Hey everybody, just wanted to give a huge thank-you to everyone who has support my outreaches! It is an amazing blessing to have people support my school and I when we are on our outreaches that happen through-out our 18 month course.
I have two more four week outreaches coming up this year! I am so excited that I get the oppurtnity in September to travel to Romania and Italy and then in November to Ireland and England.
While on these outreaches I will be continuing to work with people who are in some sort of injustice, i.e. human traffic victims, orphans, abuse victims, homeless people etc. Our goal is to expose the injustice through media, and bring life to those who are trapped in the situation.
I do need help to be able to complete these outreaches. If you feel like God is calling you to partner with me and support me finically, please email me @CRdalessandro@hotmail.ca.
Also, check out my profile for an international photo contest that I'm entered in, and make sure to hit the "support" button, so I can win some rad prizes!
Check it out! https://CassPhotography.see.me/
Thanks everyone, lots and lots of love,
-Cass
Monday, 8 July 2013
Media Project on Mental Illness in Jakarta!
Mental Illness in Jakarta!
By: Cassandra D’Alessandro and Kassandra Williams
Mental illness is one of the worst diseases to plague humanity. Only in the past few years have doctors started to understand and create helpful treatments for those who suffer from various mental illnesses. Before knowledge of mental illnesses was widely available, those suffering were treated in inhumane ways. They were abused and stripped of their rights by the those who were supposed to love and care for them.
In most developing countries, patients are now being given the attention they need. Doctors and other professionals are learning more about the different types of illnesses and how they can help in the most effective ways.
But, not all of the world is on the same level. Many countries still lack the technology and resources to fully understand the taboo subject of mental illness. Those suffering are still treated like animals. They are locked up, chained up, starved, and subjected cruel and ineffective therapy.
Indonesia is one of these countries. Only been in the last few years have doctors here begun to take the time to understand and learn more about mental illness. It has not been a major priority of the Indonesian government.
Most residents of Indonesia have no real understanding of mental illness. People believe that the issue is a spiritual one and turn to “spiritual healers” instead of doctors. They believe that those suffering from mental diseases are cursed or under the influence of black magic. This is one of the most prevalent reasons people with mental illnesses are treated inappropriately.
The government’s lack of investment in healthcare also contributes significantly to the issue. According to Sara Schonhardt of the Global Post, “Only 2.3 percent of the total national budget goes toward health care; less than 1 percent of that amount is put toward mental health.” The government does not give enough funds to the health care system, which results in a lack of doctors, technology, medication, and other necessities.
However, with more influence from the western world, many topics that were once avoided are now receiving attention. More and more doctors, nurses, and considerate citizens are getting involved, looking for better answers and ways to help their country grow. Dr. Irmansyah, the director of health in Indonesia said, “Awareness is rising that restraints are against human rights.”
WHO (World Health Organization) has also stepped into the situation. At the start of 2013, they announced their seven year plan to improve the state of healthcare for the mental ill worldwide. Their goal is to provide everyone with a mental illness the proper care they need.
Even though it comes as a surprise that these ways of treating the mentally disabled still exist in the world, in places like Indonesia, hope is rising. As people continue to learn, talk and help, the situation will change, and one problem that humanity faces will face its end.
Sources
Indonesia: Mentally ill still live in chains by Sara Schondart
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/indonesia/110907/indonesia-mental-health-schizophrenia
Clinics need to learn more about mental disorder problem
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/05/23/clinics-need-learn-more-about-mental-disorder-problem.html
Shackled to ignorance by Tom Allard
http://www.theage.com.au/world/shackled-to-ignorance-20100618-ymx3.html
Robert Lemelson: Filming mental illness by Mary Baines
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/02/18/robert-lemelson-filming-mental-illness.html
Monday, 17 June 2013
Friday, 19 April 2013
Love from Thailand!
I have been in Chaing Mai, Thailand for almost two weeks now. I am really enjoying myself. The city is full of beauty and it's been really fun exploring around. Last weekend was Thai New Year. IT IS THE FUNNEST NEW YEARS FEST EVER!!! for four days the whole country has a huge water fight! people walk around with water guns, the cities fill up huge water bins and people load up pick-up trucks and just throw water around. It is a great way to beat the heat and to let your hair down and have fun. In class we are learning about worldview, we covered world religions and we are now looking at world politics...super interesting! It is also my birthday week, so thats been a blast and this upcoming sunday, my birthday, I get the opportunity to go and play with tigers, yay! #YOLO #FISH #HAM! Overall, i am loving thai culture, thai people and thailand!
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Life in Lima
I lived in Lima for two weeks and here I got to working with homeless people who are addicted to drugs, children who have to work during the night cleaning cars to provide for their families, and families that live in slums around the city. It was a hard too weeks, but was so worth it and truly an amazing experience.
