Copyright V.Ângelo
Life with a view, a wider view of life.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Fashion, peace and love
Copyright V.Ângelo
Peace and love are back in Sierra Leone, West Africa. And the fashion houses, like this one in Makeni, the headquarters town of the Northern Province, are pretty busy. Creativity is part of building a more democratic and stable society and country.
Sierra Leone and the international community have a major challenge: the fashion of peace needs deeper roots. The dividends of peace are yet to fully marry the democratic dispensation.
Monday, 1 December 2008
The ancient roots
Copyright V. Angelo
One has to respect one´s roots.
The village has been revamped and is now a main tourist attraction. The roots and tradition can also become part of the economy of today.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Sunny winter
Copyright V.Angelo
There is a bit of light during winter as well.
No justification for dark thoughts.
Friday, 21 November 2008
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Going East
Copyright V.Angelo
My day in Sahel started very early. Trekking East, making sure that our presence brings stability and security to the area. It's a job for early birds, and a tough one, for that matter.
Protecting refugee children
Copyright V.Angelo
Darfuri children in Eastern Chad need protection against violence, forced recruitments into armed groups and very harsh living conditions. They also need the Sudanese education ministry to accept and recognise the academic degrees obtained by the school children in the refugee camps. As such, once they are back in Sudan, after a peace process, their qualifications for a better life are fully accepted.
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Breakfast, the young lady cat
Today I got Kate's new pictures. She is so beautiful, green eyes, big and very round, a very smart look, extremely focused, and so playful. I have always loved her and the pictures today brought her back to me. Feline love, indeed.
Her first name was not Kate. Kate was the name given to her by her new masters when I left Freetown. When I got her, brought to me by one of my local close protection boys, who cared a lot about me, and my being so much alone in my house, she was just a baby cat, full of fear, nothing else. But she looked since the very beginning very intelligent and also full of energy, not withstanding her very small size. A tiny thing, very fragile, but also very alert.
I called her Breakfast. It is not a strange name for a little cat, if you take into account the circumstances surrounding her life. I knew that the day I would leave the country and leave her behind, she would end up in the pot of one my house staff.
You know , life is pretty tough out there and meat is expensive. But being so small, she could only be served as the morning meal, just to keep the staff going until the main meal would have been earned.
Before leaving the country, I ended up by finding a very good family for her.
I still remember when we had to chase her all over the compound to catch her and place her in the carrying box that would take her to the new home. She couldn't understand why we wanted to get hold of her, she had been a free girl up to then.
But she found a nice family, children and love. The pictures show very clearly she is now a good-looking lady cat. I am sure she has forgotten me, as beautiful ladies do.
Her first name was not Kate. Kate was the name given to her by her new masters when I left Freetown. When I got her, brought to me by one of my local close protection boys, who cared a lot about me, and my being so much alone in my house, she was just a baby cat, full of fear, nothing else. But she looked since the very beginning very intelligent and also full of energy, not withstanding her very small size. A tiny thing, very fragile, but also very alert.
I called her Breakfast. It is not a strange name for a little cat, if you take into account the circumstances surrounding her life. I knew that the day I would leave the country and leave her behind, she would end up in the pot of one my house staff.
You know , life is pretty tough out there and meat is expensive. But being so small, she could only be served as the morning meal, just to keep the staff going until the main meal would have been earned.
Before leaving the country, I ended up by finding a very good family for her.
I still remember when we had to chase her all over the compound to catch her and place her in the carrying box that would take her to the new home. She couldn't understand why we wanted to get hold of her, she had been a free girl up to then.
But she found a nice family, children and love. The pictures show very clearly she is now a good-looking lady cat. I am sure she has forgotten me, as beautiful ladies do.
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Camels and the cellphone tower
Copyright V. Angelo
This is the new Africa: Old markets, in the remoteness of the sandy plains, and cellphone connections, all over.
Just another woman
Copyright V. Angelo
Karme', small town in the middle of a drought-stricken plain, the Sunday market brings people together and gives them a sense of belonging.
Later in the day, one goes back to one's isolation, taking the roads the cattle and the small ruminants borrow, in search of water and grass.
Monday, 29 September 2008
Roots and Steadiness
An inspiration, strong roots in a beautiful background. Nature asking for protection, for the next generations to enjoy it as well.
Friday, 26 September 2008
My garden in Harare, flowers of hope
We should trust Morgan and the new departure in Zimbabwe. He is a fighter and a brave, very sincere politician.
After eigth years of preciptious fall, deep governance crisis, wrong policies and anti-democratic practices, there is a ray of hope and a little bit of colour.
Like the flowers in the garden.
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
My other blogs
Kindly see the following blogs as well
http://victorfreebird.blogspot.com
http://victorangelo.blogs.sapo.pt
Thank you
http://victorfreebird.blogspot.com
http://victorangelo.blogs.sapo.pt
Thank you
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
The Children' s Goals
The implementation of the Millenium Development Goals will make a difference to the future of these children. They still believe in the world outside there.Sunday, 21 September 2008
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
In New York City
After a very long trek, I am today in the city that never sleeps but where the economy is a little under stress, not sleepy, it is true, but not so vibrant.
Many people on the streets, more than ever, one gets the impression, but that is certainly just a feeling, but less shoppers in the big stores. It is quieter there than in the streets. That's more than an impression, I am afraid...
