#World Outreach Network

[ntgospel]

Conferência em Nepal resulta em testemunhos de cura e libertação

Confira a novidade em https://ntgospel.com/noticias/fe/conferencia-em-nepal-resulta-em-testemunhos-de-cura-e-libertacao

Conferência em Nepal resulta em testemunhos de cura e libertação

Recentemente, uma equipe da fundação “World Outreach Network” dedicou um final de semana ao serviço missionário no Nepal, participando de uma conferência que reuniu centenas de líderes locais e da Índia. O evento proporcionou testemunhos impactantes de curas, libertações e manifestações do poder de Deus.

O desafio inicial enfrentado pela equipe foi a falta de tradutores, uma barreira linguística que se revelou uma oportunidade para dependerem do Espírito Santo, agindo de forma extraordinariamente poderosa para superar essa limitação.

Experiências durante a conferência

Willem Fiege, fundador da World Outreach Network, compartilhou emocionado no Instagram sobre as experiências vividas durante a conferência. “Muitas pessoas se apresentaram para confessar pecados e se arrepender, sendo vários delas novos convertidos que nasceram de novo. Pecados e segredos ocultos foram trazidos à luz, e a misericórdia, a graça e o perdão fluíram livremente”, afirmou.

Um aspecto notável foi a resposta às invocações ao Espírito Santo, resultando em curas espontâneas e uma experiência espiritual intensa. A repercussão foi tamanha que, por conta do volume de testemunhos, foi necessário abreviar as histórias compartilhadas durante o evento.

Além das transformações individuais, cerca de 300 pessoas foram libertas de influências espirituais malignas, destacando o impacto espiritual significativo da conferência. No entanto, a proclamação ousada do Evangelho chamou a atenção das autoridades governamentais no dia seguinte.

Resposta aos testemunhos

Em resposta aos testemunhos, o governo realizou uma ronda na área circundante do evento com o intuito de identificar e afastar missionários estrangeiros. Esta reação destaca a tensão enfrentada pelos cristãos no Nepal, onde o cristianismo é submetido a pressões, e há relatos de escravidão espiritual entre os líderes locais, bem como a falta de ensino bíblico.

Diante desse cenário desafiador, a equipe da World Outreach Network vê a conferência como uma oportunidade crucial para encorajar os líderes locais, oferecendo ensino prático que possa impactar as mentes e corações dos cristãos nepaleses, orientando-os a escolherem a mentalidade da fé em meio à opressão.

Segundo o guiame, o Nepal é classificado como um dos países menos alcançados, com aproximadamente 26 milhões de habitantes que nunca ouviram falar de Jesus. Diante desse contexto, a equipe da World Outreach Network conclama à oração, buscando o avivamento no Nepal e a disseminação do Evangelho entre a população, onde 98% nunca tiveram a oportunidade de ouvir a mensagem cristã.

[3liza]

(many of) the guys who get hoodwinked by nfts and crypto rugpulls and virtual real estate etc are being victimized by the same strategies used by cult and MLM recruiters but laser-targeted to the class of extremely dissociated business boys who have been raised in climate controlled terrariums since they were IVF pipetted into their surrogates by parents who would frown and shake their heads every time any sort of non-alienated labor or craftwork was mentioned in the presence of their child, to denote disapproval of "impractical" skills. these guys are very rich, do not have social skills except for "networking", are borderline illiterate, and inevitably have some sort of disastrous parasocial emotional affair with a sex worker in their 50s. the ones who are not sociopaths by the clinical definition are pathetically lonely and the rugpull offers a form of instant ingroup buy-in which lasts for as long as the business boy chooses to HODL.

is it their fault/do they deserve it/should we feel sorry for them? complicated series of questions. materially i think it's a waste of time to feel sorry for someone who is actively gentrifying and paywalling and enshittifying as we speak, however, there is maybe something to be said for leftists considering some kind of active outreach to victims of these scams as a form of coalition-building, but im always thinking something like this and i have yet to run into an actual real world example of "my whole life i hated hippies and then one day, one reached out and saved me, so i have decided to retire from making money by being evil" so i think i'm probably wrong and the only answer is actually just full scale class war and also probably putting a lot more leftist resources into running scams targeting the business boys.

[chimuelo2005-blog]

I hate with all my soul the head cannon of Voldemort being incapable of love.

I despise it. I despise it with all my soul. The idea that Voldemort couldn’t feel love because of a love potion doesn’t just flatten his character, it conveniently lets everyone else off the hook. It turns his evil into an inevitability rather than the direct result of a system that failed him at every possible turn. No, this isn't a Voldemort defender post, hear me out.

Tom Riddle wasn’t born incapable of love. He was raised in an environment that stripped him of every opportunity to form meaningful human connections. The Wizarding World’s complete disregard for orphans, for children outside of traditional wizarding families, set the stage for everything he became.

Think about it. Hogwarts is supposedly the greatest magical institution in Britain, and yet it does nothing to support students like Tom. He spent his entire childhood in a Muggle orphanage, completely alone, with no understanding of what he was or where he came from. No one checked on him. No one brought him into the wizarding world until Dumbledore had to. And even then, what did Hogwarts do for him? Did they provide guidance? Therapy? Any kind of mentorship outside of one man who already distrusted him from the start? Nope. He was just another student* expected to figure it out himself.

Meanwhile, every pure-blooded or half-blood student had a network. They had families, connections, names that carried weight. Tom had nothing. He had to make a name for himself from scratch. And he did, but instead of anyone noticing the warning signs—his obsession with control, his fear of weakness, his clear manipulative tendencies, they just LET HIM BE!! THE LET HIM STEW IN IT. Because as long as he wasn’t actively causing problems, he was just another Slytherin with ambition, right?

And after Hogwarts? No outreach. No Ministry intervention. No one makes sure the incredibly powerful, orphaned student with an affinity for dark magic wasn’t falling through the cracks. Nothing. Because why would the system care? It wasn’t built to protect kids like Tom. It was built to sustain the status quo, and Tom Riddle; poor, orphaned, brilliant—wasn’t part of that world unless he forced himself into it.

The love potion headcanon erases all of that. If Tom was just born incapable of love, then suddenly, none of these failings matter. It wasn’t the fault of the orphanage that never gave him security. It wasn’t the fault of Hogwarts for never intervening. It wasn’t the fault of the Ministry for never giving a damn about where an orphaned wizard actually went after school. No, it was just fate. Just bad luck. Just magic.

And that’s ridiculous.

Voldemort is terrifying because he was human. He wasn’t destined to be a monster—he became one. The system abandoned him, gave him no reason to trust, no reason to believe in love, no support to guide him toward anything else. But at the end of the day, he still had choices. He could have fought to be better. He could have seen the flaws in the world and worked to change them. Instead, he chose domination. He chose cruelty. He took every opportunity to embrace power over connection.

That’s what makes him compelling. Not some tragic, unchangeable flaw in his DNA, but the fact that he could have been anything else, and he still became this.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

May i have some advice on writing a trans-masc character? Like internal and external conflict and how to tackle them properly?

