🚀 go-pugleaf

HUMAN RIGHTS - Worldwide Watch



Disturbing case:

Help save the life of an African prisoner of conscience in France; 
        please send a message of encouragement; read below


____________________________________________________________





V O L U N T E E R S


GHANA, West Africa:  

    ECOLOGY * CONSERVATION * ENVIRONMENT * COMPUTERS


VOLU's self-help sustainable community development programs

     VOLU [rhymes with "tofu" - the soybean curd]


Call for 700 to 800 Volunteers for 20 projects

     Workcamps * Communal Living

     Some positions remain; must apply now




** Please assist the effort to forward, post, share this info **
                   as broadly as possible

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________


AfricaWorld Bulletin
Spring Issue
May 1999



Permission is granted to reproduce
   or distribute for educational
   or informational purposes

   Editor <moderator@egroups.com>

______________________________



C O N T E N T S


1]  

     VOLU-Ghana/West Africa: opportunities for VOLUNTEERS

         *  self-help community development projects, 1 - 3 weeks each
         *  building schools, libraries, clinics
         *  reforestation
         *  agriculture projects
         *  computer repair & training (Korbiade Project)

            Join the New VOLU list to stay updated on volunteer 
            opportunities with VOLU, and to prepare for your
            journey


2]  

     African Computer Literacy, Distance Learning & Info Tech CONF

     Join with volunteers who are organizing & planning the 2nd Int'l
         Ghana Distance Learning, Computer Literacy & Info Tech
         Conference, to be held in Accra, in June 2000

     The 1st Conference, held in May 1998, was a smashing success
    
     Join the volunteer organizers and planners by joining the 
         GhaClad Discussion E-mail group/list

     Send a blank msg or ANY msg to:  

             GhaClad-discussion-subscribe@eGroups.com

     Reply to the CONFIRM Request when it arrives.

     Contact Executive Members of GhaClad:

        Prema Qadir <prema@hilobay.com> 
        Dr Osei Darkwa <darkwa@uic.edu>


3]  

     Human Rights Prisoner/Victim - Prisoner of Conscience

     Help SAVE a life for the price of a stamp.

     Barry, born and raised in Africa; he became an American citizen
         while studying in the States.  

         He travelled to France as an American tourist in 1994; he 
         was wrongfully arrested, held 2 years without trial or bail 
         or opportunity to defend himself; then he was sentenced to 
         18 years in prison without the right to appeal...a virtual
         death sentence.

         In July, he will pass his 6th consecutive birthday, in 
         isolation, behind French bars.  Help the effort to keep him 
         alive; send him a card, note or message of encouragement, to
         bolster his morale, and lend support for his Human Rights.

         Still a young man, Barry will be nearly 50 years old if he
         survives to be released in the year 2012.  They say of the 
         tough Clairvaux prison where he is housed:  

            "You check in, but you might not check out."  

         Conditions are deplorable, and depression and suicides 
         go virtually unchecked.  It is questionable whether 
         Barry can survive another 13 years.

         [Continued below]

4]  

     Join <<AfricaWorld>>

         Receive announcements by E-mail such as these on internships, 
         volunteer work & jobs in the African Diaspora;
         participate in discussion of important issues.

         You are invited to join the "AfricaWorld" Community of 900-plus
         worldwide -- a network of individuals, communities, campuses,
         nations and continents.  

         Send a blank msg, or any msg -- with "Join AfricaWorld
         Community" in the Subject -- to: 

                 AfricaWorld@comports.com

         and be sure to reply to the CONFIRM Request when it arrives.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

1]


RE:

VOLUntary Workcamps Association of Ghana
1999 VOLU Summer Workcamps Programme

VOLU General Secretary
c/o GHACLAD
400 E. 33rd ST. # 1912
Chicago, IL, USA   60616

Fax: 312-996-2770

E-mail: VOLU@ghaclad.org


NEW VOLU LIST

To join the VOLU List so that you may stay informed and updated on 
volunteer opportunities with VOLU, please send a blank msg, or 
ANY msg, to:

       VOLU-subscribe@egroups.com

and reply to the CONFIRM Request when it arrives.

