deltawomen magazine july 2012 issue

7/31/2019 DeltaWomen Magazine July 2012 Issue

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Editors Note

DeltaWomenMagazine

DeltaWomen Magazine is now 6 months old.

This issue is a free-themed collection of everything

DeltaWomen staff want to say to the world.

Anything that comes from the heart will find a way to the

heart.


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Social innovation is challenging to define due to its multiple and overlapping

meanings. Hence, it may refer to innovations with a social purpose; social

entrepreneurship; innovation in public policy; or the social process of innovation itself.

In international relations, far from the days of Westphalia and the constitution of the

League of Nations, we often talk about soft power and the need for other actors to

intervene in modern conflicts. Likewise, in development, we take a look at alternative

solutions to common yet deep problems of developing and emerging nations. The

great discussion on foreign aid sets academics on the side of giving (including the so

called the pop culture of aid) or on the side of forgetting (as in we shouldnt support

hopeless causes). NGO's and International Organizations debate on the silver bullet

that will change things once and for all and provide a better life for future generations.

The issue, as I see it, is that both NGO's and International Organizations tend to get

involved in so many or so little, and fail to provide last-longing solutions. It is true that

not everything is rotten and that it is better to get something done than nothing at all.

But is it? Is investing in band-aids really worth it?

KATHERINE VASQUEZ TARAZONA

Attorney at law

Associate Researcher

Writer at YOUTH LEADER MAGAZINE

Associate Editor at A38 Journal ofInternational Law

Online Volunteer at United Nations Volunteers

Ill Have My Social Innovation With A Spin Of Art, Please

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I guess I understand those who support that idea. Though, it

irritates me to see them proclaiming their solutions as it when

others (based on the same grounds) would have worked out. And

it does because of the lack of commitment on thinking outsidethe box. Long has been the discussion on a social approach to

hindered economies. Societies need to face their ghosts and

change history. Thats the bottom line.

Here is where social innovation should take place.

A few examples; in India, women go to schools to learn how to

bring energy to their communities and manage that technology

once back in their communities. They pass that knowledge onto

other members (such as how to repair solar panels and so on). In

the Andes of Peru, communities are taught international

commerce strategies, market price, and IT (commerce, marketing,

and buying channels). In one town in particular, every son anddaughter must attend college classes in their specialty: crafting,

textile, and painting arts. During their senior year, they compete

against each other and the one who gets the highest honors is

sent (on the entire communitys expenses) abroad to learn from

the best schools in Europe. Afterwards, they come back and

teach younger generations. This population lives entirely from Art.

If social innovation refers to new strategies (some of them are not

so new but newly applied), concepts, ideas, and organizations

that meet social needs (a.k.a. working conditions, education,

community development, health, governability, and so on), thenthe real components of change are civil participation, will, and

innovating ideas.

And this the main reason why I believe it works better than other

forms of aid. Assistance toward long-lasting solutions, yes!

Assistance to put out the fire, no! Not so long ago, I read about

the relevance of focusing on real impact and not just something

that sounds good and does some good. Better explained,

humans are as resourceful as their imagination lets them be. The

use of such resources requires incredible amounts of energy and

investments in time and money. Then, as rational and real as our

needs are, the use of all of those must be provided with efficient

means and results. It is useless to give a community the schools

and computers it needs without providing them with learningtools and well-trained professors (or to build brand hospitals that

look brilliant and modern on pictures in a town lacking lighting or

potable water). It just makes sense.

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Thus, social innovation causes impact. And through it, citizens

feel like they have upgraded their lives style. Impact becomes

one of the greatest elements of innovation. It is the ultimate goal,

after all.

How to cause impact? As seen before, there are several

strategies, concepts, and ideas that could twist things up in the

communities and even achieve such goal. Then, we meet

impressive minds and entrepreneurs working directly with people

on the grounds of new technology, governability, education,

health, and arts.

Ill have my social innovation with a spin of art, please.

By using our eyes, we are able to enter fascinating (and perhaps

parallel) worlds. Coyles dear Sherlock used the arts of staring

and intuition. He catalogued every experience to be able to

connect them brilliantly in his criminal cases. Too fictional for

you?

In a recent publication on Picassos genius, some of his friends

literally described his passion to observe. Writers taste words.

Picasso decomposed every image in his head, owning its

elements, re-inventing them in different textures and colors (as we

saw in the movie The mystery of Picasso when he transforms a

flower into a fish and then into a chicken, while shifting colors).

Maybe, he had synaesthesia; perhaps, he maintained his inner

child and never grew up. Both way, he remained extraordinary

and for those who love his art, his impact is real.

Art has changed lives. Street artists and poets, whose entire life

tastes different to them, have added a particular quality to theirblood and to their way of living (theres a great project going on

Youtube on street poets). Most of them have chosen Art over

violence and killings. The Inside Out Project by JR (a French

artist) is an artistic approach to the heart of some of the most

dangerous towns but also a refreshing look at misconceptions.

His portraits are the faces of some average local villagers

(women, men, and children with no discrimination), in such way

they become visible to the world and humanized.

Youth have a particular way with Art. I've seen marvelous

programs that involved teenagersand channeled their anger

through their talent. In Lima, a renowned dancer returned to Peru

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after building a promising career in Europe. She decided to open

a dance studio for young and untrained dancers. Literally, she

took them out of the streets. Her technique is simple: she gives

them one meal along with the classes and once they graduate,

the top ranked students become teachers in their own

communities, spreading the web, making art available to others

and changing the culture of violence before present in them.

Is betting on Art worth it?

Wilde said that Art is a reflection on societies. He also said thatwe can't measure beauty on the grounds of civilized living. To

him, in a way, art had to be brought to people to make them

react, to awaken them, and shouldn't be judged by social

standards which were also based on morality rather than free

spirit.

Art is and always has been provocative. A world of unspoken

realities! Children are spectacular because of that. They tell you

stories about great battles and clever solutions from looking at a

single spot on the white paper. To them, elephants might be pink

and dance on the air. Creativity comes to them as breathing. As

we get older we lose sight and enter a square world where white

and black (yes or no) are the answers.

The way I see and understand it, Art has a great impact on those

who create and on those who are welcome to their world.

Emotional windows are open and we enter to places where our

brains and societies have long set an interdiction. But Art is linked

to social innovation not only in these extremes but also in the

arena of awareness. That is part of the social change. This week, I

read about a popular campaign on Pinterest. Gender NGOs are

taking on this social platform to increase awareness by using

graphics and images. Art has its way to connect with people. Thismight be something we would like to follow through, at the time

of considering how to step up social innovation.

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Once upon a time I had a rich husband so it was every year a ball. The big eventwas the following weekend, so I set off on a mission in and out of one hot crowded

store to another to find something to wear.

With no success, thirsty and empty-handed, and with dusk approaching, I

began to limp my way back home.

Suddenly the yowl of a police siren caused me to look up to see in the lighted

window of a small candy box boutique the most bewitching, exquisite pair of

shoes.

As the saleswoman carefully slipped each darling on my foot,tres jolie,

mademoiselle, I knew in a magic second that not only were these shoes the most

beautiful ever, but just owning them would change my life.

Would you like to see what I bought for the ball? I said as soon as I arrivedhome to my husband who was sitting on the couch reading a favorite book.

Sure, he said, but I could feel him more interested in what his pal Raskolnikov

was doing.

DENISE FALCONE

My First Pair of Manolo Blahnik Shoes

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To get his attention, I went into the bedroom, took off all my

clothes and put on the shoes.

Look, I said smiling as I walked towards him like Miss

America in the nude.

I couldnt find a dress so I bought these to wear with my old

one. Look at them, honey. Dont you love them? I love them!

How much?

Four hundred and twenty-five...

