project third world: december 2015

P T WPROJECT THIRD W

ORLD

HEALTH|EDUCATION|WORLD|CHARITY

Feature interviewAndreia BrazierFitness Model

VOLUME 3 EDITION 5 December 2015

Photographers Treat

NatiOnal Geographics'

AMI VITALE

Contents2015. In hindsight, it is a year that

the world will try to move past as quickly as possible. The year started with an attack on world freedom; in particular, freedom of speech when Charlie Hebdo was tragically killed in Paris.

Then we saw the country of Nepal devastated by the wrath of Mother Nature, and Nepal is still strug-gling to regain its former stability from the Earthquakes in April.

Economically, the world watched in shock as the entire country of Greece went bankrupt.

The environment felt a low blow when it was found that Volkswagen, the acclaimed car manufacturer held as a model for innovation, economic driving and consideration for pollution, was found to be purposefully falsify-ing their cars emissions testing.

The gap of inequalities, whilst narrowing in some regions of the world, are widening in others. An-imal conservation appears to be fighting a losing battle with only 3 northern white rhinos left in the world as of November 2015.

Politically, we are feeling the trem-ors around the world that parallel those that occurred 100 years ago. Lest We Forget. Above all, the World has had to look in the mir-ror and take responsibility for the outcome of Syria, along with the refugees that for years went un-noticed by the globe, only to be given limelight once it directly af-fected the “Western World”.

Social tensions, religious divi-sions and cultural barriers began to fortify and harden with vari-

ous attacks and threats made by the now well-established “ISIS” or “Daesh”. Terrorism has taken a field-day this year with devastat-ing and tragic attacks across the world: Nigeria, Pakistan, Kenya, Turkey, Lebanon and France to name just a few. Fear has once again taken hold of civility, panic is running rampant through the world, and most certainly, Daesh have put a very dark mark on hu-man history.

Even in Project Third World, we too have felt the struggles of 2015. Our projects have slowed down and support has dropped too. Our internal staff of volunteers have dropped and vol-unteering with charity has taken a back-seat in the lives of many. This of course is understandable. In such times of distress, it is only natural for the tides to turn the way they are.

What is natural however, may not be the best approach. There are very few scenarios in the world in which I would say that, but perhaps in regards to human na-ture, it is worth saying. When the storm grows monstrous, and the waves turn volatile, and the winds blow hurricanes and the light of both sun and moon fall into the darkness, it is only nat-ural to turn to your life supports and hold on only to that which you consider important. Doing so will only leave your boat to travel off-course, and may take you to a place, more devastating and more permanent than the storm.

You can pray on the boat, and hope that the boat does not go to a darker place, or close your eyes and wait for the storm to

DECEMBER EDITIONblow over; but think about what will happen to your boat in the meantime and think about all that will be lost from your boat in the storm’s destructive force. You might lose friends, family, your identity, or anything you believe in, and anything you hold on to.

So what to do? The answer is probably obvious to you: you ride the storm, you give it every-thing you have, and you push and struggle and lift your way through the storm to the direction you want to go. At worst, the above happens anyway. At best though, you claim victory and reach your “promised land”.

Project Third World realises that the world is angry, frustrated and growing impatient of the grow-ing difficulties, and Project Third World realises that you too are growing tired of waiting for us to perform and deliver what we say we will deliver. To that I say, we are still young, but we are growing, and this year, we have certainly grown.

To that I say, thank you for your patience, and thank you all for your support. We hope that you do not give up on hope, with us, with the world, and with all that may dishearten you in 2015. 2015 was a bad day for the world. That bad day is coming to an end. It is time to make amends and take serious action, it is time to pass through the storm, and it is time for Project Third World to grow out of its youth. We hope you all have a positive and fulfilling end to the year, and brace yourselves for what we aim to be a spectacu-lar year in 2016.

Contents Volunteering

Three2Six Program / South Africa

EditorialThe Underlying Yin to the Yang of Volunteering

18

04

24

43

48

54

62

68

War in SyriaThe Political Context of the Syrian Civil War

Ami VitaleThe Photographer of More Than a Thousand Words

BloodGetting into the Thick of it

Fitness PlaytimePlayground for Adults

The Salt SituationSalty about Health?

Andreia BrazierFeature Interview

www.projectthirdworld.org

[email protected]

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twitter.com/projectthirdworld

@projectthirdworld

youtube.com/projectthirdworld

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PROJECT THIRD WORLD 4

Yin Yang is famous for its symbolism. Two halves that together complete wholeness. Yin, often seen as a symbol for darkness, with Yang as a symbol for light. In Yin there is a small amount of light, and in Yang there is a small amount of darkness. Yin with Yang represents the balance of good and bad throughout the universe. In all that is good, there is a small element of bad; in all that is bad, there is a small element of good.

Editorial:

By Chirag Lodhia, Melbourne Australia Edited by Lorne Dunlop, Melbourne Australia

The Underlying

of Volunteering

Yin to the Yang

Director Project Third World

PROJECT THIRD WORLD

DEC 2015

It’s unfortunate that the three great writers William Shakespeare, Rudyard Kipling and George Orwell could not have met. Living in different centuries obviously attributes to this. The authors are not simply hallmarks of great literature, but were also able to unravel the nature of human beings both timelessly, yet also in a very dark and haunting manner exemplary of Yin.

Shakespeare’s many plays including Richard III and Merchant of Venice, Kipling’s classic ‘The Jungle Book’ and George Orwell’s dystopian ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Nineteen-Eighty-Four’ all had the undercurrents of stories written to delve into the dark behaviour and nature of humanity.

These paradigms of literature do not simply write for thrilling plots, memorable soliloquies nor inspirational monologues; rather, use their words and life inspirations to question and exhibit deeper understandings of what drives and controls the “lone wolf” or the “wolf pack”.

Insightfully, the construct of great plots, soliloquys and monologues also give the audience a clearer appreciation for the difference between the appearance and reality of humans.

Richard III appears to his family and subjects as a hero in the opening soliloquy of the play, only to reveal to the audience his intention “to prove a villain and hate the idle pleasures of these days”.


DEC 2015

The monologue of the wise guardian of Mowgli in The Jungle Book shared his views of mankind: “They fed me behind bars from an iron pan till one night I felt that I was Bagheera - the Panther - and no man's plaything, and I broke the silly lock with one blow of my paw and came away; and because I had learned the ways of men, I became more terrible in the jungle than Shere Khan.”

Of course, without least, the climatic plot-lines of George Orwell in Animal Farm saw a farm liberated with freedom and a society in which “All animals are equal” slowly sink into the pigs’ pit of greed, power and corruption to bring their revolution full circle, if not worse, where “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.

"and because I had learned the ways of men, I

became more terrible in the jungle than

'Shere Khan'."

Pages from the Jungle Book

In Orwell’s haunting dystopian novel ‘Nineteen-Eighty-Four’, the political party ideology: “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength” gave rise to the word ‘doublethink’: the acceptance of contrary opinions or beliefs at the same time, especially as a result of political indoctrination. Orwell’s theme of doublethink repeatedly enforced the fickle nature of human and social thought, and how easily it was led astray from the truth into an obvious false.

