Touring Cairo with Guide (LR: Hon.Larry LaRocco, Paul S. Ryan, Hon. Scott Klug)

Larry LaRocco, Former D-Idaho, House of Representatives is traveling with Former Congressman Scott Klug ( R-WI) and Paul S. Ryan, Senior Counsel, Campaign Legal Center, Washington. They have co-chaired for the past 3 years the Legislative Fellows Program from North Africa on behalf of the US Association of Former Members of Congress. The USAFMC is  partnernering with Legacy International. The Campaign Legal Center has made presentations to the incoming fellows from North Africa over the past few years on campaign laws in the US and how it affects the confidence in the election process.

He posts his in-depth and in-the-moment observations of the political situation in Egypt in his dispatch to the Idaho Statesmen website.

Some excerpts below:

“Today was spent in a series of meetings with political analysts, human rights activists, journalists, Speaker of the Shura Upper Council ( upper House ) and front line activists. As I write it’s Monday in Boise and Tuesday in Cairo. It was a non-stop day of back-to-back meetings and discussions. Our delegation probed hard for facts to sort through many fuzzy perceptions, theories and assumptions swirling throughout Egypt on the immediate and long term future of the country. We started connecting dots on some aspects of the country’s fate and failed to receive clear indications on others.”

“It’s clear the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is failing in its leadership at the moment. It’s uncertain whether they will recover from stumbling out of the blocks after winning the elections, suspending the Parliament and blinking on leadership on the economy. Some describe the MB as good traders who have reached out to Turkey and China for imports but failed as business leaders to grow the economy. The business acumen was presented as a distinct plus to voters in the elections but the faltering economy leaves them open to widespread criticism. In today’s Egypt — “it’s the economy stupid.”

Anti Muslim Brotherhood sentiment is white hot among dissidents, opposing parties, secularists and human rights activists. These feelings are so strong that some believe the economy will collapse within 30 days leaving the Military to keep the peace and pick up the pieces. For some in the broadly defined opposition camp this is a desired outcome to oust the Muslim Brotherhood from their control of the country. As I listened to the searing statements from this side of the political spectrum it was akin to the theory “……we need to burn down the village to save it.” (Read complete article)

Having traveled to Egypt two years ago he comments in his article on the changes he is seeing in the Egyptian economy and the change in safety and security in Cairo from an almost zero crime rate to secretly held weapons and the change in “the majority of women with veils”.

“I have always felt extremely welcome in Egypt, an over-the-top hospitable country….My last trip to Egypt was after the revolution but before the presidential elections. That trip filled me with joy and hope that Egypt was on a solid trajectory on its transition to democracy. I should have known better. After all, our own democratic experiment is still a work in progress and the complexities of Egypt did not guarantee a smooth glide path.

Therefore, I am now on the ground in Cairo with a firmer grasp on reality and with some trepidation that things might be heading backwards.

I have never been in Egypt when so much was on the line for the future. There is a clear path forward and looking in a rear view mirror by all parties is a fools game. Egypt’s stability is in our country’s best interest. Most readers didn’t wake up this morning thinking about Egypt but it might get higher on our radar screens in short order. Egyptian leaders need to wake up to the fact that the last election didn’t mean a wholesale shift to create an strict Islamic nation. That train left the station a long time ago. In a country of 80 million people beset with economic problems some good old fashioned down-the-middle political actions are in order.

I can’t wait to find out more this week. We only scratched the surface today but it was fascinating.”

Participants  learned how to organize their fellow students, inform and educate their families and communities and initiate change for a “greener” future in Legacy’s Indonesia-US Youth Leadership Program.

See creative and sustainable Indonesian Environmental projects, also.

