Africa: Faces in Words

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant. Our commitment to one another, to human rights, and the ability to learn should always keep us connected no matter the severity and complexity of problems.

Important insights from last week, not to be missed Sudan charges opposition journalist with terrorism - KHARTOUM, May 25 (Reuters) - Sudan has charged a detained opposition journalist with terrorism and espionage and he has been tortured in custody, his lawyers said on Tuesday. Sudan charges opposition journalist with terrorism - Reuters

US: Act to End Lord’s Resistance Army Violence in Central Africa - (Washington, DC) - President Barack Obama should move swiftly to implement landmark legislation he signed today committing the US to help civilians in central Africa threatened by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a coalition of 49 human rights, humanitarian, and faith-based groups said today. The rebel group has carried out one of the world's longest-running and most brutal insurgencies. US: Act to End Lord’s Resistance Army Violence in Central Africa - Human Rights Watch

Somalia: Adults join in free primary education - NAIROBI, 24 May 2010 (IRIN) - One month after peacekeepers helped the local Jazeera village, in Wadajir district, southern Mogadishu, to refurbish a former sweets factory and turn it into a school, enrolment has grown rapidly to include adults, a source said. SOMALIA: Adults join in free primary education - Reuters

Hundreds protest as ‘anti-French’ Outside the Law is screened - There were protests from hundreds of people and beefed-up security at the Cannes film festival today for the first screening of an unflinching dramatisation of French atrocities against Algerians. Hundreds protest as 'anti-French' Outside the Law is screened - Guardian UK

Burundi: Government Cancels Work Permit of Human Rights Watch Researcher - (New York) - Human Rights Watch today expressed disappointment at the Burundian government's decision to withdraw the work authorization of Neela Ghoshal, Human Rights Watch's researcher in Burundi. The government made its decision following Human Rights Watch's publication of a report last week on pre-election violence in the country. Burundi: Government Cancels Work Permit of Human Rights Watch Researcher - Human Rights Watch

Zimbabwe: Respect Women, Says President – (Harare) Society should appreciate women's contribution to community and national development, President Mugabe has said. Zimbabwe: Respect Women, Says President All Africa News

Fistula treatment in Somaliland, Edna Hospital of Somaliland - From April 30th to May 10th, we had a team of medical doctors, and anesthetists visiting us at Edna Hospital from WAHA (Women and Health Alliance International) and in partnership with UAE Red Crescent Authority. They were here to carry out fistula repair operations for women from all over the Horn of Africa. Fistula treatment in Somaliland | Edna Hospital of Somaliland Medeshi.com/ Uganda: Scramble for Minerals Begins – (Kampala) Foreign firms are rushing to get hold of mineral deposits as prices continue to rise due to economic recovery. Uganda: Scramble for Minerals Begins - allafrica.com

Alysha Atma spends many hours working on projects that support and benefit the beleaguered people of African nations who spend way too much time off the western media's radar. This writer explains that she is a culmination of all her experiences, most importantly knowledge she says, and all that she still needs to learn; lessons of love, laughter and the extraordinary giving of both young and old. She says she has the enormous fortune of learning from the best; every person around her, and the amazing strength and fortitude of those she has never met but will always strive to listen to. "I continue to work and write because I believe in the power of community and the power of one, both contradictory to each other and yet can move together in a very powerful way. I feel a responsibility to use my place, freedoms and connections here in the US to stand up and yell for those who need my voice and actions. I have seen such strength in my fellow humans that I cannot even begin to comprehend, they have traveled distances, have gone without food, water, shelter and safety for days and weeks at a time. I have a responsibility as a fellow human to put our common humanity before anything else. Everyone deserves to look towards tomorrow, to dream of a safe future and to have a peaceful present." You can write to Alysha Atma at: alyshann78@comcast.net