Writing Notes: Transmasculine

Transmasculine

A term used to describe people who were assigned female at birth but identify with a masculine gender identity more than a feminine gender identity.

This term is not interchangeable with trans man, although trans men may identify as transmasculine.

Can also be used to describe gender expression or as a gender identity in its own right.

“This term includes non-binary people, gender fluid people, genderqueer people—anyone assigned female at birth whose gender falls in the more masculine range,” Jo Eckler, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Texas and author of I Can’t Fix You—Because You’re Not Broken, said in a 2020 interview with Health.

“The term transgender is often used as an umbrella term that encompasses anyone who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. So trans men and transmasculine people are both transgender.”

Transmasculine is an adjective sometimes used to describe transmen, as in “transmasculine activist.”

Matthew Heinz (2016) uses the term ‘transmasculine’ to: "loosely describe people who were assigned to the female sex at birth, who do not perceive this sex designation to be an appropriate representation of their gender or sex, and who may identify as AFAB (assigned female at birth), affirmed male, bi-gender, boi, boy, FAAB (female assigned at birth), f2m, F2M, female-bodied man, female-to-male (FTM), guy, M2M, male, male-identified, male of centre, man, man of transgendered experience, man with transsexual history, new man, non-binary guy, trannyboi, transboy, transfag, transguy, transmale, transman, transmasculine, or transmasculine-leaning."

This is not meant to be an exclusive list of the identity labels transmasculine individuals may create or select to describe themselves, which vary greatly in meaning and usage (Bhanji 2012; Diamond & Butterworth 2008; Norwood 2012; Spencer 2014).

The Transgender Emergence Model

Created by counselor and social worker Arlene Istar Lev in response to the lack of a theoretical framework to guide work with transgender clients in therapy (Lev, 2004).

The framework is comprised of 6 stages and is linear in structure, but allows for fluidity or movement between stages.

This model was one of the first attempts to create a model to describe the transgender identity development process.

Stage 1: Awareness

This stage is often marked by distress as the person comes to terms with a range of emotions and thoughts

Stage 2: Seeking Info/Reaching Out

Outreach for support and knowledge regarding gender identity

Connections are made to other transgender people to learn about their process and to discover additional supports

Stage 3: Disclosure to Significant Others

Disclosing one’s transgender identity to significant people—partners, family, friends, etc.

Developing additional support networks and navigating the challenges and responses of disclosure

Stage 4: Exploration: Identity and Self-Labeling

Exploring the numerous iterations of gender and becoming comfortable and owning the gender identity that is right for the individual

Stage 5: Exploration: Transition Issues / Possible Body Modification

Exploration of gender confirming interventions such as hormones, top or bottom surgery, and exploring specific expression of gender

Self-advocating and the ability to navigate gender identity and expression as one, while also challenging the world to acknowledge and respect one’s identity

Stage 6: Integration: Acceptance and Post-Transition Issues

Transitions begin and may be ongoing—hormones, hair removal, etc.

Acceptance has been acknowledged and the individual is living life having integrated and synthesized their gender identity

An example of a transgender person who has reached stage 6 might be a transmasculine college student (assigned female at birth) who begins taking testosterone and undertakes chest reduction (top) surgery in order to live full time as a man.

LIMITATIONS OF THIS MODEL

It focuses solely on gender identity development.

It does not offer a unified theory of sexual and gender identity development, even though these two aspects of identity are often intertwined and students may experience development of both simultaneously.

Stage Model on Transgender Identity Development

One of the first developmental models for transgender identities posited by Devor (2004). Within his model, Devor describes 14 linear stages in which the individual can progress through in order to develop a sense of identity pride.

Stage 1: Abiding Anxiety

Stage 2: Identity Confusion Regarding Originally Assigned Gender and Sex

Stage 3: Identity Comparison of Originally Assigned Gender and Sex

Stage 4: Discovery of Transgenderism

Stage 5: Identity Confusion Regarding Transgenderism

Stage 6: Identity Comparison of Transgenderism

Stage 7: Tolerance of Transgender Identity

Stage 8: Delay Before Acceptance of Transgender Identity

Stage 9: Acceptance of Transgender Identity

Stage 10: Delay Before Transition

Stage 11: Transition

Stage 12: Acceptance of Post-Transition Gender and Sex Identities

Stage 13: Integration

Stage 14: Pride

Broadly, this model posits that individuals begin the developmental process by experiencing anxiety and confusion over their gendered behaviours and compares them to others with the same assigned sex.

Similar to other models, the individual attempts to seek out greater belonging within the transgender community to affirm and accept their identity, however prior to doing this they may wish to make adjustments within their interpersonal environment so that they’re surrounded by individuals who are also accepting of a transgender identity (disclosure of identity may also follow from here).

The last stages of Devor’s model explore the notions of transitioning from one gender to another, and end in pride of identity.

That is, in order to re-affirm an individual’s identity with their gender, they may seek to transition from one gender to another, in either (or both) a social or physical sense, in order to fully accept and feel pride with their gender identity.

LIMITATIONS OF THIS MODEL

Although Devor’s (2004) model posits a comprehensive approach to transgender identity development, he clarifies that there could be multiple pathways within the model that transgender individuals can progress through.

Moreover, he notes that this model will not fit every transgender person or other gender-diverse individuals, such as those whose gender identity falls outside of the binary of male and female (for a discussion on other TGD development models, see Diamond et al., 2011).

Some aspects of Devor’s model might be applicable to these individuals, such as initial confusion and comparison of identity, whereas other stages (such as the transition stages), might be only applicable to the binary concepts of male/female gender-diversity.

However, an adaption of these transition stages within this model for gender non-binary individuals might be acceptable (e.g. these individuals might still transition from a binary gender identity to a non-binary gender identity from a social and cultural perspective).

Given the scarcity of research on the identity development of gender non-binary identities, future researchers should consider how models, such as Devor’s (2004), are adaptable to other gender-diverse individuals.

On Media Representation & Portrayals

Media rely on stereotypes to tell stories, especially when the topics deal with novel representations. At issue is the limited number of transmasculine characters, along with outdated tropes.

According to Dry (2019), Hollywood is still “figuring out what to do with trans male characters.”

Billard (2016) credited the invisibility of transgender men to the lack of shock or intrigue given to transgender women.

In its depictions, television teaches that young transmasculine characters are less scandalous than transfeminine characters, which is understandable given the more acceptable “tomboy” over the “sissy.”

New Amsterdam (2018) does a significantly more thorough job of explaining the transition of a transmasculine character than other medical dramas, which often focus on the surgical aspect. In the episode, transgender youth Shay’s parents describe how depressed he had been and how after he socially transitioned, he started smiling and making friends.

Heinz (2016) explained traditional transmasculine narratives in the following stages:

emergence of trans consciousness,

severe distress,

treatment of the condition, and

resolution of the distress and “integration into normative society” (p. 104).

The severe distress aspect is likely presented in 2 forms: others’ judgments and one’s own perception that they need to be “fixed.”

The “wrong body” trope, according to Halberstam (1998), describes an error of nature “whereby gender identity and biological sex are not only discontinuous but catastrophically at odds.”

