🚀 go-pugleaf

Volontaires, Benevoles-a voyager en AFRIQUE pendant l'ete

En anglais....



     Hi...


     We are a bit LATE in publishing this appeal.

     If anyone is willing to give a hand in sharing,
     forwarding and posting this information, as widely 
     as possible, that would be VERY MUCH appreciated.

     We are sure this information will be of great 
     interest to many.

     There are 20 projects in Ghana for which
     applications are now being accepted.

     Please see the schedule below.  It's remarkable!
 
     In all, 700 to 800 Volunteers will be invited. 
     Most Volunteers will hail from Ghana and from 
     other African countries.  

     Volunteers from outside Africa are also welcome. 
     They traditionally show intense interest and do 
     exceptionally well -- and have been a credit to the
     various projects.

     Most students who participate succeed in arranging 
     with their academic advisors or departments, to earn 
     academic credit -- typically from 7 to 12 units. 

     Students are encouraged to do so, under the rubric 
     of ** independent ** field study or field research, 
     or "experiential cross-cultural living & working."  
     You can easily set this up under the guidance of
     a faculty member you know, or one who advises you.

     Or, simply propose to write a paper on your experience
     on your return -- on any topic, or aspect, of particular
     interest to you.  It's best to keep this assignment as
     open and flexible as possible, as you will surely come
     to see many things quite differently by summer's end, 
     and your choice of topic may VERY WELL change.
          
     This will be an UNPARALLELED learning experience,
     one that would be impossible to duplicate in a lecture 
     hall or within the walls of academia.

     All of your senses may for the first time in your life
     be thoroughly engaged, at once.


                Kind regards,


                Volunteers for Humanity
                Work-Travel-Study Abroad Programs



..................


AfricaWorld Bulletin
Spring Issue
April 1999


Permission is granted to 
  reproduce or distribute,
  provided the purpose is 
  educational or to share
  information  

______________________________



C O N T E N T S


1]  VOLU-Ghana/West Africa: opportunities for VOLUNTEERS

         *  self-help community development projects, 1 - 3 weeks
                    (many participate in 2 or more projects)
         *  building schools, libraries, medical clinics
         *  reforestation
         *  agriculture projects
         *  outdoors camping / bivouacking (some projects)
         *  computer repair & training (Kordiabe Project)

2]  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

         http://ghaclad.org

3]  Join, and post your messages to, the AfricaWorld Community of 
         900 persons worldwide -- a new list for the Diaspora

4]  Barry, an African American tourist / prisoner of conscience;
         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

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________



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

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________


African Grassroots Self-Help Projects, OPEN to Volunteers

       GhaClad (with offices in Chicago) is the official 
       representative 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, to build roads, schools,
       medical clinics, libraries, etc., usually in rural 
       Ghanaian communities.  Projects include reforestation,
       agriculture, and sometimes public health.

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

       Address your questions to VOLU@ghaclad.org.

       College participants are encouraged to arrange with 
       their college advisor or department, to earn academic
       credit -- typically 7 to 12 units.


_________________________________________


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


THE NUTS & BOLTS OF PARTICIPATING

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

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 USA office -- GhaClad (the Ghana Computer 
Literacy & Distance Education Program), headed by Dr. Osei
Darkwa.  The VOLU contact FAX, address and E-Mail are conveniently 
located in Chicago, as given below.

It is hoped that the proximity of the Chicago office will now 
serve to greatly simplify the application process, and facilitate
communication about the mechanics of participating.  We want such 
an experience as this -- for the first time -- to be well within 
the reach of ALL who really, truly want it.

We feel that all who wish to, will now be able to have this incredible
experience.

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


Best Wishes,

Moderator
moderator@eGroups.com


ps:  for ideas on fundraising, go to this site and click
                 on the second page; then, go to the bottom:

                 http://www.earthcorp.com/journeys

___________________________________


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

Program Overview:
http://ghaclad.org/volu/summer99/index.htm

Off-line Application:
http://ghaclad.org/volu/summer99/app-offline.htm  <= apply here

On-line Application:
http://ghaclad.org/volu/summer99/app-online.htm  <= apply here

__________________________________


LOCATIONS OF WORKCAMPS SPAN GHANA

Workcamps are scueduled 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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will continue the work done by
volunteers who attended Akosombo I.

 - The living conditions will be like the first camp.
 - They will be required to bring their own camping tents.