The effectiveness of organisations, projects and operations are dependent on the intentions and motivations of the individuals involved. Where there is staff, there will be a financial incentive. What of volunteers though?

Several studies have been conducted globally to ascertain the true motivation for volunteers in various fields. A cross-sectional study of 311 participants donating blood found their intentions to donate were primarily self-efficacy, the perceived personal responsibility to perform the behaviour and also subjective norm (the perceived social support, i.e. the view of society on giving blood).

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem conducted a study with 1,500 participants across the population of Israel, with a wide range of ages, socio-economic statuses, education levels, and backgrounds, to report that the two most common motivators for volunteering are “it enables them to develop friendships” and “can strengthen their feeling of belonging to their society or community”.

Middlebury College in the United States of America conducted a study revealing two thought processes for volunteering. Firstly, the study revealed that offering extrinsic incentives to volunteers had a direct positive effect on increasing call response to volunteer.

George Orwell


DEC 2015

In layman’s, offering a prize for volunteering increased volunteer responses. In contrast, some volunteers with image concerns responded negatively to the offering of extrinsic incentives and caused a decreasing effect on call responses to volunteer. It should be noted that this study was small and from a narrow sample; mostly males with a limited range of backgrounds. Nevertheless, it does question volunteer motivation.

The American College of Healthcare Executives conducted a study that suggested individuals volunteer to facilitate their ability to achieve and retain their high-level position or for recognition and reward. However, the same study further suggested that mid-level executives were more motivated by altruistic reasons more than CEO and senior-level executives. This study also suggests that the reason for lack of volunteering is mostly due to lack of awareness of volunteer opportunities or not being directly asked to volunteer.

The Ministry of Human Resources, Canada completed a much more extensive study with 37,426 volunteers ranging from 15 years to above 60. The study found a range of motivating factors:

• 77% believe volunteering is important to helping others• 75% believe volunteering is important for learning new skills• 72% stated that volunteering is important for making contacts useful for employment


DEC 2015

Of the sample, 71% of participants sat as board members for their volunteering input compared to 51% who were actually involved in organising events, supervising or coordinating. Interestingly, the types of volunteering which the survey found included:

This same study also suggests that senior citizens are less likely to volunteer out of self-interest and more likely to volunteer for reasons of obligation and social value compared to younger adults. Seniors were also more influence by religious obligations compared to younger participants.

The study also found that activities engaged by volunteers were not related to their reasons of volunteering, and the average time spent engaging in volunteering activities across the 37,426 study participants was 2 hours per week.

The studies analysed above are not absolute, however they do have a very hefty weighting of intentions and motivations that are self-orientated, for image, social acceptance, status, credentials or other self-gaining factors. Other studies have also suggested that individuals will respond more strongly to a cause they have a personal connection to, rather than evaluating the cause for its need.

• 70% of volunteering involved selling items• 65% of volunteering involved helping a religious service or mass

• 71% of volunteering involved teaching• 57% of volunteering involved promoting ideas

DEC 2015

Although it can be said that any reason to ‘do good’ is a valid reason to volunteer, it does seem to contradict the answer that many of us have to the question “Why do you want to volunteer?” and “why should we give to charity?” It’s fair to say that many of us would imagine the responses “I want to help others” or “I want to make a difference” or “because I want to show how thankful I am”.

Irish author Oscar Wilde stated “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask and he will tell you the truth”. Psychological magician Derren Brown took this literally where he filled a BBC gameshow room full of two-hundred people wearing identical masks as part of his series “The Experiments”. This experiment highlighted the effects of ‘mob mentality’ yet also suggested a troublesome reality- that what a person says or does anonymously is different to when they do not wear the masks.

Throughout this game show, participants controlled the real life of a subject on-screen to them, and were given options of either positively effecting the individual’s life, or negatively effecting the individual’s life.

The masked audience constantly chose to make the subject’s life increasingly worse until their choices led to a staged death of the subject.

Derren Brown then concludes the experiment and reveals to the audience, that they themselves were the experiment, as an example of how humans behave when they no longer hold to their identity. Derren suggested that the audience acted differently to how they would otherwise.


DEC 2015

Over the course of the evening, they stopped thinking for themselves, and gave into ‘mob mentality’ and were happy to schadenfreude a real person to the point of making him lose his job, damage his property, and lead him to his death, which was the only part of the experiment that was staged.

Psychology theories on ‘social conditioning’ may help explain this phenomenon. Social conditioning refers to the social process of training individuals in a society to act or respond in a manner generally approved by society in general and peer groups within society.

Manifestations of social conditioning are vast, but can be generally categorized as social patterns and social structures including education, employment, entertainment, popular culture, religion, spirituality and family life. It is social conditioning that Nineteen Eight-Four’s doublethink is based on.

For instance, have you ever considered what makes certain items of clothing fashionable whilst other styles or brands less fashionable? Clothes are merely garments woven or pieced together to cover the body for modesty; yet many of us are incredibly selective in what we wear.

A label on a shirt or intentional tears in jeans can result in an increase in price far more than the fabric or time invested is worth, and yet we rarely question the price or why the style is appealing.

Perhaps there is also a level of associative learning. Psychologists suggest that associative learning is the marketing strategy that many large companies use to persuade the public to purchase their products. It is this theory that suggests that orange, red, black and royal blue are colours used by fast-food outlets, outlet malls and clearance sales to push the shopper to be more impulsive, or to gain the attention of impulse shoppers and cause buys on impulse rather than rational thought.

This rationale is similar to the behaviourist psychology experiment “Pavlov’s dog”. In the famous experiment, a dog is exposed to the sound of a bell and presented with food shortly after, resulting in the dog salivating. This is repeated multiple times which eventually conditioned the dog to salivate at the sound of a bell, even if no food was presented, simply due to ingrained behavioural responses.

Although the neuroscience and psychology of humans is perhaps more complex than the Pavlov’s dog model, the combination of classical conditioning, associative learning and social conditioning might be a trinity of factors channelling people to simultaneously say “I want to volunteer to help others” whilst internally motivated by the reasons outlined earlier. A contradiction straight out of the pages of Shakespeare; truly timeless.

EDITORIAL12

DEC 2015

In some respects, social conditioning is inevitable and perhaps can be a good vehicle. Enforcing within children the notions that giving to charity is good may help lead a child on the path of selflessness; it is after all Gandhi’s teaching that inspired a young Martin Luther King on his quest for freedom through peace and nonviolence. The teachers of this may also give reinforcement such as “you should be thankful for what you have”. With the help of TV footage of aid workers, inspiring speeches and words of wisdom, this simple act could cement this seed into the child’s mind, and might raise the child to follow in similar footsteps.

If this is the case, why then is not most of the human population actively involved in volunteer and charity work on a much higher level? The current generation has certainly been brought up with television; lives in an age of education actively involving charity work into the school curriculum; is brought up in the era of information technology; and has been able to look up to such altruistic figures as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and Bono.