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Eligibility:  Age 16 to 100  ;-)


African Grassroots Self-Help Projects, OPEN to Volunteers

       GhaClad (with offices in Chicago) is the official 
       arm of VOLU (the Voluntary Workcamps Association 
       of Ghana).  VOLU is a remarkable program, full
       of energy and ambition -- run totally by
       the people of Ghana.

       VOLU offers 1 to 3 week workcamp experiences in Ghana
       throughout the year, including during Summer.
       Volunteers will join with Ghanaians and volunteers 
       from other African countries, in building roads, schools,
       medical clinics, libraries, etc., usually in rural 
       Ghanaian communities.  Projects include reforestation,
       agriculture, computer training and repair.  Projects
       involving public health and medicine may be announced
       for next year.       

       VOLU has been the leading community and youth development 
       organization in Ghana for 40-plus years.

       Address your questions to both: 

                         VOLU@ghaclad.org
                         VOLU-owner@eGroups.com

       Obtain the VOLU application by E-mail by writing to:

                  VOLU-application@ghaclad.org



EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT:  7 to 12 UNITS (suggested)

       College participants are encouraged to arrange to receive
       academic credit, typically 7 to 12 units.  This is usually easily
       arrangeable through your college advisor, through a faculty 
       member you know, or through your major department.

       As an Independent Study or Field Study course, you might 
       agree to do one of the following after your return:

       1]  write a paper
       2]  lead a discussion; give a talk
       2]  present photos or a video or slide show
       3]  appear on a campus or local radio or TV broadcast
                  to discuss your experience
       4]  set up a local program to enable others to have
                 a similar cross-cultural/volunteer experience


_________________________________________


RE: Summer Projects-GHANA - applications being accepted; new Website


VOLU of Ghana (the Voluntary Workcamps Association) is now accepting
applications.  One can apply "on-line" or "off-line."

This is the long-awaited response to the numerous demands for details
and information on VOLU's self-help, community development projects.
Below are details on 20 fascinating VOLU projects, and a call for 700 to
800 volunteers.  Location, description and dates are given for each
project.  This schedule covers VOLU projects through the end of October
1999.

Apply to VOLU through its Illinois office, GhaClad (the Ghana
Computer Literacy & Distance Education Program) -- headed by Dr. Osei
Darkwa.  The VOLU phone and address are conveniently in Chicago, as
given below.

It is hoped that the proximity of the Chicago contact office will
now greatly simplify the application process, and facilitate
communication about the mechanics of participating.

We hope that all who wish to, will now be able to take advantage of this
opportunity.

Please go to the following Websites to obtain all information, as well
as the "on-line" or "off-line" application.  Please print out the
application and information as needed, and for distribution.


Best Wishes,

Cecil Washington, Jr.
Founder, AfricaWorld
cecil@eGroups.com

___________________________________


VOLU Home Page
http://ghaclad.org/volu/


     Go to the VOLU Table of Contents:

http://www.ghaclad.org/volu/sitemap.htm <=Site Map

http://ghaclad.org/volu/workcamps99/application/offline.htm <=Apply Offline

http://ghaclad.org/volu/workcamps99/application/online.htm <=Apply Online

http://ghaclad.org/volu/discussion.htm <=join VOLU Mailing List

__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________


http://ghaclad.org/volu/background/index.htm  <=History, projects

http://ghaclad.org/volu/background/kordiabe.htm <=Kordiabe Training Center

http://ghaclad.org/volu/background/goals.htm <=Goals

Receive the VOLU application by E-Mail; write to: 

                  VOLU-application@ghaclad.org

Join the new VOLU List to stay updated on opportunities with VOLU and 
     communicate with VOLU staff and former participants;
     send a blank message (or ANY message) to:

                  VOLU-subscribe@eGroups.com

     and reply to the CONFIRM Request when it arrives.

