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Toxic lifestyle

January 11, 2010 By martinadam Leave a Comment

Image courtesy of www.reachinghearts4kids.org

By Martin Adam

A government estimated 350,000 children have been left abandoned on Kenya’s war ravaged streets. Conflict between tribes, escalated by recent elections has despoiled any concept of the family unit, leaving the republic’s youth to turn to solvent abuse as a form of chemical counselling.

Bottles containing a slightly runny, honey hued substance are passed from young mothers into the hands of eager youngsters. Much like the syrup settling at the bottom there is little sweet in this scene. The mother is addicted to glue and transferring the neural depleting toxin into the possession of a toddler.

Philippa Frankl of Street Kids International informs me that “within our target group worldwide, cases of children abusing psychoactive substances are around the 90 percent mark. In Kenya these statistics would be likely to be very similar.”

Ethnic grouping is the sole factor in defining a person’s identity in the East African region. Passion runs so high that there is great division between Kenya’s tribal factions. Amidst allegations of corrupt presidential elections in 2007, Mwai Kibaki was placed back into office and violent clashes between The Luo and Kikuyu tribes swiftly erupted. Infants have looked on in terror and what one would imagine bewilderment as vicious strikes of blood tainted machetes strike their parents.

Nyankvir de Mabior of Edinburgh and former resident of Nairobi for 13 years insists that most children choose solvents as a way of “numbing their existence” with many taking to glue “as young as 10 years old”. Nyankvir adding that with the recent bloodshed following elections “little hope these children held has instantly gone.”

She detailed a common sight from the streets of the nation’s capital to me. “Use of glue is done openly in public. Groups of around 6 to 8 children will purchase the glue from hawkers then crowd in busy streets and take it”. Pedlars of the chemicals are typically adults who in turn gain a commission as they poison what is the country’s future.

Kibera stands out as one of Africa’s largest slums second only to Soweto. Located in the centre of Nairobi it is home to perhaps 1 million. It is typical of this area for a male to aspire towards dealing drugs with young women falling into prostitution. Life is of such poor quality that such a grim outlook is a widely accepted goal. In a bid to survive people are inevitably lured into an inescapable circle of crime leading on to drug abuse, ill health and eventually death.

Children still with family are sent out on to the streets in order to beg for money or food. Whilst on charity work Nyankvir met 17 year old Kamau.

“His parents had died from drug abuse whilst in their 30’s. Kamua takes care of four kids. The need for money is so great that sadly he has to use them for begging.”

For many missing mature guidance the sole purpose of begging is to provide glue money. Members of the general public have been encouraged to only provide food when possible.

Unfortunately, as Philippa told me, “government assistance is limited and sporadic. Help given to the problem is mostly down to non-governmental organisations and individual efforts.”

Street children are looked down upon by fellow Kenyans as a lower form of life, demonised by the higher classes. Nyankvir stated that “people try to avoid the street children on sight”. Some orphans claim to be forced into sacks then harshly kicked and beaten with solid objects. These are not attacks perpetrated by fringe groups but by police officers. Those who are meant to help, specifically target children of the slums and deliver regular abuse.

A wooden seat in front of a blackboard is preferred by all over lying in a bed of cast away filth, your brain smothered and grinding into shut down. High levels of crime coupled with second class health care result in low levels of school attendance. Little money which is possessed is increasingly spent on purchasing the glue, therefore thousands with a desire to learn cannot afford the necessary uniform. Without regulation attire the institution will refuse admission to the child.

Aumi Aumi is illicit alcohol made with the industrial chemical methylated spirit. It is now common for children to produce it by themselves using makeshift equipment. At the end of the process the dangerously potent drink is shared amongst groups. Possible side effects of consuming such a powerful concoction can be impotence, blindness and a slow death. Alarmingly those knocking it back are fully aware of the peril. Adolescents are embracing slow suicide.

Persistent charity work will reward with success stories. Hussein, 19, a former periodic street based child and solvent user gained practical skills assisted by Street Kids International’s “Street Business” course.