Heinz (2016) added, “If one is trapped in the ‘wrong’ body, then one’s condition needs to be ‘righted’” (p. 89), which then leads to the third stage of altering the body through surgery and hormones.

This “wrong body” trope is mainly found in older series, such as The L Word, Degrassi, and The Fosters.

It no longer appears after 2015.

Instead of “wrong body,” Ian Harvie jokes in his comedy special, “I just feel like this was the right body. I just made some modifications to it.”

Interdisciplinary artist and film-maker Jules Rosskam (2010), ponders whether the system of representation itself precludes an ‘ideal’ trans representation in the media:

"Perhaps we can agree that we will not expect one person, one film, one story to represent the vastly different, extremely complex and beautiful variety of our lives. And, that no matter how much we disagree or dis-identify with the version of trans being represented, we must not engage in practices that attempt to silence certain voices, in order that ours be heard."

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References

If drawing from personal experience isn't possible, more important than all of this research is to speak with and listen to transmasculine people in our lives. Hope this helps with your writing!

[babiriye]

Awesome climate news!

Have y'all heard of geothermal energy? There's the superheated geothermal energy that first comes to mind in places like Iceland over geological hot spots that are able to use the heat of near surface magma to power traditional turbines to make energy. Those are cool, but not what I'm talking about.

Anywhere you are on earth, the ambient temperatures fluctuate greatly. But go just 5 feet below ground, and you have a nearly constant temperature of 55 degrees farenheight. This massive source of a stable temperature environment can act as a heat sink or heat source!

There's this cool technology called heat pumps. It functions similar to an air conditioner, which pumps heat out of a building, leaving cooler temperatures behind. Heat pumps literally move heat around. I have an ambient heat pump for heating and cooling my house which is pretty sweet. However, it struggles to heat my house in the winter. To heat my house, the heat pump needs to take heat from outside and move it inside. This is obviously difficult to do in winter when i need it most.

Enter geothermal heat pumps! Geothermal heat pumps move heat to or from the stable temperature zones available literally everywhere. It's much easier to pull heat from the constant 55 degree farenheight ground than it is from the fluctuating and freezing ambient air! Geothermal heating is very energy efficient!

Now that's cool and all, but it's expensive. Very few people can afford their own geothermal heat pump system. You need to have a drill rig making deep boreholes, and that is not cheap.

Enter NETWORKED geothermal heat pumps! Imagine a neighborhood that is all connected to a centralized geothermal heating borehole network. A centralized utility can provide this super efficient heating and cooling system for an entire neighborhood!

Now this sounds a bit like pie in the sky wishful thinking. BUT ITS REAL.

In Framingham Massachusetts, the world's first networked geothermal system has been constructed and is online! It serves over 30 buildings, including a school and fire department, and apartment complex. This is incredible!!

We already have large centralized utilities distributing resources through large piped networks. Natural gas is one of the main sources of heat for many people. This is distributed through pipes in roadways to homes. Natural gas is not as terrible for the environment as oil heating, but it still is a fossil fuel that's terrible for the environment (fracking), and has explosive consequences when things go wrong (ex. Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions).

Imagine a world where we replace (or maybe reuse??) our networked natural gas distribution with networked geothermal! This is better for climate, more cost efficient for customers, and doesn't run the risk of having deadly explosions.

There is so much progress happening in the fight against climate change. I'll keep working on spreading these good news stories, as they deserve to be told.

[adarinas]

(WIP) Resources Masterlist

*Note: a lot of these are geared toward American and/or English-speaking populations, my apologies, but plenty of them are global!

GENERAL

End Global Genocides Master Document | Another Master Doc | Tumblr Post - Links to Informational Articles/Websites

Donations: Fundraisers - Gaza, Sudan, Congo, and more | Doctors Without Borders | Care.org | World Central Kitchen | Operation Olive Branch | Islamic Relief USA

Discord: Global Strikes Against Genocide Discord Server

SUDAN

Eyes on Sudan | Sudan Solidarity Collective | Linktree - Sudanese Diaspora Network

Info: 500 days of war... | Sudan War Explained - Interview

Petitions/Letters: Stop Sudan War | Justice for Human Rights Abuse Victims in Chad and Sudan | Stop Arming Saudi Arabia and the UAE to stop the Sudan genocide

Donations: Sudan Funds | Tumblr Masterpost - Sudan Orgs/Fundraisers | Water for South Sudan

ROHINGYA

Free Rohingya Coalition

Info: CNN - Hundreds of Rohingya face drone strikes / ethnic cleansing in Myanmar

Spotify - Rohingya Culture Interview

Petitions:

Donations: Mutual Emergency Aid 4 Rohingya | Emergency Aid for Rohingya Orphans and Disabled Families

TIGRAY

Tigray Action Committee

Info: Omna Tigray - What's happening in Tigray? | Tghat News | UN Article from Sept 2023

Petitions/Letters: Petition - Demand Aid to Tigray | Stop the Tigray Genocide

Donations: Places to Donate for Tigray Tumblr Post | Ahwatna Relief

DRC

Friends of the Congo | Focus Congo | Congo Resources Tumblr Post

Info: DRC: Inside the world's forgotten war | Congo Genocide Explained - Interview

Petitions: No Tax Dollars to Fund Congo Genocide | Halt the Ongoing Genocide in Congo

Donations: SOS Congo (organized by Goma Actif) | IRC in Congo | Action Kivu

KASHMIR

Stand with Kashmir | Kashmir Masterlist Tumblr Post

Info: Kashmir - Paradise Lost (BBC)

Petitions/Letters: Stop Arming Indian Occupation of Kashmir

Donations: KASHMER

EAST TURKESTAN

Campaign for Uyghurs | Uyghur Truth Project | Camp Album Project

Info: Persecution of Uyghurs in China - Wikipedia

Petitions/Letters: Change.org - Uyghur Muslims

PALESTINE

Jewish Voice for Peace | USPCR Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit

Info: Wizard Bisan, a Palestinian journalist

Petitions/Letters: Not Another Bomb | Amnesty - Demand a Ceasefire | Tumblr Post with Petitions | Ceasefire Now | (JVP) Tell Congress - Arms Embargo Now

Donations: Gaza Funds | Low on Funds Palestinians Fundraisers | Vetted Gaza Evacuation Fundraisers | Arab.org Daily Click | Middle East Children's Alliance

ARMENIA

Learn for Artsakh | Help Armenians Carrd | Artsakh Genocide Action Toolkit

Info: Denying Your History - Armenian Genocide

Petitions/Letters: Petition - Stop Erasing Armenian Culture | International Recognition of Artsakh

Donations: Fund for Armenian Relief | Armenia Fund | CARITAS Armenia | ARS of Eastern USA inc.

