A New Street is Being paved in Pakistan: Sesame Street!

Ever since I wrote my post on Foreign Aid that I found in Project Censored 2012, I've been noticing how much the topic of Foreign Aid comes up.  This morning after my 8am class I started my Thursday morning routine, I get coffee, fire up the computer, and read BBC News. Today I saw the articled "Puppet power as Sesame Street arrives in Lahore" with a large picture of Elmo and the puppet cast next to it.  I had to read it!

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has given $10 million dollars to a four-year project that brings the show Sesame Street to Pakistan.   The government is hoping that the program will teach lessons in tolerance and mutual respect to the target audience, 4 to 8 year olds. 

“This is a project being created by Pakistani people, for Pakistani children. Our hope is that it will be seen as a gift to children, something that is Pakistan’s own.”  Says Charlotte Cole the Vice President of International Education at Sesame Workshop.

 The Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop Producers insisted that the US did not write the script nor have any other involvement other than funding.  Making this a fully Pakistani production. Sesame Workshop will be partnering with TOLOT TV and LEMAR TV, who are "the most potent media for reaching the children in Afghanistan". (Sesame Workshop). According to an article released by Sesame Workshop, there are nearly 5 million children who are under 5 years old, and out of 5 million a very small percentage of these children are educated in a school, they hope that this program will make up for those unable to attend school. 

What the show will be like

Roni, the lead of the show

The show will take pace in a Pakistani Village with a tea-stall and Banyan tree and will be called Baghch -e- Sinsin, that translates into Sesame Garden.   Elmo is the only US Character that will remain on the show. Other than Elmo, the rest of the characters of the show are all new, the cast of Muppet characters include Billy the donkey who wants to become a famous singer and the star of the show, Rani who is a six year old girl with pigtails.  "The creators hope the strong female lead will send a message to the next generation in this conservative society - especially girls."

The show will not only teach children about tolerance, but also math, literacy, school readiness and life skills, in particular on girls education, diversity and cultural awareness.  Faizan Peerzada, the production company's Chief Executive Officer explained how tolerance will be shown.  “The child has to share a piece of bread with the other, and he has to pay with the same toy. That’s the tolerance we are talking about, and that tolerance will lead to all levels of tolerance." The show will also make sure to cover minor religions, Allowing them to achieve a rounded education.  

News Sources:  BBC News; Sesame Workshop
Photo Credits: Cast; Roni

Why is this blog so bare?

So you may be thinking that this blog is pretty empty... and guess what? You are right! It is! The reason is because I am updating my other blog that I've started and really hope that I  can stick up with it. It's about travel and how much it means to me. You can follow it both on Blogger and Wordpress. I am currently debating moving it entirely to Wordpress but I'm still looking into it.  This leads me to the picture I have on the left side. I tend to wander and jump around a lot. so this is the reason for having multiple blogs.

In my blog What Would Magellan Do?  I cover topics that are related to travel, including some videos I have been making, I also talk about fashion and street style in different countries, so visitors know what the latest style is at  the place they are traveling to.







Images Sources: Wander; Map

Censored 2012: Oxfam Exposes How Aid Is Used for Political Purposes

Oxfam last year announced that billions of dollars in international aid is spent on dangerous aid projects skimming past other people who really need the aid. Which draws " a line between civilian and military activity" (Oxfam). I've never really put this in context but I really can see how that 

Here are a few facts I discovered whilst researching this story: 

• Oxfam have discovered that billions of dollars in international aid was spent on "unsustainable expensive and dangerous aid projects... which internationals donor governments used to support their own short-term foreign policy objectives. " (Oxfam). 

• Last year the report showed us that 225 aid workers were killed, injured or kidnapped in violent attacks, compared to 85 in 2002.

• In Somalia, the service aid dropped in 2008 to 2010 due to the US and inserted some armed groups in control of the majority of central southern Somalia.  Different people were labeled as terrorist under US law, and soon ended funding because aid groups could not guarantee that no aid would reach those groups. 

Photo Credit:  The Guardia

•  "Between 2001 and 2008, more than 40 per cent of this increase in aid was spent in just two countries, Afghanistan and Iraq. The remainder, Oxfam said, was shared between 150 other poor countries. "(Oxfam)

In the news?

I discovered that Oxfam has appeared in the headlines a handful of times when it involves how they can relate to political means. However I could not really find anything about their comment on how much money is spent on aid projects to help governments.  

One place I did find an article concerning this censored story is the Guardian in the UK.  I expected to find more on this topic in the UK because whenever I hear Oxfam I immediately think of the United Kingdom and all the events held. So I was shocked to only find information on this one website. 

In the one article I found, Military Priorities are Distorting Aid Budgets, Says Oxfam, written in February 2011, references the Oxfam report "Whose Aid is it Anyway?"  and speaks about the different percentages of money and volunteers sent to different locations.  

Attached to this article are other links that help understand what is going on and how Oxfam is trying to help get this message across. There is also a great podcast created entitled The Securitization of Aid where the Guardian's journalist speaks about the Oxfam report and their opinions on it. They speak about their concern on recruiting aid for national security purposes and distribution of aid and fast projects as opposed to long projects.

Is this a censored story?

