| www.DemocracyBonds.com |
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| Building International Bridges by Internet -- Do you want to help build a safer future? BIBBI |
| Take the FLAT CHALLENGE -- How much do you know about the 10 forces behind outsourcing of jobs to CHINA and INDIA? And where is Bangalore anyway? |
| Take the FLAT CHALLENGE -- How much do you know about the 10 forces behind outsourcing of jobs? And where is Bangalore anyway? |
| HOME Visit India Visit China About Thomas Friedman FAQ Democracy Bonds Tasks Building Bridges (BIBBI) Contact us The FLAT Challenge How to earn a FLAT Certificate Gifted Children (LookForPatterns.com) VisualAndActive Letter to Congress Teacher's Lesson Plan: How to include Friedman's message ("The World Is Flat") in your curriculum |
| Rosa Parks |
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| Hands of a former slave. |
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| See videos about Building International Bridges and SAT Videos More interesting web sites www.Looking For Patterns.com www.BigPicture.org |
| See videos about DEMOCRACY BONDS (click on the "TF" videos at www.pat-harris.com) More interesting web sites www.Looking For Patterns.com www.BigPicture.org Support was shown for CIVICWorldWide.org and for www.DemocracyBonds.com outside the OAS meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
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| A tribute page to Marla Ruzicka (based on the page that sits on www.CivicWorldWide.org) http://www.civicworldwide.org/content.jsp?content_KEY=548 |
| The Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund
In May 2003 Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy was inspired by Marla Ruzicka to provide funding for the civilian victims of the conflict in Iraq. A fund was established to assist Iraqi families and communities who were directly impacted as a result of operations by coalition forces. The Civilian Victims Assistance program alleviates suffering caused to noncombatants as a result of the war through the repair of damaged and/or destroyed homes, provision of medical care, and inclusion in micro-economic projects. The program has recently been renamed the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund in honor of Ms. Ruzicka who was killed by a car bomb in Iraq while assisting innocent victims of the war. The $20 million program is being administered through the United States Agency for International Development’s Iraq Community Action Program (ICAP). Five U.S.-based private voluntary organizations under the ICAP program have formed community associations in all 18 governorates of Iraq. These community associations assist in the identification victims of war in their communities and coordinate appropriate kinds of assistance based on victims’ expressed needs. Under the supervision of ICAP staff, communities set criteria for the identification of war victims to ensure that assistance targets victims who are most in need and without sustainable sources of income. Accomplishments to date: Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund Projects total number of projects 622 Total cost of war victim’s assistance to date: $8,051,392 direct male beneficiaries 376,057 direct female beneficiaries 274,707 ---------------------------------------------- total direct beneficiaries 650,764 Transforming the Status of Victims: The most common type of project under the civilian victims assistance program is income generation. When the primary breadwinner is killed or maimed, families face economic hardship and uncertain futures. For example: Ali’s family benefits under the program. On March 27, 2003, Ali’s brother and several relatives were killed by Coalition Forces bombing in Al-Hillah. Ali’s brother was taken to the hospital in Al-Hillah, pronounced dead, and buried before his family even received notification of his death. Ali’s brother had supported his extended family through his employment at a local bakery. Ali found himself responsible for the welfare of his immediate and extended family, including a brother with vision impairment. Through the program, Ali established a small shop adjacent to his home to sell daily goods, snacks, and drinks. Commenting on the benefit of the program, Ali states, “Our living conditions are much improved, and my brother is receiving medical treatment for his eye.” |
| ACTION ITEM Suggestion: Why not write to Senator Leahy and thank him for sponsoring the funcing for civilian victims in Iraq. Then ask him to extend the Fund to make it permanent, to gain it permanent funding and to ask for an address where you can send $20 to add to the fund. Senator Patrick Leahy Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 |
| Marla was remembered at the protest outside the OAS Fort Lauderdale meeting site in June 2005. |