     Information shared via this list will prepare you for 
     your journey.
__________________________________


LOCATIONS OF WORKCAMPS

Workcamps are scheduled for the following Regions:

Upper West Region; Upper East Region; Northern Region;
Brong Ahafo Region; Ashanti Region; Eastern Region;
Volta Region; Western Region; Central Region; Greater
Accra

Refer to the OnLine Map of Ghana
http://ghaclad.org/volu/summer99/regions.htm

_________________________

VOLUntary Workcamps Association of Ghana
1999 VOLU Summer Workcamps Programme

VOLU General Secretary
c/o GHACLAD
400 E. 33rd ST. # 1912
Chicago, IL, USA   60616

Fax: 312-996-2770

E-mail: VOLU@ghaclad.org

Each camp will take a maximum of 40 volunteers.

_________________________________


FEES

Volunteers attending only one (1) VOLU Workcamp, within a camping
season, pay US$250.

Volunteers attending more than one (1) camp,
within a camp season, pay US$350. These fees cover room and board for
the duration of each workcamp.

Each volunteer will be resposible for: airfare & transportation to
and from Ghana; local transportation to and from the camp(s)
within Ghana; living and other expenses before and after
camp sessions.

___________________________

DURATION: JUNE 4 - JUNE 25, 1999
LOCATION:  AKOSOMBO
REGION: EASTERN
DISTRICT: ASUOGYAMAN
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers and technical officers from Forestry
Department will undertake the following activities within the Volta 
Gorge to save the Volta Lake:

 - Planting of trees
 - Maintenance of the already planted area
 - Educating the neighbouring communities' of the harmful
           effects of deforestation and bush burning.
 - Volunteers will do cooking and cleaning of campsite.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be housed in camping tents
and sleep on camp beds.  They will be required to bring their individual
camping tents if possible.

REMARKS:  Akosombo is about two hours drive from Accra. Akosombo is
where the River Volta is dammed to generate electricity to supply the
entire country.

DIRECTIONS:   Volunteers will leave Accra for Akosombo by bus. From
Akosombo, they will have a cruise on the Volta Lake for about an hour to
the campsite.

_________________________

DURATION:   JUNE 11 - JULY 2, 1999
LOCATION:  WEIJA
REGION: GREATER ACCRA
DISTRICT:  GA
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:  Volunteers will undertake the following
activities:

 - Creation of lanes, pegging and planting trees.
 - Educating the neighbourhood communities on
     the harmful effect of deforestation around Weija Dam and
     how it affects the treated water supply of Accra and the
     neighbouring communities.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be accommodated within the Weija
community. They will be required to bring their own bedding and if
possible camping tents.

REMARKS:   Weija is about 30 minutes drive from Accra along the
Accra/Winneba road. It is near Weija where the Densu River has been
dammed to supply drinking water to Accra and its environs. It is on the
way to Central Region where a lot of historical monuments like castles
can be found.

DIRECTIONS:  Volunteers will take buses from Kaneshie - Accra main lorry
station to Weija.

_________________________

DURATION:   JUNE 18 - JULY 9, 1999
LOCATION:  JANKUFA
REGION:  BRONG AHAFO
DISTRICT:  JAMANG
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will undertake the following
activities:

 - Planting of trees
 - Maintenance of the already planted area
 - Tending of the young trees
 - Mapping out the track for fire ride


ACCOMMODATIONS:  The camp will be housed in a local school block.

REMARKS:  Jankufa is about two hours drive from Brekum through Seikwa.
It is within transitional zone between the rain forest and Savannah
zone. It is very close to the Ivory Coat border.

DIRECTIONS:  Bus from Accra to Kumasi and then to Berekum through
Sunyani. Another small bus from Berekum to Jankufa through Seikwa.

_________________________

DURATION:   JUNE 25 - JULY 16, 1999
LOCATION:  AKOSOMBO
REGION:  EASTERN
DISTRICT: ASUOGYAMAN
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

See description of ASUOGYAMAN Project above.

_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 2 - JULY 23, 1999
LOCATION:  SOKODE
REGION:  VOLTA
DISTRICT:  HO
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BLOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will help in various practical tasks
in connection with the construction of a school block for the local
Sokode Secondary - Technical School. It will be the third time
volunteers will be working on the project. They shall work with members
of the local community. Work will involve moulding of blocks, screeding
of floor, mixing of concrete and mortar, carting of blocks, etc.

