Monday, August 13, 2012

Week of September 27, All about the Human Rights Class

Hi everyone,

This first week, you will be learning about the work we did last year in our Human Rights Class as well as the work we will be doing in the coming year.

First please watch the video below, made by First Person American:

What's Your Story? 2012 from First Person American on Vimeo.

Now go to the website for Concern Worldwide (click on the link). Visit the website and find an article or issue of interest to you. Read about it carefully.

Please sign in using a gmail account. If you don't have one, you need to get one. Write your username and password someplace safe.

Now open Google Docs. Create a document called "Reaction to Day 1", and answer the questions below:

  1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
  2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
  3. What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
  4. How would you like to help this organization?

Now post your answers to the comments section of our blog.

Finally, read two posts from your classmates and write back to them, telling them what you learned from their posts.






42 comments:

  1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    A:I felt a little bit nostalgic while watching the movies because I remember working on this amazing project last year. I also wish everybody like what they are seeing and feel inspired by the films.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    A:One of the people that welcomed me when I came to the U.S. was my counselor Blanca Izaguirre, who I talked about in my welcoming story.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    A:I read about one of the worst droughts in Africa that happen last year and left 12 million people in need of assistance.

    How would you like to help this organization?

    A:Concern provides many activities that people can be involved with to help the organization. Among them the debate and the fundraising campaign are the ones that I would enjoy being involved with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who actually first welcomed you the first time you got to the U.S?

      Delete
  2. Saidi Mohamed

    How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    - I was proud, because i have my own welcome story and mostly it was the same as all the students that they were talking, And proudly i passed this time of period successfully.



    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    - The person who welcomed me to this country was a friend from my country who came to the airport the day i came in, welcomed me and showed me some parts of New York city. I would thank them by helping them for whatever they need, same as they helped me at the first time.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    -This is an organization that helps poor people around the world to take donates from people and send it to the poor all around the world.



    How would you like to help this organization?

    -I would love to give donation to this organization, but if possible i would like to be part of this organization to actually help the poor people physically.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a valuable help that you can actually contribute to the organization. Keep it up!

      Delete
    2. I agree with you said that if possible, I also want to be part of this organization to help poor people and help them create a better future.

      Delete
  3. 1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    I felt that the stories that I watched in the movie are identical to mine. Back in 2009, the first time I landed in the United States, my relatives who’re living here gave a really warm welcome to me and my family. They guided me on how to adapt to the society and neighbourhood and how they really cared about me and my family.

    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    Someone who welcomed me first when I got to the United States was my uncle. He even picked us up from the airport. I would like to thank them by doing the same thing to others. I would welcome anyone who just comes to the United States and listen to them.

    3. What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    I read the issue about Hunger. According to the U.N it says that ⅔ of the World Population are experiencing poverty and hunger.

    4. How would you like to help this organization?

    I would like to help this organization by doing some volunteer work for them. For instance, donating some of the stuff to the organization.

    ReplyDelete
  4. chaojie wang:
    1.I felt those stories they told were very similar to my story. I could relate to them one way or another. At some point, I was moved by the stories, because they were so close, so real.
    2.My father and my cousins. They took me to Empire state building. I felt I could fit in the new environment.
    3.many people in Africa don’t have access to clean water.
    4.to help this organization, I can spread words about issues. the more people know about the issues, the more help they will possibly get. for example i can share the website on facebook and twitter about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How did it similar to your story?

      Delete
    2. how would you like to thank your father and your cousins? and How did they help you to fit in the new environment?

      Delete
  5. lijuan:
    1.I feel these films are very touched. When they told their stories. It is very closed with my story. Their problems sometimes are my problems.
    2.my father. he is very helpful for us. and he is very happy because we can live together in the United States.
    3.a lot of African people need the clean water to their life everyday.
    4.to help them get the clean water and give them help when they need, like food and clothes

    ReplyDelete
  6. LIN, XIAOYUE



    How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    I felt sympathetic with those people, because I could understand their feeling, I could image their sad experiences when they are talking about their story in the film.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    When I came to the United States and first time I came to school, I felt friendless and helpless. But the teaches helped me and told me how to do, how to solve my questions, and teaching me English as quickly as they can. I would say thanks to them and send my best wishes and blesses to them.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    Those poorest people can not find better jobs to improve their life and their life are very poor and hard. Why them can not have a better life that they want?