_________________________

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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will continue with the tasks set for
Akosombo camp #1 and camp #2 with the same living conditions.

 - Volunteers will bring their own camping tents if possible.

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:   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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:    Volunteers will continue the
work done by their colleagues who attended Akosombo Camps I, II, III.

 - Their living conditions will be like the first camp.
 - Volunteers will be required to bring their own camping tents and
bedding.

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:   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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:   Volunteers will undertake the
same work as done by their colleagues who attended
Akosombo I, II, III and IV.

Their living conditions will be the same as the first four camps. They
shall
be required to bring their own camping tents and bedding if possible.
Volunteers will be required to bring their own camping tents.

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:   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>


_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________



African Computer Literacy, Distance Learning & Info Tech Conference

    Planning is now underway for the 2nd Int'l Conference to be
    held in Accra, Ghana, in June 2000.  The 1st Conference, 
    recently held, was a smashing success, and a learning experience.
    
    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

    Executive Members Contacts of GhaClad:

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

   GhaClad has recently acquired "private non-profit
       organization" IRS status, which will help it find
       funds for its work.

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________




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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________


F R A N C A I S:

Pour la version francaise sur l'epreuve de Barry, voir: 
     http://x13.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=338585794
La Lettre Ouverte ecrite au President de la Republique, se 
     trouve a ce site-la.  On doit la lire, tout d'abord.
.....................



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

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



We realize that the United States has Human Rights problems
that loom at least as large as those in France, though they are
not necessarily the same.  

Our criticism of the US is even more intense in many regards,
particularly for the legacy of racism that is perpetuated 
(extending all the way to the death penalty and to the practice 
of racial profiling by American police).

Here, however, we are focusing on the plight especially of ONE
person in France.  We will speak about some patterns of Human 
Rights abuse that France has become all too well-known for, and 
that certainly many concerned French feel a humane and urgent 
need to try and correct.

Issues:

*   Vienna Convention, Non-Respect/Consular Accords
*   Inquisitorial versus Adversarial Justice Systems
*   Guilt by Association & Absence of Presumption of
      Innocence
*   Excess of the state
*   Underlying racism & xenophobia


FRANCE: 

          Worsening Human Rights climate for foreigners:
          Arabs, W. Indians, Africans..even Americans

________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

BARRY:  the plight of a Black American in Paris


This young American tourist, turned Human Rights victim, was 
   given a virtual "death sentence" in France

   - wrongfully arrested
   - held 20 months without trial, bail or opportunity to defend himself
   - finally sentenced to 18 years without right to appeal in the
          normal sense -- case handled by the Cour d'Assises Speciale
   -  all petitions to reconsider verdict & sentence have been rejected,
          including the pourvoi en cassation and demande de grace


ANOTHER BIRTHDAY TO BE PASSED IN ISOLATION

Captain of an intramural soccer team...winner of 
5K and 10K contests, well-rounded athlete known
also for his voracious appetite for reading...

In July, Barry will pass his 6th consecutive birthday behind 
French prison bars, confined to a 6X12-ft cell.

At 6'4" (1m95), he has seen his weight drop to 139 lbs (63 kilos)
due to malnutrition in the French prison -- where suicides 
are out of control, propelled by deplorable conditions.

Please help.  We are encouraging concerned persons in the
international community to send him cards, notes and messages 
of goodwill (in support of his basic Human Rights), to help 
bolster his morale.  

And, please send the President de la Republique a strong
message letting him know that an 18 year sentence for this
tourist is shameful and intolerable (address at Justice site).


Help make a difference for someone for the price of
a stamp, or with a simple E-mail message.

WE WILL AIRMAIL YOUR MESSAGE TO BARRY (of any length)

Write/post/send a personal msg to Barry, at:

       http://www.poboxes.com/JUSTICE

Or, E-mail your message to both:

       FreeBarry1@aol.com
       BarrySupport@starmail.com

We will print out your message and AirMail it to him
at his prison address in France (optional: include
your street address in case he is able to reply; he
does not have access to E-mail).

Find at the aol site Barry's direct mailing address.

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Please help save a life; please help make a difference.


Background / Updates:

  http://www.comports.com/JUSTICE  <= his prison letters, archived
  http://members.aol.com/FreeBarry1/index.html
  http://www.poboxes.com/droits [articles from French press]

_______________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________





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