Sailing The Sahara

Struggling to find out why nobody at the mosque wants to assist. I began the cleanup myself only to find needles used by drug users under the water tank. The person who cleans only cleans once a week, and I confirmed he doesn’t even do that. How can I organize or mobalize people to clean up if even Muslims, or people involved in the organization of the Mosque don’t see the problem? I began the cleanup myself only to find everyone wanting to remove the vacuum or broom from my hands and ask “Why are you cleaning?”

I would insert an image in this post but the latest wordpress changes are a pain in the arse. Hopefully I’ll have it fixed soon.

Been very busy filming on the subject of Egyptian Identity, community development and Medical clinic at the Mosque El Rabeeh, the status of christians in Egypt and the myth that they are not welcome and live a live of burden under the Egyptian’s.

Unfortunately no progress has been made in home village of Uwlela in regards to garbage. Many people still throw it in the street, burn it, including plastic and because it was thrown in the water on a regular basis, the government has decided to put a concrete canal in it’s place and cover it with Earth. No longer are there beautiful trees, and no longer can people throw garbage into the water.

Why are there  no garbage cans lining the main street? I could go on but in short I plan to change this.

I plan to organize a garbage collection from the streets after friday prayers. Anyone willing to assist us is of course welcome. I hope to educate people that as Muslims, we are required to be clean. The Mosque can educate young and old. We can show by action that we can clean the village. If I need to do it alone at first I will. I will also drive it to dump the garbage if anyone stops us from dropping off the garbage at the central location for pickup.

I want to write more, but there’s much to do. God Speed.

Sameh

Have you read “Stuff White People Like“?

Take a quick peek at the link to the article “explaining” white peoples motivations surrounding health care. The blog is quirky and funny to say the least. But this post I had a different perspective, one I had reading a few other posts. At first I laughed as I thought another quirky article from a blog that just got a book deal. But is it?

As a Canadian reading several blogs I have discovered the majority of blog writers and commentors are Americans, the blog post is about Americans, or Americans abroad. It’s as though there are no other “white” people anywhere, or any other people for that matter. Or is it only American white people responding?

This myopic view of the world is extremely troubling, comments at the above post also reflect the utter lack of open dialogue between differening viewpoints. It’s extremely depressing and sad. The only hope I imagine is the illuminated behaviors, once hidden internally, are now exposed, digested, studied. As even though the article is humorous, it brings the out the worst in some.

It’s alot of work researching a documentary, especially as there’s always a few ideas being fleshed out at the same time. One never knows if someone else is planning the same thing or if it’s just to costly, or even possible. It’s been said to prepare for any story you must call all your references or notable voices, hopefully authoratitive to add strength to your story or script, heck anyone. I know from personal experience outside of film-making that cold-calling works! Part of this planning includes actually shooting with new gear and situations.

  Read the rest of this entry »

What would you do if you went into work tomorrow and the power was out with no sign of it coming on for 8 hours? What about the internet or resource on the internet?

I’ve thought about this alot as many of my customers call in a frenzy Read the rest of this entry »

Imagine…your country has had it’s single greatest cultural treasure stolen. Now imagine two. Now many. How would you feel?

This National Geographic video Read the rest of this entry »