Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight World Poverty in 1 Minute?
Starring: Damion Fitz
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Caitlin Carlson, Heather Mangrum, Robert Sherman and everyone at Mercy Corps and the Mercy Corps Action Center, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight Hunger in 1 Minute?
Starring: Julie Tortorici
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: The GreaterGood Network, www.hungersite.com
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Rosemary Jones and everyone at The GreaterGood Network, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight Poverty in 1 Minute?
Starring: Dennis Arinella & Alicia Arinella
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: Lions Club International, www.lionsclubs.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Kristopher Kempski and everyone at Lions Clubs International, Premier Optical, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight Poverty in 1 Minute?
Starring: Michael Chang & Jim Paugh
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Statistical information attained from the US Census Bureau
(http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p60-235.pdf)
Special Thanks: Erin Moran and everyone at Dress for Success, www.dressforsuccess.org,
John Sanful and everyone at Career Gear, www.careergear.org and
Dennis Arinella
Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. We, over here, toiling away on project, What You Can Do felt it would be nonsensical to ignore the fact that today, the nation stands together in celebration of a man who shaped our country’s history and did what he could to further our collective humanity.
This week, What You Can Do 365, addresses the issue of poverty. However, today we at On the Leesh, wanted to take a step back and acknowledge that some of the inspiration of the entire project comes from the enduring optimism of heroes like, Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am not an expert on the man. Nor am I an expert on the movement. While this project and this holiday have a very obvious connection, I didn’t want to pretend to sit here at my computer and write as if I am an authority. Instead, I thought a first step would be to think about some of the words that are bandied about today. One word that came to my mind was tolerance. Not having a next step, I looked the word up for the exact definition. Among other entries on dictionary.com I found this: “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc, differ from one’s own; freedom from bigotry.”
“Freedom from bigotry.” I love the way that sounds; the phrasing of it. The definition begins so clinically with words like “fair”, “objective”, “permissive” and then they offer this epic sounding phrase, “freedom from bigotry.” It makes it sound as if it is something someone can offer you. It makes it sound as if it is something that a place or country can offer you. It is so hopeful sounding; so optimistic.
Following my word path I decided to look up some of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches. For if anyone can offer words that, when strung together permeate hope, it is he. I opted to look at a speech I was less familiar with and read the speech he gave when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. Before me were beautiful, delicious, moving words like “audacious,” “audacity” and phrases like “the eternal oughtness”.
Then I read on and everything came full circle. My eyes scanned the following:
“Most of these people will never make the headlines and their names will not appear in Who’s Who. Yet when years have rolled past and when the blazing light of truth is focused on this marvelous age in which we live—men and women will know and children will be taught that we have a finer land, a better people, a more noble civilization…”
This at its essence, my friends, is the spirit of What You Can Do 365. Nobody will know if you sponsored a woman in Africa. Nobody will know if you switched to “green” cleaners or if you’ve donated clothing to a shelter. Yet you’ve joined this anonymous body of people who together can move beyond indifference and apathy and change this world. Among you are others who, like you, have claimed responsibility for their world and are taking action. It’s all of us, standing together for the action and not the recognition of bettering our surroundings in every way possible.
All of us here at What You Can Do 365 wish you an everlasting Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
Here are some links we found over here on the man and the movement. Please check them out!
The experts of course, first have to come up with a way to define and measure it. How can we calculate whether or not an individual or family is impoverished? Apparently, there is some debate about how this is done. What measures should be used? What should be included in figuring this data out? It’s important for the experts to have a sense of the devastating numbers. For the nonexperts however, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that the exact numbers don’t really matter, because who would want to see anyone come even close to meeting those incredibly low income numbers? Many of us have seen those news stories or have had friends or family members who’s circumstances have changed drastically due to the devastating economic downturn. Maybe some of those people or families wouldn’t fit into the narrow definition of poverty and yet, I think we’d all want to pitch in and help them as well.
This brings me to our first week of videos surrounding the issue of poverty. Did you know that merely not having glasses can keep someone from getting out of poverty? What about simply not having the right interview attire to wear? Or not having access to resource books? Statistics aside, the face of poverty stretches far and wide and it’s been so encouraging over here to discover that there is a range of things that a person can do to help someone else suffering from poverty – however it’s defined.
An Interview with Susanna Masur from Action Against Hunger
Closing out hunger week, Jessica and I wanted to interview someone who could speak to this devastating issue on an international level. Our interview with City Harvest allowed us to address the impact of hunger locally, so we felt it was important to also look at it from an international standpoint.