 - The volunteers will do cooking and cleaning of campsite.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be housed in a local school block.
They are required to come with their own bedding.

REMARKS:  This will be the third time volunteers are sent to work on
this  project. Sokode is not far from Wli Water Falls and Mount
Afadjato. These are some of the tourist attractions within the Volta
Region.

DIRECTIONS:  Take a bus going from Accra to Ho and alight at
Sokode-about 10km to Ho.

_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 9 - JULY 30, 1999
LOCATION:  BREMAN BENIN
REGION:  CENTRAL
DISTRICT:  ASIKUMA
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF TRADE SCHOOL
      FOR TEENAGE MOTHERS

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers and the local community will
work on construction of a trade school for teenage mothers.
Tasks to be undertaken include:

 - Digging foundation trenches
 -  Mixing concert and mortar
 - Carting blocks, sand and water
 - Volunteer will assist masons laying blocks, etc.
 - Cooking and cleaning of campsite

ACCOMMODATIONS:    Volunteers will be housed in
     classrooms or in various houses in the village.
     They will however come together for meals,
     meetings and entertainment.

REMARKS:   Breman Benin is in Central Region and a few hours drive to
Cape Coast/Elmina where the slave castles are located as well as the
Kakum Park -A tropical rain forest and tourist resort with a canopy
walkway.

DIRECTIONS:   Take a bus from Kaneshie main Lorry Park to Breman Asikuma
and another from Asikuma to Breman Benin.

_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 16 - AUGUST 6, 1999
LOCATION:  AKOSOMBO
REGION:  EASTERN
DISTRICT:  ASUOGYAMAN
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

See description of ASUOGYAMAN Project above

_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 23 - AUGUST 13, 1999
LOCATION:  SEFWI AMAFIE
REGION: WESTERN
DISTRICT:  WIAWSO
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  OIL PALM PLANTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will work on an Oil Palm Plantation
which is one VOLU's own long-term projects. The main task for this camp
is to clear the weeds with in the plantation and replace those that
could not survive. They will also harvest palm fruits.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will stay in various houses in the village
(Experimental Living). They will however come together for meals,
meetings and entertainment at the camp leader's house.

REMARKS:   Sefwi Amafie is located within the tropical rain-forest zone
about three hour's drive from Kumasi.

DIRECTIONS:  Bus to Kumasi from Accra: Kumasi to Sefwi Wiawso and taxi
to Amafie, which is about four Kilometers from Wiawso.

_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 30 - AUGUST 20
LOCATION:  KWAHU DAANTENG
REGION:  EASTERN
DISTRICT:  KWAHU SOUTH
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF A HEALTH CLINIC

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:  Volunteers will work on a block for a clinic. Work
to be done includes digging foundation trenches, moulding of blocks,
carting blocks, sand and other materials to the worksheet, mixing
concrete and mortar, laying blocks, etc.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be housed in a house with in the
village.

REMARKS:  Kwahu Daanteing is very close to the beautiful KWAHU scap at
Nkwkaw. The beautiful Boti falls can be found within the eastern region.

DIRECTIONS:  Bus from Accra to Nkawkaw along the Kumasi road. Pick a
smaller bus to Daanteng, which is about 12 kilometres from Nkawkaw.
_________________________

DURATION:   JULY 30 - AUGUST 20, 1999
LOCATION:  KAASE
REGION:  ASHANTI
DISTRICT:  KUMASI
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL LIBRARY

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:  Work will involve digging foundation trenches,
mixing mortar, casting foundation concrete and moulding blocks and other
constructional tasks.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be camped in a
school block within the Kaase Community.

REMARKS:  Kasse is a suburb of Kumasi City. It is not far from Lake
Bosomtwi, the only natural lake in Ghana. Other attractions are the
Cultural Centre, Asantehene's Palace and Museum which treasures the
artefacts of the Asante Kingdom. Volunteers will be required to bring
their own bedding.

