I decided recently to start another blog, a "serious" blog that concerns the issues I am generally thinking about, writing about, researching and working on. These issues concern the stabilization and reconstruction of conflicted territories, such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo etc.
For now the entries are somewhat general, but each entry is created using a basic structure:
Each entry is concerned with a particular conflict
Each entry synthesizes information from a variety of online journalistic and academic sources
Each entry attempts to look at a particular problem or asset for each conflict
The overall goal is to address untapped strengths and resources with the reconstruction process
I intend to update the blog on a biweekly basis. At the moment it contains 2 posts, one concerning Somalia, and one concerning Afghanistan. Feel free to write constructive comments on posts.
One of the longest inhabited regions within the world, Somalia is home to a longstanding history of trade and independence. Never successfully colonized by a European power, yet always a major component within Arab trades systems, Somalia has the geographic proximity and definitive character necessary to become a vital actor within the global economy. Yet entrenched within a prolonged history of regional and internal conflict, the burden of extreme poverty has forced this failed state into a precarious position. With a population of over 8 million, the nation contains1,277,200 displaced individuals, while 561,154 others have fled to other nations for refugee. Within only the last 4 months, over 300,000others have had to flee their homes in Mogadishu. According to the BBC, within the last two years alone, 18,000people have been killed. After an extensive web search, I have been unable to locate a single estimate of the death toll within the last 18 years of its civil war.
America briefly involved itself within Somali during the Clinton administration as part of the UNISOM task force, wherein the UN and the US worked side by side to stabilize the nation and push it toward prosperity. Yet as the lessons of contemporary asymmetrical warfare continue to repeat, the United States was unable to utilize its advanced technologies and formal combat interface against the flexible resistance of criminal war lords and Islamic fighters. Evacuating with great haste, the US left Somalia in a state of greater despair than prior to its arrival. As America's internal allies were left behind, new targets for violence by local militants. I have several friends, and have met many others, who were victims of this abandonment, as their American affiliation left them subject to torture and persecution.
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[caption id="attachment_13" align="aligncenter" width="523" caption="Woman walking across Somali desert"][/caption]
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Today the most popular headlines pointing toward Somalia are concerned with the fleeting acts of piracy on its coastline. Sexy and adventurous, America and Europe have embraced the romantic notion of piracy as a subject of pegged legs and black flags rather than a tragic externality of poverty. Piracy has been approached as problem to be solved withcoast guards, naval fleets, and armed escorts. I suppose that at least some degree of international interest has been directed towards Somalia and the struggling efforts of its president, Sherif Sheik Ahmed, to bring stability to this nation. Thus far, this approach has been severelymisguided, as piracy is not the problem, it is simply a consequence of greater issues.
A brief review of the CIA World Fact Book should illuminate many of the complications facing this struggling state.
[caption id="attachment_16" align="alignright" width="151" caption="Woman at Water Tap"][/caption]
• Population median age: 17.5 (U.S. 36.7 years)
• Life expectancy at birth: 49.3 (U.S. 78.11)
• Total population literacy: 37.8 (U.S. 99%)
• GDP per capita: $600 (U.S. $49, 900)
• Exports: $300 million (U.S. $1.291 trillion)
• Telephone Landlines: 100,000 (U.S. 163 million)
• Mobile phones: 600,000 (U.S. 255 million)
• Internet host: 1 (U.S. 316 million)
• Airports with paved runway: 7 (U.S. 5,146)
• Roadways: 22,100 km (U.S. 6,465,799 km)
• Paved roads: 2,608 km (U.S. 4,209,835 km)
• Merchant marine: 1 (U.S. 422)
• No national military
• 1.1 million internally displaced people
• Exchange rate of 1438.3 Somali Schillings (SOS) per 1 US Dollar
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Such strong indicators of poverty do not stand in isolation, but operate in conjunction with an array of human rights, public health, and social complications including: gender based violence, ongoing conflict, absence of codified law, and humanitarian accessibility. Furthermore, in recent years, aid workers have become targets within conflict, reducing the capability for aid delivery. Today, Somalia has become the worlds greatest humanitarian struggle, with the highest concentration of famine.