FOUR HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS!

Not including tax, I said.

FOR A PAIR OF SHOES! he hollered, stricken.

It a matter of principle, he went on to say while dismally

wringing out his mental reasoning like one of those characters

from his sobby old Russian novel.

How could you spend that much on shoes? How could you?

he said, shaking his head and blanketing himself in righteousness

while I stood there stark naked before him.

It was past midnight when we got home from the ball. I tucked

the shoes back into their tissue lined box and buried it in the back

of my closet.

The power I felt from them to change my life must have been

very strong because after a time I felt entitled to leave him. And

sadly the shoes, which I never wore again, went to auction on

eBay.

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Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place whose name I do not care to remember, agentleman lived long ago: Don Quixote. His wanderings across this land of

windmills which he confused with giants and his idealistic if not disturbed mind

brought him worldwide fame. Nowadays, the landscapes he used to travel around

have changed, today there are mills to produce wind energy where there used to

be windmills to grind wheat.

But these territories are about to suffer a more drastic change: the creation of a

nuclear cemetery.

The Spanish energetic production

Spain is historically a country with high rates of energy dependence on foreign

imports due to its shortage of fossil deposits in the national territory. According to

the Institute for energy diversification and saving IDAE Spain imports almost a

80% of the total energy consumed. The REE Spanish Electricity Net pointed

out that 33% of the national Spanish production of energy was covered in 2011 by

renewal energy, while a 21% was provided by nuclear energy. The fossil fuel

energy production, specially the coal, grew producing 73 million tons of CO2

emissions, 25% more than in 2010.

ANA MARTNEZ MOLINA

WHEN THE WINDMILLS BECOME RADIOACTIVE GIANTS

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Renewal energies are infinite and clean, but they require great

investments in their early stages.

Spain is one of the countries more punished by the economic

crisis, and the recently elected Spanish government leaded by

Mariano Rajoy president of the conservative Popular Party is

exercising a constant and harsh policy of economic cuts to try to

reduce Spanish deficit. One of the first measures they have taken

is to eliminate the funds dedicated for the development of

alternative energies at the same time that they prompt nuclear

power by trying to lengthen the life of the nuclear power plants.

When the Spanish nuclear power was born

The Spanish nuclear development began during Franco's fascist

regime, officially for a civil use of the nuclear energy, but the

isolated dictatorship also took into account the possibilities that

nuclear power offered in a military field, cherishing the idea of the

atomic bomb although it never came into being.

The first Nuclear Power Station, known as Zorita because of its

location, started operating in 1968.

From then until 1984 the rest of the plants were built, when the

socialist government of that moment enacted a moratorium and it

stopped the building of new nuclear power plants.

Today there are 8 nuclear reactors spread over 6 nuclear power

plants, and two inoperative units in Spain: the oldest one, Zorita

was shut down on 2006 after operating for almost 40 years, and

the plant of Vandells I is in process of dismantlement since

October 1989, when a fire took place on the plant, fortunately not

having more repercussions than its closure.

The danger of nuclear

Nuclear plants do not emit greenhouse gases to the atmosphere;

however they have different and not negligible dangers. Nuclear

power is characterized by producing waste at every stage of the

nuclear fuel cycle, from uranium mining and enrichment, to

reactor operation and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. The

nuclear waste needs to be stored in insulated tanks and

monitored for years, and some of it will remain hazardous for

hundreds of decades.

As Julio Gutierrez, doctor on atomic, molecular and nuclear

physics argues the dangers of nuclear waste management, as

well as the ones of nuclear power, remain in the risk of accidents.

If there are no accidents or malfunctioning, there is no problem.

But in case of accident, the dangers of radioactivity can last for

decades. The effects of an exposure to radioactivity, dependingon its intensity, can vary from cancer to genetic mutation and can

remain for various generations. There are epidemiological

researches about it, but curiously only concerning the explosions

in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For example, there are not clear

studies about the disaster in Chernobyl; it is a very hidden issue

for investigations.

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Spanish neglect on managing nuclear waste

Spain produces a 95% of low and intermediate level radioactive

waste, and a 5% of high level radioactive waste. The first ones

are stored in pools in each nuclear plant and in the low and

intermediate level waste storage of El Cabriel. The other ones,

due to the lack of an appropriate place to keep them, were

temporally sent to facilities in the United Kingdom that dumped

the radioactive waste in the Atlantic Ocean and to France. The

waste in France was supposed to be returned to Spain as from

the year 2010, but as this never happened, Spain is paying a fine

of 60.000 per day since the 1st of January 2011. 90% of the

money will be given back when the waste will be brought back,

but to return it there must be found a place where to storage it.

Here it comes the governmental decision of building a

centralized temporary storage (CTS) facility to house the some

12.000 m3 of spent fuel and high level waste produced in Spain

at a single location where they would remain isolated for 60 years.

The price of taking responsibility for the waste

One of the first decisions of the new popular government was tofind a location for the CTS. Eight villages were candidates, and

although it was in 4th position until the last moment, Villar de

Caas was announced as the elected one to lodge the nuclear

cemetery due to the high consensus towards it, according to

the declarations of Carmen Riolobos, spokesperson of the

Popular Party.

Villar de Caas is a municipality with less than 500 inhabitants,

located in Cuenca, a province with an aging and sparse

population of 210.000 people spread among 17.000 km2.

The decision was published the 30th of December 2011 on the

State's Official Bulletin, and in the same moment the debate

began.

The Spanish television showed the neighbors from Villar de

Caas beaming with happiness, an image that contrasted with

the demonstrations that few days later started taking place all

over the region.

Mara Dolores de Cospedal, the general secretary of the Popular

Party and president of Castilla-La Mancha Community where

Villar de Caas and Cuenca belong to , celebrated immediately

the decision arguing that it will help to develop one of the most

depressed Communities in Spain. So did the major of Villar de

Caas, Jos Mara Saiz, who acclaimed the sudden interest that

the village generated when the resolution was announced, he

declared that his goal is to prevent the village from

disappearance. 60 New people have been registered in the

census, young people that have family here and come back to

work. The CTS is going to attract people from all over the world

that will come to see it and the best scientists will come to

investigate in the Technology Park that will be also built.

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A total amount of 700 million of Euros will be invested in the

creation of a CTS, a Technology Park and a Business Center. The

City Hall of Villar de Caas will also receive and manage a

subvention of 6 million of Euros every year.

It is expected that 300 temporary jobs will be created during the 3

to 5 years that the CTS will be built, and 50 permanent jobs when

it will start working.

These seem positive data, but not everyone look at the story from

the same angle.

Carlos Villeta, press coordinator of the Anti-CTS Platform and

president of Ecologist in Action, declared that some media

manipulated the information, the major and the City Hall of Villar

de

Caas don't have any authority on the employment that the CTS

will generate in case of being built.

The permanent jobs require high qualification and therefore the

people employed will not be necessary from the region. He also

argued that the public opinion in the area is divided and there isnot at all the consensus that according to the government tipped

the balance in favor of this candidate, there is a clear division,

the high opposition has been proven by the several participants in

the demonstrations against the CTS, with 5.000 people in the

most numerous one, the 12.000 signatures collected, and the

survey that the digital newspaper Voces de Cuenca made

resulting in a 68% of people voting against the establishment of

the CTS in the region..

Inmaculada Cruz, deputy of the Socialist Party in Cuenca said

that the decision of bringing a nuclear cemetery is a curse for the

province. We, from the socialist party, had a completely different

development plan based on renewable energies. 38 windmills

that would have involved more investment and the creation of

more jobs than the CTS were to be built in the region. Now the

project is paralyzed. The Popular Party is despising our

Community. We think that the CTS will damage some local

activities such as the agricultural production and the rural

tourism.

