For its first 15 years, PSI worked mostly in family planning (hence the name Population Services International). PSI added malaria and safe water to its portfolio in the 1990s and tuberculosis in 2004. PSI has an uncommon focus on measurable health impact and attempts to measure its effect on disease and death much like a for-profit measures its profits. In 2009, PSI estimates that its programs directly prevented 177,000 HIV infections, four million unintended pregnancies, more than 300,000 deaths from malaria and diarrhea and almost 40 million malaria episodes.

I like PSI because they use research-based evidence to improve their effectiveness influencing the health-related behaviors of vulnerable populations, increasing socio-economic equity, increasing the health impact of interventions and improving intervention cost-effectiveness and efficiency in terms of cost per product or service delivered.  They measurable health impact on disease and death much like a for-profit companies measure profits. In 2009, PSI estimates that its programs directly prevented 177,000 HIV infections, four million unintended pregnancies, more than 300,000 deaths from malaria and diarrhea and almost 40 million malaria episodes.

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Mayan Woman in Traditional Dress on Back Street

Most Mexican states either totally conquered or assimilated their aboriginal peoples, the indigenous of Chiapas, have not been conquered or assimilated. These ancient Mayan groups speak their own languages, maintain their own culture and to a large degree govern themselves autonomously.  The relationship between the indigenous and the government is uneasy and on occasion has erupted into conflict like the the Zapatista conflict of 1994. Fighting has stopped but the issues remain. The indigenous are still poor and disenfranchised. The Mexican government remains frustrated in its desire to unite its population and unfortunately Chiapas suffers a loss of tourism because of a conflict that happened over fifteen years ago.

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Entrance to Santo Domingo Church in San Cristobal

The Santo Domingo church was built by Dominican Friars in 1546. The facade was beautifully restored in 2006. The church is considered one of the most richly ornamented representations of the colonial Baroque style in all of Latin America.

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Over the past thirty years by almost every positive measure of success the United States has been in decline. Remarkably this began about the same time that cheerleading and ignoring the score board got to be confused with patriotism. We began wrapping ourselves in the team colors, pulling our shoulders back and, loudly and factlessly asserted that we are number one. Official policies have us consuming more, manufacturing less and educating less effectively but  somehow doing anything other than following the things that hastened the decline meant you were unfaithful to the team. Somehow making shared sacrifices and shared investments in things that could return you to number one became unpatriotic. To continue the analogy, noticing that the popular quarterback was selfishly hogging the ball and causing the team to lose meant you were disloyal or envious.

I love my country the United States and I truly hope that this race to the bottom ends soon. I long for the day when it will again be accepted that dissent truly is the highest form of patriotism. When we recognize that flying the flag is an empty gesture if it is not backed with a loving but honest look at who we are and where we want to go together as a team; when we accept the reality that playing as a team served us well for  most of our history; when we realize that being number one is okay but good sportsmanship counts even more; when we start putting predatory capitalists in jail instead of worshiping them; when we realize that a safety net and thoughtful regulation create a positive environment for small entrepreneurs; when we quit demonizing each other and work together for the team.

We know what it takes to fix things and it isn’t even more deficit creating tax cuts or pretending corporations are people. Why have we suddenly decided to play games and ignore reality or pretend it reality doesn’t matter? We are still great! We just need to fix what is broken and start working together for everyone.

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Textiles in San Cristobal Artisan Market

The Artisan Market in San Cristobal de las Casas offers an amazing mix of everything from Amber Jewelry to Zapatista Dolls. Most of the products are hand produced in the villages surrounding the city. The lively market is located on the grounds of  the Santo Domingo Church and is laboriously set up everyday and taken down each night.

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Greenpeace is represented by two separate entities in the United States, Greenpeace, Inc. and Greenpeace Fund, Inc. While both organizations work on the same mission, they do so through different strategies. Greenpeace, Inc. is a campaigning and lobbying organization and is registered as a 501(c)(4) entity. Contributions to Greenpeace, Inc. are not tax deductible. Greenpeace Fund, Inc. is a grant making organization that provides funding for Greenpeace’s research, charitable and public education activities entities worldwide. Greenpeace Fund is registered as a 501(c)(3) entity and has limits on its ability to lobby.

I don’t agree with them on every issue but I am an admirer of their commitment and passion when it comes to environmental issues. I especially like their direct action campaigns and their speaking truth to power. Check out this video. It is amazing.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

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Sunrise at Arches National Park

I made this image early one morning in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. Arches is one of the the United States’ iconic National Parks and one  of the most impressive I have visited. I had the place to myself on this beautiful morning.

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I like Freedom From Hunger’s long term approach to food security. All too often charitable organizations enter a given area and recipients come to rely on the organization, neglecting their own enterprises. Freedom From Hunger requires that aid recipients participate in their own aid. Freedom From Hunger is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.

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San Felipe de Neri Church

The skies were brilliant after a rain storm blew through “Old Town” Albuquerque on a seasonally cold winter’s day. The iconic San Felipe de Neri Church was magnificently reflected on puddles left behind on the brick courtyard.

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Additionally, recipients of are required to “Pass on the Gift”, meaning that every family or community that receives livestock from Heifer are required to donate one or more of their animal’s female offspring to another family in need. This approach makes recipients future donors and gives whole communities a stake in the success of the program.

I like Heifer International‘s approach to aid because it is sustainable and it requires recipients to participate in helping themselves. Their methods aren’t temporary relief, they obtain livestock in the region where it will be distributed and they closely examine their results. Heifer International is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.

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