I understand that successful nations see little reason to address these problems. Western States wrongly perceive international development as a zero-sum game, while not recognizing the advantages of equitably distributed wealth. The location of Somalia however places it directly within the heart of all oceanic shipping and traffic, making it a primary point for penetrating the underdeveloped markets of Africa from either Europe, Asia, or the Middle East. Its globally distributed population provides immediate financial and economic linkages for the transfer of wealth, ideas, and education. With investment within its agriculture and animal husbandry resources, North African and the Middle East can access a new food source, as their own water supplies continue to deplete.
If nations want safer waters, the last thing they need to do is approach the problem by means of military solutions. The problems are better solved by engineers. With only 2, 608 km of paved roads, governments could easily facilitate the growth of supply chains and resource networks by means of simply pouring more concrete. With only one merchant marine vessel, governments could create a "rent-to-own" or large scale government micro-finance industry to prompt the growth of regional sea trade. There is no need to invest in speed boats to further piracy, but instead to supply large shipping vessels that will ignite and industry for the current "pirates" who have no income, no resources, and no opportunities for self advancement. Expanding the mobile phone networks will further distribute a form of flexible infrastructure for trade and business creation.
Nonetheless, at the root of all these ideas remains the demand for security. How does that happen? Although the answer will continue to be explored herein, one thing is certain. The solution is not found within isolation, by ignoring the problem, and by only treating symptoms. Remedies can only be achieved through direct engagement, communication, and an active approach to problem solving. Until then, Somalia will always remain in chaos.
[caption id="attachment_14" align="aligncenter" width="480" caption="Somali Child in Market Place"][/caption]
I had my interview at a local ngo few hours ago. It was... interesting. The agency was founded about 3 years ago with the interest of facilitating UN development goals. However the agency seems to be a little unorganized. They have a nice office, a few a handful of staff, and have been working primarily on two projects for the last three years.
The primary project is banking and finance oriented, with the intent of further educating the general public of various nations about the value of Islamic banking, and working to establish these institutions. While I only have marginal experience with Islamic banking, limited only to money exchange, I believe it has been mostly untouched by the global banking crisis of the last 2 years. Although such banks exist in America, they are not very well known or understood by the public and yet there might be significant value to further diversify American banking systems by investing in these institutions.
The other major project consists of working to facilitate secular cross cultural dialogues, so that people may better overcome their popular East/West misconceptions. This is process is very much the product of institutional networking, lectures, workshops etc.
Well I considered these projects all quite fine and good, although I will admit, only of marginal interest. Nonetheless, a part time job that pays a little money is better than no job and no income, so I was interested in going along with things anyway.
I was then introduced to the founder of the organization, and our discussion brought about a different direction altogether. Apparently his interest in hiring me is founded on my experience of working with African populations, most notably Sudanese and Somalis. It turns out that the government of Somalia has contacted his organization on multiple occasions, asking for project assistance to work with vulnerable youth and economic development. Supposedly there is UN funding available for this projects, I received the impression that he has been simply uncertain how to go about doing this.
Fortunately, these sort of problems are perfectly consistent with my own expertise. So over the next few days I'm going to sketch out a rough outline of what this organization could do. If it is of interest to them, then I guess I can go about designing projects from the ground up. As for getting them implemented, well that will have to fall onto the shoulders of someone else. This NGO does not appear to have any of the resources that one would have working for the US gov, the UN, or major agencies like Care or NRC. This is of course rather unfortunate, as designing programing and not overseeing its implementation greatly retards the feasibility of the project and relegates the process to little more than an academic exercise. Of course, I could show up next week with a slew of ideas, none of which would be of interest to this agency.
So the final question is, did I get the job? Yeah, it looks that way. But do I want it? Well... we'll see. If anything, its something to do for a few weeks or months while I continue to apply for something more embracing.