Mikel Simn, member and coordinator of the youth area of United

Left, made emphasis on the lack of information and transparency

that characterized all the process to decide the location of the

CTS, the whole procedure has being tainted, obscured and

undemocratic. People are misinformed, the debate has been

avoided and the propaganda constantly present. An example is

the religious music festival that every year takes place in Cuenca

in Easter, this year it was sponsored by ENRESA the NationalCompany for the Nuclear Waste to advertise them and clean

their image.

Villeta also made references to disinformation, the risks of the

CTS and the negative effects it could have on the health have not

been explained, the words plutonium or uranium have not been

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mentioned at all. From the Anti-CTS Platform we are organizing

and encouraging experts to give informative talks, for example

Doctor Julio Gutierrez came to Cuenca and explained some of

the possible dangers that the nuclear cemetery would pose. He

offered to give another talk in Villar de Caas, but the major Jos

Mara Saiz disallowed it.

Julio Gutierrez declared that I offered the major of Villar de

Caas the possibility to give a talk and solve people's doubts, but

he told me not to do it. He didn't forbid me to give a conference,

but I would not do it without his permission. He also pointed out

one of the main problems of the nuclear storage model proposed,

there is something I really don't like about the proposed CTS: the

waste will arrive in special drums for transport, but once in thestorage facility the waste must be taken out from these

containers and put in the definitive canisters. This transfer of

radioactive waste represents a higher risk of accidents. The logic

procedure would be to transport the waste in the definite

containers, but the transport protocols are very strict and the

drums for it are of special design to resist in case of accident, and

therefore they are very expensive. To make new barrels now

would involve an expenditure that the State cannot afford

because it is the State and the citizens through their taxes who

pay for the nuclear waste management, not the electricity

companies.

The waste management is a pending issue of the nuclear power,

when nuclear plants started being built nobody thought what to

do later with the waste. But even nowadays, decades later, there

has not been found a real and permanent solution. All the

members of the Anti-CTS Platform the

Socialist Party, United Left, Greenpeace, Ecologists in Action...

among other 45 more coincide in pointing out that the only way

to accept the creation of a CTS would be establishing first a plan

and a date to close all nuclear plants, as Germany for example

has done. They also draw attention on the need of a more

transparent and democratic process, in which all the people

affected would have a voice, be consulted and able to participate.

Somewhere in La Mancha, in a place named Cuenca, many

people congregated last Saturday 12th of May to commemorate

the Indignados movement that started in the Spanish streets

one year ago.

Many of them carried banners against nuclear power. On one of

the banners it could be read: To change the World, my friend

Sancho, is neither madness nor utopia. It is justice.

As well as about Don Quixote, some will argue that they are

disturbed, some that they are

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ideologist dreamers... The only clear thing is that now the

danger of a windmill switching into a ferocious giant is true:

a gigantic nuclear cemetery.

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Maaaa, its them not me! That was my daughters exasperated reply to me whenin one of our bonding moments, I once more reminded her to be careful when

shes out with friends. Id often remind her never to leave her drink unattended if

shes out drinking with friends, or if she does, not to drink it anymore. She would

either not respond or just say that she knows. I suppose a mothers worries never

ends where her kids are concerned.

Years ago, a colleague told us about a neighbors teenage daughter who

experienced a tragic misfortune with 3 or 4 other female friends. It was a story Icould never forget and whenever I recall her story, I always have a tight feeling of

suffocation in my heart. It always feels harder to breathe then. I know it can

happen to anyone.

The story was about 4 or 5 teenage girls who decided to go out to a disco to

celebrate their high school graduation. They danced the night away mixing with

the crowd, drinking and eating...just enjoying themselves. Whether they left their

drinks unattended or some guys connived with the waiter, they could never tell. Allthey could remember was waking up in a motel room. They had no recollection of

what happened, how they got there, or who and how many brought them there. To

say that they were molested is not a strong enough word. They were all minors. It

was statutory rape. But no one could or would pinpoint who the culprits were.

There were just no witnesses.

LYLIN AGUAS

Realities Of Life

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To add further to the tragic fate that had befallen the girls, the

neighbors daughter got pregnant. In a generally very religious

country, especially in towns, abortion was just not an option. So

she bore a son...father unknown. Her own father had difficulty

accepting the child...the child of a rapist. But is the child to

blame? How does one deal with it? I personally dont know if Ican. To this day, I cant imagine how the victims and their families

must feel...or the child when he finds out how he was born. I think

its inevitable. Such tragedies are never kept a secret forever.

My fears as a mother grow whenever I recall this teenagers story.

I shudder at the thought that there can be people just around us,

probably even people we know or have met on the street who

can be so heartless and without conscience that they wouldcallously destroy a persons future.

As a mother I worry for my daughter, typical teenager that she is

who acts like she knows it all with the ways of the world. But I

know I cannot keep her under my wings all her life. She has much

to learn about life but Im confident that her strong personality

and independence will guide her through challenges she may

face as she matures.

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Once there was a little girl

With innocence sparkling in her eyes

Her smile spread vibrant colors around

Her heart was pure and divine

She danced away to the peak of happiness

She sang with all her delight

She had the love she always wantedShe had her friends by her side

She wanted to fly high in the sky

Spreading all her wings

She wanted to see the world from her eyes

She wanted all the good things

When the girl became a woman

She was ready to fly away

But there was something that pulled her down

She could not help but stay

SUPREET KAUR

The Untitled Song

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The little girl with innocent smile

Lost the will to play

She no more laughed, she no more smiled

Colors around her turned to grey

Even though she had lost so much

Her heart was still crystal clear

There was no more innocence in her eyes

There was only pain and fear

She got up to dance, but she could not

Happiness was beyond her reach

She tried to sing, but she could not

And she could not even speak

She had no love in her life

It had disappeared into the thin air

Her friends had all gone away

Because no one even cared

The lonely nights were spent on bed

The tears became her company

She became so weak and cold

Her joys were in jeopardy

She wanted the vibrant colors back

To fill up her empty life

But she knew it was not so easy, so

She decided to wait and fight

One day she heard a voice from within

It asked her to be strong

The night will pass, the day will come

You will get where you belong

The girl has now finally realized

Nothing is what it seems

Joys will pass, sorrows will stay

But always do what you believe in

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Emu oil is one of the best topical treatments for hair loss. It has constantly

produced positive results for men and women experiencing hair loss of all types.

Some have even reported small amounts of new growth within weeks.

What is Emu Oil?

Emu oil is produced from the native Australian bird, the Emu. The oil has been

used for many years by Aboriginal Australians for many different purposesincluding to soothe dry and burnt skin and to treat other skin problems. The oil

comes from the thick padding of fat on the back of the emu.

Almost 100% of the oil, when rendered correctly, is made up of triglycerides. For

this reason, it is much more permeable on the skin, as compared to other oils.

Which means, that besides it's other beneficial properties, the oil can be used as a

carrier for other hair growth medicinal substances.

Properties of Emu Oil for Hair Loss

We've already discussed the important property of permeability. Another

interesting property of the oil, which makes it key for hair loss, is that it is an anti-

inflammatory. It has been accepted that hair loss is probably in large part due to an

DONNA L. PALMER

The Benefits Of Using Emu Oil For Hair Loss

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inflammatory process. Anything that decreases inflammation on

the scalp, in theory, should help stop hair loss. Research on the

anti-inflammatory property of emu oil is ongoing. There is a lot of

evidence supporting the anti-inflammatory ability of the oil as it is

also has been successfully used to ease pain resulting from

arthritis, reduce muscle pain related to sports injuries, and reducebruising.

Even more significantly, emu oil has been shown to inhibit 5-

alpha-reductase, the enzyme that metabolizes testosterone into

DHT. DHT is known to attack hair follicles and leads to balding.