Blooms Taxonomy of Education gives a reasonable framework for explanation. Children are instilled with the knowledge that it is good to act in valour, and reinforced with this knowledge. The children are then given reasons for involving themselves in charity. Then they have examples of global leaders, celebrities and local heroes who are involved in charity.


DEC 2015

It is perhaps in the analysis level of charity and volunteer work that this whole pursuit might fall, particularly in light of the research presented. If the examples of charity and volunteering in the everyday life of a child is “do as I say, not as I do”, or “talk without action is socially accepted”, then by the theory of Bloom’s Taxonomy, this is what the child will analyse and replicate for themselves.

A pattern of claiming selflessness, yet acting in self-interest might be something the child recognises; seem to only appear to help a cause, and thus creating a culture where appearances and personal image is of higher priority than the cause itself.

At synthesis stage of this taxonomy, children may ultimately follow the same life

examples as many of their predecessors: fulfil society’s expectations for one’s own direct ambitions. In the final stage of evaluation, when this is put to the test, the child will ultimately find this benefits them. This typical form of learning is then passed from generation to generation seamlessly along with the embedded message and without reflection or thought.

To close this exposé, what happens when an individual’s aims and intentions for volunteering or participating in the charity are then fulfilled? Perhaps giving half an hour a month is enough to fulfil the satisfaction of an individual, despite not actually improving the cause of choice. If causes are controlled by the need to benefit the supporters and followers, then the cause is significantly limited.

Perhaps the individual will stop volunteering or participating if they are not getting recognition and appraisals. Perhaps the volunteer or charity worker will stop helping once their entrance applications are established and their resume is fulfilled. Perhaps spending 2 weeks in an environment or in a mission is enough to satisfy the individual for life, irrespective of how much more time or effort the cause requires.

Ultimately, the driving force of most charity today is the benefits it also brings to its supporters and workers, and the work can often come to an incomplete end unless these benefits are met. Unfortunately, this is not just a theory, but supported by the findings of several studies. It seems as though charity and volunteering in many respects has become: fulfil society’s expectations to the minimum, whilst internally fulfilling their own to the maximum; the Yin to what should be Yang.

If charity and volunteering has ironically become primarily driven by self-interest, then this can be represented as darkness, or ‘Yin’. The mass of ‘Yin’ is primarily self-interest with a small amount of interest for others.Ask yourself, would you volunteer or participate

in charity if you: had to incur some costs to yourself, have to give up your time, received no financial gain, received no recognition, be the one to reach out to an organisation rather than wait for an organisation to reach out to you, could not add it to your resume, could not share it on social media, were required to devote more time to further the cause than you initially expected, had to prioritise it over other aspects of life, did not get all or any of the benefits you had hoped for, had to commit time on a daily, weekly or monthly basis; found it difficult, found it overwhelming, found it disheartening at times, found it boring at times, found it tedious at times, found it repetitive at times, had to go out of your way and continue helping the cause until the goals are completely fulfilled on a large scale?


DEC 2015

If you are answering “no” to most of these, then perhaps we will need to review, understand and learn just how much genuine volunteer and charity work can bring to you and the world. If you are answering “yes” to many of these questions, then you are the types of individuals we in Project Third World would like to have, and at the very least, you are the types of individuals this world needs to have participating in charity and volunteer work, in whichever capacity, for you are the “Yang” which charity and volunteering needs.

The mass of ‘Yang’ is primarily interest for others with a small amount of interest for yourself. With all the “Yin” already in this world that is driving many of our world

issues, charity and volunteering are the ultimate tools of “Yang”. No matter what the cause, charity and volunteering will always bring some benefit to those who participate, and Project Third World will be showing more of this over the next year.

As much truth as there is within the writings of Shakespeare, Orwell and Kipling, we in Project Third World disagree that humanity is intrinsically self-centred and dark in nature. We believe that not only is humanity a species that can act selflessly, but also believes that volunteering is effective, empowering and life-changing for all involved when driven by the right motivations; and we hope to be examples for this.

DEC 2015

After all, Project Third World is a completely volunteer operated organisation, from the director to the magazine writers, fundraising coordinators, sponsors, supporters and more. If self-orientated thinking is part of social conditioning and associative learning, then we will work to change this.

The true success of charity worldwide, and true success for ourselves in Project Third World will be: to have our actions speak louder than our words, to be responsible for our words and our actions and our means, to put the cause in front of ourselves, to take responsibility for others, to go out of our comfort zone and to not stop or give in when the work becomes tough.

The thinking required for all of this is to believe in more benefit to others, and those we help, rather than ourselves. This requires reflections on our own words and actions, and genuine thought on the impact we are having on others and the world. When the benefits to others are large, and the little benefit to ourselves is a small part within that, perhaps charity and volunteering will truly change the world, bring balance to the mass of world issues, and thus bring Yang to the significant Yin within our world. ■

Chirag Lodhia


DEC 2015

Keep reading to see more incredible photography from Ami Vitale

Ami Vitale / National Geographic Photographer__________________________________

A belief of mine has always been that if, as human beings, we can help our fellow man in some way, then we should. If you can, you do.

This moral is well imprinted into my character code; in my opinion, there is no greater purpose in life than to serve in the honour of others, whether that be through righting injustice, lending an ear or a helping hand, or simply just giving time.

IF YOU CAN,

Benjamin is a Photographer and Graphic Designer with a desire for story telling and capturing moments in time that he deems most beautiful. He has recently returned from a small trip to South Africa and is heading back for twelve months to continue his work with the education of Refugees.

you do...

Benjamin photographing during the Three2Six Art Program

Benjamin Bugeja:Photographer / Designer

Volunteer Article


DEC 2015

For me, altruism seems rather dead in the world of today. It is not essential to never expect anything in return, but it is quintessential that you keep giving even when that return is non-existent. I am by no means a saint. I am covered in tattoos and piercings, I have a beard and wear baggy clothes, I have made my share of mistakes and done things that I will never be proud of, (things I will not tell my children if I have them one day), but this does not define me.

Just like being a refugee does not define a person, being Muslim does not make you a terrorist nor being Christian a bigot. 'Who' we are is not 'what' we are; it is how we are- this is why I volunteer.

SCIENCE CLASS : VOLCANOS 101


DEC 2015

I volunteer because as a global collective, we are only as fast as our slowest player. No matter how progressive the country I live in might be, there are issues that exist worldwide that garner the attention of the masses. I am part of the mass, as we all are. Only through solidarity alone can issues such as prejudice and xenophobia be rectified, along with multitudes of other global crises. This is why I volunteer. We have to stick together like Water Buffalo.

I have always had a passion for injustice. Teachers always perceived my talking back to them as disrespectful; I really only did so if I felt they were in the wrong. This has happened with all authoritative figure engagement throughout the journey of my life but I simply felt it's only a call for equality and not disrespect. Once this became apparent, it was obvious that in my life I needed to help speak for those that have lost their way a little or have too small a voice to break through the barriers and signal for help.

