Human Rights Songs

In “Guantanamo,” State Radio sing about human rights violations that have occurred at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. The song reflects our belief that prisoners have human rights that must be protected. More information about Guantanamo Bay is available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp.

U2 wrote “Walk On” about and dedicated it to Noble Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.  Suu Kyi is an activist for human rights and democracy in Burma.  She has been living under house arrest off and on for a total of 12 of the past 19 years after leading a nationwide effort to end military rule in Burma.  The Burmese government  has outlawed this song, punishing its possession with up to 20 years imprisonment. When given a chance to leave Burma with her family, Suu Kyi refused to abandon her people and remained in Burma as a prisoner.

Ksenia and Jeremy’s Words of FYSOP Wisdom

Words of acceptance

“Courage. The courage to step outside your comfort zone.

Commitment. The commitment to help your new home and community.

Celebration. The celebration of 13,000 hours of service that we will contribute.”
~Ksenia

“Experience creates awareness.”
After volunteering throughout the Boston area, first-year students will understand more about their city and recognize that Boston is much larger and more diverse than just the Boston University campus.
~Jeremy

Also, an update on the Guantánamo detainees that were to be sent to Palau. Check it out!

And, one of our sites, the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, has some cool information about what to do with exotic locally grown produce.  Enjoy!

-Ksenia and Jeremy

Don’t Rain On My Human Rights

Hey Hey!

Here at the Community Service Center we have survived another week of cold and rainy Boston weather. However, we have not allowed it to get us down. This week we went on 1½ site visits and met one of the most amazing men in Boston: Guy Apollon, from Haitian Multi-Service Center in Dorchester. Guy really loved FYSOP’s mission, and we think this site has tons of potential.

On a sad note, Boston’s branch of the International Rescue Committee closed down this month. The IRC has welcomed and resettled 25,000 refugees in the Boston area in the past 30 years, specializing in assisting refugees with serious medical problems. The program could no longer operate in lieu of the recession, low government funding, and the rising cost of living in the Boston area. However, the IRC has 23 other regional offices around the country including Atlanta, GA: an Alternative Spring Breaks destination.

Looking around the world, we are exited to see people taking to the streets to stand up for their human rights. We have all seen the inspiring images coming out of Iran, but a less media focused protest took place in Peru with horribly devastating outcomes. Read more

We sincerely hope the weather is treating you better wherever you all may be.

Much FYSOP Love,

Jeremy and Ksenia
Your Human Rights Coordinators

Refugees heading home on the T after a job interview

Human Rights 2009

Amnesty International volunteers

Hello all!

Right now we’re working on writing our education packet and finding great service sites for the week of FYSOP in late August. We are looking for some awesome new sites, but we’ll be contacting almost all of the Human Rights sites from FYSOPs past within the next few days.

We’re really stoked to add transgender rights to the mix this year, while keeping the flame alive for immigrant and voting  rights and prison and healthcare reform.  Look for a delightful combination of all of these during Education Day, in the education packet, and on the ground during the week of FYSOP itself.

If you’re looking for some human rights news right now, the tiny island nation of Palau has agreed to host 17 prisoners from the soon-to-be closed Guantanamo Bay detention center. Here’s a link to an article to find out more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/06/200961044943734893.html .

Check back soon,

Human Rights Coordinators

Ksenia Lanin and Jeremy Danz

Mmm…Righteous

Hi everyone!!!

Hope you are all having a relaxing and peaceful :) summer so far. This page is just a quick overview of what we are up to but please check back in throughout the summer and we will keep you updated on our progress!!! So far, we are hard at work in the office contacting sites for service opportunities and planning the best week we possibly can for you all! 

We are so excited to be the second year to coordinate the Human Rights issue area and are working to make it as interesting and interactive as we possibly can! Just to give you a peak, our focus is on immigrant and refugee issues, healthcare and prison reform. If you have thoughts feel free to leave a comment, we will love to hear from you!

Keep checking in for news!

Peace and love from your Human Rights Coordinators

Clare Fitzpatrick and Jackie Hodgson