    How would you like to help this organization?

    I would like to help this organization, because they rea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kerby Marcelin


    1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Watching these films makes me able to build a connection with my own self. These stories are pretty similar to my own story, and I also feel emotional with the expressions in the students’ faces.



    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My mom and my great grand mother welcomed me to this country. My mom has been living in the U.S since she was a teenager, so she knows the system well. She helps me to adapt to this new life, and also encourages me to pursue the light of education.


    3. What issue did you read about on Concern’s website?
    I read about water contamination in Chad, Africa, malnutrition ravage in the developing countries of our dear world.




    4. How would you like to help this organization?
    I would to create some clearly persuasive writing works that can attract people to have conscience about poverty in the world, and do their part in it. I also would like to be one of those students to go to Africa.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oleg Poliszczuk

    1. I felt very nice when I was watching those interviews with the people. When I was watching them I started thinking about myself, and my story, what happened to me. It’s always good to know about the people what around you and their life stories, because in usual conversations you never asking the questions like that, and the other person will never tell you the whole story.

    2. When I came here for first time a bunch of people welcomed me, because my dad was living here for a while. For me it’s became a second home, I met a lot of new people, I don’t even know how to thanks them.

    3. I learned that the Concern is an organization which helps countries around the world. They raising money for them and then giving them aid.

    4. I will contribute all my ideas to this organization and may donate some money and volunteer.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 1) It felt deep, watching those videos made me realize that i was a part of the world they had left behind. As an immigrant, i know how it feels to leave everything behind and start a new beginning because only an immigrant can understand how tough life can be for us.

    2) My parents welcomed me with a big smile and a warm hug and i will do anything to keep that smile in their face.

    3) The big issue about lack of drinking water in Africa and how its affecting the people.

    4) With the spread of word among friends and families, doing volunteer work to help make a difference.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you that as an immigrant, we have a tough life in a new environment.
      PS:You have to copy questions.

      Delete
  10. How did it feel to watch these films and why? I feel kind of related with those stories because i have one too, stories that tell you how a life change from one day to other.


    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them? It was my family, specially my dad, I live with him and I try to help him in everything.


    What issue did you read about on Concern's website? It was about how a person get into a new society and how things change and then that person has to follow new rules.


    How would you like to help this organization? I would like to join them and give them another story to tell to the world and change the bad mentality about immigrants.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beaubrun Sophia
    How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Watching this video made me realize that , i’m not the only one who went through a rough time when i first came to the country, just like they choose to make one thing to help others, i’m willing to do the same, let people know about how it feels to be an immigrant.

    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    When i came to this country i was welcomed by my mother’s family and one way i would thank them is by making them proud of me by becoming someone important in my life with great values.


    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    On the concern’s website, i read about the trash and tragedy issues in Nairobi city, million people are trying to get an everyday life working on this dumpsite, which is very unhealthy.

    4. How would you like to help this organization?
    I would like to help this organization by volunteering somehow in other to raise money so they can help people from that city to get a better life, go around and encourage people to donate money as well.

    ReplyDelete
  12. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I felt shy to watch these films again because I am there in the films. I hope everyone likes it whoever is watching these films and get inspired by our work.
    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    The person who welcomed me when I came to this country was my best friend.
    “Thank you” is not enough still I want to thank her for being and encouraging me that time when I really needed someone.
    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    I read about the poverty that the people are facing all over the world and how the concerns’ is helping those poor peoples’ world a better place to live.
    How would you like to help this organization?
    This is a kind of organization in which everyone needs to support. Because if we all work together then we can make a change in our world. So I would like to help this organization by doing volunteering work with my other classmates. Like we as newcomers can raise money from our school and send it to them as donation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am really proud of you for being a welcoming person in this video. We really enjoy it and at the same time learn a lot about your life story which can't be expressed in any other ways.