Pilanesburg National ParkAfrican Water Buffalo

Benjamin Bugeja

DEC 2015

Pilanesburg National ParkAfrican Water Buffalo

I have volunteered my time for many years, dedicated to helping many causes, even if that is just donating blood a few times a year, but I would like to discuss one in particular. Recently, I spent two weeks in Johannesburg, working for a program called 'Three2Six', run out of a prestigious Marist school that has set up a bridging program designed to close the gap between a lapse in education and the public education system.

This means that as a part of the program, we help refugee children from all walks of life and backgrounds, through education and life skills, helping to provide them with a level of education that would see them transit into the public/private sector of education. The program is so successful and appreciated that there is a waiting list for children to enrol.

Thankfully I have been asked by the organisation to embark on a twelve month volunteer journey back to Johannesburg where I will be using my artistic background to help further educate and better the lives of those who so desperately need it. I cannot possibly explain in words just how beautiful the children of the Three2Six are as they have such a warm and loving presence about them despite their unfathomable upbringing.

Dancing time in the gym

Making Butterflies with the kids.

Learning about colour

Their thirst for knowledge

astounds me every time I

think about them. They crave

knowledge and have the highest aspirations.

They are strong, willing and able; with a second

chance now, they are able to really express themselves and

live out a full and happy life. I volunteer because I get to be a

part of this: a part of a root system that needs people to help nurture

and cultivate. In most ways, the children are stronger than I am. I can

still wrestle my camera off them when they steal it and take my photograph; but

their inner strength is incredible. They may have looked for refuge, but they are more than

refugees. They are spirit and soul- something western society is often lacking.

Future Photographers


DEC 2015

I am not better than you and I am not any different to your next door neighbour. This is a choice that I make and a choice that I stand by, but by no means should you feel as though you are less for not volunteering. Simply remember that when opportunities arise where you can have a seriously beneficial impact on others, maybe think about seeing that opportunity through, as I promise you will not regret the journey. ■

Benjamin BugejaArt Director of Project Third World

* Unfortunately, Benjamin is unable to show the faces of the children, for their own safety. All photographs in this segment are taken by Benjamin Bugeja. To see more of Benjamin's work and more importantly, follow his journey through South Africa in 2016, go to:

Benjamin Bugeja

Future Photographers

www.benjaminbugeja.com


DEC 2015

AMI VITALENikon Ambassador and National

Geographic magazine photographer


DEC 2015

Nikon Ambassador and National Geographic magazine photographer Ami Vitale has lived in mud huts and war zones, contracted malaria, and donned a panda suit—all in keeping with her philosophy of “living the story.” She has travelled to more than 90 countries, bearing witness not only to violence and conflict, but also to surreal beauty and to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Recently, she has turned her lens to compelling wildlife stories, such as returning critically endangered captive born species, like the giant pandas back to the wild and attempts to save the last four living northern white rhinos from extinction. Her photographs have been commissioned by nearly every important international publication and been exhibited around the world in museums and galleries. Now based in Montana, she continues to make films and stories of the planet's most important issues and frequently gives lectures and workshops throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Ami Vitale: The photographer of more than a thousand words

Interview:Ami Vitale, Montana, United States of America

Interview By:Chirag Lodhia, Melbourne, Australia

How did you become a professional photographer who is able to travel the world for their work?

As a young woman, I was painfully shy and introverted. I found when I picked up a camera, it gave me a reason to interact with people. I started to feel empowered and more engaged with people when I had a camera in my hands. Later, I realized I wasn’t just empowering myself, but I was also empowering the people I was photographing. I was able to give a voice to people and share their stories.


DEC 2015

How much previous experience did you have travelling?

I had experience traveling before I became a photographer and that was essential. I was not afraid and knew that while cultures, religion and language are different, we have more in common with each other than we have differences. I did not look at people as different or exotic. Rather, I focused on the things that unite and bind us.


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29

DEC 2015


AMI VITALE30

DEC 2015

What areas of the world have you been to and what is your focus on the types of places you visit?

In the beginning, photography was empowering and later became my passport to meeting people, learning, and experiencing new cultures. Now it is more than just a passport. It’s a tool for creating awareness and understanding across cultures, communities, and countries; a tool to make sense of our commonalities in the world we share.

Photography has this instant ability to connect people without language. You can look at an image and instantly feel something. I’ve been on this mission to tell stories that connect people rather than simply emphasize our differences. I started my career working for news agencies, and I would be sent into conflict zones. I’d be encouraged to show the most dramatic images, and I realized quickly that we need more than that. We need more than the dramatic and reactive images. We need more empathy and understanding and that’s what drives me.

DEC 2015

What have been some of your

most memorable photos and

experiences on your travels;

and why?

All of my trips are pretty special and

it’s always because of the extraordinary

people I meet.

Having travelled the world, what

has been your most memorable

trips/places to visit and why?

I think every assignment teaches me

and destroys any stereotypes I may

have. It’s a constant evolution and

the more you learn, the more you

realize how little you know. This job

humbles you every single day.

Where have you felt most

challenged?

Every assignment is challenging

but empathy is the key to success.

I have to rely on people I don’t

know. There are language barriers

and being in unfamiliar places. I’m

totally dependent on the kindness

of strangers. That has taught me

that I can't always be in control and

allowed me build some of the best

relationships.

Where have you felt most at

home?

Since I moved to Montana 4 years

ago I wanted to learn more about the

land and people's deep connection

to it. I found it fascinating that

despite people's differences, they

have one thing in common and that

is a deep love for the nature around

us. I cannot escape the feeling that

people here are shaped by the land

itself and they in turn help shape

the land. The folks whom I have

gotten to know are hardworking

and honest. It is not an easy place to

live, especially in the winter. It takes

a special kind of person to survive

our long dark and cold months.

And if you are a rancher, every

season after winter is backbreaking

and filled with 16-hour days. By the

time spring rolls around, everyone

is up to something. The planting

season is short and folks waste no

time in working the land. Trailers

are moving everywhere, hauling

cows and horses to summer pastures,

calving is in full swing, and families

are preparing to come together

with their neighbours for branding.

While beautiful, this place is remote,

unforgiving and isolated. You have to

be incredibly self-sufficient. The hard

work is unrelenting. It’s a 24 hour, 7

day a week job and there is no time

off. Nature dictates whether you

will succeed or fail here. Montana is

home. Of all my travels, it resonates

the most with me.

AMI VITALE32

DEC 2015

You have many photos that expose and highlight many of the world's issues. What world issues have you been involved in through your work?

Every country I’ve gone to where there is conflict, violence, and suppression, it always starts by those in power trying to muzzle the voices of people. This cherished notion that people's voices should not be muzzled is essential. When sent into conflict zones, how did you ensure your own safety? What was the reality of the photos you were taking? I usually went on my own. The risks were my own. I’ve been pretty healthy. I’ve had malaria, food poisoning and gotten very ill but you expect to get sick. It’s the psychological dangers that are most difficult. As a woman living in often conservative places, I’ve been harassed and groped when men don’t think a woman should be outside doing this kind of work. I’ve been threatened and learned quickly that I have to be thoughtful about how and where I work. No picture is worth my own personal safety.