DIRECTIONS:  Take a bus from Accra to the main Lorry Station in Kumasi
KAJETIA. Take either a taxi or mini bus to Kaase.

_________________________

DURATION:   AUGUST 6 - AUGUST 27, 1999
LOCATION:  AKOSOMBO
REGION:  EASTERN
DISTRICT:  ASUOGYAMAN
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

See description of ASUOGYAMAN Project above

_________________________

DURATION:   AUGUST 13 - SEPTEMBER 3, 1999
LOCATION:  BEYIN
REGION:  WESTERN
DISTRICT:  JOMORO
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will undertake the following tasks:

 - Creation of lanes, pegging and planting of trees.
 - Educating the people in the neighbourhood on harmful
     effects of deforestation and land degradation.
 - Volunteers will do cooking and cleaning of the campsite
     themselves.

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers will be house in school
blocks in Beyin village. They will need to come possible with
their own and if possible camping tent.

REMARKS:   Beyin is located within the rainforest area. Some
of the tourist attractions are the beautiful Ankobrah Beach and
Busua Beach. Volunteers will be required to bring their own bedding.

DIRECTIONS:  Take a bus from Accra to Takoradi. From Takoradi
take another bus to either Axim or Essiama and finally to Beyin.

_________________________

DURATION:   AUGUST 20 - SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
LOCATION:  AKONTOMBRA
REGION:  WESTERN
DISTRICT:  SEFWI WIAWSO
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  COCOA PLANTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will work in a cocoa
plantation, which is one of the long-term projects for income
generation for VOLU. They will under take various tasks in
rehabilitation a cocoa farm.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be housed in school c
lassrooms with the locality. They are required to bring their own
bedding. They will however, come together for meals, meetings
and entertainment.

REMARKS:  Akontombra is in the tropical rain forest zone, about
three hours drive from Kumasi.

DIRECTIONS:  Bus from Accra to Kumasi, another bus from
Kumasi to Sefwi Wiawso and a mini bus to Akontombra.
_________________________

DURATION:   AUGUST 20 - SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
LOCATION:  NEW NINGO
REGION:  GREATER ACCRA
DISTRICT: DANGME WEST

NO. OF VOLUNTEERS: 35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF A SCHOOL BLOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will help in various
practical tasks in connection with the construction of a school block.

Work will involve digging foundation trenches, mixing mortar, casting
foundation concrete and moulding blocks and other constructional tasks.
Volunteers will do cooking and cleaning of campsite themselves.

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers will be housed in classrooms.
Volunteers will have to come with their own bedding.

REMARKS:   New Ningo is along the coast, about 50 km from Accra with
beautiful beach resorts. Volunteers who like will have a nice time.

DIRECTIONS:   Bus to Ashiaman and then a mini bus to New Ningo

_________________________

DURATION:   SEPTEMBER 3 - 24, 1999
LOCATION:  AKOSOMBO
REGION:  EASTERN
DISTRICT:  ASUOGYAMAN
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

See description of ASUOGYAMAN Project above.

_________________________

DURATION:   SEPTEMBER 10 - OCTOBER 1, 1999
LOCATION:  SAVELUGU
REGION:  NORTHERN
DISTRICT: SAVELUGU
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BLOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will help in various practicals in
connection with construction of school block. They will work with people
from the locality. Work will involve:

 - Digging of foundation trenches
 - moulding blocks
 - casting foundation concrete
 - doing the hard core filling
 - laying blocks
 - they will do their own cooking and cleaning of campsite

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers will be housed in classrooms.
They will be required to bring their own bedding.

REMARKS:  Savelugu is located with the savannah zone. It is about an
hour drive from Tamale, the regional capital. Among the tourist
attractions are the Mole Game Reserve near Damongo, etc.

DIRECTIONS:  Take bus from Accra to Tamale and a mini bus
to Savelugu.