“Through this he learnt how to run a small business going on to establish his own selling second hand clothes. He now employs his cousin to run that business while he has started a new venture selling shoes”.

Hussein stands as one of hopefully now many industrious young people thankful after receiving such a deserved and overdue break into mainstream society.

Nyankvir mentioned that “national pride is strong and the youth of Kenya hold a sense of it. Now it is being threatened”. Despite such hardships there is a great sense of this amongst the communities of Kenya’s disaffected youngsters. To the side of drug abuses are the foundations of a solid social network powered by brave individuals. Food is resourcefully scavenged, cooked under flame and shared amongst friends. Rivalry between adult counterparts is overlooked. Bonds are formed regardless of tribal allegiance.

As Philippa summarised “it is an extensive and by all accounts growing problem with no apparent end. “A large scale problem met on a small scale level”.

Perseverance is essential. With heightened awareness of this growing problem and greater funding to back local projects such as “ExStreet” plus more support to valuable international charities like Street Kids International, life could eventually hold a fresh awakening and progress for neglected young Kenyans.

http://www.plan-uk.org
http://www.streetkids.org
http://www.savethechildren.org.uk

Filed Under: Features, Life and Society, World In Depth Tagged With: Africa, drugs, International, Kenya, Poverty

Local land mine breakthrough

November 20, 2009 By martinadam Leave a Comment

By Martin Adam

Edinburgh University students have developed a bacterium which could ease the ability to detect land mines across the world’s battlefields via a financially cheap and accurate manner.

The fast emerging biological engineering technique known as BioBricking has allowed for intricate molecules of bacteria or BioBricks to be added together piece by piece to form a new synthesised strain. BioBrick is an open source technology developed by the BioBricks Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by engineers and scientists from MIT, Harvard, and UCSF.

What is unique about the researchers’ custom made organism is that it is specifically designed to react with chemicals leaking from buried explosive devices and glow a distinguishing green hue.

Production costs are potentially minimal as the bacteria can simply be mixed into colourless solution then deposited by aircraft onto areas of terrain which are pinpointed as being of concern. Utilising a simple to deliver technique which would very much mirror traditional crop dusting methods.

(Image courtesy of www.musegreen.com

In modern warfare land mines have been located using expensive hand-held detectors that utilise impulse ground penetrating technology.

A contract to deploy 210 such instruments ready for initial operations in Afghanistan cost the United States army 6.8 million dollars. Radar also heightens the percentage of false alarms occurring and it can take considerable time to comb risk spots, resulting in the endangerment of the soldier involved. The new bacteria which poses zero harm to animal life or human beings can show results within three hours.

It is estimated that there are 45 to 100,000000 anti personal mines laying dormant inches under foot across the globe. They affect approximately 80 countries, maiming and sometimes killing a figure of 20,000 victims per annum. Some of the worst affected regions include Afghanistan, Cambodia, Bosnia, Croatia, Angola, Somalia, Sudan and Colombia.

Despite researchers declaring they have no current framework set out to release their discovery into the commercial market, DR Alistair Eflick of the institutions’ School of Engineering commented that,

“This anti-mine sensor is a great example of how innovation in science can be of benefit to wider society. It also demonstrates how new scientific techniques can allow molecules to be designed for a specific purpose.”

Land mines have been cleared from 3,200 square kilometres (1,236 square miles) in 90 countries over the last decade, however almost the same area still needs to be de-mined. The Scottish breakthrough if implemented on a large scale could make the mammoth task more manageable.

Filed Under: Science and Technology Tagged With: BioBrick, Edinburgh University, land mine

Woman overboard

November 20, 2009 By martinadam Leave a Comment

By Martin Adam

A woman has tragically plummeted to her death in an apparent suicide attempt on board a cruise ship.

The individual who has yet to be named was travelling on the Celebrity Cruises owned ship Celebrity Solstice as it embarked on a return leg of its Mediterranean journey from Santorini to Naples.

Just before 9 pm Greek time on November the 6^th, the woman was sighted purposefully falling from deck level fourteen, three hours after leaving port.