INDIGENOUS AMERICANS

MMIWG2S | Indigenous Action | NDN Collective

Petitions/Letters: Stop sterilizing Indigenous women without consent | Free Leonard Peltier

HAWAII

Info: Tourism's Negative Impact on Native Hawaiians | Noho Hewa Film (2008)

Donations: Hawaii Community Foundation

HAITI

Haiti Liberation Google Doc

Donations: Hands Together for Haitians | Haiti Outreach | Hope for Haiti | Twitter Thread of GoFundMes/Donation Links

WEST PAPUA

Free West Papua Website | West Papua Resources/Info Tumblr Post | We Need to Talk about Papua Carrd (last updated 2021 but has good info)

Info: United Nations - Indonesia: Shocking abuses against indigenous Papuans | Twitter Thread of Helpful Articles

Petitions/Letters:

ALSO:

The Kurdish Project

KEEP BOYCOTTING, PROTESTING, AND DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN! FREE ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLES OF THE WORLD!

If you can't donate, share!

If you have any concerns with the links I've posted, please share! I tried my best to verify everything but please let me know if you are doubtful of something! Also, please please share other resources from people who are directly impacted by these genocides!!

LAST UPDATED SEPTEMBER 16 2024.

[coochiequeens]

March 05, 2025 • By Nathalie Ebead

On 8 March, as the world observes International Women's Day and marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, it is essential to recognize the key roles women continue to play in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement since the illegal 2021 military coup.

The military coup precipitated an unprecedented human rights and humanitarian crisis  in Myanmar severely impacting women and girls. 

In 2025, women and girls in Myanmar continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing crises and conflict in Myanmar: 10.4 million women and girls need humanitarian assistance, including 7.1 million women and 3.3 million girls. Women-headed households are 1.2 times more likely than male-headed households to live in poverty, and families with more children face higher risks.  Women and girls deal with a host of crisis-driven hardships, including the risk of forced conscription, early and child marriage, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. 

Deep-rooted patriarchal norms continue to relegate women to secondary roles in decision-making, making it difficult for them to participate in legislative and constitution drafting in Myanmar’s post-coup transition. Structural barriers such as a lack of legal protections, discriminatory practices, and economic barriers further hinder women’s full participation. 

Despite these challenges, women in Myanmar have shown exceptional resilience by stepping into leadership roles in politics, combat and the humanitarian field, driving grassroots activism, and advocating for equality and justice in their communities, contributing to a vision of a federal democratic union as outlined in the Federal Democracy Charter (FDC) . The FDC’s human rights provisions include gender equality and children’s rights, and a prohibition of discrimination on any grounds, including race, faith, gender, disability, and sexual orientation. The FDC also aims to build inclusive state institutions, establishing a Women Rights and Gender Equality Commission and including a 30 percent quota for women at all levels of decision-making in Myanmar’s future democratic institutions.

Women MPs and Ministers: Shaping the Future of Governance

Women MPs elected in the 2020 general elections joined the pro-democracy movement in 2021, establishing the Myanmar Women Parliamentary Network (MWPN) , a coalition of more than 100 female MPs from various ethnic groups and all states and regions of Myanmar, including those in exile and from conflict-affected areas, as a platform for collective action to strengthen women’s political participation. Women MPs continue to work as advocates for policy and legal frameworks that support gender equality and to participate in governance on state and regional level. Their increased outreach efforts to their constituents since 2023 in the form of in person townhall meetings in liberated areas address core issues such as women’s rights, service delivery including healthcare access and interim education, security, human rights protection and the prevention of gender-based violence, thereby promoting a more inclusive democracy that reflects the needs of all citizens.

In their outreach to the international community, the MWPN has worked to expand its network and relations with regional MPs and in global fora such as the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), organising regional exchanges on the challenges of women’s political participation, and amplifying the voices of Myanmar’s women. 

Watch the video by Aye Mya Mya Myo, the Chairperson of Myanmar’s Women Parliamentary Network (MWPN) on the challenges and work of the network:   

"If we were to mention the greatest challenge under Myanmar's current military rule, it is that some believe that the role of women and gender equality is no longer important. I, however, truly believe that women's leadership is the key to building a peaceful society. However, we cannot do it alone: we need to join forces and work together, unite and collaborate more effectively. This is crucial for women in Myanmar to be able to take on more leadership roles and work towards a just and equal society." Aye Mya Mya Myo, Chairperson MWPN

Women have also taken up ministerial roles within the National Unity Government (NUG),  leading key Ministries such as education, health, and social welfare as well as the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children Affairs. Furthermore, the Interim Gender Equality Policy (2024-2026) was recently adopted by the government, prioritizing Myanmar’s efforts to ensure gender-responsive governance, strengthen women’s political participation, economic empowerment and social protection, advance women, peace, and security efforts, and secure a better response to gender-based violence.

Grassroots Leadership and Peacebuilding

Women in Myanmar have emerged as leaders of grassroots movements, which are essential to the fabric of the pro-democracy struggle. The Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) has seen significant contributions from women who organize protests, share resources, and provide essential humanitarian support to communities impacted by the coup. 

The voices of civil society and disadvantaged groups, particularly women, youth, and ethnic minorities, must be heard and integrated in the political processes shaping a future Myanmar. Practical strategies to promote coalition building and financial support to empower women are essential, including creating supportive networks and training programs to allow them to effectively participate in political processes and to deliver humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable. The sudden and significant loss of funding that has already occurred this year will severely impact the ability of women’s organisations and the CDM to continue providing life-saving assistance and to participate in shaping a future democratic Myanmar.

A Vision for the Future

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it is vital to acknowledge the sacrifices and achievements of women in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement. Their courage, leadership, and relentless advocacy not only inspire future generations but also frame a vision for a just and equitable society.

Moving forward, it is essential that the international community continues to support the efforts of Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement to make the necessary structural changes for women's inclusion and representation. Strategies must be implemented that prioritize women's voices in all areas of decision-making, from community-level initiatives to national governance combined with financial support, resources, and capacity-building for women-led advocacy initiatives.

To read more about women’s challenges of political participation since the coup and proposed strategies to promote gender equality, please go to Inclusion and Gender Equality in Post-Coup Myanmar: Strategies for Democratic Constitutional Reform – Perspectives and Key Takeaways. For further International IDEA resources on gender equality and Myanmar please visit:

Preventing Gender Based Violence in Myanmar A Guide to being an effective advocate for gender equality International IDEA Gender Quota Database Constitution Assessment for Women’s Equality Women in Conflict and Peace

[rjzimmerman]

How the world’s last wild red wolves are avoiding extinction. (Washington Post)

In April, the latest glimmer of hope appeared here in the only spot on Earth where endangered red wolves remain in the wild.

Five pups were born to a pair of wolves — a female known as 2413, and a male known as 2444 — marking the third year in a row that at least one new litter began life in this corner of coastal North Carolina.

The births sparked joy among red wolf advocates and the small team of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees who oversee the decades-long effort to restore a native animal that once roamed widely throughout the Southeast, but saw its numbers in the wild plummet to single digits by 2020.

The elation didn’t last.

On June 5, the father of the litter, 2444, was struck and killed by a vehicle on Highway 64 — one of four red wolves to meet such a fate over the past year alone. The mother soon abandoned the litter of pups, leaving heartbreak and frustration in their place.

