SumBlog 11

I thoroughly enjoyed watching 'Solar Mamas'. I thought the idea of empowering women in these countries was the greatest thing ever. I also was super impressed that they were able to learn solar engineering in just 6 months. They were learning everything in a foreign language to begin with but they were also reading and writing, which for some they were unable to do before then. These women were learning things that are so beyond what I could comprehend, mostly due to the fact that I'm terrible with things like wiring and computers. I honestly struggle plugging my blu ray player into the tv. I saw earlier today that a mechanic in Brazil has now figured out how to make a lightbulb with a simple Coke bottle, water and some bleach. It's amazing to me how something so simple can create something so necessary all over the world.http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/brazilian-mechanic-creates-light-bulb-water-bleach-bottle-article-1.1427011
 I was floored at how the main woman stood up to her husband and went back to finish the program, despite the fact that everything in Jordan is based on the man's decision and choices. When I say that I was floored, it was in a good way. It was amazing to see how the small amount of time she had spent at the Barefoot College had empowered her to have self confidence and know that she was capable of so much more than spending her day doing nothing in a tent.

I saw this picture of Malala the other day and it fit together well to me. There are so many countries were females are not allowed to do so many things and this young girl almost died standing up for herself, wanting to be an educated female. More power to her. It reminded me of how the main woman stood up for herself, wanting something better for her and her children.

SumBlog 8

Immigration has always been a curious topic to me. I chose to write the word 'unhappy' on the board. I have always thought there must be something that was making them unhappy in the country they came from to make them leave. Whether they come to America or to another country for a better life, there is always a driving factor.
Someone wrote Ellis Island. That made my head spin. There were so many things to think about Ellis Island. It's where our ancestors came through when they immigrated, seeking a better life. So many people, families and ethnicities came through the doors at Ellis Island. The people were put through examinations to ensure they didn't have any lice of disease to bring into the country. Many were held in quarantine until cleared by a doctor. Even more people were denied entry to the country, giving Ellis Island the second nick name of 'Island of tears'. According to the Ellis Island website, there are 25 buildings on the south side of the island that remain unrestored. These buildings were used for housing those in quarantine and those receiving psychiatric treatment. Here is the link to the website. It has many interesting facts I was unaware of and I'm sure many others are as well. http://www.nps.gov/elis/index.htm
Ellis Island became the beginning of as many as 12 million amazing stories of people searching for something better, hoping to achieve their dreams. 12 million people passed through Ellis Island, wanting a new life. http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gregkrenzelok/ellisislandaaa.jpg