Earlier today I was reading a blog entry by Peter Bergan, the CNN Security Analyst, about the improvements Afghanistan has experienced within the last couple years. He highlighted various improvements in security, mine clearance, education, economic development, and refugee repatriation. There was also a great deal of applause for the construction of a large, modern airport.
Reading this column initially made me cringe, as it brought to mind a story I once heard from my grandfather about an experience he had in Vietnam in the early 60's. In short, the Americans had constructed a massive modern airport while the Russians provided instruction to the local population about better ways to fatten and breed chickens. It doesn't take much thought to recognize why the general public, who could never see themselves ever riding in airplane, were more receptive to the Soviets.
However one additional point mentioned by Bergan was that "One in six Afghans now have a cell phone. Under the Taliban there was no phone system." With a population of over 32 million people, this means that nearly 5.5 million people have access to cellular communication within this generally rural province. While its likely that most Afghans remain uninterested in the new airport, with 5.5 million users in about 5 years, mobile phones are clearly a winner.
Certainly the expansion of cellular networks posits significant social benefits for the Afghan population. Prior to 2003, it was common for many villagers to have never once used a telephone. Now it is possible for this family-centric culture to maintain ties over greater distances. In addition, this cellular network may be a key component with the ongoing stabilization and development of the nation.
Cell phones and Security
One of the major benefits to arise from the establishment of mobile technology within Afghanistan was the capability for armed forced to locate Taliban insurgents by tracking phone signals within the countryside. And lately, as mobile phones became more prominent throughout the public, individuals have been more willing to provide authorities with information regarding insurgent activity because this information can be provided anonymously. Although Taliban fighters have made efforts to destroy cell towers, the general public has been frustrated as such destruction now interferes with their own lives.
Lessons from Grameen Phone
Established in 1996 by Iqbal Quadir, the founder and Director of the Lagatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, and Nobel Laureate Mohamed Yunus, the Grameen Phone company has served as the primary cellular phone provider within Bangledesh for the last 13 years. In addition to standard phone services, Grameen Phone was further created with the intention of utilizing mobile technology as a tool for economic development. Most notably, Grammeen established the program Village Phone, assisting interested entrepreneurs in rural villages to sell telephone services to villagers. Additionally, phones had been made available by means of micro-finance projects, while internet access could be acquired by means of community information centers. With enhanced connectivity, individuals could better operate their own businesses, such as by determining the going market price in advance of goods delivery, or by knowing the upcoming weather conditions. Individuals may also start businesses selling phone credit, mobile phones, or providing battery charging services
Capitalizing on Remittances
Nearly all migratory populations are dependent upon, or in some way participate within, the ongoing international flow of financial remittances. As displaced families, unable to obtain sustainable incomes, remain dependent upon relatives and friends for financial assistance, it is obvious that cellular communications serve an important role within the stabilization of the Afghan economy. With over 3.3 million displaced individuals within and outside of Afghanistan, the ability for these individuals to access cellular technology now provides financial services well beyond the use of traditional money wiring services.
In the near future Afghans could utilize this technology to buy goods, pay bills, and move cash in the same manner found throughout the African continent. By establishing bank accounts via mobile providers, Afghans will have the ability to secure their finances and easily transfer funds for the purpose of remittances by uploading purchased phone credit, transferring it to another account, and then exchanging that credit for cash or goods.
SWOT
Although increased cellular connectivity strengthens family ties, improves security, and could provide a means for future economic development, there are nonetheless major obstacles. The prominence of low incomes and illiteracy greatly undermines the distribution and use of cell phones, yet with innovative programming by international agencies these problems may be mitigated. Through the distribution of cell phones via micro-finance and entrepreneurial services, and in coordination with the further development of the nationwide education system - which has been noted as improving - the role of mobile communications may continue to serve an important role within the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Earlier today I was reading a blog entry by Peter Bergan, the CNN Security Analyst, about the improvements Afghanistan has experienced within the last couple years. He highlighted various improvements in security, mine clearance, education, economic development, and refugee repatriation. There was also a great deal of applause for the construction of a large, modern airport.