Project U& I Michelle created Project U&I  to promote greater cultural and environmental awareness in the St. Charles area amongst teens and young adults. Michelle made a documentary video to help educate people about Indonesia, and highlights portions of her trip to Indonesia including interviews with Indonesian students and environmental endeavors. “I am proud to say that the project as a whole was quite successful. I saw people repeating the Indonesian dance lesson for friends of theirs at school as well as speaking a bit of Bahasa. “		“Students for Environmental Action” Arial founded SEA “Students for Environmental Action” club devoted to improving school sustainability, the creation of a plan to improve and draw attention to recycling at the school, and designing and garnering support for a research essay contest on how to improve recycling at school. “I had a successful meeting yesterday with my club, and the essay contest will go into effect at the end of February. Our Earth Week will take place the first week of April, when I will present the winners of the contest. Also, for my Modern Asia class, I am writing a paper on palm oil and rainforest destruction in Palangkaraya. “
“Project Bat” Katherine project is to create more habitat space for bats and educate people of their importance to our ecosystem. She held educational session on bats, in America and Indonesia, and discussed the similarities and differences between America and Indonesia while relating the similarities between the bat populations. “I would consider my project to be quite successful. The education I provide reached many members of my community and inspired many people to put up bat houses of their own. The overall goal of my project was to decrease the animosity humans feel towards bats, and I feel that this and more was accomplished.”		“Greener Bronx” Justin’s goal is to make the Bronx a greener city.  He worked with his community and his school’s community service teams to organize a day dedicated to cleaning parks and planting trees, and a year focused on maintaining the work and teaching younger students and the larger Bronx community about our environmental impact. He hopes to also encourage volunteers to come up with small projects to green their own spaces such as plant a small garden, replace light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, learn water conservations techniques, create recycling programs in their schools and neighborhoods, etc.

Read about Christo’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” project, a trash management program with separation bins plus workshops on how to make saleable products from recycled materials.

The Indonesia-US Youth Leadership Program (I-US-YLP) offers high school students a practical, hands-on experience in environmental action planning and leadership development. This two-way exchange  focuses on community activism to address local and regional environmental issues in the U.S. and Indonesia. I-US-YLP highlights young people as our future leaders and as valuable contributors to their communities. The I-US-YLP initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs and implemented in partnership with the Center for Civic Education Indonesia (CCEI).

Cristo and his friends not only excelled in being creative, they were also great in winning people’s heart to get donations. The “Re3” project successfully gained about 11 million rupiah ($1200 US)! Five million rupiah was a donation from Djarum Super (one of the biggest cigarette companies in Indonesia) and the rest was from fundraising at school and selling their recycled products (especially compost), and their Re3 logo T-shirts. The group will use the remaining funds to continue their work  to make the project sustainable.

Getting Volunteers
Not only did Christo organize his peers, obtain funding, got support from school officials and families, but all the volunteers were hearing impaired students who not only come from his school, but also university students, and people from the surrounding community. Cristo said, “Having a disability is not a barrier to being creative!”

Christo’s Project Definitions

• Reduce means reducing consumption, to reduce the usage of items that require a long process of degradation.
• Reuse means use again, the purpose of reuse is to wear things that are not worn for instance, discarded plastic fork after eating.
• Recycle means recycle,  such as waste plastic is processed into new plastic bag.

Project Sustainability

You can watch 3 videos on his Facebook site ( Go to Christo’s Re3 FB Photostream)  where he and the Re3 volunteers are documenting their ongoing project.  His photostream has lots of pictures (see slideshow below)  of his team industriously sifting compost, making paper from their recycled material, creating boxes for packaging compost, and transforming recycled glass into lamp ornaments.

Read about other Indonesian Environmental projects and U.S. participants Environmental projects.

Watch Michelle’s amazing video documentary, part of her return home project (2013) to promote greater cultural and environmental awareness in the St. Charles area amongst teens and young adults.

Watch Christo and his industrious team at work (Slideshow below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As they say in Bahasa Indonesia – “Suka menghijaukan dunia!” Go Green!

The I-US-YLP initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs and implemented in partnership with the Center for Civic Education Indonesia (CCEI).

Youth from Indonesia and U.S. learned how to organize their fellow students, inform and educate their families and communities and initiate change for a “greener” future as part of Legacy’s  Indonesia-U.S. Youth Leadership Program.

See U.S. participants Environmental projects also.  Watch Michelle’s Project U&I documentary video.

