where it shows how badly poverty affects us and how we took action to stop it. I was going to insert music and effects to make the movie more influential and moving. I think this movie is going to be very inspiring. Once it is done, I will post it on my blog and possibly on YouTube.
That's pretty much all we did today. When I was creating this video I felt really good because I was going to inform people on the problem of poverty and have them make a difference. It's like a chain reaction of peace. :D
David Ramirez
-mrp
Our topic is Diversity. With that topic I decided to create an iMovie about poverty. I would have an intro where it shows how badly poverty affects us and how we took action to stop it. I was going to insert music and effects to make the movie more influential and moving. I think this movie is going to be very inspiring. Once it is done, I will post it on my blog and possibly on YouTube.
That's pretty much all we did today. When I was creating this video I felt really good because I was going to inform people on the problem of poverty and have them make a difference. It's like a chain reaction of peace. :D
David Ramirez
-mrp
Monday, March 10, 2008
Day 6, Lunch with new people and Slurpies
Today is Monday of week two. Unfortunately, we went on our last field trip. :( But, that field trip was very fun.
The first trip was to Gompers Charter Middle School. The important thing about this school is that it was totally changed than what it used to be. For the last 30 years (excluding '05-'08) this school has failed the academic goal of the state, it was the least safe school in the county(It had a lot of gang activity), 70% of the students there later dropped out of high school and the teachers would ditch school because they hated it so much. Now that's amazing. That school used to be so bad and dangerous, that even the teachers ditched. The state told this school that if they didn't get their things together, that the state would take over the school. After this matter met the school, a new Principal would try to change that. He tried to change the school to a charter school, so he could fire and hire the staff that wanted and didn't want to be there. But he was removed from his position for some political reason. But the student carried it on. They eventually got a petition to turn Gompers Secondary School into a charter school. Having enough signatures, the school turned into a charter and became Gompers Charter Middle School. And the previous Principal that was fired was assigned to Director of the school. Because of him and some other people, Gompers Charter School was turned into a safe and secure place for kids to learn and have fun.
When we were there, we watched some videos about Gompers from when it was a chaotic, unsafe school, to how it is now, a safe secure place for kids to learn. Then we quietly observe a class in session. Then we got to socialize with the Gompers at lunch and recess. What I learned from this trip to Gompers Charter Middle School is that anything is possible. And GCMS is an example of that. And the entire transformation took only 6 months of hard work. That proves that with GOD at your side, anything is possible
David Ramirez
-mrp
The first trip was to Gompers Charter Middle School. The important thing about this school is that it was totally changed than what it used to be. For the last 30 years (excluding '05-'08) this school has failed the academic goal of the state, it was the least safe school in the county(It had a lot of gang activity), 70% of the students there later dropped out of high school and the teachers would ditch school because they hated it so much. Now that's amazing. That school used to be so bad and dangerous, that even the teachers ditched. The state told this school that if they didn't get their things together, that the state would take over the school. After this matter met the school, a new Principal would try to change that. He tried to change the school to a charter school, so he could fire and hire the staff that wanted and didn't want to be there. But he was removed from his position for some political reason. But the student carried it on. They eventually got a petition to turn Gompers Secondary School into a charter school. Having enough signatures, the school turned into a charter and became Gompers Charter Middle School. And the previous Principal that was fired was assigned to Director of the school. Because of him and some other people, Gompers Charter School was turned into a safe and secure place for kids to learn and have fun.
When we were there, we watched some videos about Gompers from when it was a chaotic, unsafe school, to how it is now, a safe secure place for kids to learn. Then we quietly observe a class in session. Then we got to socialize with the Gompers at lunch and recess. What I learned from this trip to Gompers Charter Middle School is that anything is possible. And GCMS is an example of that. And the entire transformation took only 6 months of hard work. That proves that with GOD at your side, anything is possible
David Ramirez
-mrp
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Day 5, The End of the First Week
Well, today was the last day of the first week. It's been a great, learning experience this week and I can't wait until Monday to continue making a difference. :)
Today we had two speakers talk to us about the Father Joe's Villages and Child Abuse. Father Joe's Villages is a shelter for homeless people. They help those people get back up on their feet and get a home and a good life. What I learned about child abuse is that it's not just the parents who abuse the child. It can be an older sibling, neighbor or anyone who is stronger than the victim. And unfortunately, the child is usually too embarrassed to tell someone who would help them. If the abuse goes on unnoticed, then the child, unfortunately, may commit suicide. It is a sad, sad thing but it happens.