Reading this column initially made me cringe, as it brought to mind a story I once heard from my grandfather about an experience he had in Vietnam in the early 60's. In short, the Americans had constructed a massive modern airport while the Russians provided instruction to the local population about better ways to fatten and breed chickens. It doesn't take much thought to recognize why the general public, who could never see themselves ever riding in airplane, were more receptive to the Soviets.
However one additional point mentioned by Bergan was that "One in six Afghans now have a cell phone. Under the Taliban there was no phone system." With a population of over 32 million people, this means that nearly 5.5 million people have access to cellular communication within this generally rural province. While its likely that most Afghans remain uninterested in the new airport, with 5.5 million users in about 5 years, mobile phones are clearly a winner.
Certainly the expansion of cellular networks posits significant social benefits for the Afghan population. Prior to 2003, it was common for many villagers to have never once used a telephone. Now it is possible for this family-centric culture to maintain ties over greater distances. In addition, this cellular network may be a key component with the ongoing stabilization and development of the nation.
Cell phones and Security One of the major benefits to arise from the establishment of mobile technology within Afghanistan was the capability for armed forced to locate Taliban insurgents by tracking phone signals within the countryside. And lately, as mobile phones became more prominent throughout the public, individuals have been more willing to provide authorities with information regarding insurgent activity because this information can be provided anonymously. Although Taliban fighters have made efforts to destroy cell towers, the general public has been frustrated as such destruction now interferes with their own lives.
Lessons from Grameen Phone Established in 1996 by Iqbal Quadir, the founder and Director of the Lagatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, and Nobel Laureate Mohamed Yunus, the Grameen Phone company has served as the primary cellular phone provider within Bangledesh for the last 13 years. In addition to standard phone services, Grameen Phone was further created with the intention of utilizing mobile technology as a tool for economic development. Most notably, Grammeen established the program Village Phone, assisting interested entrepreneurs in rural villages to sell telephone services to villagers. Additionally, phones had been made available by means of micro-finance projects, while internet access could be acquired by means of community information centers. With enhanced connectivity, individuals could better operate their own businesses, such as by determining the going market price in advance of goods delivery, or by knowing the upcoming weather conditions. Individuals may also start businesses selling phone credit, mobile phones, or providing battery charging services
Capitalizing on Remittances Nearly all migratory populations are dependent upon, or in some way participate within, the ongoing international flow of financial remittances. As displaced families, unable to obtain sustainable incomes, remain dependent upon relatives and friends for financial assistance, it is obvious that cellular communications serve an important role within the stabilization of the Afghan economy. With over 3.3 million displaced individuals within and outside of Afghanistan, the ability for these individuals to access cellular technology now provides financial services well beyond the use of traditional money wiring services.
In the near future Afghans could utilize this technology to buy goods, pay bills, and move cash in the same manner found throughout the African continent. By establishing bank accounts via mobile providers, Afghans will have the ability to secure their finances and easily transfer funds for the purpose of remittances by uploading purchased phone credit, transferring it to another account, and then exchanging that credit for cash or goods.
SWOT Although increased cellular connectivity strengthens family ties, improves security, and could provide a means for future economic development, there are nonetheless major obstacles. The prominence of low incomes and illiteracy greatly undermines the distribution and use of cell phones, yet with innovative programming by international agencies these problems may be mitigated. Through the distribution of cell phones via micro-finance and entrepreneurial services, and in coordination with the further development of the nationwide education system - which has been noted as improving - the role of mobile communications may continue to serve an important role within the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
Incidently, after having written the other day about the urban phenomenea of New Cairo, a documentary was brought to my attention by the blog of a fellow student at the Center for Forced Migration and Refugee Studies, in AUC. At this point, I have only watched 4 of the 8 minutes, but from what I saw, I believe that it does a fair job to capture the shifting dynamics of the contemporary urban landscape within metropolitan Egypt. I encourage anyone with a general interest of understanding a little about the modern developments of the Middle East to watch it. Enjoy.