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (Re3)” Cristo’s  group introduced a trash management program with separation bins plus workshops on how to make saleable products from recycled materials.  Cristo and his friends not only excelled in being creative, they were also great in winning people’s heart to get donations. They also raised funds by selling their recycled products especially compost, helping their project to be sustainable. Their 80 volunteers are hearing impaired. Cristo said, “Having a disability is not a barrier to being creative!” Read more about Christo’s project, see photos		“Bike to School Day” Izzet and Vivi’s encouraged all the school members, including the principal, teachers and students, to ride their bikes to school to reduce Air Pollution. The school officials loved their project, and instituted every Friday as “Bike to School” Day. Now, no student or school official is allowed to ride a motorcycle or drive a car to get to school on Friday. They must walk, bicycle, or use public transportation. They have effectively created change in their community.
“Mangrove Trees Reclaim Beach” Dea and Mai’s goals were to help prevent sand beach erosion, and restore the coastal ecosystem. They introduced the benefits of preserving mangroves to create a sustainable relationship with mutual benefits between humans and nature, to school officials, their community, and fellow students. They arranged for a donation of 212 mangrove seedlings from the Regional Forestry Department of Bangkal and recruited 80 volunteers for the planting event. “Planting mangroves is a good environmental experience for all of us, it was our first step in saving the earth from global warming.”		“Transform Trash.” Rahmat and Upi’s introduced a trash management program to create a cleaner environment at each of their respective schools. They gave an environment presentation and training to students at the schools concerning the trash problem, and how to solve it. With eco-friendly trash bin sets and a recycle activity every Monday and Wednesday after school, they are teaching their fellow students how to make saleable  products. Now, there are eco-friendly trash bins in both schools. Both schools look cleaner and nicer, and the students are very proud to be a part of the changes.

The Indonesia-US Youth Leadership Program (I-US-YLP) offers high school students a practical, hands-on experience in environmental action planning and leadership development. This two-way exchange  focuses on community activism to address local and regional environmental issues in the U.S. and Indonesia. I-US-YLP highlights young people as our future leaders and as valuable contributors to their communities. The I-US-YLP initiative is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs and implemented in partnership with the Center for Civic Education Indonesia (CCEI).

Ahmed Hussein Ali, Dr.Blaine Parrish, Mitra Rash, Dr.Harold Robles, Karen McDonnel, J.E. Rash, Mary Samir

Legacy Founder and President @JERash tweeted from Cairo:

“The Legacy we leave must be positive and better than that which came before. How can that be unless we build trust and understanding between people action and need, those who have the knowledge and the skill to effectuate change and those who are the recipients of that change”

He recently travelled to Egypt with the North African Community Health Fellows (CHI) program to discuss Public Health in Egypt and Sustainable Health.

Our partners, Dr. Harold Robles from  Medical Knowledge Institute (MKI) and Dr. Blaine Parrish and Dr. Karen McDonnel from George Washington University School of Public Health participated with lively discussion and presentations.

This morning started off with a visit to the Great Pyramids.

Program Director Mitra Nafissian Rash reported from Egypt:

“Great presentation over the weekend by @Karen Mcdonnel of GWU on “Equality, Education and Empowerment: The Importance of Engaging Women in Health“. She made a great outline of all the steps necessary to achieve this dynamic cycle. She emphasized that even in the US, it is not easy to achieve women empowerment so easily.

The NACHI  Egyptian delegates made inspiring presentations of their various Follow-on projects.  They clearly showed that what they once felt was impossible to achieve (when they were in training in Roanoke, VA) has now been made possible and is a reality. (See Mary’s project)

In the days to come, we will engage in an in-depth discussion on how to implement their ideas as they gain more tools for community engagement.Their projects have been successful despite the recent Revolution and social obstacles. They are determined to continue with their success.  Dr. Harold Robles and Dr. Blaine Parrish spoke spontaneously on motivating them to take the next steps in their mission to improve public health.  Overall, a very successful and inspiring day for our fellows as well as our delegates.”

Dr. Blaine presents certificate to Egyptian delegate, Rania El Kaffas

Legacy’s Community Health Initiative develops the capacity of community health care professionals by providing tools, models, resource development and knowledge to enhance rural health care in their respective communities.  In particular, this program builds the capacity of professionals who serve marginalized populations, particularly women and children.  Legacy staff and its Teams of Excellence (TM) design customized training programs that increase the potential for success and foster values of social entrepreneurship. To continue our work in the area of Public/Community Health we have instituted The Founders’ Initiative in partnership with Medical Knowledge Institute and in collaboration with George Washington University School of Public Health will endeavor to create Public Health Centers of Excellence at key locations around the globe to address pressing public health needs.  