      Delete
  13. 1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    2.I feel a kind of relate to my life when I just arrived at this country.Life for me was all strange and I tried my best to get used to it.
    3.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    4.My relatives.They took me to a restaurant to eat when I arrived.I said thank u to them and make good relationship with them.
    5.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    6.most people in Africa don’t have access to clean water.

    7.How would you like to help this organization?
    8.Not so many people know about these issues.I will spred these information and let more people know about these issues in our world.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tin Nilar Hlaing, Yanxi Chen


    How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    How would you like to help this organization?

    1. Tin Nilar: I feel touched for the first time while hearing their welcoming stories because everything they described did exactly occur to me on the first day of my school.Feeling insecure, intimidated and isolated is what we all have.
    Yanxi : I feel similar that they experience when I firstly came to the america because I don’t understand English and I always afraid of speaking in front of people.

    2. Tin Nilar: My father’s friends welcomed us as soon as we got to JFK airport. Since my family is the first generation to get to United States, we rely so much on my parents’ acquaintances who have been here for many years. They helped me to enroll in Newcomers High School too. I would thank them by helping them out from what I can whenever they need.
    Yanxi : My uncle welcomed me when we came to this country.He went to airport to welcome us and provided the house to us .Anyway, he gave all the information about this country to me .And when I feel isolated here and disappointed about learning the English, he encouraged me to be patient and lovely. I would thank him when he need my help.





    3. Tin Nilar: I read an article named “Hurricane Isaac hits Haiti” which is basically about how the Concern Worldwide Organization is helping out those who lost their homes and properties after Hurricane Isaac occurred.
    Yanxi : I read an article named “Transforming lives in Ethiopia” which is talking about the poverty and hunger in the Ethiopia and the pollution is more and more serious.People’s live is changing worse right now.

    4. Tin Nilar: I would like to support this organization from what I can by taking part in some of their programs.
    Yanxi: I would like to be a volunteer who lets other people to help them and encourages other people who could able to help them because I believe “More people ,More power.”

    ReplyDelete
  15. Magda Golonko

    1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    When I finished watch this video I denote that I have something in common with those people. We all have our own story. I felt very emotional, because I know how it is to leave everything one day and to come to different country, with different language, culture and tradition.

    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    When I came here on August, 2010 the first people who welcomed me were my parents. I remember how they start to cry in airport, because we haven’t see each other for almost 16 years. I am so thankful that I had an opportunity to come here and study. I try to thanks them everyday for that.

    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    On the Concern’s website I read about issue of lack of water in Africa. Many people don’t have access to water there which causes dead and many diseases.

    4.How would you like to help this organization?

    I would like to help this organization by doing some volunteer work and also donate some stuff that could help another people to survive.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We should look around what is happening in our world and then we will know how to support them to improve the situations.

      Delete
  16. 1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    I felt the same way with them because I have the similar story with them. And I started thinking about my story before I came to United States.

    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    When I came here, my family welcomed me. My mother was here for 20 years so she knew the system very well. She told me how to adapt in the new environment and support me whatever I need. I am very happy that I have such a supportive family and I don’t even know how to thank them.

    3. What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    I read about Poverty around the world and how the Concern Organization is helping them to overcome with the situations.

    4. How would you like to help this organization?

    I would like to support this organization by volunteering and encourage the people to donate money to support the world issues.

    ReplyDelete
  17. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Ans:
    Fahameda: I felt sad and emotional to watch these films because I can relate their welcome story with mine and I felt the same way as they did. After hearing their stories, I started to think about the hard situation that I had when I came here and how I got adjust with the situation.
    Progga: I felt inspiration and emotional from this film because I somehow those stories are related to me.Like those students i also felt hard to leave my country and difficult to adjust myself with a new environment.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    Ans:
    Fahameda: My uncle’s family welcomed me when I first came to this country. I would thank them by make them feel proud about me and I would do anything for them to make them feel happy. Progga: When I came here, my father welcomed me because he was here for a long time. My “thank you” will not be enough for him because he’s doing hard work for me to give me a better future.So, i’ll make him proud.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    Ans:
    Progga: I read about “Amina’s Story” what is about water problem.In there area,seven out of ten people have no access to clean water.So they have to bring water from a dried-up river which contains animal wastes.They knows that water can harm them but there is n’t another way to bring fresh drinking water.
    Fahameda: I read about Amina’s Story which was about the lack access to clean water.In Amin’s city, they didn't have clean water so they have to go to another place to bring water but it was n’t clean because it was full of animal wastes which was very harmful for them and which can make them sick.