Much needed attention has been focused on the plight of wildlife and the conflict between heavily armed poachers and Increasingly militarized wildlife rangers, but very little has been said about the indigenous communities on the front lines of the poaching wars and the incredible work that is being done to strengthen them. I believe these communities hold the key to saving Africa’s great species.

From your experiences and insight into the different people, what issues do you feel people need to take a more active approach into tackling and what do you feel the every-day person can do to address many of these issues?

We all make choices in the things we buy, what we eat, the places we visit that impact people, wildlife and the

environment. The first step is learning about the world around us and seeing how connected we are. Then it’s easier to make decisions that can have a positive impact.

Kenya is one of the locations Project Third World currently has a project set up; tell us about your own project here.


DEC 2015

When embarking on a trip or assignment, do you have a more 'go-with-the-flow' approach or is there a lot of studying, researching and planning of your projects before embarking on them?

Storytelling is different from making a set of beautiful images. They must work together to create a storyline and a rich understanding of a place and culture. Include establishing shots, portraits, detail shots that reveal elements of the culture, intimacy between people, or people and landscape. Show that you accessed unusual moments readers may not know. Access is the hardest part of good photography, and requires empathy, sensitivity and research.

‘Clicking’ is one percent of the job. The rest is planning, research, editing, negotiating, and finding unique ways to tell stories. The trick is to gently gain access to places others cannot get to, and the secret to this is to know your subject better than anyone else.


DEC 2015

When you take photos of people, are they aware of what their photos are for? How do you explain what you are doing?

If I don't speak the same language, through a translator I always get permission. In the past, I used to take down people’s names and a short description of what they were wearing, or some distinguishing feature about them. I would get back home, start looking through my notes and discover many of the girls I was photographing wearing similar-looking pink dresses. Now I carry my phone, loaded with a model-release app called EZ RELEASE which allows me to take pictures and get their consent at the same time. I also make a habit of writing captions and labelling images right after a trip ends, and not procrastinating.

The way to make compelling, real photographs of people is by being authentic. Making candid images of people is not a trick. It's a skill a photographer can develop, which requires respect for the subject and building a relationship in the time you have together. Successful pictures of people almost never happen from a distance. Put away the telephoto lens and become part of the moment.

Talk to people. Whether it's simply a nod of acknowledgement, a greeting, an explanation of what you're doing, or a long involved conversation, connect with the people you are photographing. Remember, we have more in common with each other than you might think. Don’t look at people as different or exotic.

http://applicationgap.com/apps/easyrelease/

DEC 2015

With the digital age, what do you feel has made your photos stand out and how do you manage to capture the perfect image?

I spend a lot of time to build trust and explain my intention and reason for being there through interpreters if I don’t speak the language where I’m working. Very little of the work is actually taking photos. Stories evolve and get richer with time. Sticking with a story for years helps you understand the complexities, characters and issues that are not always immediately obvious. I’m a really slow photographer. I go back and go back and spend so much time with people. Earning trust is the most important thing. What advice would you give to photographers looking to turn their passion into a profession?

You’ve got to find a project you really care about it and work on it for years. Make it yours. Make it unique. Don’t shoot what you think people are going to like. Shoot from your heart and find your own style and passion.


DEC 2015

The second is, don’t feel like you need to travel to a foreign country to tell a good story. I see so many portfolios that are superficial travel images that all feel the same. You have to work on a story for years. Work on something in your backyard. It allows you to be there often and cover the issue over time. And if you do want to cover a story in a foreign country, go live there and commit to the story.

It’s very difficult to go deep into a story when you only parachute in and out. The biggest misconception about getting work in to National Geographic is that people feel they need to cover a foreign country for it to be interesting. That’s not how it works. Travel photography is really about intimacy and getting to know a place. Going deep is really important.

AMI VITALE40

DEC 2015

My advice to those who dream about this is to find a story close to you – maybe even in your backyard – and make it yours. You don't need to travel abroad. What you do need to do, however, is tell a story better than anyone else can, using your own unique perspective. If you find your own story and show complete and utter dedication, then you will find a way to carve out a career.


DEC 2015

Last and maybe most importantly, be generous and help others. It’s not a zero-sum game. Especially when it’s on these big issues, everyone will tell a story in a unique way. Sure, they may be your competition now, but if you care enough about a story and keep working at it, you will be able to do that work and find a home for it. The more generous you are, I find the more it comes back to you. ■


DEC 2015

Benjamin Bugejawww.benjaminbugeja.com

By KellieVella,Melbourne AustraliaEdited By Chirag Lodhia, Melbourne Australia

THE POLITICAL CONTEXT OF THE SYRIAN CIVIL WAR

FROM CIVILIAN UPRISING TO PROXY WAR

THE CONFLICT: AN OVERVIEW

Stories and images of the devastating human impact of the ongoing war in Syria are commonplace in today’s media. The four-year long conflict has established itself as a humanitarian crisis on a global scale. Up till August 2015, It has killed 250,000 Syrians and left 12 million people displaced, four million of which have left Syria to escape the war.

The Syrian conflict began in March 2011 as a result of a civilian uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The uprising called for greater democracy and transparency in Syrian governance

and rapidly led to the emergence of a complex sectarian conflict on a national scale.

The country’s Sunni majority is at war with the President’s Shia Alawite sect. In conjunction with Sunni Islamists, Assad’s regime is fighting secularist forces such as the Free Syrian Army, the Kurds and other militias.

The unrest has also led to the rise of jihadist groups including Islamic State (also known as Daesh), a terrorist organisation which intends to establish itself as a caliphate, a form of Islamic government led by a descendant of the prophet Muhammad.

Chief Editor Project Third World Fast Feed

WAR IN SYRIA44

DEC 2015

ASSAD’S RULE: A GLOBAL MATTER

Bashar al-Assad came into power in July 2000 when he inherited the presidency from his deceased father. Initially trained in ophthalmology, Assad commenced his political career after the sudden death of his elder brother in 1994. As leader of the Syrian government, Assad is supported by Iran, Russia and Hezbollah in Lebanon while the US, Turkey and most of the Western world oppose him.

As a result of the anti-government protests in 2011, Assad led a brutal military crackdown on protesters and refused to meet their demands. In regard to the civil unrest in Syria at this time, the president promised in a public address to crush what he called "terrorism" with an "iron fist".

In August 2013, chemical weapons were unleashed on civilians in the surrounding areas of the capital Damascus which left hundreds of people dead. While the Assad regime was blamed for the attack by Western nations including the US and France, Assad personally denied any responsibility for the attack and blamed rebel groups.


DEC 2015

After this occurrence, due to the threat of foreign military strikes, Assad agreed to allow international inspectors to destroy Syria's arsenal of chemical weapons, a process that was completed in June 2014.

In July 2014, Assad was sworn in for his third seven-year term as president and for the first time since taking office, he ran with opposition.