“It’s a serious roller coaster,” Joe Madison, the red wolf recovery program manager in North Carolina for the Fish and Wildlife Service, recalled just after dawn on a recent morning, as he drove near the site of the recent vehicle strike. “It takes a toll, I’m not gonna lie.”

A roller coaster might be the best way to describe a recovery effort that has been underway since the 1970s, when officials rescued the last genetically pure red wolves from a population that had been decimated by government-sanctioned hunting. The species Canis rufus was declared extinct in the wild in 1980, though captive breeding has continued.

Since 1987, the push to save red wolves from extinction has been based around an experimental population on the Albemarle Peninsula, with its vast swamp forests, marshes and open farmland.

The effort has endured a dizzying series of ups and downs over that time. It is a complex story of shifting priorities within the federal government, of conflict with nearby landowners, of animals stricken down by gunshots and cars, of scientific disputes and legal challenges, of miscommunication and simmering resentments, of ongoing distrust but also of determination and dedication.

“There are always peaks and valleys,” said Kim Wheeler, who for almost two decades has run the Red Wolf Coalition, an outreach and educational nonprofit in Columbia, N.C.

The last few years have seen the program slowly emerge from one of its darkest valleys, when the red wolf population that once grew to 120 here shrank to only seven, and the future of the species and the government effort to save it seemed precarious at best.

During the Biden administration, the federal government has recommitted to helping red wolves thrive in this landscape — and eventually, elsewhere across the Southeast.

Officials have begun once again to strategically release some of the nearly 300 captive-bred wolves into the wild. Multiple litters of pups have beenborn in the five-county area that surrounds the Alligator River refuge. And the government has launched a concerted effort to mend fractured local relationships that have bred acrimony, fostered misinformation and imperiled the prospects of long-term success.

“The hope is that this time we are going to get it right,” said Ron Sutherland, chief scientist for the Wildlands Network, who has worked for more than a decade on red wolf issues. “I’m optimistic that all the pieces are there.”

Still, with fewer than 20 known red wolves on the landscape and their presence a delicate issue, their future here remains inherently uncertain. No one understands that better than Madison.

“We’ve still got a long way to go,” he said as he peered from the window of his government-issued Chevy truck one morning. “I don’t think anybody thinks it’s going to be easy or short.”

And yet, he insists the work of restoring endangered red wolves remains very much worth it..

“They are a missing piece of the ecosystem out here,” he said. “And without that, things are out of whack.”

[sheridanprideclub]

Today is International Asexuality Day! 🖤🩶🤍💜🌎 Although much of ace community discussions, representation, and outreach tends to focus on privileged North American experiences, asexual people exist around the world with diverse experiences. Despite naming a few individuals, there are definitely more ace folks out there who contribute to their local community and is a part of the worldwide community! Can you name an ace community member who works for change?

[Image descriptions are included in the images' alt texts]

Direct links to resources and sources below the read more

RESOURCES⛑️

Asexual Visibility & Education Network

International Asexuality Day

Toronto Aces & Aros

Toronto Aspecs

SOURCES📚

2017 UK National LGBT Survey

2022 Ace Community Survey Summary Report

Angela Chen's image

David Jay's image . Licensed CC BY 2.0. Modifications: cropped 1:1 aspect ratio

Dr. Pragati Singh’s image

Yasmin Benoit’s image

[meeshayha]

Meeshayha’s Closet Internship Program fashion students/ business students or looking for work opportunities!!❤️

Experience luxury fashion from the inside out.

Meeshayha’s Closet is offering exclusive internship opportunities for driven individuals passionate about high-end fashion. This immersive program provides hands-on experience, mentorship, and the chance to work alongside industry professionals in a luxury brand setting.

Internship Details

• Duration: 3 to 6 months (with the potential for extension or full-time hiring).

• Commitment: Part-time or full-time (flexible, but a minimum of 15-20 hours per week).

• Location: Remote & in-person opportunities (varies by role).

• Compensation: Unpaid (with valuable industry experience, networking opportunities, and potential full-time placement).

1. Creative & Design Department

Creative Director Intern

Role: Work alongside the founder to shape the artistic vision of Meeshayha’s Closet.

What to Expect:

• Research and develop seasonal collections and luxury aesthetics.

• Work on brand storytelling and visual identity.

• Assist in high-end photoshoot planning and campaign direction.

• Collaborate with designers and marketing teams.

Fashion Designer Intern

Role: Support the design team in creating couture-level pieces.

What to Expect:

• Sketch and design luxury garments.

• Select and test high-end fabrics and embellishments.

• Assist in pattern-making and prototype development.

• Work on trend forecasting and research.

3. Branding & Marketing

Brand Strategist Intern

Role: Help define Meeshayha’s Closet’s luxury identity.

What to Expect:

• Research competitor brands and market trends.

• Assist in brand storytelling and positioning.

• Develop brand guidelines and campaigns.

Marketing Director Intern

Role: Develop and execute high-end fashion marketing campaigns.

What to Expect:

• Work on social media marketing and luxury PR.

• Assist in advertising and influencer outreach.

• Research luxury consumer behavior.

Social Media & Content Intern

Role: Elevate the brand’s presence through digital storytelling.

What to Expect:

• Create exclusive content for Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.

• Engage with luxury fashion influencers.

• Monitor social media analytics and trends.

4. Sales & Retail

E-commerce Intern

Role: Manage the luxury online shopping experience.

What to Expect:

• Assist in website updates and product listings.

• Optimize the checkout experience.

• Analyze online sales data.

Customer Service & Client Advisor Intern

Role: Deliver world-class service to elite customers.

What to Expect:

• Respond to customer inquiries with professionalism.

• Assist VIP clients with personal shopping needs.

• Create an elevated customer experience.

Business Development Intern

Role: Expand the brand into new luxury markets.

What to Expect:

• Identify strategic partnerships.

• Research growth opportunities in fashion retail.

• Assist in high-level business planning.

How to Apply

Interested in stepping into the world of luxury fashion? Submit your resume, portfolio, and a cover letter detailing why you’d be a great fit for Meeshayha’s Closet.

👉 Email: meeshayhascloset@gmail.com

👉 Subject: [Internship Position] – Your Name

[a-very-tired-jew]

Manipulation of Westerners by Hamas - A conspiracy that's not so much a conspiracy

Since the inception of the current war I have seen a number of people try to identify why Leftists are so quickly to defend Hamas's action and embrace/justify varying degrees of antisemitism. Often I see right wing authors point to DEI programs, safe spaces, and other such things. To me this is just another attempt at discrediting academia and they're using the guise of "fighting antisemitism" to push their narrative. I have found several neutral Jewish writers on the subject, such as Feldman from Harvard, who have addressed the long standing antisemitism within academia, politics, and culture. However, I have not seen anyone address the manipulation of Leftists by extremists as long standing tactic. What do I mean? Shortly after this began, Dr. Lorenzo Vidino of the George Washington University put together a small document titled The Hamas Network in America: A Short History. Dr. Vidino is considered an expert in these type of terrorist groups and has advised governments around the world for years. As such there is some contention regarding him and things he has said. However, this document is fairly clean of bias and lays out this network based upon evidence that the FBI collected through wiretaps and presented in a court case in the 00's. While it is a short document, I will not go over everything and just discuss the highlight. In 1993 a meeting was held in Philadelphia, PA, USA by senior Hamas members. The members of this meeting discussed how they could garner support from the West and protect themselves from scrutiny. One quote that stands out and highlights their intent comes from Shukri Abu Baker "I swear by Allah that war is deception, we are fighting our enemy with a kind heart. . . . Deceive, camouflage, pretend that you’re leaving while you’re walking that way. Deceive your enemy.” This statement of deception underscores the rest of the meeting and their subsequent plans. How do we know what was said? Well, the FBI had wiretapped the room the meeting was held in, so we have transcripts of their intent straight from their mouths. The strategy that the members come up with and discuss in the document has three approaches. 1) Charity & Fundraising.

