Andean Amazon Accents Show — Bolivia, 2007

I’ve just returned from 5 days in Bolivia, a country of amazing diversity, in both its landscape and people. The Andes and the Altiplano to the West give this country the highest average altitude in South America, while the tropical Amazon Rainforest hugs the country on the north and the east, above its central lowlands of rolling hills, forests, and savannah. And Bolivia's people are comprised of three dozen Amerindian groups, including the Aymara, Quechua, Guarani, and Ayoreo, which creates the ideal setting for a wide selection of unique handicrafts.

This is my 4th trip to Bolivia, and somehow it wouldn’t feel complete without the blockades that attempt to bring its transportation, business, government, and any semblance of normal life to a halt. (It is through these disruptions that the people express their disapproval of government policies.) This time, Bolivians were passively protesting government decisions that have led to an increase in the cost of goods and gas prices, combined with a skyrocketing cost of living that has forced millions of Bolivians to leave the country in search of better-paying jobs.

I spent the first few days in La Paz visiting with our artisans and exploring new groups. This year’s Andean Amazon Accent Show, which started one day late because road blockades prevented taxis, buses, and cars from getting to the fair grounds, led to a disappointing turn-out: approximately 200 exhibitors and just eight buyers. Despite this, we found a number of interesting new products, as well as new projects that will benefit inmates and disadvantaged children.

Keep an eye out for new items from Bolivia at One World Projects!

All the best,

Phil Smith, CEO & Founder
One World Projects
Phil@oneworldprojects.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a lot to be thankful for this year, and that includes you! Thanks so much for your support this holiday and all year long by helping us help disadvantaged artisans around the world.

We couldn't do it without you!

From,

The Team at One World Projects

Free Rice Game

Here's a "good" game for you. A new U.N. campaign donates 10 grains of rice for each question you answer correctly at http://www.freerice.com. It's already generated enough rice to feed 50,000 people.

FreeRice offers players multiple-choice definitions of a word, and each correct answer generates 10 grains of rice for the United Nations Worldl Food Program. The game relies on advertising revenue to underwrite its rice campaign.

On October 7, the day it was launched, just 830 grains of rice were donated. But by November 8, more than 77 million grains were donated, the equivalent to more than 7 million correct answers!

Click here to read more!

Hi readers,

We haven’t heard anything about the protests in Burma/Myanmar since late September, which probed us to do a little research. You’ll notice our new Campaign for Burma banner on the left. Please click there, for the latest news from this troubled region and to find out how you can help, or read on. Also, we’ve posted a YouTube video of the monks’ march and its brutal finale. It’s a long video (around 10 minutes) but worth the watch.

A bit about Campaign for Burma:

The United States Campaign for Burma is a U.S.-based membership organization dedicated to empowering grassroots activists around the world to bring about an end to the military dictatorship in Burma. Through public education, leadership development initiatives, conferences, and advocacy campaigns at local, national and international levels, USCB works to empower Americans and Burmese dissidents-in-exile to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma and raise awareness about the egregious human rights violations committed by Burma's military regime.

Recent Burmese News (November 6, 2007)

Myanmar summons foreign diplomats to meet with UN envoy
(IHT)
UN rights chief given Burma date
(BBC)
Burma invites UN special rapporteur back
(The Nation)
UN rights official to visit Myanmar as envoy pushes for reform
(AFP)
UN in Myanmar: a history of failed efforts
(IHT)
Little joy for U.N. envoy in Myanmar
(Reuters)
Myanmar tycoon says sanctions will not hurt regime
(Reuters)
Myanmar Tycoon Attacks Sanctions
(AD)
UN human rights envoy, barred since 2003, set for Myanmar visit next week
(IHT)
UN rights expert to visit Myanmar next week
(UN News)
Suu Kyi Unwell—Gambari Meeting Uncertain
(The Irrawaddy)