In October this year, 17 world powers, including Saudi Arabia, Russia and (for the first time) Iran met in Vienna to try to discuss Assad’s fate and a

political solution to the Syrian civil war. While it was unanimous that defeating Islamic State is of critical importance to establishing peace in Syria, the fate of Assad as president is a contentious matter.

Saudi Arabia, United Nations and Western representatives called for his immediate ousting (or at least a six month transition period) whereas Iran and Russia argue that Assad’s fate will ultimately be determined by the people of Syria. Syria itself was not represented at these discussions.

DEC 2015

The widespread refugee crisis, the extent of the human rights violations and the threat of terrorist organisations on international security have made the Syrian civil war a global issue.

The American presence in Syria commenced in September 2014 when air strikes were conducted to assist the Kurds and repel advances made by Islamic State to take control of the northern Syrian city of Kobane. The US presence has also attempted to prevent their strikes from benefiting Assad’s forces.

Investigations are underway regarding the civilian casualties of US-led air strikes after allegations were made by monitoring groups such as the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights who say that at least 162 civilian casualties had occurred as a result of US intervention.

The air strikes under investigation took place predominantly in oil rich areas, such as oil refineries, oil wells, buildings and vehicles in an attempt to target IS.

WHO ARE THE “TERRORISTS”

Syrian refugees strike in front

of the Budapest Keleti railway

station, 3 September 2015


DEC 2015

Russian intervention commenced in September 2015 when Russia carried out air strikes on Assad’s opponents and justified the strikes by declaring they were targeting “all terrorists” particularly IS. Notably, Russian strikes hit Western-backed rebel groups and civilians.

On the Russian intervention, President Barack Obama said he rejected the Russian claim that all armed opponents of the "brutal" Mr Assad were terrorists. Due to the opposing political perspectives of national and international groups involved in the conflict, the term “terrorist” is used loosely in the Syrian context.

The global scope and complexity of the conflict allows for international players to implement their own agendas into conflict intervention. Civilian casualties have occurred due to strikes carried out by both pro and anti-Assad coalitions and the presence of an internationally recognised peace agreement remains non-existent. ■

Kellie Vella

Russian and U.S. representatives meet to discuss the situation in Syria on 29 September 2015

BLOODBLOOD

BLOOD

Written by Daniel Kocoski, Melbourne AustraliaEdited by Ali Almehanna, Kuwait City, Kuwait

bloodGetting into the thick of it.

Blood is something we all have in common with one another, yet to some extent it is what also makes us different. It is a vital entity for the survival of all mammals, if not all animals. But that poses the question: what exactly is blood?

BLOODBLOOD

BLOOD

Table 12-10 Reference Table of Plasma Constituents

CONSTITUENT AMOUNT / CONCENTRATION MAJOR FUNCTIONSWater 93% of plasma weight Medium for carrying all other constituents

Electrolytes (inorganic)NA˖

K-Ca

₂˖Mg

₂˖H-CI-HCOᵌ-Phosphate (Mostly HPO4

₂-SO4

₂-

Total < 1% of plasma weight145 mM4 mM2.5 mM1.5 mM0.0004 mM103 mM24 mM1 mM0.5 mM

Keep H20 in extracellular compartment; act as buffers; function in membrane excitability and blood clotting

Proteins

AlbuminsGlobulins

Fibrinogen

Total - 7% of plasma weight, 7.3g/100 ml (2.5 mM)4.2g/100 ml2.8g/100 ml

0.3g/100 ml

Provide nonpenetrating solutes of plasma; act as buffers; bind and transport other plasma constituents (lipids, hormones, vitamins, metals, etc);clotting factors; enzymes, enzyme precursors; antibodies (immune globulins); hormones Blood clotting

GasesCO

₂

O₂

N₂

2 ml/100 ml (1 mM)0.2 ml/100 ml (0.1 mM)0.9 ml/100 ml (0.5 mM)

A waste product; pH bufferOxidative metabolismNo function

NutrientsGlucose and other carbohydratesTotal amino acidsTotal lipidsCholesterol

Individual vitamins

Individual trace elements

100mg/100 ml (5.6 mM)

40mg/100 ml (2 mM)500 mg/100 ml (7.5 mM)150-250 mg/100 ml(4-7 mM)0.0001-2.5 mg/100 ml(0.00005-0.1 mM)0.001-0.3 mg/100 ml(0.0001 -0.01 mM)

(See Chapters 2, 3, and 16)

Waste ProductsUrea (from protein)Creatinine (from creatine)Uric acid (from nucleic acids)Bilirubin (from herne)

34 mg/100 ml (5.7mM)1 mg/100 ml (0.09 mM)5 mg/100 ml (0.3 mM)0.2-1.2 mg/100 ml(0.003-0.018 mM)

Individual Hormones 0.000001-0.05 mg/100 ml(10-12-10-7 M)

Messengers in control systems

The average adult man has around five liters of blood; this does depend on the size of the individual. At any given time, most of the blood is circulating in the veins of the body. Blood is a complex mixture containing various elements, such as red blood cells, and white blood cells, all suspended in a matrix known as plasma. Plasma itself is also made-up of multiple components, mainly: water, proteins, sugars, electrolytes, gases and waste products (see Table 1 below). Most people commonly recognize and associate blood as being red;

this is due to the presence of red blood cells, otherwise known as erythrocytes. A common misconception is that erythrocytes make up the greater part of blood; however, in actual fact the plasma itself is the biggest component.

Table 1: The following table is adapted from Widmaier et al., (2008) showing some of the other components in plasma as mentioned prior. The table lists the major constituents of plasma in chronological order starting with the most prominent to the least prominent.

BLOOD50

DEC 2015

The purposes of blood are vast, but can be generalized to being a medium that is carried around the body through blood vessels to supply various tissues of the body with all that is necessary to function, such as oxygen, salts and sugar.

Most people have heard the phrases “cold blooded” and “warm blooded”; what does this actually mean? Warm-blooded animals, including us as humans, maintain a stable temperature of about thirty seven degrees Celsius regardless of the external environment. This is done by generating heat in a cooler environment, and by cooling in a hotter environment. Cold-blooded creatures on the other hand take on the temperature of their surroundings. They are hot when their environment is hot and cold when their environment is cold. They are also much more active in warm environments and very sluggish in cold environments.

As mentioned prior, humans all have blood that essentially carries out the same function from one person to another, however, it is also one of the very things that makes us different from one another. Blood can be categorized into four different types A, B, AB and O. On each and every erythrocyte in your body there are sugars located on the cell membrane surface.

These sugars dictate what blood type an individual will fall into. The exception is blood type O, whereby none of the erythrocytes have sugars located on their cell membrane surfaces. How a person obtains these sugars on the surface of the erythrocytes is not by chance, but rather determined by genes inherited from both parents. One of the more important implications of having different blood types is that not all are compatible with one another.

Figure 2 address what blood groups are compatible with one another.

Figure 2: A simple representation of what blood groups are compatible with one another. Something to note, blood type O is known as the universal donator and people with AB blood types are known as the universal recipients.