“Public and Community Health Issues often know no gender, economic status, tribe or community; even the wealthiest and most powerful become vulnerable when it comes to health issues and even when those at the highest level of power and wealth are exempt by virtue of their wealth or mobility, their lives and their power are certainly affected eventually by the illnesses, ignorance and hopelessness of others.” – J.E. Rash.  Read more  about  Public and Community Health in the  Legacy’s Global Viewpoints

He writes in his blog posted on U.S.News & World Report about his impressions as the group met with Moroccans from all walks of life including members of parliament, local officials, community leaders, students, and educators.

Peter Fenn

“I just returned from a trip to Morocco sponsored by the State Department and Legacy International. No, this is not a travelogue. And I didn’t ride on camels or play tourist.

My Republican colleague, Rich Galen and I met with political leaders, new women members of parliament, young activists and social service organizers. We had a wonderful dinner with Sam and Sylvia Kaplan at the ambassador’s residence in Rabat and met with embassy staff and the Consul General in Casablanca. We met with business leaders, went to a shelter for unwed mothers, and visited new business startups.

In our 10 days we came away with a myriad of impressions. But, first and foremost, it is hard to escape how important a developing and evolving political system is to a successful future in North Africa and throughout the Middle East.

If there is a testament to the main thesis in the important book, Why Nations Fail, it is that continued political progress, ownership, and transparency will have serious positive repercussions. A nation’s success is due less to their climate, inherent wealth of natural resources, access to ports or even leaders but, rather, the stability, openness, and democratic nature of their political system.

Morocco's King Mohammed VI

On the positive side, King Mohammed VI moved very quickly after the Arab Spring exploded in 2011. He gave a strong address to the nation in March, announced a new constitution and new elections. Morocco was already making progress, encouraging more participation by women and young people. In the 2009 local elections 3,400 women were elected, about 12 percent. In the November 2011 elections a quota system was instituted for women and they now hold 67 seats out of 395 in Parliament. Although the voter turnout was about 45 percent and the rate of illiteracy exceeds 50 percent, progress was made.

The key, of course, is to ensure that the legislative, judicial, and executive branches have real power to impact the nation. This is an ongoing process, combining the concern for stability as well as change, maintaining a growing economy, and improving the lives of the people.

Rich and I spoke at the new Mundiapolis University just outside Casablanca to several hundred students and faculty. We had a several hour discussion with a very impressive group who were pushing for greater power and responsibility, more involvement in decision-making, and a jump-start to education, insuring a more civil society.

The king is popular and the strong Muslim bond has been a key to a stable nation. But there is no question that change is sweeping across these countries and the continued progress with government, from local to national, will be critical.

Involvement by others from around the world to encourage further democratic reforms will continue to sow the seeds of responsible change. It was a pleasure and honor to be a part of the program.” – Peter Fenn ( U.S.News & World Report )

The Legislative Fellows Program 2011-2013 (LFP-MENA) links community leaders  from  the United States, Kuwait, and Oman, Egypt, and Morocco.  This two-year program  supports young professionals from the Middle East and North Africa, builds capacity in local Civil Service Organizations (CSO),  and strengthens mutual understanding of the legislative and policy making processes in all countries.

Zakaria at Campaign headquarters

Going Door-To-Door: Living the first hand experience

“Working at the Campaign Office is a golden chance to see how things work and function. In fact, from the first day of our arrival, we got to know about the campaigning processes, including phone calls and door-to-door knocking. This latter activity  caught our attention because it has to do with direct and face-to face meetings. This kind of mechanism enabled us to  get deeply acquainted with the population’s culture, way of life, political opinions and choices. We got to know how important the aspect of human contact is to successful campaigning.

Eid Mobarak Said (Happy feast to all of you)

We are enjoying every moment in our stay in here with our host, Mr. Bell in Roanoke. Days are for fellowships and evenings are for discovery. The people here are amazing and terrific. Yesterday we were invited by the Muslim Community to celebrate the Eid at one of the most beautiful hotels in downtown Roanoke.