On a lighter note, after we heard from the speakers, my intercession spread across San Diego to grocery/department stores to host a diaper drive. The way this would work is that we would tell people going in the store about what we were doing then ask them if they could buy diapers and donate them to us for us to donate to Father Joe's Villages. What I learned through this experience is that some people don't care about what's happening around us. Even though they totally ignored us, I learned to not let that get us down and to keep going in our mission because there are people in the world who don't have anything better to do than put people down who are doing good things. Here's a story that I made up to demonstrate that.
There was a music writer/singer that said that all the hate int he world could be cured with good beats and music. The day before he was going to do a concert, a man filled with hatred told him not to do the concert or he would do him great harm and pain. The next day, he still did the concert. The fans who had heard of the threat asked him why he still did the concert. He said,"If all the bad people in the world who cause pain and suffering do their job everyday, why should the good people in the world take a vacation from doing good?"
That's what I learned today. I am excited to see what he 2nd week brings. :)
David Ramirez
-mrp
Today we had two speakers talk to us about the Father Joe's Villages and Child Abuse. Father Joe's Villages is a shelter for homeless people. They help those people get back up on their feet and get a home and a good life. What I learned about child abuse is that it's not just the parents who abuse the child. It can be an older sibling, neighbor or anyone who is stronger than the victim. And unfortunately, the child is usually too embarrassed to tell someone who would help them. If the abuse goes on unnoticed, then the child, unfortunately, may commit suicide. It is a sad, sad thing but it happens.
On a lighter note, after we heard from the speakers, my intercession spread across San Diego to grocery/department stores to host a diaper drive. The way this would work is that we would tell people going in the store about what we were doing then ask them if they could buy diapers and donate them to us for us to donate to Father Joe's Villages. What I learned through this experience is that some people don't care about what's happening around us. Even though they totally ignored us, I learned to not let that get us down and to keep going in our mission because there are people in the world who don't have anything better to do than put people down who are doing good things. Here's a story that I made up to demonstrate that.
There was a music writer/singer that said that all the hate int he world could be cured with good beats and music. The day before he was going to do a concert, a man filled with hatred told him not to do the concert or he would do him great harm and pain. The next day, he still did the concert. The fans who had heard of the threat asked him why he still did the concert. He said,"If all the bad people in the world who cause pain and suffering do their job everyday, why should the good people in the world take a vacation from doing good?"
That's what I learned today. I am excited to see what he 2nd week brings. :)
David Ramirez
-mrp
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Day 4, Seedlings and Pizza
Today we went to the Wild Animal Park to help plant some seedlings to restore the areas that were damaged by the 2007 October wildfires.
When we arrived, we took a small hike to a cabin where some bird curators, I believe, showed us some presentations showing the fires extent and damage. We learned that, how ever big the Witch Creek fire was, only 2 out of 3,500 animals died. Though Unfortunately, they were both endangered. After the presentations, we took a safari ride around an enclosed area where deer, rhino and all kinds of exotic animals lived. It was there I learned that rhinos were Territorial like a dog(So that's why they always charge at people). When we arrived at the planting site, we start to plant. The instructors pointed out some neon-orange, hair looking parasite called witch's hair. It blocked whatever-plant-it-was-on's sunlight so it became weak. Then the plant basically devoured it. Just then, when I started to dig a hole, I came to a close encounter with an irritating plant(I don't remember the exact name but I believe it was called a needler plant). Then my hand started to itch terribly. Panicked, I quickly told an instructor what had happened and showed him the plant. With a sigh of relief he said,"Oh, that's just a needler". Then he ripped off a leaf and showed me what made it itch. He said that there were little syringe-like spikes on the leaf that, when you touched it, injected an irritant into your skin with causes the prickly sensation. Then he gave me the new job to go around and tell everyone what the plant looked like, and what would happen if you touched it. After planting the seedlings we moved on to enjoy the rest of the safari ride. We saw ostriches, elephants, giraffes, deer, more rhinos and a lot of birds. Then we got off and left the park.
When we got back to the school, we had PIZZA! And discussed what we learned about.
David Ramirez
-mrp
When we arrived, we took a small hike to a cabin where some bird curators, I believe, showed us some presentations showing the fires extent and damage. We learned that, how ever big the Witch Creek fire was, only 2 out of 3,500 animals died. Though Unfortunately, they were both endangered. After the presentations, we took a safari ride around an enclosed area where deer, rhino and all kinds of exotic animals lived. It was there I learned that rhinos were Territorial like a dog(So that's why they always charge at people). When we arrived at the planting site, we start to plant. The instructors pointed out some neon-orange, hair looking parasite called witch's hair. It blocked whatever-plant-it-was-on's sunlight so it became weak. Then the plant basically devoured it. Just then, when I started to dig a hole, I came to a close encounter with an irritating plant(I don't remember the exact name but I believe it was called a needler plant). Then my hand started to itch terribly. Panicked, I quickly told an instructor what had happened and showed him the plant. With a sigh of relief he said,"Oh, that's just a needler". Then he ripped off a leaf and showed me what made it itch. He said that there were little syringe-like spikes on the leaf that, when you touched it, injected an irritant into your skin with causes the prickly sensation. Then he gave me the new job to go around and tell everyone what the plant looked like, and what would happen if you touched it. After planting the seedlings we moved on to enjoy the rest of the safari ride. We saw ostriches, elephants, giraffes, deer, more rhinos and a lot of birds. Then we got off and left the park.