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| Last night in Lima, with some amazing people, who I miss so much! |
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| Franko, a six year old boy who lives in a slum in Lima. |
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| Joseph, a nine year old who lives in the slums. |
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| One example of a house in a slum |
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| A real Puma in the WILD...ok it was in the zoo. |
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| Matthew (five years old), just spending time with his family outside their house in one of Lima's biggest slums. |
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| Matthew and his brother, Hector, playing together. |
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| Hector with is grandmother |
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| Landscape from the Lima zoo. |
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| A monkey playing in his cage at the zoo. |
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| The cutest little guy, just chill in be hide the glass. |
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| Parrot just wanting some freedom. |
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| Typical restaurant in a market in Lima. |
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| Purple corn used to make a popular drink in Peru. |
THE AMAZON!
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| ITS THE AMAZON RIVER!!..ok thats a lie, its a river in the Amazon! |
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| A mango tree getting rained on, in the rain forest! |
they usually end up being mixed up in gangs, prostitution, and a lack of self worth.
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| A cool Amazon ant hill |
The family still needs a lot of help to get their goal complete; they need short term help as well as long term help. If you are feeling called to work with kids, in fields such as social worker, nutritionist, teacher, or if you have gifts in construction, cooking, landscaping, and would love to go on an adventure to the amazon, YOU should consider joining this ministry. Email me and I can get you in contact with the lovely family!
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| This is the toilet i used...yes it is just a bucket with a lid... |
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| This is my lovely, bug free bed! |
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| the stairs/ my living room |
Vida bajo del Puente
Vida bajo del Puente
“Once you’re in [this life style], it’s so hard to
get out.” (Evan, 33)
Lima, Peru is a city of eight million people. Much
like any large city, it is home to people who differ in economic status. The
city houses many persons who can not for whatever reasons afford some sort of
shelter. Through out the city there are numerous areas that have become
communities for the homeless.
One of the main factors of the
homelessness in Lima is drug use. In the city there are different communities
of people who live together as “families”, under bridges and try to survive
life. They work, eat, sleep and partake in mind-altering substances together.
A common drug that is used on the
streets of Lima is Phencyclidine (PCP), it is known as “angel dust” or “wet”. The drug
comes in many forms and may be ingested, smoked, or
inhaled. PCP is very harmful to a person physically as well as emotionally. Some effects
of the drug are: unsteady gait, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, loss of
balance, anesthesia, convulsions, severe changes in body image, loss of ego boundaries, paranoia, depersonalization, hallucinations, euphoria, suicidal impulses and aggressive behavior.
Society may view these people as “unvalued
bums”, but if one were to take the time to hear their stories they would see valuable
people who lost their way.
Evan, Martin, Carina, Carlos, Jesus,
and Juan are some members of a group that live under a bridge in a poor area of
the city. Their stories are all similar. Their need for drugs has driven them
to the point where they feel completely hopeless.
Each one of these people has been through
a lot. All of them having hard childhoods; growing up in families that are not
the norm, such as having parents that are prostitute or drug dealers. A lot of
them have children and husbands or wives. They have houses and family members
who they love. But because of their addictions they haven’t seen them for
years. They are either to ashamed, scared or angry with them selves to return
home. Take Carina for example, she is the mother of four children, aged between
twelve years to six months. The three oldest live with Carina’s second mom and
the youngest lives with his father. She
never see’s any of her children. It’s not due to a lack of love; on the
contrary she loves them just as much as the average, caring mother. The only
thing that holds her back is the drugs; she does not want her kids to see her
the way she is. This scenario applies to not only Carina, but also to Jesus and
Evan. Jesus has a daughter that he has not seen in six years, and Evan has three
kids that he has minable contact with. When asked, why they don’t go back and
be with their families their answers are similar to Carina’s, they are too afraid
of what their families may think and do not want to let their families down.
Their addictions have taken them so far
from where the dreamed they would be. All of them have attended post-secondary
education, and have studied subjects like engineering, accounting and theology.
Today, most of them work cleaning cars on the streets that stop for red lights.
Martin has an interesting occupation. He goes on to buses and begs for money
from the passengers. He tells them a little slice of his story then does a
“trick” to get people to give. His “trick” is putting the end of a normal size
spoon up his nose. He learned how to do this one day while he was drunk. He
kept practicing it, and now uses it to help inspire people to give him money.
All of them have also been in jail for
numerous reasons including possession of illegal substances, selling illegal
substances, assault, and murder. The drugs that they have abused have made them
do things that they would never in they right mind think about doing. They all can tell times when they and their
loved ones have seen how the drugs have changed them. “Who are you? Who are
you! Who are you?!”Jesus’s girlfriend screamed at him after one circumstance
where he lost himself to the drugs.
If one were to observe the group that
lives together under the bridge, first impressions would be “social fall
outs”, “less worthy” and “average drug
addicts”. However, if one were to take a risk and get to know the persons who are
behind the “druggie” life style, they would find normal people. People who
enjoy salsa dancing, and who like going for walks. People whom like hanging out
on the beach. They are people who like to collect dolls, eat traditional Peruvian
food, and play football (soccer). They are people who lost their way and just
need help getting out.
“[If
I could do anything right now] change my life and be with my kids, no drugs…be
home.” (Carina 24)
“…go
back home to be with my family…I want to be sure that I can quit drugs for
good, so I can be [home].” (Evan 33)
“I
would get out of here.” (Carlos 44).
“I
know that there is a time for everything, and my time to get out of here is
soon.” (Jesus 43).
Friday, 22 February 2013
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