This pathway is thought to be the reason for male pattern balding,

and probably plays a role in some female alopecia. The take away

here: stop 5-alpha-reductase, stop DHT, and you will probably behelping to stop some kinds of hair loss.

Unlike other types of oils, emu oil will not irritate your scalp or

your skin. It is also non comedogenic, which is why many women

are also able to use it on the face as a moisturizer and to combat

wrinkles. Additionally, women have noted that they thicker skin

after use (which coincidentally tends to be thinner in those

suffering from hair loss).

List of the Beneficial Properties of Emu Oil for Hair Loss

- Anti-inflammatory

- Anti-bacterial

- Anti-fungal

- Highly permeable

- Hypo-allergenic

- No side effects

- No odor or staining

- Non-comedogenic

- Speeds wound healing

Where's The Proof?

Well to be perfectly honest, we don't have "proof"... but wedefinitely have evidence. There have been many clinical studies

that support the above-mentioned properties. We'll review one

couple below but for more information you can visit website of

The American Emu Association.

There you'll find several white papers available for review.

Dr. Michael Holick, MD, Ph.D. conducted a study at Boston

University school of Medicine, which looked at hair growth in

shaved mice. The double blind study topically applied the oil to

shaved mice, and use corn oil as the control. Dr. Holick found that

where emu oil was applied, DNA synthesis (growth activity)

increased by as much as twenty percent. He also found that the

dormant hair follicles had been "woken up and began growing

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hair." It seems that in the emu oil was responsible for stimulating

the hair follicles on these mice.

What Kind of Emu Oil Should You Buy

Not all oils are the same. You want to buy the most potent and

effective oil. This means that the oil must be processed correctly,or else the product can be almost useless. Here are some tips

you should keep in mind when you are considering which emu oil

you should buy:

- Make sure that you buy oil that has not been contaminated by

hormones, blood, or emu meat. You can do this by purchasing

from a company that ensures that the bird has been handled

properly.

- One of the most important things about emu oil is that is entirely

made up of trans fatty acids. If the oil has been incorrectly

processed (under high heat), the trans fatty acids will not be

produced.

- Solvents, degummers, sodium hydroxides, should not be used

in processing the oil. Top quality oils will not have been refined

with these as they can remove other important substances.

- No preservatives should be added. As mentioned earlier emu oil

is an antibacterial- so preservatives should not be necessary.

The How To Stop Hair Loss for Women site is dedicated to

providing women everywhere hair loss information. There you can

learn what to do to stop hair loss immediately. Learn what you

should be doing to grow thicker, healthier hair now and forever.

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There have been a few who have dared to ask me why I do what I do. This to me

is a stupid question though I do not bother to tell them so. If I asked them the

same, I am not sure they would have answers they wish to share either.

Nevertheless, my response is always the same polite one; all that I do is done

because I enjoy it. I consider our chats to be after sales service. A term I learned

while at Joyeux. The place that led me here. The place at which I learned almost

all that I know. I remember when I was younger, my mother told me that when she

named me Aime, the skies opened up to cement their agreement. The rain did

not stop for two whole days. Upon sharing this exciting fact with the class atJoyeux, I learned that this was a normal occurrence. After all, living next to a rain

forest meant that one should expect quite a bit of rain. Yes, I only have Joyeux to

thank for almost all I know. I say almost because there were other places I had

been to before, and places I went to after. Though where I would be without it, I

am not sure. Probably taking care of mother who should be very old now, if not

dead.

During my pre-Joyeux phase, I set out to fulfill the expectations that a name such

as mine would carry. This was easily done by all children. So I laughed, I played, I

ate, I shat and I cried as needed. For almost seven years I lived up to my name,

until the day all other verbs were replaced by the last. The day I stopped crying

only when exhaustion overcame me, was the day mother must have considered

GLORIA ADERO

Ambidextrous Aime

23


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the flaws of giving me the perfect name. My fever and crying

went on for two weeks. This time she did not bother with the

village medicine man, who though never was officially accepted,

got his fair share of visits. We went to the overwhelmed and

young French medic who would constantly sweat. Both from the

strain and the humidity. After this visit which was just in time, andyet too late my right leg slowly lost its form. As time went by I

became what I should be, a happy child. But now I had a

companion, a thick wooden stick that Yves smoothed down just

for me. I still cried at times, but could not play as before. As I

child, I quickly got used to it. Mother though would at times look

at me and say, Yves, Eric and Emmanuel also did not take

injections, why only you Aime, why you?

I did not ask myself these whys. Edith, Clarisse and Flore had

sticks too. As did Alexia. She, I felt sorry for her because her

mother had bothered to take her for the injections. I knew this

because we sat in the same class. We learnt the same as the rest.

Talked the same as the rest, ate and slept. The same as the rest.

Yes, we could not run, skip rope or play hide and seek, but that

was no problem. Because that is how life was and still is. With our

wooden sticks we could go wherever we needed to go. Home

and school and back again. I soon discovered that there were

better places that others wanted me to go.

After six years when I had learned all there was to learn at the

village school, Yves asked mother who was to take care of her

when she could not dig any more. They were busy at the logging

company as well as with their wives and children. Obviously I,

Aimee could not do it. She was the one who took care of me.

Cooking, cleaning and begging, he said those were not for me.My brothers love was known by all. Their commitment to

ensuring that I did not end up like our grandmother, hating herself

for a disease that randomly chose whether or not to maim its

victims, honourable. Yves told her I would need Skills for the

Future. I liked the sound of that phrase, I liked even more that

they agreed with what I thought of as I lay down to sleep every

night. I had a future. Mother on the other hand, had trouble

envisioning me with any skills, much less a future. She turned to

me, and this time it was her eyes that said, Why you.

Eric, Emmanuel and to mothers surprise, myself agreed with

Yves. The skills would take me far. Further than home with

mother and school with Edith, Clarisse, Flore and the less

fortunate Alexia. And thanks to my brothers, that was my next

destination.

My presence at Lcole Joyeux -Douala would now be a feature

in my future whenever I was pestered enough to speak about my

past. My mother in all her wisdom had taught me how to weave

baskets. A skill she had thought would be sufficient, but Yves,

Eric, Emmanuel and eventually I, disagreed with. However this

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skill automatically meant, according to Mr. Ojong-the stern

deputy principal, that I could sew. I proved him right and spent

the first years honing my craft. I sewed, embroidered, and

crotcheted. This impressed Mr. Ojong enough to baptize me

Ambidextrous. He dragged the word as he said it, and looked

deep into my eyes. He held my gaze for a second too long or so Iimagined. I could only wonder what he searched for. Perhaps he

was trying to locate the hidden source of my ambidexterity. After

graciously acknowledging receipt of this praise, I sort to find out

its meaning. When I think back, maybe I should not have done

so as the only image that came into my mind were the monkeys

by Mothers hut that could pick their noses with their right hands,

and proceed to do the same adeptly with their left. This not being

important, I Ambidextrous Aime was pleased. Mr. Ojong took

pleasure in the works of few. Very few. I progressed well at

Joyeux as we who were there preferred to call it. Only amongst

ourselves of course. Madam Njoume, Principal and woman of

only high repute would insist on the full name in her presence. My

new Edith, Clarisse and Flore, that is Pascale, Agnes and Gaelle

also thrived at Joyeux. Here we all learnt skills for the future.

Mother and my brothers hardly came to see me. They had their

farms, families and logging. Between that and my fees at Joyeux,

their visits became rare. The few times they did come, Mr. Ojong

set their minds at ease.

You made the best decision for Aime. She works hard. And

uses all she has. If she had legs, she could have gone very far.