Yesterday was my refugee psychology class where we usually sit around, hold hands and talk about our feelings. Every once in awhile, people mention the word refugee, but for the most part the class discussion seems to meander into every direction except refugee psychology. I don't really mind the class so much, except it is located at the new campus, about an 1 hour bus ride outside of Cairo within the sprawling urban development, New Cairo.
The campus is absolutely beautiful, yet the poor generalplanning of the entire New Cairo development seems to undermine thesatisfaction that one would otherwise derive from the setting. For the time being, going to school at AUC in New Cairo is disaster. With no public transportation system in place, the schoolshuttles buses from the old campus gates to the new campus, every dayof the week. With only 2 or 3 departments still located at the oldcampus, the entire downtown facilities remain empty while the expenseto maintain them remains in place. In New Cairo, all aspects of dailylife had to be determined and constructed in advance of the residentpopulation, so it is only natural that certain details are lacking orare insufficient. From technical concerns, such as anticipating theappropriate sewer size for the projected future population, to simplerdetails such as appropriate business hours.
New Cairo is a rather bizarre place, a big goofy suburb of rich people in big houses out in the desert. It has many of the characteristics of of new American suburbs, with rows of identical houses, tree lined streets, and convenient shopping centers dotting the periphery, but it also has an array of unique characteristics. Palm trees dot the medians, giant fountains of water are spread around to showoff the luxury of the neighborhood, and crazy glass office buildings are randomly distributed. The buildings are generally positioned within a high density, and with nearly zero setbacks, the facades are frequently immediately perpendicular to the street edge. I can't recall if there are any sidewalks, but I have the impression that the interest of cars dominate the street design far more than pedestrians.
The strange thing about New Cairo is that EVERYTHING is presently under construction. While normal communities evolve slowly over time, this whole city is planned from top to bottom by urban designers, architects, and real estate companies. The whole city is being constructed all at once, as all housing, business, utilities, and shopping have suddenly popped up within the Sahara like an oasis of modern commerce. It makes the area sorta creepy really, to see unfinished concrete buildings buried in the sand, as far as you can see. An apocalyptic allure hangs over the buildings, especially as I cannot look at them and detach my thoughts from the current economic crisis. It is difficult to measure or understand the economic downturn from where I stand, as the distinction between rich and poor is so massive within this country, that even with serious detriment to the Egyptian economy, one can barely see a difference. Yet as New Cairo rises from the desert, I wonder if it will ever accomplish the vision that was set out for this place many years ago.
When I went to school for city planning, many of my more traditional instructors would profoundly echo to the students that the most important characteristic for any planner to contain is to have a strong sense of vision. To have vision for the future, an ideal to work toward for the greater good of the community, and a specific sense of how this vision can be created in material form. As I look at New Cairo, I reflect on this sens of vision, contemplating the vision of those who initiated this plan, and yet to see their intentions undermined by greater forces. Certainly vision matters, but another lesson I had learned while studying planning was the value of metrics. How much did these planners study and measure the forces that shape communities, that shape the creation of their vision, and ultimately determine the success of this new settlement? Planning is of course, not a pure science, or at least is often not pursued in that manner as Community Planning is an interdisciplinary discourse.
While personal vision and precise measurements are certainly needed, I would argue that New Cairo reveals a common shortfall among planners, the element of community. As a completely designed new settlement out on the urban periphery, there was no preexisting community to serve as a foundation for growth. Communities evolve over time and cannot be magically called into existence. Yet without a community in place, how does one truly ever know what to plan for? Maybe in the future, New Cairo will stand as the feature destination for tourists and and successful businesses within Egypt. Perhaps it will be the glamorous counterpart to Cairo, or maybe it will become assimilated into the general sprawl of Cairo, so that these two different cities will merge into one single massive settlement. For the moment, New Cairo remains a disconcerting venture as it seems to have everything except for the most crucial ingredient. People.
I recently finished this video for Life of Slim J. For whatever reason, I am having much difficulty in getting the appropriate resolution for Youtube, so the image is not as nice as I would prefer. Regardless, if it is not visible below, then you can link directly to it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGwBTavlhDI
I just got home from a day of constantly running around, and now I'm about to pull an all night long homework session.