The Celebrity Solstice (Courtesy of www.cruisebusiness.com)

Buoys lighting the area of sea in which the female fell into were deployed from the sides allowing the ship to gradually slow down, make a turn and return to the original point of course the jump was made from.

Dramatic rescue attempts followed as the liner’s crew searched for the missing person over a ten hour period in an operation coordinated with another ship alongside navy and coastguard rescue under spotlights. Greek authorities are understood to have relieved the liner from rescue attempts at 3:45 am. The search proved to be in vain and a body was not retrieved from the waters. However crew have identified the passenger assisted by evidence captured on CCTV cameras, and a thorough search of cabins available on the vessel after residents were asked to return to their rooms.

Passengers and crew were alerted to the situation when a call was relayed over the Tannoy system urging staff on all decks to immediately proceed towards port side.

Patricia Adam who was situated on deck number fifteen at the time detailed that on her level “a dozen or so holidaymakers rushed over to the side, frantically trying to spot anybody struggling in the waters”.

The worrying incident disturbed a number of passengers to some degree. Adam summed up the consensus mood on a trip of a life time turned sour.

“Everybody was shocked after something so unexpected; you could say it was a sense of surprise amongst the two thousand odd passengers.”

“The two members of service staff I personally spoke to shared my sense of concern for the wellbeing of the missing passenger.”

Celebrity Cruises released the following statement in regards to the incident.

“The ship’s Captain immediately turned the ship around, marked the position on the ship’s Global Positioning System (GPS), notified other ships in the area, and alerted Greek authorities, as well as the FBI.”

“The Greek Coast Guard immediately assisted with air and sea searches. Shipboard closed-circuit camera footage captured the guest going overboard and hasbeen made available to authorities.”

Testimony from passengers generally commended staff on their swift and professional response. Celebrity’s Guest Care Team is providing support to the family, and Celebrity Cruises is cooperating fully with government officials.

This was the fourth man overboard situation since the year 2000 on a Celebrity brandendorsed cruise. A trend of suicide at sea aboard cruise liners has marred the industry in recent times.

Filed Under: News in Brief, Travel and Communities Tagged With: cruise, suicide

Referee gives United the blues

November 9, 2009 By martinadam Leave a Comment

By Martin Adam

A 76^th minute header by Chelsea captain John terry proves to be the clincher in a close and fiery encounter in South West London.

Stamford Bridge was the setting on Sunday for the Premiership’s top of the league clash, pitting on song Chelsea against Manchester United. Ancelotti’s men were looking to further push the margin between the two rivals to five points.

Terry celebrates as United protest

Chelsea fielded a full strength squad which included the return of half of the most feared strike partnership in English football, Nicolas Anelka, following a midweek benching against Athletico Madrid.

Meanwhile Alex Ferguson’s injury woes in defence continued. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidić were once again forced to sit out, still struggling to regain full match fitness following recent knocks. This saw the drafting in of Wes brown and Jonny Evans to fill the gaps left at centre back. Dangerous Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov was also absent from the makeshift United side.

The game broke off to a timid start with united holding much of the first half possession. It became clear the reds game plan was to exploit the opposition’s diamond formation in midfield and break down Chelsea’s rhythm and effectiveness. Wayne Rooney veered from his preferred central forward position and floated into pockets of space around the area, making intelligent runs and telegraphing momentum switching long balls. New acquisition Antonia Valencia held position tight against left back Ashley Cole and duly frustrated with some powerful and pacey charges down the wing.

Neither side seemed to possess a cutting edge. Build up play was patient and tidy but led to little clear goal scoring opportunities.

Long range efforts from both Ryan gigs and Michael Carrick kept Chelsea keeper Petr Cech busy to an extent but the Czech handled them with little difficulty.

Chelsea had the better of the few chances created during the first half. Anelka drifted in from the right side and propelled a glancing shot towards Edwin van der Saar’s goal which the big Dutchman comfortably saved.

Around the half hour mark the Frenchman’s keen eye for goals became apparent again. He cut inside his marker and sent a well struck curling attempt towards the far post, forcing an impressive one-handed save from the United keeper.