Mother repeated his words while she gave me her 10 year

perfected why you Aimee eyes. I did not feel sad about this fact.

After all, Madam Njoumes nephew had arms and legs that

functioned fully and yet all he did was sell sweets and telephone

cards when he was not sweeping the leaves into tiny heaps at

Joyeux. I told mother this in an effort to make her feel better. Shestood up, held my face and replied, I will come back if one of

your brothers buys me a ticket. It may not be soon. She then

turned to leave but before she said her last goodbye she let out a

deep sigh as if to exhale the burden of the comments that I would

one day categorize as immature. This was followed by her

thoughts on the relatively unsuccessful yet fully able man.

Fabrice is selling those sweets and cards because he wantssomething that is his own. Do not despise those who search for

their own, no matter how low you may think it is. As I had no

fitting retort, we parted ways. That was the last time I saw my

mother.

The closeness between Pascale, Agnes, Gaelle and myself was

brought about due to our barely won battle with polio, and most

importantly, our infatuation with Mr. Ojong. It involved our every

waking moment when we were not sewing, embroidering, and

crotcheting.

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27/48

He can have any woman he wants, so handsome and strong.

Gaelle would say while holding her chest as if to soothe the pain

of discovering his handsomeness and strength. Pascale would

speak of her ever growing feelings and the smell of his French

cologne. Agnes, being one of few words would smile and gaze

into the distance. We tired from asking of her hidden thoughts as

her response would always be silence accompanied by a few

giggles. As for me, I revelled in the secret of my ambidexterity

wondering what the future could hold for one with such an

extraordinary talent. To protect my secret I also indulged them

with my thoughts on the shape of his hair, the leather elbow

patches on his corduory jacket, and his ability to ride a bicycle in

a manner that made bicycle riding look dignified. A difficult task if

one considers the state of our roads.

One day I was sitting in the classroom perfecting my skills. The

pattern was a replica of one I had seen in the Nigerian magazines

that Madam Njuome placed in the library on the arts and crafts

shelf. From the first day I saw them, I decided that I would

embroider until mine resembled the agbadas on display. Iconcentrated only on this, and chose not to go for my lunch

break. My concentration also led me not to hear Mr. Ojongs faint

footsteps when he joined me in the classroom.

Aime, such a hard worker. Is it still your embroidary?

I looked up startled, wondering how long he had been there. Yes

Sir, my embroidary. One day I will make agbadas for many great

men.

I actually believed that I would. How, I do not know. The

teachers sometimes said all you need is to believe. Who was I to

counter them.

Come, lets go to my office. I think I know how to help you with

your dream. This was very exciting, though I wondered whether

any great person associated with teachers who rode bicycles and

patched their jacket elbows. When I finally reached his office, he

was already seated, his expression pensive. I silently wondered if

he had just realized that contacting the big men would be harder

than he had imagined.

Sit down Aime. He gestured to the wooden chair in front of his

equally basic wooden desk,. He then walked to the door and

quietly shut it.

The light in my office is so bright. The sun shines directly

through my window. He closed the louvres, and drew the

curtains as I eagerly waited to lay the initial foundation that wouldhelp exploit my skills for the future.

Mr. Ojong cleared his throat lightly then slowly walk towards me.

Finally, he stood between my crutches and said, Did you find out

the meaning of ambidextrous Aime?

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I lifted my head, and met his deep stare. Yes Sir, the dictionary

said it is the ability to use your right and left hands equally well. If

I can be honest, I do not see how this can be used to describe

me. I sew, embroider and crotchet only with my right hand.

No man had been this close to me before. His body covered the

few rays that made it past the curtain. He responded to my

puzzlement by telling me to be quiet and unzipping his trousers.

He then guided my hands to him and helped me understand his

definition of ambidexterity.

That night and many after that, I did not contribute to the

conversation about Mr. Ojongs looks, actions, and smell. Had I

wanted to I could have given them current and detailed

information on his touch and taste. I did not. He made me swear

that I would not tell anyone. This was then followed with an

expression of pleasure at my ambidexterity. He also said that he

wished to continue with these lessons and would tell me where

and when they would be carried out. I only nodded, what else

could I do but nod. I had now been in Joyeux for three and a half

years.

You have to earn your keep, perfect what you learn here.

Lcolires Joyeux does not provide burdens to society. That was

Mrs. Njuomas mantra. She said it at the end of every Friday

assembly. I thought about what I would do after the next two

years. The Joyeux teachers all taught the same skills. That

would mean there would soon be 27 of us who could sew,

embroider and crotchet. Most of us, preferred Douala. What

good would our skills be in the village where there was no money

to be made. And with that I chose to concentrate equally as

hard on the additional skills, which Mr. Ojong was more than

happy to provide. I probably should have chosen not to, but as

any other teenager I felt that I could trust my own decisions.

As time went on and mothers visits dwindled to nothingness I

began to look forward to my only other option, Justine. She

would visit Gaelle mostly on Wednesdays. She once said, I dont

work alot on week days, so why not visit my favourite cousin and

her best friends. I wished I was someones favourite cousin, butwas glad to share Gaelles with her. We asked her what she did.

If they accepted people like us at her workplace. Her answer was

always the same.

When you leave Joyeux, and run out of money, come to me. I

will help you help yourself, just like it says in the Bible. She

always laughed when she said this. I still have never found this

phrase in the Bible. My extra lessons with Mr. Ojong continued,and developed to a level that even I never imagined it would

reach. I hid the lessons from Pascale, Agnes and Gaelle quite

well. After all, these were now specialized skills that I did not want

everyone to have, least of all know about.

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They noticed my absence and often questioned it, to which I

responded, We are discussing how to market my embroidery, he

calls it brainstorming.

Why doesnt he brainstorm with all of us? Arent we all

graduating next year?

Agnes had become quite irritating, I wondered what prompted her

to find her voice. Why dont you ask him? He came to me after

he saw my work, show him yours and tell him what you want.

This they could never do. Their reverence for Mr. Ojong had

reached the extent of visualising halos around his perfectly

rounded afro. I believed that they wished it to remain so though

when I think back I will always remember Agnes intense stares

which she thought I never noticed.

The day Madam Njoume burst into the room and hit me

continuously with her Bible while casting out the demons that I

possesed, was the day I finally admitted to myself Mr. Ojong had

no Obasanjo or Biya or any contacts. He knelt down before her

and begged for leniency and mercy.

My wife, the twins, please, please.

He did not even have enough pride to pull up his trousers. At

least some dignity while he begged. While he sharpened his

newly acquired skill, I struggled to look decent. In my haste, I

was soon on the floor. Braces, flaccid leg and crutches all tangled

in an unrighteous heap. Fabrice, the discoverer of Mr. Ojongs

and my passionate trysts, stood above me and smiled with

malice. He had received justice for the laughter I constantly

directed his way while he tried to search for his own. Madame

Njuome expelled me immediately. She was a good Catholic and

offered to call someone, but I knew no one would come. Joyeux

was too far and my embarrassment, overwhelming. I left without

saying goodbye to Pascale, Agnes and Gaelle. As I stood outside

the Joyeux gates across the dusty road, I did not believe that I

had acquired all my skills for the future. And I knew that I could

never get the certificate that showed I partly had. Perhaps I could

get it at Mr. Ojongs house. Never mind the wife and the twins that

he had been pleading about earlier. Or the self-respect he lacked

while begging to keep his job. Madame Njuome had instructed

the watchman to help me and my few belongings across the

road. I heard her as she loudly briefed him of my ill repute that

she would not associate with, as well as the fear of its viral

spread. I waited for Mr. Ojuong with the humidity and frustration

causing rivers of sweat that ran down my back and chest. He

finally appeared, several papers in his bicycle basket. I tried to

catch his attention with a loud, Mr Ojuong.