I met with the guys from VIP today and we started laying the groundwork for their album. They also introduced me to a French rapper who is living here in Cairo that I will start working with also. Its amazing, as producing these hip hop records is simply something that I thought would be fun but I didn't really expect much to come from it. Instead, I am finding a very receptive audience and many excited artists who view this as their chance to make the sort of music that they asprire toward. So now I have three different albums in production, and this Friday Unigunz will be debuting much of our work in a live performance here in Cairo. Another glimmer of good news is that a UK radio show called Refugee Radio, which broadcasts on Monday nights in Brighton and Hove, is interested in doing a special on the project. You can learn more about the radio show at http://www.refugeeradio.org.uk/.
In other news, school is getting close to ending... so close, but just not close enough. If getting older doesn't make me lose my hair, I quite sure that continuing my education will. I started this term totally fried, so at this point I'm beyond crispy. One more semester... just 3 classes more...
Tonight I need to write a collection of papers, one on Sudanese refugee camps, one on the dynamics of money transfers by migrant communities, and another on the distinctions of refugee vs. general migration policy. You know, its been nice to learn the intricacies while I've been here, but more than anything it makes me miss doing Development Planning. I miss creating diagrams and drawings, elaborate presentations to convey the results of my studies and being able to talk about the intercourse between large concepts such as social justice and the particular components of architecture or urban design. Working with migration, economics, and foreign policy within the context of Planning made it so much easier to grasp while my more recent academic research remains within the abstract.
Speaking of which, I just remembered that I need to submit an abstract to a university in India right now. I've written two separate papers on Humanitarian Space thus far and if the University of Delhi is interested, I might present my research on the complications of Humanitarian Spaces within conflict zones at a conference called Imagined Horizons: Spatial Configurations of the Present. For anyone interested, here's the opening paragraph...
"Humanitarian operations within conflict zones often require military support to satisfy security demands, a practice frequently at odds with the humanitarian objective to deliver aid to demanding populations in a politically neutral manner. This contradiction is most evident within the necessary action to carve out humanitarian spaces for the implementation of aid programming within conflicted regions. The creation of such spaces frequently demands military support, leading to an increase in conflict by additionally politicizing the role of humanitarian aid and thus politicizing a landscape created for logistical purposes. Furthermore, by impinging upon the pretense of neutrality, humanitarian actions supported by militarization adversely affect the expression of rights among displaced populations who must occupy the same territory. This imbalance is likewise reflected within the physical transformation of the humanitarian space, as a space created for the sake of institutional operation and human rights expression, is converted into a zone of controversy and power."
Today was intially a very frustrating day. I stayed up all night, unable to sleep. I woke up all groggy, and had to bust out the door to Hidayek El Maadi to meet up with the Lost Boys gang. Except that didn't work out.
I went to the cafe where I had previously met their leader. It is a well known hang out for Sudanese refugees in that neighborhood, and I assumed I would meet up with them just as before. Yet no one showed. I sat, drank a cup of wretched tea (I forgot to ask for Lipton), and after awhile I made a couple trips into the labyrinth of alley ways where our 'school' is located. Unfortunately I never found any indication that these guys were showing up. That's fine, as the only frustration is for them to satisfy such low expectation. However, in my own error, my phone battery was dead and I was unable to call my boss Natalie. So after an hour and a half of wandering the street and drinking tea, I left.
Here's one of those streets. The evening remained overshadowed by my disappointment, only compounded by my usual brooding over my life in Cairo etc. Then at 8:27 the telephone rang.
This guy called, saying he was from a group called V.I.P., and that he heard I am a music producer, that I had a recording studio, and that I can write beats for them. I guess word is getting around about the work I've been doing, and now it seems local hip hop artists are looking to work with me. This guy happens to work in Garden City, which is nearby, and was just getting of work, so I offered to meet him in front of Hardees.