When we got back to the school, we had PIZZA! And discussed what we learned about.
David Ramirez
-mrp
Day 3, One 1/4 through Intercession
Well today's Wednesday, one 1/4 into intercession. Today we went to a GLBT Center and to an organization called "Special Delivery". GLBT stands for Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Trans. At the GLBT Center a lady named Carolina taught us about how people of the GLBT Community live. Personally, I don't approve of GLBT because I am a Christian. But it doesn't mean I hate them. I just don't approve of the way they live. Simply because I'm Christian and it says in the Bible that homosexuality is forbidden and an extremely large sin.
The Special Delivery organization/restaurant owner, Ruth, told us that her organization delivers to people with multiple diseases such as AIDS. She delivers them food and meals so they won't have to leave the comfort of their homes. Then, we got to deliver food and meals to them. Most of them didn't answer their doors though. But I'm sure they appreciated it never-the-less.
David Ramirez
-mrp
The Special Delivery organization/restaurant owner, Ruth, told us that her organization delivers to people with multiple diseases such as AIDS. She delivers them food and meals so they won't have to leave the comfort of their homes. Then, we got to deliver food and meals to them. Most of them didn't answer their doors though. But I'm sure they appreciated it never-the-less.
David Ramirez
-mrp
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Day 2, The 1st field trip
Today was the first day in the field. I went with 9 other people to the Mirimar Landfill. The other 10 people in my intercession went to the St. Vincent De Paul's. At the landfill we learned that San Diego produces the most trash in the world, if I'm not mistaken. And homeless people are sometimes almost killed because they sleep in trash cans. It happens when the can and it's contents are thrown into the garbage truck. Then, fortunately, the truck doesn't have enough trash to turn the compacter on so the homeless people are spared. If it would have enough trash to use the compactor, the homeless person would have squashed and killed her.
In 2012, the landfill will get completely filled up and all the trash would get buried. Then they would plant vegetation on top of the landfill to restore the area to it's original state.
One way the landfill impacts the environment is the harm to the seagulls. Because the landfill is near the sea, seagulls commonly are attracted to the tons of trash at the landfill. Unfortunately, the trash is unhealthy for the seagulls to eat. Also, since the airport is very near to the landfill, they jets commonly fly over the landfill. But the jets fly at the same altitude as the seagulls so it is possible that a seagull could get sucked into the jet engines and take the plane down. If that ever happened, then the military would force the landfill to shut down because it is mandatory that the military take flights and training using the planes.
When we came back we talked about what we learned, and what the St. Vincent De Paul's visitors learned and saw.
In 2012, the landfill will get completely filled up and all the trash would get buried. Then they would plant vegetation on top of the landfill to restore the area to it's original state.
One way the landfill impacts the environment is the harm to the seagulls. Because the landfill is near the sea, seagulls commonly are attracted to the tons of trash at the landfill. Unfortunately, the trash is unhealthy for the seagulls to eat. Also, since the airport is very near to the landfill, they jets commonly fly over the landfill. But the jets fly at the same altitude as the seagulls so it is possible that a seagull could get sucked into the jet engines and take the plane down. If that ever happened, then the military would force the landfill to shut down because it is mandatory that the military take flights and training using the planes.
When we came back we talked about what we learned, and what the St. Vincent De Paul's visitors learned and saw.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Day 1
Today we had two speakers come in. Dan Simpson from the San Diego Zoo and Caitlyn, an expert on non-profit organizations. They both informed us really well and gave us a lot of info. After that we had a snack. w00t! Then we came back and talked about the issues we chose to help with. I chose poverty. We talked about all the issues in a group with people from every group and we had a socratic seminar on the issues. Then we went outside and ate lunch. I had Ramen soup. Yum! Then after lunch we came inside and finished the socratic seminars and moved on. Then Mr. Wagner gave us the option to either create a "Did you know?" statement to put on a poster or to make a logo for the intercession. I decided to make a logo and I made a dove(Harmony) holding a heart(Love) with a peace sign on the heart(Peace). That's pretty much all we did. Although it wasn't completely exciting today, I expect more excitement as I go through this intercession.
David Ramirez
-mrp
David Ramirez
-mrp
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