Blood donations are a good example of how the immune system plays a huge role in determining blood compatibility. It involves the transfusion of blood from one person to another, which is done to serve many purposes, such as for those receiving chemotherapy or those who have had significant blood loss, such as the recent victims of the Paris bombings. The sugars that are found on erythrocytes can be targeted by an individual’s immune system if it is different from their own erythrocytes; in other words, the immune system sees the erythrocyte with different sugars as a foreign particle that the body needs to defend itself against. For instance, an individual with blood type A cannot receive blood from a person who is of blood type B. This is because the former individuals’ immune system will identify the particular sugar associated with blood type B as a foreign entity and subsequently attack and destroy them. Not only is the blood transfusion rendered useless, but a potentially fatal activation of the immune and clotting system leading to shock, kidney failure, circulatory collapse, and potentially death from the incompatible blood types.

As mentioned prior, people with the blood type O have no sugars present on the surface of their erythrocytes. Therefore their blood is compatible with all other blood types; however they can only receive blood from blood type O donors. For that reason the medical profession actively seeks out people with the blood type O and identifies them as universal donors. Therefore if you are an individual with the blood type O you are considered special, and theoretically it would be great if all carriers of this blood type could donate regularly, every twelve weeks if possible.

The need for blood donations is vast: people who have certain cancers, people undertaking major surgery, or people who have other medical conditions, require blood donations and could be the potential difference between life and death for them. According to the World Health Organization, 108 million blood donations are collected every year with the majority coming from unpaid volunteers.Governments are aiming for 100 % of blood donations to be donated through unpaid volunteers.

The WHO has a vision of establishing self-sufficiency, safe blood products for transfusion and universal access to blood products. This is something that seems more plausible in higher income countries as opposed to third world countries. The WHO has identified four major issues currently in the way of this vision:

Ineffective blood policy surrounding the donation of blood: The WHO predicts that 32 % of countries have no policies regarding the obtaining and use of blood products. This encompassing everything, including the equipment, donors and procedures.


DEC 2015

Inadequate supply: The WHO estimates that

about 4 people donate per 1000 individuals

in low-income countries, as opposed to

high-income countries where the number

is closer to 40 per 1000. In saying that,

we should strive for much larger numbers

of voluntary blood donations by unpaid

volunteers.

Quality control procedures and risk of blood

borne infections: some countries simply do

not have the procedures in place to ensure

the highest quality of blood products,

which is integral in ensuring the safety of

the patient.

Inappropriate use of blood products Whilst

these obstacles are limiting the WHO vision,

a more conscious effort needs to be put into

reaching the intended outcomes, whereby

everyone plays a role. For now, it is up to the

higher income countries to roll up a sleeve

until self-sufficiency can be established in

countries of lower socioeconomic status.

Increasing the amount of donations is

possible and this can be done through

raising awareness and educating people on

the importance of continually donating

blood on a regular basis.

This issue falls in line with our values at

Project Third World - health and education.

Therefore, we hope everyone can roll up their

sleeves and donate blood more frequently. A

drop of blood could save countless lives, so

make sure you give freely and more often. ■

Ami Vitale / N

ational Geographic Photographer__________________________________

PLAYTIME54

One of the global fascinations this decade has been obstacle courses. Once a playtime activity during preschool, now supersized and pumped with adrenaline, it has become a statement about adult fitness, endurance, strength, cooperation and disciple. The world has seen many organizations and companies tour around the world providing long-distance courses filled with obstacles that can be as exhilaration, rewarding and challenging as those preschool days. We take a look at some of the courses happening around the world.

By Jay Himat, Melbourne, Australia,Edited by Chirag Lodhia, Melbourne Australia

Playtime for Fitness Enthusiasts

What is involved?

The original Toughest Ice course was designed to involve obstacles around ice and ice formations. Apart from ice, it also utilizes water and mud over an 8km terrain with more than 40 obstacles to create a versatile, gritty and grueling obstacle course from the natural formations of the Scandinavian countries.

This obstacle course punishes the strugglers by including a penalty round for those who fail an obstacle whilst rewarding with a fast-lane those who successfully take on a harder version of the same obstacles available. The course is designed for both individuals and teams.

You May not Know:

Toughest Ice is competitive, and participants who finish in a Top-Ranking in a Toughest Race can apply to compete in the Elite Race with a first-place prize winning of 50,000 SEK for both a men’s and women’s division.

Toughest Ice

For more information on Toughest Ice, visit http://www.toughest.se/en/

Where can I find Toughest Ice?

The course is currently run in the cities of:

• London,UnitedKingdom • Malmoe,Sweden • Umea,Sweden • Stockholm,Sweden • Gothenburg,Sweden • Oslo,Norway • Copenhagen,Denmark

Tough Mudder

What is involved?

Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 10-12 mile (18-20 km) obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit. Participants must be over 16 years of age to participate. Tough Mudder states that they put camaraderie over finisher rankings and is not a timed race but a team challenge that allows participants to experience the obstacle race at their own pace.

Where can I find Tough Mudder?

Tough Mudder is a worldwide event. It can be found in many different regions around the world including:

• USA & Canada• Australia & New Zealand• UK & Ireland• Germany • Mexico

You may not know:

Tough Mudder has held 150+ events since 2010 and supports the Wounded Warrior Project Charity Organization.

For more information on Tough Mudder, visit their website at https://toughmudder.com


DEC 2015

What is involved?

The Color Run is a five-kilometer, un-timed race in which thousands of participants,

or “Color Runners”, are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer.

There are no excuses for the Color Run as all ages are accepted and invited to participate

in the Color Run.

Where can I find the Color run?

The Color run is quite literally a global phenomenon. To name a few, the Color

Run is held in countries including; USA, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa and UAE.

The Colour R

un

You may not know:

The Color Run itself is not a charity organization, however has partnerships with many charities.

It considers itself a paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality. For more information on Colour Run, visit their website at https://thecolorrun.com


DEC 2015

What is involved?

Wanderlust Festival brings together groups of yoga and meditation instructors, musical performers, speakers, artists and chefs for transformational retreats in natural resorts. The aim is to give an experience that gets into your mind, body and soul and is recommended for individuals eighteen years and over.

Where can I find the Wanderlust Festival?

The Wanderlust Festival is quite exclusive. At this stage the events are held in USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

You May not know:

The organisers of Wander Lust state they hope the experience will leave participants feeling different from when they arrived – with new ideas, new friends, newly discovered abilities, and greater peace.

Wander

Lust

For more information on Wander Lust, visit their website at http://wanderlust.com


DEC 2015

What is involved?

This model of obstacle courses contains 8 events with 9000 participants per event having many climbing, racing and mentally battling and grueling obstacles. The aim is to have athletes challenged by world class obstacles that will involve jumping over burning fires, crawling through mud under a wire fence, battling up slippery slopes and running or swimming across water obstacles. Different courses are prepared for different ages.

Where can I find the Jeep Warrior Race?

This event is currently exclusively in South Africa.

You may not know:

This course includes specialized courses for much younger participants who can find a course suitable for them from ages 4 and up.

For more information on Jeep Warrior Race, visit their website at http://www.warrior.co.za/

Jeep Warrior Race


DEC 2015

What is involved?