I walked down there and after a few minutes was shaking hands with this Sudanese rapper. Upon asking his name he told me "Ronald Reagan." I smiled, as it sounded like any other goofy street name most of the gangsters have, usually the names of famous rappers in America.. We went inside and sat for over an hour, drinking orange soda, talking about music while I shared with him samples of the work I've made with Unigunz. I showed him the way I work on my laptop and discussed the philosophy underlying the whole project/partnership.
It became clear that he is excited about this project, and more importantly, he wants me to show him how to do this sort of work himself. Equipped with his own computer at home, he has spent many hours trying to make his own music and music videos. He pulled out a flash drive and showed me a video he had filmed and edited himself. He recorded the video on a hand held digital camera and edited the separate scenes on his PC. For a guy with limited resources, I think he did a rather decent jobfor the video. Sure, its very rough, but he is definitely doing thebest he can. He filmed it at place where he works at 5 am so thereweren't any customers, and managed to do all of it by himself.
The only real problem with it is that the music itself was ripped from a very successful musician in America, not only that, but it was a top ten song a few years ago. At least the lyrics are original, so the first thing we are going to try to do is write an original piece of music to replace the one he has now.
Later on he asked how to spell my name to enter it into his phone. I told him that its just "Mitch," that I don't have a street name and should probably get one. Sure - I've thought about forming one - suggestions by friends have ranged from Mizzel to DJ Abayed Abayed, which means DJ Whitey White in Arabic, but I haven't found anything. Upon mentioning my lack of street name, the guy looked at me and said, "Yeah, I don't have one either. That stuff is for Lost Boys and Outlaws, and I don't need that. My name is Ronald Reagan, and yeah, he was a president, but its just a name."
Realizing that it wasn't a street name, it reminded me how aid workers sometimes name children after the day of the week on which the child was born. I've met quite a few guys from Sudan named Sunday. I also thought of a story I heard once from a Sudanese guy about how much his family loved Ronald Reagan because when Reagan was in the White House the family was able to better take care of the children than during any time after. I wondered about the story behind this guys name, but I decided that I might ask another time.
Today I visited the Lost Boys to initiate another hip hop program.
It's interesting to observe the differences between the two primary Cairo gangs, the Outlaws and Lost Boys, considering that the members both come from the same parts of Sudan. The Lost Boys have been the predominate youth gang within Sudan for many years, while the Outlaws only recently formed in retaliation to constant harassment.
Within Cairo, the two gangs live in different neighborhoods and have evolved to maintain particular characteristics. The Lost Boys live in the nicer neighborhood of Maadi, are generally better educated, have less structure within the gang, and are often the more violent. In contrast, the Outlaws were founded, and accordingly named, because they exist 'outside the law. ' The Outlaws live within the poorer neighborhood of Ain Shemz, have limited education or oppurtunity, maintain a strict system of order within the gang, and generally engage only in retaliatory acts of violence.
Today I managed to immediately befriend a guy named James within the Lost Boys who is excited at the prospect of being able to record professional quality reggae music. Apparently he has a couple traditional drums which he plays at church services (all members of both gangs attend christian churches on a weekly basis or more). For several years he has been trying to play music with other people for awhile, yet nothing would ever come together - certainly something to which I can relate.
Now with the other guys, the general gangsters, it is definately more challenging to get these guys off the street and into the studio - but, since that is the point of the project, it is a matter of using any means necessary. Unfortuanately the best strategy right now appears to talk about how the oppositional gang is doing so well with the project. I played some tracks of music recorded with the Unigunz, and said "This was made in Ain Shemz." I didn't say who made it, but since they assumed it was made by the "Outlaws," the guys began to listen with rapt attention. I suspect now that when I show up on wednesday, there will be more interest and motivation to make the project happen. Of course, once I get a little bit out of these guys, I'll return to the Outlaws in Ain Shemz and say 'listen to what the Lost Boys have made!"
Its frustrating, but this is really the only way to get either gang to do anything. I fully intend to direct the attention away from that motive with each increment of progress, but for now, I obviously have start somewhere. As for James, I already gave him some homework to do, and I'm curious to see if he will manage to deliver when I see him again in three days from now.
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