In the meeting the Hamas members discuss how to raise money for their cause. They would fundraise inside and outside their respective communities, and that for every 5,000 that they raised for others they would send 100k to their allies. This type of behavior culminated in the USA's case against the Holy Land Foundation and associated groups. Many other charities have followed suit and have conducted similar behavior, hence why many charities focused on the I/P conflict are viewed suspiciously. There is not a good tract record of these groups actually getting the aid to the Palestinian civilian and instead funding terrorist groups.

2) Politics.

The members of the meeting stressed the need to influence Congress, the general American public, and to garner political support. They emphasized that they needed a neutral organization that would not publicly state it supported Hamas or other terrorist organizations and could deceive the general public into thinking they didn't. They would use neutral language and simply try to sway politics. Members of this meeting then went on to help found CAIR (specifically Omar Ahmed and Nihad Awad).

3) Research and Outreach.

Within the meeting they repeatedly emphasize that their violent rhetoric would upset the Westerners that would likely support them. As such, they needed to change the way they spoke to outsiders, change the perceptions of them, and influence progressives through coopting their language. They state that you need to use the language that the American progressive sympathizes with and couch things in terminology such as "oppressor", "colonist", and so on. One method that was suggested, and employed, was to infiltrate academia and produce research that was biased towards their ideals.

“This can be achieved by infiltrating the American media outlets, universities and research centers." - Omar Ahmed For example, The United Association for Studies and Research was created by members of this group and is a think tank outside of Chicago. The organization is considered defunct now, but its members went on to other positions in politics, academia, think tanks, and research. Think about that. Members of Hamas's network have become professors at colleges and universities. These are institutions where many young adults go to round out the beliefs they began developing in their early teens. This means that they're extremely passionate, but also easily manipulated. I personally remember the anti-GMO craze of the 00's and 10's and how every college campus was full of anti-GMO student activists claiming wild conspiracies about the danger of them. Now? That movement mostly gone and relegated to the corners where anti-science and pseudoscience believers dwell. But more importantly, a lot of that activism was manufactured by outside agitators with malicious intent disguised as benign activists.

In regards to the current group of young adult activists in the West (the majority are Zoomers and Millenials), they have been consuming material from academics with questionable intent that has been wrapped in language they resonate with. That makes the 3rd tactic of the Philadelphia Meeting the most dangerous one to me. For all the concern about academia "brainwashing our youth" there is a very real element of manipulation by academics who have allegiances and/or sympathy to terrorist groups and ideals. But they hide it in academic speak to make the general public think that they're not endorsing violent and hateful rhetoric. All of this feels like a conspiracy theory that has me linking red string to photos like Charlie from Always Sunny... but this is real. The FBI wiretapped a meeting and presented their transcripts back in the 00s. So some part of the USA knew that this was happening, knew that this manipulation was going on...and just allowed it. Bringing awareness is just a small step into addressing something that, to me, is quite scary to consider.

[soulscribe786]

MMAC Mental Health Conference 2024

The MMAC Mental Health Conference is an amazing initiative that combines the latest research and findings in mental health and medical sciences research using holistic models. It evaluates and shares new research and findings in the field of mental field in academia in conceptualizing the growing field in mental health. There have been about 4 annual conferences of which I attended ¾ . With each one, I can see knowledge, outreach, and healthcare delivery enhancing. This year’s conference took place in the Medical Science Building at the University of Toronto.

It was a breezy winter day, both warm and cloudy with very light showers. There was a sort of calm and serenity that filled the air. I decided to walk for half an hour in the morning to enjoy the nice weather. The walk was mostly through University Avenue. Probably one of the nicer routes to take anywhere in downtown that is regularly cleaned, renovated and has significant greening initiatives. Considering that this was the road that led directly to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from Union Station, perhaps this is why it was so well maintained. 

This particular location had many memories for me. This was beside the convocation hall, it was also close to the legislative assembly of Ontario where I had the opportunity of attending three times. One for a tour, for organizing at Queens’ Park with Justice for All, one for a tour of the facility through an internship program, one for the day that the Bill addressing Islamophobia was passed, and today. Aside from these formal occasions, because I used to live in Toronto in childhood, I had also frequently rollerbladed in this very park. Other events included Frosh, publishing my first research journal with a group and tourism. As a kid, I always felt either an ancient sort of presence. The old trees, ancient architecture, and something about the way the squirrels were just casually running around. I don’t think as a child, that I fully understood the role it played. Regardless, for some reason, after many milestones I found myself back here again. 

This is near where the conference took place. The Medical Science Building. A very simplistic interior and old architecture. The conference was in a lecture hall. There were a few breaks in between such as for lunch, networking sessions or prayer. Different organizations were tabled outside the lecture, across the building and the upstairs section had a nice carpeted area which was helpful in creating a prayer space. 

The talks had many insights and prominent speakers and thinkers from across the world trained in the healthcare field, psychology, counseling, medicine and psychotherapy, as well as faith-based leaders. Organizations included Smile Canada which assists children with disabilities, Wellnest focused on culturally based therapy addressing cultural issues, issues related to racism and being spiritually responsive, Sakeena Canada, Ruh care, Naseeha helpline and an organization partnered up with CAS (child aid services) but focused specifically on Muslim children by ensuring cultural issues and language barriers are taken into account, as well as organizations catered to those hard of hearing. Faith-based centers were also present, primarily IIT and ICNA. 

Some key insights from the talk included:

Iceberg analogy 

Using the iceberg analogy the speaker explained how a lot of western Psychology focuses on visible aspects such as cognitions and behavioral inclinations but with Islamic psychology the individual is understood much more deeply including having the ruh (soul), qalb (heart), and also social factors while acknowledging the role of aql (cognitions) and nafs ( behaviour)

The Islamic model is believed to be bi-directional with assessment looking at the entire individual holistically, where most contemporary models focus on observable aspects such as behavior inclinations and cognitions. The Islamic model incorporates emotional and spiritual domains. 

Trauma

Usually, people try not to be provocative (sometimes, they may even try to be salty, rage bait, or be provocative) when they find out about someone's trauma. In most cases, there is a sort of aversion to bringing up difficult feelings or conversations (don't mention it, don't do something hurtful) , but in addressing trauma, careful exposure may actually be crucial to healing

Healing requires alignment 

A prophetic model for healing included archery because it was a holistic intervention as opposed to simply talk therapy. For example, for PTSD, archery helps with stretching, breathing, aiming and a sense of control and a higher internal locus of control and sense of agency, as well as mindfulness. 