Zakaria and Bill Saari (Mr. Bell) at the Roanoke Skating Rink

Mr. Bell: The Man of the People

Surprises never stop, I was impressed with Mr. Bell, our host in Roanoke. He is a good-hearted, open-minded and kindly man, and the most hospitable man I’ve ever encountered in my life. He hosts guests from all over the world. Mr. Bell said, “I would like to meet all your group even for 5 minutes just to say hello and shake hands”. He has introduced us to important friends from various fields, artists, humanitarians, film makers and so many others as well as taken us to naturally wonderful landscapes and places of interest in the area.

We went to Floyd where we attended a local and traditional event with the kindest people of the mountains. We loved the music and danced to the songs and our fellow delegate, Mahmoud won a cap, worth about $14, because he is from a distant place (Egypt)!

Halloween Costumes at the Roanoke City Market event

Halloween celebration: It’s just something different

It’s pretty surprising. When we went to downtown Roanoke and saw ordinary people wearing exquisite and special customs enjoying the partying, taking pictures and just having fun with each other. Such an event makes individuals and couples live the moment differently in a creative and innovative manner.

Legacy: Some Poetry…

We enjoyed our time in US and the experience as a whole because of the leadership strength in the organization behind it, an organization where all partners trust and cooperate. Legacy International, with its coordinated, helpful and highly skilled team brought about our successful stay.”

Special thanks go to Legacy that makes everything look fancy

Thanks you made the experience new and unprecedentedly witty

Congratulations for the professional way of organizing, scheduling and coordinating

To the tactfully refined team with a high sense of advising and problem solving

Delighted we are and grateful we shall be

For you spread out universal human values and solidarity

Throughout the world you brought us from different lands

Strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding

For a brighter future for everyone we shall strive hand in hand

To sustain our nations’ development and peace keeping

With Legacy, every day is a good and a greater day

Learning more, sharing and caring, meeting new people and enjoy

Such unforgettable time would always reside in minds

Such glorious memories to be remembered and kept in hearts

Hon. Bill Zeliff and Legislative Fellows tour a women's empowerment project in Fez, Morocco

Former Congressman Hon. Bill Zeliff was a member of a recent U.S. delegation to Morocco with Legacy’s Legislative Fellowship Program.

Legacy is now preparing another U.S. delegation, including  expert media strategists, Peter Fenn and Rich Galen, to depart for Morocco to train and support transparency and engagement in the political process.

Read Congressman Zeliff’s reflection on his trip below:

“The trip to Morocco was absolutely outstanding in every way. The country itself is beautiful, the people were friendly, and the hospitality that we received showed the great respect that the people we met had for Legacy International and Atefeh Leavitt.

I very much enjoyed my assignment of talking about democracy and discussing how our government works. Our meeting with the Moroccan Academy for Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was outstanding as well as the two sessions with Al Akhawayn University, and EGE. Meeting with young people shows me that the United States needs to do as many exchanges as possible to develop strong relationships and respect for our country. The timing is perfect, now that Morocco is changing their government structure and this should be a great opportunity for us to work with them on issues like the program that was put together for us. Meeting with government officials needs to be a high priority and I believe our meetings with Ambassador Kaplan, having dinner with his people, and meeting with Khalid Zerouali, Director of National Security and his entire staff gave us a chance to strengthen our insights and develop an even greater relationship that started back in the days of our founding.

Meeting Moroccan children in Fez.

I know I don’t have to tell you the importance of literacy, job creation and how to develop small businesses, and in general, the work that we did in Morocco were great opportunities to show and share stories of success as we do exchanges to help the Moroccan people in terms of self-empowerment.

As to the future, I have a strong interest in working to develop stronger trade opportunities for Morocco and the US. I think Morocco is well positioned for the future and I would like to help them. The opportunities are unlimited and I hope we can discuss this in the near future.

Thank you for the work that Legacy International is doing to strengthen the relationship between Morocco and the USA.”