_________________________

DURATION:   SEPTEMBER 17 - OCTOBER 8, 1999
LOCATION:  NAWULEY
REGION: WESTERN
DISTRICT:  JOMORO
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  AFFORESTATION

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will undertake the
     following tasks:

 - Creation of lanes, pegging and planting of trees
 - They will tend the planted trees
 - Educate the village folks on sound environmental
     practices including the harmful effects of deforestation
     and land degradation.

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers may be camped in either
tents or in classrooms. They will bring their own camping tents
if possible.

_________________________

DURATION:   SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 15, 1999
LOCATION:  WA
REGION:  UPPER WEST
DISTRICT: WA
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOL BLOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will help in various
practicals in connection with construction of school block.
They will work with people from the locality. Work will involve:

 - Digging of foundation trenches
 - moulding blocks
 - casting foundation concrete
 - doing the hard core filling
 - laying blocks
 - they will do their own cooking and cleaning of campsite

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers will live in classrooms or have
experimental living, i.e. living with families.

REMARKS:  Wa is both the Regional capital as well as the municipal
capital. The most outstanding tourist attraction is the Wa-Na's Palace.
Wa is located within the Savannah Zone.

DIRECTIONS:    Take a bus direct from Acca to Wa.

_________________________

DURATION:   OCTOBER 1 - 22, 1999
LOCATION:  MANSO AMENFI
REGION:  WESTERN
DISTRICT:  WASSA AMENFI
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35 - 40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF DORMITORY BLOCK

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:  Volunteers will undertake
construction work on a dormitory block for the Youth Leadership
Training Institute, which belongs to the national youth Council.

The tasks involved include digging of foundation trenches, moulding
blocks casting foundation concrete carting sand water and blocks
as well as other related tasks.

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Volunteers will be housed in a house within
the Manso Amenfi community.

REMARKS:   Manso Amenfi is located within the tropical rain forest zone,
about 120-km from Takoradi.

DIRECTIONS:  Volunteers will take a bus from Accra to Takoradi. Pick
another bus from Takoradi going ro Asankragwa and alight at Manso
Amenfi.

_________________________

DURATION:   OCTOBER 8 - 29, 1999
LOCATION:  KORDIABE
REGION:  GREATER ACCRA
DISTRICT:  DANGME WEST
NO. OF VOLUNTEERS:  35-40
PROJECT:  CONSTRUCTION OF STUDENT HOSTEL

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteer will work on students hostel for a
Training Center where VOLU trains the youth in a number programs
designed to combat youth unemployment. The tasks to be performed shall
include digging, of foundation trenches, moulding of blocks doing the
hard-core filling, casting of foundation concrete, carting of sand and
other related materials and if possible laying of blocks.

ACCOMMODATIONS:   Volunteers will be housed in a hostel at the VOLU
Training Centre.

REMARKS:  Priority will be given to volunteers who have computer repair
skills to help repair a number of compuers (mostly PCs - XTs) to be
used in training youth in computer literacy programme.

DIRECTIONS:   Kordiable is about 65 km from Accra about a one-hour
drive. It is very close to Shai Hills and the Shai Hills Game Reserve
where one can see baboons and other wild life. It is also not far from
the Akosombo Lake and Aburi Botanical Gardens.

_________________________________________________

Content by:  Joe Adom-Mensah, Acting General Secretary
Web Architects:  Prema Qadir, BSCE & Dr. George F. Kojo Arthur
Web Design:  WebArchitects@endarkenment.com -
Web Hosting:  http://adgrafix.com/info/pqadir

___________________________________________________


Special THANKS for compiling the information and erecting the VOLU
Website go to:

Prema Qadir <prema@hilobay.com>
Dr Osei Darkwa <darkwa@uic.edu>
Dr George F Kojo Arthur <arthur@MARSHALL.EDU>


____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________


3]


A M N E S T Y   &   J U S T I C E 
________________________________________

..Letters with Wings   ///\_[_/\\\


    B a r r y   B R A I M A H 


New address:

     8674 B-Sud 227
     Centre Pen. de Clairvaux
     10310 Ville sous La Ferte
          FRANCE



    The (Still) Forgotten Tourist


At 6'4" (1m95) -- always the athlete-scholar -- 
    Barry has seen his weight plummet to 139 lbs (63 kilos) 
    due to deplorable conditions and lack of good nutrition.  