This story is absolutely a censored one today's media. However in the academic world it's much more prominent.  When I type in "foreign aid for political reasons" I come across some scholarly articles and essays but nothing in the news. I looked at my trusty news source, the BBC, and couldn't find a thing. I then went to CNN followed by many other large news corporations including Reuters.  I did however find two infographics which cover the topic of Foreign Aid and the amounts of money different governments spend and where they focus on.   

The first focuses on U.S Military Spending Versus Foreign Aid:  
(For a better look click here)

Photo Credit: Daily Infographic

The second infographic I have found, focuses on how much money in general countries spend on foreign aid. This is interesting to look at because it shows how much in total was given. When thinking about the Oxfam report, it brings me to wonder more on what regions the money the US is spending is going to?  (For a better look click here)

Current events that relate to this topic:


David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, spoke at the commonwealth conference in Australia earlier last month.  While talking about foreign aid, he mentioned how the UK will stop aid to countries who do not believe in the same Human Rights that the majority of the world believe in. He specifically mentioned how they should support gay rights.  Both Uganda and Sierra Leone, have blasted back saying they were outraged.

2 of My Favorite Apps For My Computer (Mac)

It's the beginning of October in my senior year and already I have massive stacks of books to read and Tons of blog posts and videos to create.  It's a lot to handle. My friend told me about this one App called "Self Control" which is a great App to get you to focus on homework and not spend time "Stumbling"or constantly refreshing Reddit or Twitter, don't worry we all do it.  This app actually blocks these websites for you, acting as your will power allowing you to finish your homework in however long you set the timer for.   It's a great app and I definitely recommend it.

The second App I recommend is "iProcrastinate" This app makes staying on task almost too easy. This app is your electronic planner, however not only can you set reminders but you an also attach your document you are working on. This can be Word, Excel, Final Cut and iMovie. When you are going to work on it you can just open it right there so there is no excuse for not doing it.

These apps really are helpful and I highly suggest checking them out. One thing to be aware of is that you may procrastinate setting up your classes, and your time frame but once when that is complete, you save a lot of time.  To read more on these apps you can read it here. I wrote this article earlier last month and since I agreed on a writers agreement I can't repost my article on my blog.

What Would Magellan Do?

Over the years I've fallen in love with the idea of traveling to every part of the world and learning new cultures. I was brought up in a house where we were are very international. I grew up knowing people from both Mexico and France, and picking up sayings and parts of their cultures. This is what makes who I am, and from a very little age I wanted to learn more about other people's cultures. Here is an example of how I was brought up:

It’s 7 am on a Sunday morning; my parents, dog and I are all gathered around the television waiting for kick off. Not American Football, like most families, but Arsenal, the soccer team apart of the Barclay’s Premiere League from England. We watch the game, and at half time my dad makes breakfast, usually potatoes, bacon and some sort of style of egg, it’s always delicious, my mom makes tea. The second half of game we are cheering for our Gunners. After the game we get ready for the day, and start to get ready for when my Grandfather and Godmother come over for our weekly Sunday Night dinners. When preparing dinner, my dad plays music, usually classical, French, or Brazilian; it all depends on his mood. We are all usually humming or dancing when we hear the music. If someone sneezes we either reply saying “gazuntite” or “salute!”.

This post is called what it's called because it was a saying my friend and I constantly said while we were in Portugal. We would say this when we couldn’t decide where to go, or which direction to take. Why Magellan? He was an explorer and it had a nice ring to it.

I know it sounds cliché to go off the beaten path, but I must say it is the best way to go. Having this attitude, I was able to see so much of different places. In Portugal alone, I went to a traditional Portuguese dance hall, and I’ve learned to make traditional Portuguese chorizos on a ceramic grill. My advice? Go out and explore, and don’t always follow what the guide says.


I created a blog entitled "What Would Magellan Do?" and  would love for you to follow it. It has everything to do about travel. You can also check it out on Wordpress.  (It will permanently live here after this semester)

Why "My Jungle"?

This blog is entitled My Jungle because of a quote from  my favorite TV show... Gilmore Girls. Lorelai, the mother and one of the main characters, she is trying to write a letter and she mentions how she can't write a letter because her mind is a "Wild jungle full of scary gibberish".   I always have liked this clip and found it to be funny, when thinking of a name for this blog. In the scene she is trying to write a letter and she starts to do this rant. I think this is a great way to show how fast people think and how quickly they can change topics. This also falls into the world with media today, everything is changing.  This is why I chose to name this blog "The Jungle" I will fill you in on many things taking place in the world and share what's in my jungle of information.

Who am I?

In front of BBC Radio 1: London United Kingdom

My name is Brooke. I am 21 years old.  I currently live in Burlington Vermont.  I love to travel. I love soccer.  My favorite team is Arsenal from England. My favorite player of all time is Fabregas. He now plays for Barcelona. I listen to BBC Radio 1 religiously. I look forward to receiving a new issue of Vogue every month. My favorite TV shows are Gilmore Girls and Top Gear. My favorite color is red.  One of my dream trips would be going to Monaco to see the Grand Prix. I find the positive in everything. My idols are Anne Frank and Audrey Hepburn.  I love taking panoramas. I love to learn and am very passionate about informing people. I want to work for the BBC one day.