Spiritual Abuse

An anonymous question asked ‘what about cases of spiritual abuse?’

Cases of spiritual abuse by family members, religious figures, parenting, spouses and so on can have a lasting impact where faith was used to control, manipulate or inflate one’s own ego. 

MH care professionals integrating Islamic paradigms are not trying to do that and may not even talk about religious aspects unless you want to talk about something. They are just listening and assessing clients. Ultimately addressing issues related to directing the ruh (soul) back in unity with God, the source of mercy. This is not always how one would have understood God to assert one’s own ego or control but through a comprehensive understanding of who God is with divine attributes and approaching God directly. 

Refugees

Experiences of refugees

Risk of violence

Post migration MH including social isolation, discrimination, integration, and cultural and linguistic components

Pre migration MH, peri migration MH, post migration (family and cultural values)

Collectivist culture

Culture shock

Social connectedness

Parenthood

Individual factors

Trans cultural elements and sensitivity which has three levels including

Ontological 

Etiological

Therapeutic 

Cultural humility and safety

Being politically informed about the cause of refugee status in addressing issues where political factors played a huge role

Storytelling 

Conveys power

Dangers of the single story

“So this is how to create a single story show a people as one thing, as only one thing, over and over again, and that is what they become. It is impossible to talk about the single story without talking about power. There is a word, an lgbo word, that I think is about whenever I think about the power structures of the world and it's the nkali, It is a noun that loosely translates to ‘to be greater than another’. Like our economic and political worlds, stories are defined by the principle of nkali. How they are told, who tells them, when they are told, and how many stories are told, are really dependent on power. Power is not just the ability to tell the story of another person, but to make it the definitive story of that person. The Palestinian poet Mouris Marghouti writes that if you want to dispossess a people, the simplest way to do it is to tell their story and start by “secondly, ..” - Chimamanda Ngozi - Adichie

Decolonising our practice

Philosophically and spiritually 

Meeting another requires taming our own vulnerabilities 

Biopsychosocial Model

Biology - genes, MH condition, substance use, neurobiology, trauma and stress and medications. For example, PTSD can actually change biological features so the person is no longer who they used to be). 

Psychological 

Social - networks, community, friend circles, transportation, finances (usually harder to treat)

Psychosomatic Symptoms

It usually has three components. Receptors, processors, and effectors

Receptors (photoreceptors, chemoreceptors, mechanoreceptors, nociceptors, thermoreceptors) related to things like sight, taste, smell, hearing, taste

Processors (the brain)

Effector (muscle and glands)

Our body goes through this process, and after repetitive exposure, like collecting statistical information, it processes and organizes information. The response is then in two main ways. Functional cognitive processors and functional autonomous symptoms

Functional Cognitive Processors - allocate mental energy in understanding stimuli

Functional Autonomous Symptoms which are learned after repetitive or prolonged exposure

This is complicated because instead of stimuli, processing, response the stimuli immediately goes to symptoms automatically on auto pilot and to cure the symptoms requires significant therapy and unpacking. 

Complications include trauma responses and also embodied stress

It is phenomenal to think that all these receptors directly connect to the heart and there is huge potential in healing through prayer. 

Reflections

I found the day and the talk to be pretty phenomenal and healing. It provided lots of valuable insights including psychosomatic symptoms, some gender biases in psychological history, understanding refugees and aspects related to spiritual abuse. 

Three key components that I found fascinating in psychosomatic symptoms were about functional autonomous symptoms, looking at the body and mind holistically and interconnected, and healing through prayer. Autonomous symptoms could be that initially require significant thought and reflection but after repeated stress the body just shuts down and starts producing symptoms automatically. Whether it's nerve damage, heart rate, sweating, shutting down even when there is no significant context well after traumatic incidents. The body just gets wired to react this way and at times, prolonged stress can even lead to cancers and other stress related diseases. I found this very interesting because on a regular basis, perhaps slowly and gradually we continue to drift away from the model of cartesian dualism, the belief that the mind and body are separate. There is more and more research suggesting that the mind and body are extremely interconnected.

I also found the component of healing, alignment and resiliency fascinating because every single receptor is directly connected to the heart and through constant prayer, there is huge healing potential, provided time is taken to fully align ourselves with our higher purpose through spirituality. 

I found it also intriguing that it was in the era of when women faced mental health stereotypes such as female hysteria that many advancements in the field of mental health took place. Gender stereotypes include things like toxic masculinity and female hysteria and are informed by the mental health field and can, at times, have a devastating impact on people’s lives. I believe stereotypes, biases and prejudices are very hazardous and difficult to change once they become established and can have consequences.

The talk on broadly understanding refugee health was also interesting because I had done a research on refugees in 2018 and tried to incorporate the political economy of health, intersectionality and health as a human right. The broader research in the field is wonderful to see. 

All in all, I really enjoyed taking part in this conference and learned a lot of interesting things. It is amazing to join this annual conference every year and broaden my understanding related to mental health. 

[1genofficial]

Get ready for Creativelo 2024: A celebration of innovation, sustainability, and student power!

Creativelo Festival 2024 celebrates youth power, creativity, and sustainable innovation! With 32 teams from 12 universities, it’s all about groundbreaking solutions for real-world challenges.

Solar-Powered E-Bike Challenge Eco-friendly bikes powered by solar energy? Yes, please! Watch students test their prototypes at the finale for a greener future.

SDG Awareness Campaigns From flash mobs to community outreach, students are sparking action on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) everywhere.

The Grand Finale Happening late November! Expect: 🔹 Award-winning innovations 🔹 Inspiring speeches & exhibits 🔹 Networking with changemakers

This isn’t just a festival—it’s a movement! Be part of a brighter, sustainable future.

[for-the-ninth]

It happens like clockwork every election cycle.

Republican gets elected, people rage and foist all the blame onto third party voters or people who didn't vote. They post their hot takes about the brain dead red states who vote against their own interests and claim the only reason any of us are in this mess at all is because people won't "do the work," when their own definition of "the work" really just comes down to voting Democrat every four years, encouraging others to do the same, and resorting to shame when some of them inevitably don't.

These are often, though not always, folks who don't really know what The Work is. They aren't grounded in the struggle. They are comfortable enough that the only thing that really fazes them is someone like Trump getting elected. They aren't participating in community outreach or mutual aid networks. They are comfortable in many ways they probably take for granted, and the reason they want Dems in office is, in part, to protect that comfort.

What they don't realize, and often refuse to realize no matter how many activists of the present and past tell them, is that liberalism and electoral politics was never going to save us. Democrats have long been committed to the status quo. They cosplay as revolutionaries and leaders of the resistance whenever the next Republican dickhead gets voted in. They co-opt the movement despite having no real stake in it, because they are centrists with no genuine desire to propel the country in a radically progressive direction. And when folks too far left of center step up to the plate, like Bernie Sanders, the rest of the party refuses to put their weight behind them.