A second Mr. Ojuong, was soon needed.

At this, he looked at me, lifted his right hand to signal his direction

and proceeded down the road without looking back. The third

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30/48

and last Mr. Ojuong from me was weak, and sounded more like a

question. I watched his lanky body and flapping jacket tails

vanish down the road, suddenly realizing that his riding was not at

all dignified. My pleas to stay for one more night as I knew no

one in the city fell on Madame Njuomes recently gone deaf ears.

Once again I stood across the road with Joyeuxs gates forever

closed to me. As I weighed my options which was only one;

sleeping on the street, I wondered what mother would say about

my skills for the future having not being completed and no hope

of it being so. But luck was on my side, for it was Wednesday. I

saw Justine get out of the wornout yellow taxi that lumbered

away with its four remaining occupants. When I called her name

twice, she heard me, unlike Mr. Ojuong. She did not visit Gaelle

that Wednesday. We went back to her cramped room, where I

shared my predicament and my limited skills in all subjects. She

smiled at me and said, Do not worry, tomorrow you will start

working with me.

I asked her whether the sewing, embroidering and crotcheting

were sufficient as I did not consider them perfect. She laughed

and assured me that I would be fine with the experience I had.

After sufficient prodding, she informed me where she earned her

daily bread. How she thought I was that kind of person I would

never understand. She said if I could do it for Mr. Ojong, I could

do it for anyone else. She laughed when I told her that he said I

was special. She replied that the science teacher in her high

school thought that she too had been special.

Listen Aimee, she said, to them, every young girl who agrees to

be special is special. I told her I would look for something else.

Something that could utilize the other skills that I already had.

She did not mind, as long as I contributed equally to everything.

The last words before she walked out that night spoke of what

she knew, and what I was yet to discover. When you find this

something, please let me know and I will join you.

The post Joyeux phase was filled with walking and begging. But it

was more begging than walking. I begged for jobs, and peoples

time. I begged for a chance and I begged for strength. As the

days passed, I even began to beg for Justines patience and

understanding. These were the hours when I cursed my mother

for not taking me for the injection, despite what I knew about

Alexia. Everyone looked at my braces and crutches and said the

same thing; they had nothing for people like me. These were also

the days when I too joined my mother in asking numerous whys

of which there was no answer. The day I gave up begging is the

day that I learned my brothers and mother had already given up

on me. With some more of Justines patience, and money I called

home. It was finally time to go back and use my skills in the

village where I had thought they would be of no use. They could

send me money for a bus ticket, as well as Justines kindness,

and finally my future though not bright would not be as dim as it

was that day. I first called Yves, then Eric, then Emmanuel.

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Unfortunately, Madame Nduome had got to them all first. She

told them of my evil ways and of my spirit of seduction. Of her

embarrassment, and of course, my expulsion. They expressed

their disgust for how I thanked them for their sacrifices and their

belief in me. They cursed themselves for not listening to their

mother. She who taught me what was enough for me to know

and survive in the village. A place they now realized I never

should have left. After the curses and the name calling, that was

the last I heard of them. They also kept me from reaching our

mother in every way that they could. Their success rate was

better than even they could have imagined though this expected

since they dealt with me. I who had no means of any kind.

The next morning was a busy one. One where my ever growing

debt to Justine reached proportions that were hard to control.

Our first stop was Marche Central, where Justine bought four

bracelets, two pairs of earrings and a chain from her regular

plaqu person as she referred to him.

You only wear enough plaqu, not too much. They do not like it

when its too much.

We then picked a box of strong relaxer for medium to coarse hair.

This is all that works, you know our hair is stubborn. The other

one is a waste of money. Justines wise explanation for her

choice which I committed to memory.

The next stop was Marche Congo where we bought a few

dresses from the intimidating piles of imported clothes that

smelled not as new as their owners claimed. I questioned the

colors but Justine assured me that was their main preference.

Lastly we stopped for make up that the shop keeper swore was

straight from Paris, and everybody who was anybody used. By

the time night set in, I looked in the mirror and wondered whether

I was still Aime. Hair straight, face pink, clothes gaudy. My leg

confirmed all doubts I had. I was she.

Justine then said, We have to leave early, I normally leave at

eleven, but because Im with you. I hurried up and she helped

me with my braces and crutches. The night was beautiful and

pitch black except for the headlights of the many cars and a few

working street lights.

It will be fun, you wait and see. Justine said this thrice during the

taxi ride to the place that she chose to remain unknown. When

we arrived, I almost started to believe her. Almost. This would be

a place worth talking about with Pascale, Agnes and Gaelle. We

got out of the taxi and stood across the street. I kept wondering

when we would go in and hoping that nothing would happen.

That we would soon go home. Justine scolded me, saying that I

should be grateful for the opportunity. She asked me to me

check, and recheck her. She in turn checked and rechecked me.

The night guard then checked and rechecked us and said he

would let us know when it was time.

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The two well dressed men got out off different cars that drove to

the entrance. They spoke to the guard, one after the other. He

was very subtle, gesturing at us only once with his hand and

nodding quickly while he listened. The men entered the hotel and

vanished from our sight. The guard came over to us and said to

Justine, You, 408. The one with the leg, 211. 35, 000 CFA each.

You will leave half of it as you leave. Do not break anything. Do

not be too loud.

Justine thanked him, and we crossed the road, soon in the

marble lobby of Hotel Marbres. I was certain that the metal under

the heel of Justines high heels would annoy the receptionist and

it would be the end. When nothing happened I was then certain

that the heavy thump of my brace would provide an irritation of

some kind. He did not look up. As we waited for the elevator, I

turned to Justine. She looked at me then turned away, after she

had repeated the rules on carefulness and noise levels. I then

knew my skills for the future had found a place for perfection.

They were not the skills that Mother, Yves, Emmanuel and Eric

sent me to Joyeux for. But they were the skills that unfortunately,

would be most appreciated. This story my clients will not

appreciate and that is why my response to their question is

always the same: all that is do is done because I enjoy it.

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Water is a basic resource found on Earth and it is a necessity all living creatures

need to live. Plants need water to photosynthesize and make food. Animals need

water for drinking and some sea creatures live in the water. We humans need

water for washing, drinking, bathing, industries, cooking? With so many uses who

can deny that water is of utmost importance to life?

But is water inexhaustible? NO! In the colossal tank of water that Earth provides us

with, only a spoonful of it can be used. 70.8% of the Earths surface is covered

with water. Out of this 70.8%, 97% is saltwater, which we can neither drink nor

use. Out of the remaining 3% of freshwater, almost 70% of it is locked in glaciers

and icecaps and most of the remaining is below your feet as groundwater. Of all

the freshwater on Earth, only 0.3% can be used for our everyday lives. That is less

than 1% of the worlds total water supply!

Despite the fact that only less than 1% of the worlds water supply is suitable for

usage, we do not have a shortage of water. However, the water distribution in

countries is very unbalanced. About 65% of usable water is concentrated in 10

countries. 80 other countries that hold about 40% of the worlds population

experience a serious lack of water.

The way humans are using and polluting water has reached a critical stage. In the

previous century, around the mid 1990s, the yearly disposal of waste water into

SREEJESH KAIPULLY

SAVE WATER, SAVE EARTH

32

i l k d ll d th ld i h Th i l b l ti t h t d i M ill


34/48

rivers, lakes and seas all around the world is as much as

500,000,000,000 cubic meters, causing more than 3,550,000,000

cubic meters of water bodies to be polluted! At the worlds

fifteenth World Water Day, a shocking announcement was made.

Around 1,300,000,000 people do not have access to clean water

and 3,100,000 people die of diseases related consumption of

dirty water every year.

Water conservation can be defined as:

Any beneficial reduction in water loss, use or waste as well as the

preservation of water quality.

