South Sudan Break Away from Sudan by Joshua Hall

A ballot took place in Southern Sudan from 9 to 15 of January 2011, on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent. The referendum was one of the consequences of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement, a set of agreements concluding in January 2005, between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement also known as SPLA/M. The rules of the ballot were that at least 60% of the population had to agree if they wanted independence. On 7 February 2011, the referendum commission published the final results, with 98.83% voting in favor of independence.  

Based on the years of violence, bloodshed, war, and ethnic cleansing that has transpired for the last two decades in Sudan, I believe separation was definitely the best choice. The Sudanese have faced many years of hatred, discrimination and alleged Islamisation. This is the act of imposing one’s belief of Islam on someone else. The independence of Southern Sudan will be a momentous day especially for those that actually experienced the turmoil. Personally I believe it is important that people are allowed to live freely. Though society needs rules to be steady, no one should be denied their basic human rights. Now Southern Sudan has the potential to be a great nation.

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

Joshua Hall on the Public Outcry for Gun Control

Recently, Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords of Arkansas was shot in the head while at a campaign rally.  The shooting sparked a new public outcry for gun control. As citizens of the United States, we have the Constitutional right to bear arms. However, I do believe that the prerequisites to get a gun should be more firm, and that  the consequences for improper use of the gun should be harsher. Another fact that we mustn’t forget is that there are some people who get guns illegally. In that case, I believe that law enforcement should be more alert.

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

Given the Revolution in Egypt, How Does Joshua Hall Feel to Live in a Democracy?

Hello all,

 The citizens of Egypt recently held a revolution to fight for the right to live in a democracy as opposed to under the dictatorship rule of President Hosni Mubarak.  After 2 weeks of peaceful protests, they won their fight when the President resigned from his post and the military took over until democratic elections can be held in September. There is a large difference between a democracy and a dictatorship. A dictatorship is a system of government in which the leader controls everything. In that kind of society the citizens were denied their basic human rights. A democratic society is designed by the people, for the people. it is important that we live in a democratic society. In such a society we have our human rights in addition to our constitutional rights (freedom of speech, religion , due process etc,)

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

What Would Joshua Hall Say to President Obama if he Could Speak with Him?

Hmmmm…….only 5 minutes with President Obama?  That’s a tough question.  I would probably talk about the conditions that children are forced to endure in Ghana. They experience modern day child slavery and it is still going on under the noses of the Ghanaian government.  As a human rights issue, I would ask him what we as Americans can do to force the Ghanaian government to move swiftly to bring an end to slavery of any kind.  On a local front, I would really like to know President Obama’s position on paying for a college education.  This I believe should be free to all who want it.  The children are the next leaders, why wouldn’t the country want to invest in our future leaders? 

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

Joshua Hall’s College Choices

I graduate from high school next year and have started applying to the following colleges.

• University of Virginia
• Morehouse College
• Syracuse University
• The City College of New York
• Fordham University

I plan to major in either Bio-medical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering, with a strong lean towards bio-medical engineering.    I chose the colleges listed above because they have a good engineering program, the college campus lifestyle seems similar to mine,  the graduation rates for African-Americans is good and the ratio between African-Americans and other groups is balanced.  Although my preference is University of Virginia which is an out of state college, I am also okay with colleges here in New York.  The City College of New York has a great program and many come from far to attend this college.

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

What to Do About Students Low Reading Scores in New York by Joshua Hall

Many of these schools in New York are operating in the dark ages and are not using the right tools to stimulate an interest in learning.  Most fourth & fifth graders are computer literate, they are pros at using social media sites, most have some knowledge on how to create a website, many are starting their own businesses, they blog, use chat rooms and so much more.  How can schools that don’t even have computers compete with that?  Most schools in New York don’t even have a science lab.  Schools are using the same methods, same books, same old furniture from the 60’s and 70’s.   We also need new teachers who want to teach and are not just there to get a paycheck or just finishing out their time so that they can retire-we hear that a lot in New York. Parents also need to take an interest in their children and the school that they attend by doing their homework. 

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

The Importance of Social Media Sites by Joshua Hall

Below are two examples of using social media (twitter & facebook) for a good cause, to raise awareness and much needed funding.  It’s all about doing something good.  Social media can bring together people who are willing to lend their time to important causes on a global level.   The number of people using these sites has more than tripled over the last few months and even years – even my grandparents now use it as a means of communication.  So it makes perfect sense to use these same sites for a good cause.  Fundraising is much easier and doesn’t require hosting an event such as a dinner, yet the results are almost always instantaneous.

The following was reported by mashable.com:

 Twestivals

On 12 February 2009, 202 cities around the world held Twestivals, bringing together the Twitter community for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for charity: water. The total raised from the Global Twestival stands at $250,000 USD with numbers continuing to roll in. By organizing an event globally using Twitter as a driving force with additional information on Vimeo videos and Facebook pages, the event was able to provide clean water for over 17,000 people.

Tweetsgiving

Tweetsgiving was a project of Epic Change that sought to demonstrate the power of Twitter and the social web by raising $10,000 in 48 hours to build a classroom at a school in Tanzania. The project was inspired by the TrickorTweet campaign organized around Halloween by @TheGrok and @ChrisBrogan. By using social media including blog posts and Twitter, the online event spread virally within a short amount of time to bring together those interested in contributing to a good cause.

Tweetsgiving worked best because it was able to appeal to donors’ sense of holiday and giving within a short window of time, which drove a viral effect.

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

Why President Obama’s Message isn’t Connecting With The American People? – Joshua’s Idea

There is so much negative talk about our President in the media.  If you continue to hear that someone is doing badly in the polls – whether it is true or not, people will start to believe it.   There is just too much negative press around him right now.  A man is rarely remembered for the good that he has done.  He has done so much to get this country back on track -

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

HIV/AIDS Awareness – Joshua’s Perspective

There is an estimated 5.6 million people who are suffering in South Africa alone if we don’t bring awareness to this disease we are in jeopardy of losing an entire generation.  With more awareness comes more funding for research and medicine.  We can all make a difference by getting involved and making sure that our friends and family “know their status”.   This disease has no race, gender, or age.  It affects the rich and the poor alike and has no regard for your social status. 

Read Joshua’s Fellow Ambassadors Blogs on World AIDS Day in Brooklyn

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.

Facebook Donated $100 Millions to Newark Public Schools – Joshua’s Reaction

Recently Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, donated $100 million to Newark Public Schools. I believe that this large donation would definitely do a great deal. The money could be used to resolve many issues in New Jersey’s education system. For example, it could be used to purchase the supplies needed (textbooks, computers, calculators, etc.) to give Newark’s students the best possible learning experience. It could also be used to hire the best teachers with new, innovative ideas and techniques for their students.

 See you soon

Josh

To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to: http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp

Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work.  More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.