    How would you like to help this organization?

    Ans:
    Fahameda: I would like to help this organization by volunteering because I think this organization need help from everyone so if we work together then we can able to make a great change in the world. I also would like to go around and encourage people and also my donating money for them.

    Progga: I would like to support this organization by encourage the people to donate money to support, volunteering and by joining in the programs that will help them to bring happiness in their life.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Huang chen

    1. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Huang: I feel it’s really something I don’t expect from those people who study in the same school with me. I just see them laughing ,talking in the hallway. Because I never try to understand them from their perspective. Now I realize it’s a unique world with everyone unique.




    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    Huang: I didn’t know much English when I first came to this country. When I used my little English to talk to people , they were so patient and tried to understand me from my scattering words which I might not understand either. I thank to them by doing the same thing as they treated me like helping new students in the school.

    3. What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    Huang: poverty

    4. How would you like to help this organization?
    Huang: I’d like to make a contribution to the issues with my passion and effort. I would let more people know about this .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also didn't realize that students who presented their welcoming stories in the video would have big hardships because they didn't show it. But there is pain inside of them which can be known only when they share with us.

      Delete
  19. 1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I feel interest and funny because in the video shows us many cute people,they talks about their story to us.
    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    When i came to the U.S my father welcomed me.He teach me about American rules and how to living in the U.S.I thanks him to teach me a lot.
    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    Most people in Africa don’t have access to clean water.
    4.How would you like to help this organization?
    I think i can lets my friend to know about this organization andto be a volunteer to help others.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wenhui Cai

    1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    4.How would you like to help this organization?

    1. I feel familiar with what they told in the film, because we are all immigrants and these stories almost happened to every immigrants.

    2. My father welcomed me when I came to this country. I would like to study harder and try my best to do better in my future, I think this is the best thanks to my father, Because for every Chinese parents, they all want their children have a better future than they had.

    3.Many children in the world are not attend to the school.

    4.I would like to help this organization by spread the information about these people who needs help and I would like to raise money for this organization.

    ReplyDelete
  21. 1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I Felt nostalgic because it made me remember when i came to U.S. and also understand that everybody who studies in Newcomers has something similar even though the story isn’t the same all of us have something in common.
    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My mom welcomed me, she was so happy to see us. I would like to thank her being the best daughter and help her with her stuffs.
    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    i read about a organization that help poor people, and try to make their lives better.
    4.How would you like to help this organization?
    i would like to help this organizaation by volunteering and share this information with other people for help them and maybe make a donation.


    ReplyDelete
  22. Jean-Luc Antoine


    1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I felt very interested to watch the film, because I knew they going to tell their stories about coming to the United States. And then while I was listening to those stories I felt emotional because some this stories are very touching, I could linked it to my own experience coming to the U.S. And then after I was very curious wanted to keep going to hear those stories, They made me think of all the challenges immigrants faces before and after coming to the U.S

    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    Almost all the members of my family welcomed me when i came to U.S. My family is very close together, therefore whenever someone comes to the U.S their is always four or five members of the family present at the airport. I thank them with a lot of affection.

    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    On the Concern’s website I read an article about child mortality in Chad. I found out Chad has one of the highest child mortality in the world, Because one the reason is the water they drink is contaminated.

    4.How would you like to help this organization?
    I would like to help this organisation by letting more people know about the issue, by volunteering to help the people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really upseting to know that so many children are dying just because of something that could be prevent. They could clean the water and make sure that nothing contaminated is near the wells.