I have known about the organization, Action Against Hunger for some time now. I am on their newsletter list and I’ve always been interested in the work they were doing. Once we began “What You Can Do” they were one of the organizations I was hoping would sign on and sure enough – they did! Below is my interview with Susannah Masur from Action Against Hunger. In getting her expert viewpoint, what I found most interesting was that, while most of us know how widespread an epidemic hunger and malnutrition are, I’m not sure how many people realize that there are specific solutions out there. Indeed, this problem seems to come with some hopeful answers.
The following is the interview with Susannah. Hopefully you find it as interesting as I did!
1. What, if any, misconceptions do you feel that people have about world hunger?
One major misconception is that world hunger is a problem too daunting to solve. In reality, the fight against hunger can be won. We have the tools and knowledge to do it. What we lack is the political will. In the 21st century, we’ve made major strides in the battle against HIV/AIDS. And most countries on earth have banned the use of landmines. We can do the same for hunger, but people have to stand up and demand it.
Another common misconception is that hunger is mostly limited to Africa. On the contrary, malnutrition is rampant throughout much of the developing world. In fact, the country with the greatest number of malnourished children is actually India. Despite their growing middle class, millions of children there don’t get the nutrients they need to survive.
In your opinion, what is the greatest hope on the horizon regarding the fight against world hunger?
There is reason to be very optimistic about the fight against hunger. For the first time in history, we can end acute malnutrition, a condition that affects some 55 million children today and kills up to five million of them every year.
A range of nutritional products has been developed in the last few years that has literally revolutionized the treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition. Ready-to-Use Foods, or RUFs for short, are specially formulated to jumpstart a malnourished child’s metabolism, revive organ and cell function, and initiate weight gain. Unlike previous products, they require no preparation, no mixing with water, no refrigeration, and most importantly, no hospitalization. Action Against Hunger has saved hundreds of thousands of lives using these RUFs by working with community members to identify, treat, and follow-up with acutely malnourished children. Still, less than 10% of children suffering from acute malnutrition around the world have access to life-saving treatment.
The good news is that community-based care using RUFs can be scaled up to reach the millions of children suffering from the condition. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet because it hasn’t been made a priority. At Action Against Hunger, we’re trying to change that through a new campaign to end acute malnutrition. Visitwww.actionagainsthunger.org/end-malnutritionto learn more.
If someone is motivated beyond our 1 minute idea in the fight to end world hunger, what is your recommendation for them to do?
They can stay informed about the issues by signing up for newsletters and email alerts. They can visit www.actionagainsthunger.org/get-involved/join-us to keep up-to-date on Action Against Hunger’s life-saving humanitarian programs and latest developments in the fight against hunger.
Or, they can donate to organizations like Action Against Hunger that have proven success in fighting hunger and are cost-effective. Given more time, they can host a party at home to raise awareness and funds for organizations of their choosing.
Or what about giving a gift that gives back? There are a number of establishments that donate a portion of their proceeds to hunger organizations. Visithttp://www.actionagainsthunger.org/get-involved/partnerships for a list of participating stores.
Has working with Action Against Hunger changed you in any way that you’d like to share with our audience?
Action Against Hunger is an extraordinary organization, and I’m privileged to be among a group of dedicated and passionate colleagues. I’ve been truly inspired by their work with populations in crisis and by the professionalism they show, even under the most difficult circumstances.
I’ll give you one example: Daisy Nyaga, our Public Health Program Manager in Kenya, was just honored for the extraordinary work she does in distressed communities. Daisy works with families to improve their health and prevent illnesses like malaria, dysentery, and cholera that are major contributing factors to malnutrition and kill millions of children in developing countries every year. She spends hours and hours talking to mothers and their children about basic care practices—like the importance of breast-feeding and nutrient-rich diets—and steps they can take to improve hygiene and sanitation. This is exhausting work, but it’s critically important in Kenya and other countries where unsanitary conditions lead to childhood deaths. It’s amazing what a difference she and the thousands of other Action Against Hunger staff working around the world have made. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from them.
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight Global Hunger in 1 Minute?
Starring: Karen T. Hartline
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: Action Against Hunger, www.actionagainsthunger.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Susannah Masur and everyone at Action Against Hunger, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight World Hunger in 1 Minute?
Starring: Alex Marshall-Brown
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: Mercy Corps, www.mercycorps.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Caitlin Carlson and everyone at Mercy Corps, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
Think there’s nothing you can do to help fight Hunger in NYC in 1 Minute?
Starring: Melissa Jernigan & Greg Gallagher
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Statistical Information provied by: City Harvest, www.cityharvest.org
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission
Special Thanks: Heather Wallace and everyone at City Harvest, and Dennis Arinella
For more information, please visit – www.whatyoucando365.com
On the Leesh Productions is a New York based company devoted to the production of innovative, energetic, and challenging film and theater. We are comprised of a core team of collaborators interested in new and provocative subject matter, in unhindered visual experimentation, and in realizing the work of like-minded creative artists and writers.