Both sides returned to the dressing rooms at half time after forty-five minutes which ticked away with little incident.

The previous pattern of play was repeated in the majority of the second period. Scotland internationalist and key man in crucial fixtures to Manchester boss Ferguson impressed with a solid and disciplined performance. He was the first to forge an effort on goal in the second half smashing a stinging drive goal wards only to be blocked by Carvalho.

Chelsea playmaker Deco gradually faded from notice in the game, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to make his first substitution of the game replacing the ex Barcelona stalwart with Joe Cole with 63 minutes gone.

Rooney as inventive and hungry to have the ball in his possession as ever swung infield, collected the ball on the turn and flighted a magnificent curling effort towards the top corner. Forcing Cech to make a save as challenging as any he would face in the match, tipping it just past his post.

In the 72nd minute Didier Drogba’s chest was met with the studs of Jonny Evans following a wild lunge of an aerial challenge. The Ivorian crumbled to the ground in what seemed considerable pain. The referee deemed the incident as accidental and Evans avoided being penalised. However when Drogba returned to his feet, much to the bewilderment of the player and fans in attendance the official brandished a yellow card towards him.

The lead up to Chelsea’s 73^rd minute winner proved to be highly controversial. Fletcher was booked for a challenge on Ashley Cole when he appeared to win the ball cleanly. The resulting free kick delivered by Frank Lampard with his trademark pin point accuracy met John Terry’s rising head and connected with the back of the net. United were left further disheartened when pleas that Drogba was infringing on active play by pushing Wes Brown following the cross fell on deaf ears. Angered United manager Alex Ferguson later remarked, “That goal should not have been allowed.”

The goal and Drogba’s collision sparked the game into life. Passion began to rise with some tempers flaring. Late challenges, petty squabbling and pushing between players littered the last quarter.

Michael Owen and young French left winger Gabriel Obertan joined the action in the 84^th minute as United sought to rally and snatch an equalizer. Despite some flair and promise shown by the twenty year old prospect there was little to worry a Chelsea defence which looked rock solid throughout.

Manchester United could not take advantage of yet another lengthy extension of time after the ninety minutes and walked away from a largely disappointing game with nothing to show for their dominance in midfield.

Post match the Chelsea coach expressed his delight with the win but urged caution despite being 5 points clear at the summit of the table.

“We are now five points clear but we know very well that the season is long, we have to maintain this atmosphere and we hope to maintain this gap.”

The defeat to the new title favourites has seen United drop down to third place, surpassed by a young and talented arsenal side who continued their rise with a comprehensive 4 -1 win over Wolverhampton on Saturday.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: Chelsea, Football, manchester, premiership

North Korea tests further missiles

October 12, 2009 By martinadam Leave a Comment

Part of North Korea's growing arsenal (Courtesy of www.timesonline.co.uk)

By Martin Adam

North Korea has once again defied US wishes to disband desires to become a fully nuclear state, test launching five short-range ballistic missiles off the peninsula’s east coast.

Reports from South Korea’s Yonhap agency come at an unusual time as Pyongyang recently expressed its intention to return to multiple party international talks regarding their nuclear weapons programme.

Local media reports in the last week have alluded to American plans to sail aircraft carrier, The USS George Washington to the South Korean port of Busan. It is unclear whether the permitted short-range tests are part of regular military practice or a direct response to US manoeuvres.

Russia, a firm supporter of the six way talks has come forward as the first nation to vocalize their opinion on the matter. A figure part of Russia’s foreign ministry has stated through the Itar-Tass news agency,

“The launch of short-range missiles by the Korean People’s Democratic Republic causes bewilderment,”

“It was not the most suitable time to do this now, when all efforts are made to restart six-way talks on Korea’s nuclear problem.”

At this time no comment has been made by any officials linked with the Northern regime. Such an act of provocation will surely increase the tightening sanctions placed by the United Nations following a previous underground test performed in May.

Filed Under: All Politics, News in Brief Tagged With: North Korea, nuclear, Tests