Fabulous and Philanthropic...

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are pretty awesome! They donated $8 million in 2006...and more since then to various international and national aid organizations in need. It's nice to know that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt give back while they are globe-trotting.  These are a few of the recipients of the generous donations made by the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

• Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation - dedicated to eradicating extreme rural poverty, protecting natural resources and conserving wildlife. MJP promotes sustainable rural economies that directly contribute to the health and vitality of communities, wildlife and forests." Cambodia
  
• $2 million donation to the Global Health Committee to establish a center to aid children affected by tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.
• $1 million donation to building hospital, school, community center in Namibia.
• $1 million donation to the humanitarian effort assisting millions of people affected by the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, the money distributed between three agencies playing key roles in Darfur and neighbouring Chad: the UNHCR; the International Rescue Committee and the international non-governmental organization, SOS Children's Villages.
• $1 million donation to Doctors Without Borders
• $1 million donation Global AIDS Alliance
  
• $1 million donation to the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict - Support programs for American and Iraqi children suffering from the war.
• $1 million donation to Human Rights Watch's work in Burma and Zimbabwe.
  
• $100,000 Grant for Global Action for Children
• $100,000 donation to Daniel Pearl Foundation
• $100,000 donation to Global Green U.S.A.
• $100,000 donation to Direct Change, a non profit that raises financial support for grassroots projects in Africa, to build a modern medical facility in Sudan.
  
• $100,000 donation to Epidermolysis Builoma Medical Research Foundation.
  
• $1 million donation to St. John's Hospital in Missouri to pay for cancer specialists.
  
• $1 million donation to UNHCR for displaced people in Pakistan

Jolie will talk about her work in aiding refugees this Thursday when she and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton celebrate World Refugee Day in Washington D.C.

Pirate's Booty: Resolving Conflict on the Coast of Somalia, a journalist's view

Photographer Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images courtesy of the Guardian UK

The New York Center For Conflict Dialogue 

is pleased to sponsor a conflict

dialogue roundtable on

 'Resolving Conflict on the Coast of Somalia,

 a journalist's view.'

Speaker: Ms. Falistin Ahmed Iman
Former Program Producer at HornAfrik Media (1999-2007) in Somalia, and at the Voice of America Kenya (2008)

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 Time: 6:30 p.m.

Venue: Global Information Network. 146 W, 29th street between 6th & 7th Street. 7th Floor.

Moderator: Spencer Chiimbwe, Coordinating Chairman, New York Center For Conflict Dialogue.

RSVP: 212-244-3123

from Mrs. Ahmed Imam's bio:

"Working as a leading female journalist in the emerging independent media of the traditionally male–dominated war-torn Somalia brings some measure of risk as well as responsibilities. Soon after I started working for HornAfrik media, some religious groups expressed reservations over my appearance in the television. Some complained about the headscarf I was wearing, instead of the “Islamic Hijab’. Others felt that it was ‘un-Islamic’ for a woman to play such a prominent role in the media. But I refused to be held back by these negative stereotypes against women. I used the pressure from these groups to become a better role model for other females joining the media profession. I try to assist young girls excel in their work, enhance their skills and build their confidence, despite the challenges.

Today, women play a more prominent role in the emerging independent media of Somalia. As a result, their voices and appearances in the local radio and television station attract little attention; let alone vocal opposition from radical groups..."

Indego Africa

Ben Stone and Indego's Founder, Matt Mitro at the Covanya's New Computer Center

I found out about Indego Africa in a most serendipitous way. Ben Stone, the Sr. VP and General Counsel for Indego Africa noticed the Reaching Out: Gisimba Orphanage flyer at a restaurant in Brooklyn a few weeks ago. After reading it, he realized that besides our common interest and work in Rwanda.... we both also live in the same apartment building in NYC! He facebook messaged me and we ended up having a great chat up on the roof deck about our projects. What a happy coincidence! ;-)

Indego Africa -- which stands for INdependence, DEvelopment, and GOvernance -- is an innovative social enterprise built upon the belief that women in Rwanda can lift themselves out of poverty. Indego Africa first provides more than 200 Rwandan artisans with access to the global marketplace, enabling them to sell their vibrant handicrafts for a fair wage. Indego Africa's handicrafts are currently on sale in dozens of retail stores in the U.S, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. and on its WEBSTORE. Indego Africa then applies 100% of profits to its long-term skills training programs in financial management, accounting, computer usage, and literacy, which are administered by Rwanda's top university students.

Jumping in Art Museums

Energetic Art Jumpers inspired from the Erwin Olaf exhibit at the FotoMuseum in Antwerp.

Came across this fun and uplifting (pun intended) blog called, Jumping in Art Museums, from a recommendation from a friend, Justine Suh. Creator, Allison Reimus started documenting her "Art Jumps" as her way to give a thumbs-up to her favorite works of art in museums. Now, anyone can submit their favorite pieces/jumps & leaps to her site. Happy Jumping!

LOVE the idea of this! I'm a huge avid photo-jumper ...in front of art as well as beaches, pools and other aesthetically pleasing sites. ;-)