      Delete
  23. Sarah Hilaire

    How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    Watching these films made me feel dreadful and great. Dreadful because it’s hard to alter into the country, the school, make new friends. We all have our own stories and similar/different issues. Great because it’s enjoyable watching it and learning how starting a new life in a new country is not easy.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My aunt and cousins welcomed me when i just came in NY, USA. The only way i could help them is to help them back with things they need and make them proud for being a great students and to have a great average.

    What issue did you read about on Concern’s website?
    I read about the hurricane that hits Haiti.

    How would you like to help this organization?
    I would like to let other people know about that tragedy that hits haiti. So there could be donations of people or organizations of foods, water, clothes, shelters. During the hurricane devastated the plantations, water took over houses and go away with people, animals anything that was on its way.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Leticia Cespedes
    Kanto Rasedoara

    How did it feel to watch these films and why?

    Leticia: I felt emotional because all this stories remind me my story.
    Kanto: Watching these films brought me down to memory land. It seems like it was just yesterday when we were writing our first draft.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?

    Leticia: the person that welcomed me was my father and my stepmom which i knew her from my country.
    Kanto: The person that welcomed me to this country is my cousin. I try my best to always be there for her whenever she needs help.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?

    Leticia: I read about water contamination in Chad, Africa the world.
    Kanto : The issue I read on the Concern’s website was about feeding starving children.

    How would you like to help this organization?

    Leticia: I will like to help by telling others about it and volunteering for any need.
    Kanto : I would help this organization by donating money or follow what they say on the website on how to support. I would also let my friends and family know about this organization so they would also give the same supports.

    ReplyDelete
  25. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I felt really suffer when I watched this films because it made me remember
    when I first came to the America and had hard time to adjust myself in new
    country.Also while watched video and listened to these people stories which
    was emotional.

    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My uncle welcomed me when I came to this country and I would like to thank him
    by doing something good in my life so he can be proud of me.

    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    On the concern’s website I read a issue about child mortality in Chad.Most of the
    child died because of unclean water.

    How would you like to help this organization?
    I would like to help this organization by volunteering and also telling more people about
    our issues.


    ReplyDelete
  26. Meng Yu Li

    1How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I have similar feeling with them, I felt lonely when I came here, I also didn’t understand English. I felt I were different with others. I want to go back.

    2Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My mother welcomed me when I came here. I missed my mother very much. Because I didn’t see her about two years.

    3What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    Why does the government didn’t help them? Why people didn’t go somewhere that have water?

    4How would you like to help this organization?
    I would like to appeal my friends, my teachers, strangers to realize this organization,and I hope them to help the organization by donating money, saving water.

    ReplyDelete
  27. 1.How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I felt inspiring to watch these films because, their stories are related to me somehow and before I thought there is only me who had difficulty to leave countries and everything. But after watching their films my thought changed.
    2.Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    My father and friends welcomed me when I came to this country. Only “thank you” is not enough for them, still I want to thank them to help me to get known with this country and education system.
    3.What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    “Chad water appeal” this is the issue that I read about in Concern’s website. Its about a place CHAD, most of the children are dying because of drinking dirty water. 7 out of 10 people don't have access to get pure water.

    4.How would you like to help this organization?
    I can share this link to Facebook and let people known and encourage to donate money for them so that we can save innocent child from death. We can also make fund organization in school and raise money.


    ReplyDelete
  28. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    R. I was really emotional watching the films because there are similar stories to mine. And it was really deep.

    2. Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    R.My aunt and her husband first welcomed me then my brother and his wife took over. I thanked them with love and respect.

    3. What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    R. The article in the website that i read was about how impure water is in Chad

    4. How would you like to help this organization?
    R.We could do a fundraising in other to have enough money so the budgets would work and people would get better water

    ReplyDelete
  29. How did it feel to watch these films and why?
    I felt the emotions they feel because it is related to my own story when i came to the United States.
    Who welcomed you when you came to this country? How would you thank them?
    my father welcomed me very well and i am thankful with him because its been very comfortable living with him. i would thank him by studying harder as he asked me once
    What issue did you read about on Concern's website?
    I read about natural disasters and how to prevent their risks
    How would you like to help this organization?
    I might volunteer for this organization and contribute my ideas

    ReplyDelete