A reduction in water use accomplished by implementation ofwater conservation or water efficiency measures; or,

Improved water management practices that reduce or enhance

the beneficial use of water.

A water conservation measure is an action, behavioral change,

device, technology, or improved design or process implemented

to reduce water loss, waste, or use.Water Efficiency is a tool of

water conservation that results in more efficient water use and

thus reduces water demand. The value and cost-effectiveness of

a water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation to its

effects on the use and cost of other natural resources (e.g. energy

or chemicals).

The six global meeting on water has got underway in Marseille

France with high level speakers calling for concrete solutions to

bring to an end water scarcity and wastage.

We have been moving too slowly. We now need to accelerate,

French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said as he opened the sixth

World Water Forum.

The number of human beings who have no access to clean

water is in the billions. Each year, we mourn millions of dead from

the health risks that this causes. This situation is not acceptable

the world community must rise and tackle it, he noted.

Fillon further called for sustainable water management systems

saying that in some cities around the world, 70 percent of water iswasted.

He explored countries around the world to share scientific

knowledge and expertise to end climate change and water

wastage.

Fillon also called for creation of an international agency that

oversees environment which he named World Environment

Organization, noting that if the world can have a World Trade

Organization, why not have a World Environment organization

also.

Most countries not only have a serious water pollution problem,

they also waste water at an alarming rate. In the recent years,

33

water consumption has increased and at the same time the


35/48

water consumption has increased, and at the same time, the

problem of water wastage has also worsened. China and America

produce the same kind of food, but China uses twice the amount

of water. Chinas Deputy Minister of Water Resource, Mr. Zhang

Chunyuan said that agriculture is one of the main water

consumers in China, using about 72% of the total amount of

water used in China. However, out of massive amount of water

used, only one-third is used effectively and efficiently. More than

half of the water is lost through transportation and flood irrigation.

Industries use 225 cubic meters in China compared to around

100 cubic meters in other developed countries. Furthermore,

even though water used in the cities may be much lesser than the

amount used for agriculture and industrial purposes, but the

wastage that occurs in cities do not lose out to the two previoususers. The amount of water that car users use to wash their cars

in a year is enough to fill up more than one Kunming Lake or six

North Seas.

Water wastage is not only prevalent in China, but all around the

world. It is a crisis that cannot be ignored and must be attended

to before things reach a point of no return.

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Mass of the Bread

1 cup of joy and other of satisfaction

1 cup of concern

1 tablespoon of fear, anguish and other anxiety

1 tablespoon of dissatisfaction and other sadness

1 tablespoon of frustration

Mix ingredients well, in order to have a grease, because it is what will form the

structure of the sandwich.

Filling

Pate: Professional Life

An equal amount of interest and will be a cup. Beat in mixer until it can, but at a

pace right not to lose it. Beat until light will need to reach. From there, go put the

other ingredients, which are more or less the same proportion and the equivalent

of one tablespoon of:

DANIELA SILVA

By Lda Freire

Sandwich Of Life

35

Made a sandwich enjoy each piece as it is made of pieces then


37/48

- Courage;

- Organization;

- Systematization;

- Routine

- 1 pinch, and do not pass this measure does not get that taste

bitter.

After all these ingredients mixed, set aside. The predominant

flavor of the pate is the persistence and the courage.

After filling up and booked, check arranging a tray, and preferably

colored to your liking, because it is what gives the look of the

sandwich.

It is important concern with these details, because they are what

training the whole sandwich.

Arrange the dough and fill each layer. In the end, cover with 5

cups of love, but this must always be mixed with good amount of

tolerance, understanding.

Made a sandwich, enjoy each piece as it is made of pieces, then

chew it well. Enjoy it every moment, gently is key, because that is

what makes it so special!

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The active ingredients in yeast infection medications are usually miconazol nitrate

(MN), trioconosol, or clotrimazole. Now, most people are using creams that contain

miconazol nitrate (MN) as the active ingredient. I did find some cases on different

forums of people using clotrimazole cream for growth, but didn't find much about

the use of trioconosol creams for hair growth. Those that have used the creams

are calling it a miracle hair cream. Many have noticed their hair is growing faster.

Some people experience an additional 1-2 inches per month as well as thicker

hair. There are some cons however. Some people have mentioned that they notice

increased shedding of the hair, have experienced headaches, and some scalpirritation.

Why yeast infection creams may work

Now for those of you who have done extensive research on hair loss... using an

anti-fungal for hair growth won't sound all that groundbreaking. As a matter of fact

it is often recommended that an anti-fungal shampoo be added to your hair care

regimen. Some of the popular recommendations include: Nizoral, Head &

Shoulders, Selsun Blue, and T-Gel. Some dermatologists are even prescribing anti-

fungal creams to those experiencing hair loss.

There are two reasons why an anti-fungal cream may help those suffering from hair

loss. These creams have anti-fungal properties as well as anti-androgen

DONNA L. PALMER

Can Yeast Infection Cream Really Help Your Hair Grow?

37

properties. Let's start with the anti-fungal properties. Hair loss minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, at increasing the


39/48

p p g p p

can be caused by a number of different factors. One of them

being fungal infections. One of the most well known fungal

infection to cause hair loss is ringworm. Though, some health

care practitioners believe that hair loss can also be caused by a

chronic yeast (fungus) on the body and scalp also commonly

called candida. If you browse through some different candida

sites and forums and you'll see countless people stating that they

have noticed a link between their candida infections and hair loss.

When most candida sufferers talk about their yeast problem, they

are talking about an overgrowth of the yeast that is normally

found in the intestines. It would be hard to imagine that using

yeast infection cream on the scalp could somehow help the

overgrowth of candida in the gut. No, but it wouldn't be hard to

imagine that if systemic (an all-over chronic infection) candida can

cause hair loss, some yeast present on the scalp could certainly

contribute to thinning over time. I won't go into the mechanism of

how candida can cause hair loss in this article but I will simply

state that candida can infect the hair follicle, cause folliculitis

which can contribute to thinning hair.

Some anti-fungals are known to also have anti-androgenic

properties. Ketoconazole is one such anti-fungal. It is the active

ingredient in a popular anti-dandruff shampoo, Nizoral, which has

also gained some popularity in the hair loss world. There is an

even a study that suggest that Nizoral might be as effective as

, g g , g

thickness of an individual strand of hair.

For now, we can't be sure whether yeast infection creams also

have some anti-androgenic properties. What we do know is that

many women (and men) have been using the creams to

successfully thicken their hair and speed up growth. Now, keep in

mind the side effects that were mentioned earlier.

If you're intrigued but still not keen on applying yeast infection

cream on your scalp, you may be happy to know that some hair

loss sufferers are using dandruff shampoos with similar results.

Dandruff has been shown to be caused, in part, to Malassezia

yeast- a type of fungus. Dandruff shampoos contain different anti-

fungal medications that target yeast, decrease dandruff, and as a

side effect may also help your hair grow. Before you run out and

grab just any dandruff shampoo, read through the below list of

dandruff shampoos that may promote growth; some have a better

reputation than others

Head & Shoulders:A study has shown that the active

ingredient, zinc pyrithione, in Head & Shoulders can modestly

increase hair growth. In the study, the anti-fungal was compared

to ketoconazole and piroctone olamine. Those who used the zinc

pyrithione shampoo saw a decrease in hair shedding and an

increase in the amount of hairs in the growth phase; but the other

users in the study had more of an improvement with the

ketoconazole and piroctone olamine shampoos. Additionally,

38

many have commented on forums that they've had negative piroctone olamine as the active ingredient. Other versions of the


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reaction to Head & Shoulders. This may or may not be from an

allergic reaction to the zinc pyrithione. In any case, there are

better options out there and Head & Shoulders would not be my

first choice among this list of shampoos.