It's the same sorry set of excuses every time: oh, but we'll lose the swing voters! and we have to try to win over moderate Republicans! the nation isn't ready for someone so radical! When we all know that's bullshit. Anyone who's tired of crying over their grocery bill - and that's damn near everyone - is ready for radical change.

But sure, let's continue blaming people who didn't vote or voted third party for the result of one of many election cycles during which the Dems failed to provide us with a compelling progressive candidate with policies geared toward uplifting the working class and working poor.

By all means, let's continue doing the work of the imperialists for them, cause the more time we spend fighting each other over minor ideological differences (and yes, if your only beef with someone's ideology is that they didn't bother voting, that is a minor difference and not something worth seething over) the less time we'll spend organizing. The more isolated from each other we'll be. If we blame each other then we're less likely to blame them, for putting all of us in this hellscape.

And make no mistake - they know that. There's a reason Democratic politicians are so quick to disparage working class folks in southern states. If we blame them for just being sooooo willfully stupid and deplorable AND we blame everyone else for having the audacity not to vOTe bLue No MaTtRr wHo then there's no blame left to hurl at the Dems. They want so badly for us to believe that people like Obama, Harris, and Biden - who are all centrists, through and through - will save us if enough of us vote for them. And then when they do get voted in there's a million excuses for why they can't push any meaningful legislation through.

I hate watching so many of you buy right into it. Crucifying each other over not voting for the lesser of two evils like it isn't deeply fucked up that they're our only two options to begin with. Touting Harris like she's some sort of saint by comparison when she stood up on a national platform to say she wanted our military to be the most lethal in the world. Amidst calls for a ceasefire and an arms embargo, she said that shit with her whole chest, and y'all think Donald Trump is the only fascist? Get. A. Grip.

Electoral politics are not going to save us. Kamala Harris was never going to save us. We are the only people who can save us and we do that by building a grassroots movement grounded in class solidarity.

If you're still blaming people who voted third party or didn't vote at all, you're not ready for that movement. If you're still denigrating working class voters in red states for falling victim to the propaganda machine because you're Oh So Smart and that could never be you, you're not ready for the movement.

And if the only "work" you do is urging people to vote every 4 years and writing spicy posts after the fact about how you no longer give a shit about the people who "betrayed" you by not relying on electoral politics to save us - many of whom I can promise you are doing real, tangible work to benefit the people in their own communities - do me and everyone else a favor, and get grounded. Get rooted in the struggle. Stop spewing reactionary nonsense and put that energy into your community - including people who didn't fucking vote for Harris. Cause I can promise you, organizers and activists aren't checking anyone's voting record when they serve up meals at the soup kitchen or fund mutual aid requests for rent money. Folks who are "actually doing the work" don't have time for that petty shit.

[fiinovation1]

The Impact of Fiinovation Volunteers: Changing Lives One Project at a Time

At Fiinovation, we believe that meaningful change starts at the grassroots level. Our volunteers play a crucial role in driving positive impact within communities, leveraging their skills and passion to create sustainable solutions. Through various projects and initiatives, Fiinovation volunteers are not just contributing their time; they are changing lives—one project at a time.

Empowering Communities

Fiinovation volunteer engage with communities to address pressing social and environmental challenges. From educational programs that equip young minds with essential skills to initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, volunteers work tirelessly to empower individuals and groups. For instance, our recent project focused on enhancing digital literacy among underprivileged youth, enabling them to access educational resources and job opportunities in an increasingly digital world. Volunteers organized workshops, provided mentorship, and facilitated access to technology, significantly impacting the lives of participants and their families.

Skill Development and Knowledge Sharing

Volunteering with Fiinovation also serves as a platform for personal and professional growth. Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience. Through collaboration, they share insights, develop new skills, and learn from one another. This exchange of ideas fosters a culture of innovation and creativity, enabling volunteers to tackle challenges with fresh perspectives. For instance, volunteers working on a community health project were able to apply their expertise in various fields—such as healthcare, marketing, and project management—to create a comprehensive health awareness campaign that reached hundreds of community members.

Building Lasting Relationships

One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with Fiinovation is the opportunity to build lasting relationships. Volunteers often work alongside community members, local organizations, and fellow volunteers, fostering connections that extend beyond individual projects. These relationships create a network of support, encouraging collaboration and resource sharing. For example, after completing a project focused on sustainable farming practices, volunteers continued to work with local farmers, providing ongoing support and training to ensure the long-term success of their initiatives.

Amplifying Voices

Fiinovation volunteer are also advocates for social change. They use their voices to raise awareness about critical issues facing communities, from climate change to education inequality. By participating in outreach campaigns, workshops, and community forums, volunteers help amplify the voices of those who may otherwise go unheard. This advocacy work not only influences public perception but also encourages local policymakers to take action, ultimately leading to systemic change.

Measuring Impact

To ensure that our volunteer initiatives are effective, Fiinovation emphasizes the importance of measuring impact. We collect feedback from volunteers and community members, analyze project outcomes, and adjust our strategies accordingly. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that our efforts are not only impactful but also sustainable. For example, after evaluating the outcomes of a previous project, we identified areas for enhancement and were able to replicate and scale successful initiatives in other communities.

Conclusion

The impact of Fiinovation volunteers is profound and far-reaching. By dedicating their time and skills to meaningful projects, volunteers are helping to create a better future for communities in need. Each project represents an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference—transforming lives one initiative at a time. We invite individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact to join our volunteer network. Together, we can continue to drive change and build a more sustainable world.

To know more visit: https://fiinovation.co.in/fiinovation-volunteer-opportunities-with-partner-ngos/

[brickcentral]

Hello community!

We've asked to our spotlighted artist Laurent Delcroix to provide an exclusive picture for @brickcentral along with some insights on how he made it, and here's what he have to say:

"Why this picture? I've been wanting to take pictures of Disney villains and such for a while now. In the latest set of Disney minifig I was pleasantly surprised to find Dr. Facilier (commonly known as the Master of Shadows). I'm fascinated by this world of witchcraft, voodoo, mystery (I'm also a big fan of HP Lovecraft).

So I decided to showcase him in front of the door of his lair accompanied by his snake-like shadow.

The first difficulty was to create the door because I don't have a lot of purple LEGO pieces and the second was to create a credible snake that allows me to make the shadow of Dr. Facilier. For the rest it's just a good lighting for the atmosphere and a retouching part to integrate the shadow of the snake in the picture.

Some tips: For the bright atmosphere of a dark alley I created a con of light with a simple cereal box cut into a triangle

To create the shape of the snake I diverted a minifig ninjago

And finally to create the shadow I simply used a small light bulb that I put far enough. Why do you think? Simply because the smaller the relative size of the light, the more the shadows are cut

I hope this has inspired you to get into toy photography! Don't hesitate if you have any questions! See you soon on the networks."

Thanks for all the insights Laurent Delcroix! If you want to read this artist profile, head to our blog at https://brickentral.net/ - @theaphol, Community Outreach Manager