Families Living in Cars

The US news network CBS produced 60 minutes recently aired the other side of the American dreams where the homeless children of Florida have been forced to live in cars.  They're part of more than 16 millions of children who are living in abject poverty.  This heartbreaking story reflects the break down of our safety net that should have protected the most vulnerable population of our society. Why should our children pay the price when Washington, DC has been pretty busy with partisan bickering?

Please watch the full episode of the 60 Minutes:

Yes, money can buy happiness!

It's an age old question whether money can buy happiness in life or not.  Finally, the researchers from The Wharton School concluded that "the more money you have, the more satisfied you are with life – and that relationship holds true whether you are a citizen of the United States or of Burundi. As it turns out, the happiness effect isn’t relative; it’s based on a person’s absolute income".

Documentary on Climate Change in Bangladesh

Credit: National Geographic

Rosa Rogers directed documentary the "Climate Change in Bangladesh: Who Will Pay"? has won the 2nd prize under the Film Category of Indigenous People. The contest was organized by the World Bank. The documentary shows how climate change is causing havoc in the southern Bangladesh as fertile land becomes encrusted with salt, killing crops and fouling drinking water.

Target Refusing to Pay Victims in Bangladesh

The popular departmental store Target is refusing to compensate the recent fire victims of the garments industry in Bangladesh. Change.org is arduously continuing its advocacy for the rights of the laborers in the developing world as "65,000 people from more than 70 countries call on American corporations with annual profits in the tens of billions to give a minuscule percentage of that to compensate workers killed or injured while making their clothing".

Target's profit is soaring, in the 3rd quarter of 2010, its profit rose 22.6% as the chain store earned 535 million dollars (CBS News). Its annual profit rose to 20 billion dollars. Change.org has already initiated a petition for the victims at the Bangladeshi garment industry that has been signed by almost 68,000 people all over the world.

Dhaka is preparing for the World Cup Cricket

The World Cup Cricket 2011 is coming to Dhaka next month. As the country is getting ready for this exciting international sports, it's trying to get rid of beggars and hawkers from the city streets for next few weeks. This initiative will frustratingly displace thousands of the poor from the capital.  CNN reports:

"Hundreds of hawkers and beggars, quite often seen on Dhaka's major roads and at traffic stops, will be driven out next month ahead of the Cricket World Cup scheduled to begin in mid February... The Bangladesh government imposed a ban on begging amid criticism two years ago, saying they would stop the practice within five years. According to the law, anyone caught begging in public places faces a maximum three months in jail. But begging is still seen in almost everywhere in Dhaka ­­-- a city of ten million people, one third of whom are extremely poor and live in shanties..."