Nizoral:The active ingredient in Nizoral is ketoconazole. It isprobably the most popular of shampoos in this list to be used

specifically to help grow hair. Not many people complain of

allergic reactions to the shampoo. In the study mentioned above,

the ketoconazole shampoo outperformed the zinc pyrithione

shampoo in decreasing the amount of shedding hair. If you have

experienced hair loss, I would recommend adding Nizoral to your

regimen to help slow any further shedding.

Selsun Blue:The active ingredient in this shampoo is zinc

pyrithione, which we've already covered, and selenium sulfide.

Selenium sulfide has been documented to cause hair loss.

Obviously, this shampoo is not one that I would recommend

trying if you are experiencing hair loss.

T-Gel Shampoo "Greasy Hair:This particular version of the

shampoo contains piroctone olamine which has been shown to

be even more effective than ketoconazole in increasing hair shaft

diameter and about as effective in reducing hair shedding. Many

users have also said that this shampoo is less drying than Nizoral.

I would also recommend trying T-Gel, but only the version with

T-Gel shampoo have different active ingredients.

A Natural Alternative

Some of you may be more interested in a "natural" product. There

are many herbs and oils that have anti-fungal properties. One

natural alternative would be to apply emu oil to the scalp 2 to 3

times per week. Emu oil is a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal,

and antibacterial.

So yes, you can use yeast infection and jock itch cream to help

grow your hair. If you are hesitant, try Nizoral or T-Gel, they both

can work. If you are looking for something natural, emu oil is a

good option.

The How To Stop Hair Loss for Women site is dedicated to

providing women everywhere hair loss information. There you can

learn what to do to stop hair loss immediately. Learn what you

should be doing to grow thicker, healthier hair now and forever.

39


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Shady spectacles on your peepers,

Sturdy, in place.

Looks ahead almost in tears,

Blinked, stared in space.

White umbrella above your head,

Red cloth, your hair's shelter.

Chin up, strictly clutched the shed,

Wind discovered it never.

Golden scarf around your neck,

With breeze it gracefully sway.

Upright, never bent,

Right or left, carefully turning the other way.

Red gloves on your fingers,

Lacy mittens on your skin.

Abstract art on nails,

Red, black, blue and green.

Leather sleeves on your arms,

Glimmers, gem-studded.

Readily extends warmth,

Withdrawn abruptly, made sure it'sunfolded.

Printed trousers on lower limbs,

Baggy bottoms unflattering.

Slowly but confidently you limp,

Gait unsteady, unyielding.

DR. MARIE KEITH S. EPE

Armor

40

All by your self, you cry, Bitter ironies in mind.


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Empty, you can't scream.

Your man heartlessly punched your eye,

Your man banged your head on the metal beam.

On your neck, hands imprinted in red,

Denied to gasp for air to breathe.

On your arms permanent marks that bled,

Abrasions and cuts, extremities without a shield.

Gloves must go, sheared with scissors,

He packed his bags, ready to leave.

Hands between weighty car doors,

Lost seven nails, instant nail paints to grieve.

On the couch sitting on one side,

Wearily took off your pants.

Hips fractured, lost a stride,

Hit with the mower, when he rants.

Now with satin white dress,

A poignant smile you confess,

Real joy is hard to find.

Tomorrow an ancient routine,

Another day of pretenses.

Different clads you have been,

Tactics and defenses.

How long must you hide?

Or Pretend? And Lie?

When will you start living?

Or love your self? And love life?

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Treat Me Good by Bachelor Girl

Don't use me, don't tease me.

Don't hurt me, don't mess with my head.Don't flaunt me, don't laugh at me.

Talk about me, or ignore what I said.

But you can treat me good, anytime you like.

Show me some kindness if I'm lucky tonight.

You can treat me good, anytime at all.

A little caring's all I'm asking for.

Don't try me, lie to me.Patronize me, talk down to my friends.

Don't neglect me, forget me.Be angry at me, say things to offend.

But you can treat me good, anytime you like.

Show me some kindness if I fluke it right.

You can treat me good, anytime at all.A little caring's all I'm asking for.

Every time I get home, you're suspicious of where I've been, and who I've seen.You're so jealous of any little thing that takes up my time.It don't have to be that way, baby!

Don't hit me, frighten me.

Threaten me, and order me around.

Don't guilt me, pressure me.Make demands on me, keep putting me down.

Treat Me Good Review

43

Dr. Marie Keith S. Epe

their partners to change the treatment towards them. In somecases when the victims are fortunate this change could take


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THE REVIEW

Bridging gender differences, one of the best songs that clearlycommunicate what women really want is the song, Treat MeGood, by the Australian Pop Duo, Bachelor Girl. Men and womenmay have different needs and wants. Most often we hear people

say, Men are difficult to understand, or Women are impossibleto comprehend. Even with open communication, relationshipsfail. Abuse of any form, may be one of the reasons. One mustalways recognize when a relationship is abusive or not.

Beginning the verses of the song with, Donts, the woman havehad enough from an abusive relationship. The first verse can becompared with the early stages of a relationship. Abuse isinnocent. The second verse, as the relationship move along,

abuse became more emotionally draining. Finally, the last verse,an epic giveaway on the possible outcome of the relationship.The Donts are not requests, they are the roadmap to thewomans heart. The irony of the chorus begging the man to treatthe woman with kindness and a little caring, depending onelusive luck to grant such request, even when abused andmanipulated by the man, pierces any womans soul.

Abuse may be subtle. When a woman can recognize earlier on

that she is being abused, this can save her from a lot ofheartaches, physical and emotional injuries. Victims of abuseadmit that they recognized it at the very first time theyencountered their supposed prince, however, they chose todeny it for reasons they cannot point. This harmless denial led toa more theatrical life, requiring them to wear daily masks and actlike nothing is wrong to project an image far from the truth of theircurrent state. Many victims choose to stay, faithfully waiting for

cases, when the victims are fortunate, this change could takeyears. Unfortunately for most victims, the anticipated adjustmentand improvement never happens.

When women are hit, shouted at, put down or made fun with by

the ones they love, honesty, respect, courage and strength, someof the factors that victims lack when dealing with abuse, reachesa critical point close to zero. Slowly, the womans self-esteem andself-worth diminishes, not recognizing what is real or what is right.The unpleasant acme is when women blame themselves forthings they have not done. There are countless unwanted effectson the woman as a victim of abuse. And the most fearful truthabout abuse is, it can be lethal. News about husbands killing theirwives at gunpoint or wives scalded to death with boiling water bytheir husbands flood the internet, women groups journals andinternational periodicals. Ancient news, yet same victims and

perpetrators.

Constant counseling, maintaining a reliable circle of friends andactively communicating with parents, may help alleviate thedamages that the abuser had inflicted in a womans well-being.But choosing to stop the abuse by getting ones self out of thepicture as the recipient of uncaring blows and verbal assaults, isnot only the best solution, it is the only way out! The decision toput a halt in being a victim is difficult. But it is more difficult when

the victim does not even recognize that she is one.

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Contributions


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Contributions

xlv

Katherine Vasquez Tarazona

Denise Falcone

Ana Martnez Molina

Lylin Aguas

Supreet Kaur

Donna L. Palmer

Gloria Adero

Sreejesh Kaipully

Daniela Silva

Dr. Marie Keith S. Epe

Staff Editor:


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Staff

xlvi

Editor:

Elaheh Zohrevandi

Kirthi Jayakumar

Photography and Cover Art:

Effat Allahyari

Ana Martnez Molina

Sreejesh Kaipully

CEO:

Elsie Reed


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xlvii

deltawomen magazine july 2012 issue

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