Sunday, 30 November 2014

168 million child laborers globally

According to the International Labor Office, there are about 168 million child laborers globally, which accounts for approximately one in 10 of the world’s children. Albeit a one-third reduction since 2000, the problem remains acute. An estimated 13 million children work in India alone, despite laws prohibiting child labor and mandating school attendance.  About four percent of child laborers are in forced or bonded labor, prostitution, or fighting in armed conflict. The remainder of the world’s child laborers work in family businesses or on family farms, where they often toil as much as 27 hours per week and are, like the child tobacco laborers, exposed to a variety of dangerous chemicals and pesticides.

Source: http://www.counterpunch.org

Paulo Henrique Felix da Silveira, aged 9, collects recyclable materials by wading into the Arruda Canal near the Saramandaia slum in Recife, Brazil. According to a 2010 census, 3.6% of the 20,166 people who collect items for recycling in Pernambuco State were aged 10-17 - Reuters

Rustam,10, works at an aluminium factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where about 25 children were employed, 
many of them working for 12 hours a day - Reuters
Source of photographs: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk



Saturday, 22 November 2014

Sunday, 9 November 2014

Playing a musical instrument could help protect against mental decline


Playing a musical instrument could help protect against mental decline through age or illness, according to a new study.
'The research suggests that musical activity could be used as an effective intervention to slow, stop or even reverse age or illness-related decline in mental functioning.'

The study, published in the journal Neuropsychologia, builds on previous work showing the benefits of musical activity on mental and physical well-being.

Please read: Playing-musical-instrument-sharpen-thoughts--help-ward-depression-dementia
Mmm...better put my 32 year old piano to better use.....


Sunday, 2 November 2014

Tuesday, 28 October 2014

Let's toast to good health

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My painful leg reminds me to be grateful for life's little blessings.  It does not matter how much money you have, how great your last vacation was, how many friends you have, how stylish your hair looks, how beautiful your apartment is, because, when you are not fit, you cannot enjoy any of it




So, let's toast to good health and remind us to appreciate our health, the little things around us and our short stop-over on this earth.




Saturday, 25 October 2014

"Helen, call me home"




"As 94-year-old Helen was on her deathbed, 100-year-old Joe leaned in to give her a kiss and said, "Helen, call me home."  She passed away, and only hours later, Joe followed her.
 
Though their life together was happy, it wasn't necessarily easy.  After having one child and Helen pregnant with their second, Joe left to fight in World War II.  While he was away and after having their second child, Helen sent a photo to Joe which he kept in his pocket until he was able to come home and see his children three years later. 
 
In their life together, they also saw and survived the Great Depression and the birth of 10 children, 16 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  They had a very long and fullfilling life together, and, I imagine, they are happy to be home together once again.

Source of story: http://sfglobe.com

Wednesday, 8 October 2014

You keep your past by having sisters


At the Putrajaya Flower Show with Sister 

A lovely day out in the city with my only Sister on 7 October 2014