Simple economics tutorial!

Look on the bright side!

She had lived this way for 2 years, since she was 7!

Josimene and the photojournalist Gigi Cohen

Haiti, a nation of only eight million people, is home to some 300,000 restavecs -– young children who are frequently trafficked from the rural countryside to work as domestic servants in the poverty-stricken nation's urban areas.

Parents send their children away, often to wealthy looking strangers, hoping that they will be fed and educated in exchange for performing domestic work.

As poverty and political turmoil in Haiti increases, human rights observers report that the number of restavecs continues to rise dramatically.

Documentary photographer Gigi Cohen spent a month in Haiti photographing Josiméne, a 10-year-old restavec. Cohen's is one of 11 stories that are part of Child Labor and the Global Village: Photography for Social Change, a project of The Tides Center and Julia Dean & Associates.

Cohen's month with Josiméne evolved into more than a simple assignment –- the two forged a close relationship. Freelance producer Rachel Leventhal asked Cohen if, in addition to her photographic assignment, she would also make recordings for the radio. Using Cohen’s recordings, she tells Josiméne's story.

Josiméne lives in a two-room cinderblock house outside of Port-au-Prince. Her parents, who have seven other children, are small farmers in Haiti's remote and mountainous heartland.

Among her other duties, Josiméne cares for two younger children, cleans the house, washes dishes, scrubs laundry by hand, runs errands and sells small items from the family's informal store. She has lived this way for over two years, since she was seven. It has been over six months since she has seen her family.

From http://www.npr.org/

The violence, exploitation and abuse experienced by children all over the world takes many forms, including corporal punishment, harmful traditional practices, hazardous labor, sexual exploitation, trafficking, association with armed groups and forces, and needless placement in prisons and institutions - UNICEF publication: Progress for Children: A Report Card on Child Protection (No. 8)

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Eid ul-Fitr or Hari Raya Aidilfitri as is popularly known in this country that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, fell on 10th September this year. A family tradition that we have kept for many years now is to invite friends and relatives to the house for a small celebration. It is heartwarming to know that many of them still make time for me and my family.

Food laid out for our guests

My elder son Feris - waiting for the guests to arrive or just couldn't tear himself away from the television...?

My seond son Farouk, an expert in posing for the camera, a result of years of experience as a advert talent...?

My first guests-Daisy, Siew Hong and Harvey from our EPU days! Ya...those were the days....

My daughter Deedee and her friend Naem.

One of my dearest friends Meng Foon and her daughter Meilisa. They can win the Mother-Daughter Lookalike contest hands down!

My angelic daughter-in-law and her mum in the background.

My daughter-in-law's parents, a beautiful and loving couple Zahari and Sharma.

Four of my most favourite people L-R: Iskandar Lim and his wife Nor, sister Wan Lan and her husband Ching.

My daughter's very good friend Yin Li and her bf. She had been coming to the house every Hari Raya without fail since in her early teens. Now all grown up and going steady.

My daughter and another of her very good friends, Joan, a very successful and capable career woman now. How fast they grow up!

Loving couple PN Tan and wife Suzanne

Our beautiful Helen.

Ethalene (Mrs Teo), having an alone moment.

What is Mr. Teo up to...? Got to check with Ethalene...heh...heh...

The many generous gifts brought by my guests

Not exactly a cat lover, me

People who are either afraid of cats or who do not like them will give themselves away if a cat approaches them. Rather than shy away from such people, cats often approach people who are afraid of them or who dislike them, but without making any obvious attempts to be stroked or made a fuss of. Cats that come up against people who are not favourably disposed towards them will often just sniff people and keep their distance. However, cats that are aware that you are a cat lover will approach you with a different sort of attitude. Cats are more likely to rub up against your legs and encourage you to stroke their head, chin and their back. They will also purr once you start to make a fuss of them.

From an article Can cats sense if you are a cat lover? by Spohie S

My daughter's new kitten, Orlov. Well...I hope he will just sniff and keep his distance where I am concerned!

I prize you more than gems

Happy birthday my dear daughter.

With her second brother Farouk

Deedee and her sis-in-law Azni

More than gems in my comb box shaped by the God of the Sea,
I prize you, my daughter -8th century Japanese poet Otomo no Sakanoue Iratsume

Good bye to tension!

Dedicated to several of my friends (you know who you are) who will be joining me in the pensioners club soon.