Respectfully,

William H. Zeliff, Jr.
Former Member of Congress, NH

Team cleanup on beach in Indonesia

The focus of this year’s Indonesia – US exchange is on Community Activism to address local and regional Environmental issues in the U.S. and Indonesia. The 2013 Indonesia-US Youth Leadership Program (I-US YLP)  highlights young people as our future leaders and considers them as valuable contributors to their communities. They will be involved in a practical, hands-on experience in environmental action planning and leadership development.

This year sixteen Indonesian students and two teachers have been selected from  Bangka, Belitung, and Bogor. In the past 9 year’s hundred of Indonesian students from the 17,000 Indonesian islands have made the journey to the US and returned to their homes with new skills and powerful training. Read about changes made to combat environmental degradation in Indonesia in previous program year.

Planting seedlings in Indonesian greenhouse

Six US high school students will be hosted in Indonesia in the “Speaking Up for the Planet” phase of this program.  I-US YLP participants will return home equipped with the knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm to create positive change in their schools and communities through student organized service projects. These activities will focus on environmental themes and demonstrate lessons learned about leadership and citizen participation.

Legacy International and its partner the Center for Civic Education Indonesia have been conducting exchanges for teens and adults since 2004.  Deadline fast approaching for US high school teachers and students to apply.

Click on the image to go to Khadija's Prezi

The TechGirls 2012 summer program participants have returned home and are actively utilizing the skills they learned.  TechGirls is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

It  is  a program of academic study of applied technology for girls who already have a demonstrated aptitude and strong interest in the subject. It empowers girls to pursue higher education and careers in technology, and links peers who share interests and abilities. The program  develops leadership skills while promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of the United States and the countries and territories of the Middle East and North Africa. 

Lara, Rozaline, and Dana J. (Palestine) Prezi , click on image to see live show.

View their Prezi presentations Presentations were created by the girls about their TechGirl experience in the US. Click on photo to see presentations from Khadija(Morocco) and Lara Kasbari, Dana Jaraysah, and Rozaline Zahdeh (Palestine).

Rihab and Wissal Saidi (twins from Tunisia) started an after school project by creating an association called ‘Interact Hope Ariana’.  They have over 65 member sin just three months and will coordinate community service programs.  Their first project includes a clothing and food drive.  Interact is connected to the international association “Rotary International.”

Apart from the volunteerism, they will help disabled kids (aged from 2 to 10) who are studying at a special care-center in the city and hope to teach them some tech skills.

Lara Kasbari teaching her Tech Club

Lara Kasbari, a bright and passionate TechGirl from Bethlehem saw the need to raise technology awareness in her community after her summer in the TechGirls program. Her aim is to use technology to help build peace in Palestine. She wrote a fantastic proposal to a major NGO in Jerusalem-The Diabetic Friends Society and was granted free use of their space to teach tech courses to under-served children. Lara recently taught her first computer literacy course to 5 students. It was a huge success and she has been requested to teach every Friday at the center.

Lara, Rozaline, and Dana from Palestine presented at school in the presence of one of the women who interviewed them for selection in the program, Miral Siriani. Shortly thereafter,  they had a meeting with TechWomen Alumni who are eager to guide them as well.

Sura Mubarak

Sura Mubarak (Jordan) Wrote an article in Arabic on her experience in the program. Here is a highlight:

“During our first few days in Washington DC, we met Mr. JE Rash, Founder of Legacy International,  he gave a lecture on leadership skills and attributes that make a good leader. He left a mark in the heart of every one of us as he used every possible means to attract our attention and make his lecture entertaining.

The TechGirls program made me more aware of what I want to do in the future and what I wish to study at the university. It has made me aware of the importance of engineering and technology, that technology is promising tomorrow, is the future of the coming generations, it is the study which is renewed every day.”

Congratulations to  Dana Amer (Jordan) for being part of the winning team at the F1 in schools global conference in Abu Dhabi.  her team was the only Arab team and they won the F1 Women in Motorsport award.

All 25 TechGirls have engaged in teaching peers and younger students Java, app development or web design.  They have increased responsibility and play larger leadership roles in tech clubs and are committed to community service.  They have received support from local tech companies, participated in TedX events and are now assisting some of the best entrepreneurs in the region.