Also, today is the second day after the demise of Lehman Brothers, and the status of the economy is present in many minds. So much so, that the President decided to cancel a statement on the crisis he was scheduled to make...It is worrisome...
But New York remains a city for the young.
Many people on the streets, more than ever, one gets the impression, but that is certainly just a feeling, but less shoppers in the big stores. It is quieter there than in the streets. That's more than an impression, I am afraid...
Also, today is the second day after the demise of Lehman Brothers, and the status of the economy is present in many minds. So much so, that the President decided to cancel a statement on the crisis he was scheduled to make...It is worrisome...
But New York remains a city for the young.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Zimbabwe, um grande passo em frente
Para quem conhece bem a crise profunda que o Zimbabwe atravessa, desde 2000, o acordo de hoje e' certamente um passo importante, que convira' acompanhar, 'a medida que os resultados o justifiquem. Gradualmente, primeiro, mas depois com grande empenho. Nessa altura a Europa nao podera' dizer "nao".
Sunday, 14 September 2008
A very long Sunday
I spent most of the day preparing for my trip to New York, which will start on Tuesday.
I will be addressing the Security Council on matters related to Chad. To Eastern Chad actually, because my mandate has nothing to do with the domestic political process that is taking place in the country. I am supposed to focus just on the security situation in area along the border with Darfur.
I will be addressing the Security Council on matters related to Chad. To Eastern Chad actually, because my mandate has nothing to do with the domestic political process that is taking place in the country. I am supposed to focus just on the security situation in area along the border with Darfur.
Saturday, 13 September 2008
Asmara sunshine
I am just back from a brief visit to Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. A very well organised city, pretty, very clean, no traffic jams, wide avenues and sidewalks, trees and shades, proud of its history and culture. Very safe, an example. But with serious economic difficulties, little investment, few jobs for the young people, too closed to the outside world.
A very tough political situation, with many controls and no space for democratic interaction.
Very poor relations with the UN, because of the border issue with Ethiopia. The leaders believe the UN did not push strong enough for the implementation of the ruling that would require the Ethiopians to withdraw.
The last country in the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. But with time, this should evolve. People are eager for a more relaxed approach to dialogue and politics.
A very tough political situation, with many controls and no space for democratic interaction.
Very poor relations with the UN, because of the border issue with Ethiopia. The leaders believe the UN did not push strong enough for the implementation of the ruling that would require the Ethiopians to withdraw.
The last country in the Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. But with time, this should evolve. People are eager for a more relaxed approach to dialogue and politics.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Listening to the refugees
In and around Farchana, in the Ouaddai Region of Eastern Chad, there are four refugee camps, with a total of 87,000 people. They came from Darfur, in Sudan, the first batch in 2004 and they are still crossing in.
I spent time today listening to some of their representatives. They all would like to go back home and rebuild their lives. But they know that the Darfur situation is too complex and they might have to wait for a long while.
In the meantime, the resources to take care of them are getting thinner. Less money for food, for instance. The classrooms are too big, to save on teachers and materials, but how much can each one learn, if the class is about 150 children? Then, the women complained that they have not received any soap for the last two months. The malaria season is at its peak and there is not enough medicine.
But all in all, security remains the key issue. Outside the camps, for sure, but also inside. The national gendarmerie is doing its bit, but they lack resources, men, supervision and motivation. The local administration is well informed but there is no supporting structure, no administrative capacity to coordinate, respond or direct.
And nobody is ever brought to justice.
The deployment of the new generation of Police and Gendarmes, trained by MINURCAT, has to take place soon. Certainly before the end of the rainy season. The first group is now ready, but there is still some legal red tape to be addressed.
I spent time today listening to some of their representatives. They all would like to go back home and rebuild their lives. But they know that the Darfur situation is too complex and they might have to wait for a long while.
In the meantime, the resources to take care of them are getting thinner. Less money for food, for instance. The classrooms are too big, to save on teachers and materials, but how much can each one learn, if the class is about 150 children? Then, the women complained that they have not received any soap for the last two months. The malaria season is at its peak and there is not enough medicine.
But all in all, security remains the key issue. Outside the camps, for sure, but also inside. The national gendarmerie is doing its bit, but they lack resources, men, supervision and motivation. The local administration is well informed but there is no supporting structure, no administrative capacity to coordinate, respond or direct.
And nobody is ever brought to justice.
The deployment of the new generation of Police and Gendarmes, trained by MINURCAT, has to take place soon. Certainly before the end of the rainy season. The first group is now ready, but there is still some legal red tape to be addressed.
Monday, 8 September 2008
Farchana, Eastern Chad
Farchana is a town close to the border with Darfur. We have a number of refugee camps and displaced Chadians sitting in the area. They feel unsecure, as the humanitarian workers do too.
I will be visiting there tomorrow for the first time. It's muddy at this time of the year, but the region is also very muddy, above all during the dry season, when we think of the politics and armed conflicts that happen around the area.
I will be visiting there tomorrow for the first time. It's muddy at this time of the year, but the region is also very muddy, above all during the dry season, when we think of the politics and armed conflicts that happen around the area.
Friday, 5 September 2008
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
A arrogância da liderança
Um líder arrogante seca tudo à sua volta e acaba por se tornar totalmente vulnerável. É um líder a prazo, com a validade em contagem decrescente.
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