Please Send Msg of Encouragement to BARRY

In July, Barry will pass his 6th consecutive birthday,
in isolation, behind French bars.

We are looking for persons of conscience who are willing to
reach out to this American Human Rights victim in France.

Please take a moment and send Barry a postcard, a note, 
or a message of goodwill.  

Help save a life.  Help make a difference for someone in need.


For more info, please go to:

       http://x12.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=457680490 
       http://www.poboxes.com/droits


We have set up an E-mail forwarding address (i.e., 
your message sent to this E-mail address will be
printed out and mailed directly to Barry in France):

            FreeBarry1@aol.com
            BarrySupport@starmail.com

If you include your regular postal address 
(since Barry does not have E-mail in prison), Barry 
may be able to send back a reply by regular mail.

You can read Barry's "letters from prison" posted at:

     http://www.egroups.com/list/barry

These letters give an extraordinary inside view of the prison
world...and of HOPE, where others may only see despair.


Thank you,


Amnesty & Justice
Letters with Wings


NOTE:

Or, write/post/send a message for him directly at the 
        Justice Website:

        http://www.poboxes.com/JUSTICE

Background / Updates:

        http://www.comports.com/JUSTICE  <= "prison letters"
        http://members.aol.com/FreeBarry1/index.html

______________________________________


RE:  Update on BARRY, Human Rights victim
                Prisoner of Conscience

   PARIS:  Kafka's Paradise, Black Man's Hell


A virtual death sentence for an American tourist in France

  *  18 years, no right to appeal 
  *  The "forgotten" American tourist

Before being sentenced, he was held 20 months without
trial, bail or opportunity to defend himself.
_______________________________________


Please stay informed on this problematic Human Rights 
case, which, according to the American Embassy and 
US State Department in pat response to numerous appeals
for help, falls beyond their reach:

   "US Citizens who travel abroad do so at their own
      risk.  The US Gov't cannot interfere with the 
      judicial process of foreign powers."


To stay informed, please write to **both**

     Justice@comports.com  (join list to stay informed)
     Justice1-info@autoresponder.freeyellow.com  (get latest Update)


Wrongfully arrested shortly after arriving in 
France for "association avec malfaiteurs" - 
i.e., guilt by association.  The person in France who
was to help Barry with lodging, unknown to Barry,
was under surveillance for suspicion of trafficking.  

Barry was arrested, although he had nothing illegal
whatsoever in his possession, he had not been under
investigation, and he has no criminal record, anywhere.

No evidence of guilt was ever presented in French court,
beyond "association" -- "knowing" a suspect.


Issues:

*  Non-respect of Vienna Convention consular agreements
*  Association avec malfaiteurs - guilt by association
*  Inquisitorial versus adversarial justice systems
*  Underlying racism & xenophobia
*  Excess of the State

This is a disturbing case, one that speaks to
the worsening climate for Human Rights in France.

_______________________________________________


CONTRIBUTIONS?

Appeal for Donations for Barry:  if able and willing to help, please
E-mail a msg to FreeBarry1@aol.com to receive the address
where contributions may be sent.  Thank you in advance.


\___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ \___ 



Lavanya Radhakrishnan, Coordinator-Amnesty Int'l-USA 
      in Urbana Champaign, Illinois


I hope that Barry will get a chance to defend himself.  I
spent a year in France about 3 years ago, and my boyfriend,
a Parisian of Senegalese descent, was also wrongly convicted
of drug trafficking.  He was innocent, that I was sure of,
but the police brutalized him, and threw him in jail with no
sight of a trial.  He also experienced bad conditions in his
prison environment, and he was denied visitation from
anyone, even his own mother, for 5 months.

However, for reasons unknown to his friends and family, he
was released after 365 days of confinement - no trial, no
explanation from the judicial system. Maybe there is a
chance that Barry will be released earlier than 18 years,
but we must all fight for him now.


Sincerely,

Lavanya Radhakrishnan
Amnesty International-USA