OPPORTUNITY CAFE

Throughout the world, millions of people are alone. Some are alone as a result of mistakes made in the past. Some are alone as the result of mistakes made by others. Some are alone because that is their destiny. It is a destiny of opportunity.

America: Opportunity for Immigrants – Immigrants: Opportunity for America
Historically, America has proudly proclaimed its rich heritage as a nation grounded in the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants. Today, America continues to find strength in this heritage, in the strong family values brought by immigrants, and in the human and economic resources contributed by immigrants. As in every corner of life, there are fear-mongers who cry that the sky will fall if…., attempting to sway the populace to their opinion by inciting fear. When focused on immigration policy, their dire warnings …

Would you? Watch the outstanding video on the “Make a Difference” page above.  It is about an American hero.   It is about hundreds of thousands of children who have been given a new opportunity to live, in Haiti, Guatemala, and other impoverished countries.

We all have gifts and talents and opportunities- even when there are tremendous obstacles in our way.   It is possible for every one to make a difference-  for themselves and for a more beautiful world.  Sometimes that is as simple as a smile to someone.  Sometimes that smile achieves a difference larger than could be imagined.   Enjoy this video about children who have impaired hearing, as they learn the art of mime.  It is a project done by the World Mime Organization and supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs …

In India, and in some parts of the Muslim world, marriage is entered into much like a Business Agreement (contract) is entered into in the United States.  Under US law, in order for a contract to be binding, it must include four components:  An Offer, Acceptance, Competency, and Consideration (the exchange of value.)  An offer must be presented and accepted.  The parties entering into the Agreement must be mentally competent and of an age of accountability.  Something of value must be exchanged.
In seeking marriage:
The process of Sourcing for  the contract …

The first law of thermodynamics is this: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. The form of energy may change- becoming, for example, mechanical, chemical, or heat energy. But more energy is not produced. Any energy “created” or used is diverted from elsewhere…

Praise to President Obama who is remaking the face of government to reflect the face of America. Yesterday, he announced that he will nominate Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. A federal appeals judge in New York, she is the daughter of Puerto Rican parents. Raised in the Bronx, she was educated at Yale University. Her professional background exceeds that of Supreme Court Justices before her, including work as a former prosecutor in NY. Sonia Sotomayor will bring real-world life experience to the decision-making that shapes our nation.

Of course, the politicos and racists are out in number- seeking minutiae to grasp hold of and contort. It seems that statements indicating her Latino background will enable her to be a more well-rounded, culturally aware decision maker are threatening to some. There is contention by some that these types of statements present a reverse discrimination of sorts. Read more….

On The Way to School..
International student exchange offers a fabulous way for our world to share its beautiful cultural differences.   Many countries require students to serve one or two years in the military after school.  Imagine what a beautiful world we could have if instead all countries required its students to travel one or two summers to study in another culture!
There are many different opportunities for students to visit and study in other countries.  Here is some information for American students and students from other countries who are interested in expanding their world horizons.
American …

As she stood churning, her private parts ached in pain from the red hot chili peppers that had been forced into the unspeakable parts of her body that morning as punishment for “talking back.”  On that sun-drenched afternoon in I’satta’s small village in Liberia, West Africa, the women churned cream from goats milk and talked about what life in the United States would be like.   Early that morning, Okie Tall had returned to the village from a coveted trip to New York City.  All in the village were in …

Miguel doesn’t have a dime in his pocket.  Not twenty pesos.  In Mexico, he figures, it takes at least 32 pesos a day to feed a family as big as his.   Fuhrat has five hundred thousand dinars-but it doesn’t mean much since it takes nearly that amount to buy a loaf of bread in Iraq.  That’s if you can find one in the local marketplace, which is most often closed due to threats of violence.  Hanna has a vision, but in Bulgaria, it takes more money than she has to make it real.  Or so she thinks.  …