This is an off-trail race with athletes leaping, crawling, climbing, swimming, and of course running through some of the world's toughest natural environments. Participants can join in the 25km, 50km or 75km event. This event is targeted at those who are above 18 years of age and consider themselves of elite fitness.

Where can I find the Fuego Y Agua Survival Run?

AustraliaMorrocoNicaragua

You may not know:

The goal of the Fuego Y Agua Endurance is to create challenging endurance events that utilize the natural resources by including elements of ‘volcan concepcion’, survival skills that would interest the likes of Bear Grylls, beach running, swimming, ‘birdman’ and trailing through thick jungles. The event is competitive and involves prize winnings of $1000 for 1st place males and females and $750 for 1st place teams. ■

Jay Himat

Find out more about Fuego Y Agua at http://fuegoyagua.org/#home

Fuego Y Agua Survival Run

Benjamin Bugejawww.benjaminbugeja.com

DEC 2015

nutritionally and medically speaking, what is it, do we need it in our diet, and, what happens with too much or

too little salt?

Salt can be found in almost every type of food source. It is a crystalline mineral also called sodium chloride and is about 40% sodium and 60% chloride based on atomic masses of the two elements.

Salt is needed in small amounts to help the human body function effectively. It helps to conduct nerve impulses, contract and relax muscles, and maintain the proper balance of water and minerals. It is commonly used to add flavour to food but can also be used as a preservative, binder and stabiliser.

The Salt

Situation

By Sonia Kaurah, Auckland, New ZealandEdited By Saneeta Mandil, London United Kingdom


DEC 2015

SituationMany people around the world suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure, along with other forms of heart disease. Individuals who suffer these and individuals at risk of hypertension or heart disease will often be advised by medical professionals to significantly reduce their dietary salt intake. Individuals taking certain medication may also have increased or decreased sodium, potassium and magnesium. These individuals may be asked by medical professionals to increase or decrease their salt intake. If you are unsure about the effects your medications might have on your salt levels, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Know your limits.Currently most Australian adults have a daily salt intake of about 10 grams while The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have set a suggested dietary target of 1600 mg of sodium, equivalent to four grams of salt, which is roughly a teaspoon. This is about half the average Australian adult’s current salt intake.

About 80% of salt intake comes from processed foods and 20% from salt used at the table or in home cooking. This estimate of sodium intake from salt does not include the smaller amounts of sodium coming from naturally occurring sodium or sodium-containing food additives. Foods that contribute the most to Australians’ salt consumption are bread and bread rolls, meat, poultry and game products, including processed meat, and cereal products and cereal-based dishes such as biscuits and pizza.

In large amounts salt can increase your blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease including heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.

THE SALT SITUATION64

DEC 2015

Refined Salt(Regular Table Salt)Regular table salt is the most commonly used type of salt. This type is usually highly refined and is heavily ground so that most of the impurities and trace minerals are removed. Refined salt is mainly sodium chloride.

The problem with heavily ground salt is that it can clump together. For this reason, various substances called anti-caking agents are added so that it flows freely.

The advantage with table salt is that it is iodised, meaning that it is mixed with a fine amount of various salts of the element iodine. This was a successful public health preventative measure adopted in many parts of the world to combat iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency is a leading cause of hypothyroidism, mental retardation and various health problems.

There are also many types of salt widely available. Some of them include:


DEC 2015

Sea SaltSea salt is made by evaporating seawater. Like table salt, it is mostly just sodium chloride. Depending on where it is harvested and how it was processed, it usually does contain some amount of trace minerals like potassium, iron and zinc.

The darker the sea salt, the higher its concentration of “impurities” and trace nutrients will be. Keep in mind that due to the pollution of oceans, sea salt can also contain trace amounts of heavy metals like lead. Sea salt is usually a larger crystal than table salt and also the taste may differ due to the trace minerals and impurities.

Himalayan Pink SaltHimalayan salt is harvested in Pakistan and mined from the Khewra Salt Mine. Himalayan salt often contains trace amounts of iron oxide, also known as rust, which gives it a pink colour. It does contain small amounts of calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium. It also contains slightly lower amounts of sodium than regular salt.

Kosher SaltKosher salt was originally used for religious purposes. The main difference between regular salt and kosher salt is the structure of the flakes. It has a large flake size and is therefore easier to pick up with your fingers to spread over food. Due to the size, kosher salt is less likely to contain additives like anti-caking agents and iodine.


DEC 2015

Celtic SaltCeltic salt is a type of salt that originally became

popular in France.

It has a greyish colour and also contains a bit of water, which makes it chemically quite moist.

Celtic salt contains trace amounts of minerals and is slightly lower in sodium than regular table salt. It is made from seawater anad contains trace

amounts of minerals.

Calcium Potassium Magnesium Iron SodiumTable Salt 0.03% 0.09% <0.01% <0.01% 39.1%Maldon Salt 0.16% 0.08% 0.05% <0.01% 38.3%Himalayan Salt 0.16% 0.28% 0.1% 0.004% 36.8%Celtic Salt 0.17% 0.16% 0.3% 0.014% 33.8%

Which salt is he healthiest?A study conducted in the US compared the

mineral content of different types of salt. The table below shows the comparison between table salt,

maldon salt, Himalayan salt and Celtic salt:

The study showed Celtic to have the least amount of sodium and the highest amount of calcium and magnesium compared to the other studied salts, while Himalayan salt contains a large proportion of potassium

compared to the other studied salts.


DEC 2015

Ultimately, all salts are salt and there really is no need to add salt when cooking at home or at the dinner table. Its main purpose for adding into cooking is to add flavour, not nutrition. Feel free to choose salts for a specific flavour, colour, texture or taste in cooking but always limit the quantity to a minimum required and use any salt in moderation. You can easily achieve your daily requirements from the natural salts found in fresh foods.

It is important to consider that these are very minute amounts and differences. For example, the 0.3% content of magnesium for Celtic salt implies that you would need to eat 100 grams of salt to reach the recommended daily amount. Overall, this study suggests there is no compelling reason to choose one salt over another. The most rational approach to choosing a salt would be to select for a more ‘natural’ iodised salt to avoid additives such as anti-

caking agents.

1. Cook at home whenever you can - avoid buying packaged foods.

2. Add flavour without adding sodium by use herbs and spices.

3. Get fresh when you can by buying fresh or frozen foods, and non-processed poultry, pork and lean meat rather than canned, smoked or processed meats like luncheon meats, sausages and corned beef.

4. Give sodium the “rinse” by rinsing sodium-containing canned foods, such as tuna, vegetables, and beans in water before use. This removes some of the sodium.

5. “Unsalt” your snacks by choosing unsalted nuts and seeds, and snack products such as chips and pretzels that are marked “low sodium” or “no-salt-added”. Also read the nutritional information on the pack to ensure the sodium quantity is in fact low.

6. Consider your condiments; sodium in soy sauce, tomato sauce, salad dressings, and seasoning packets can add up. Choose reduced sodium soy sauce and no-salt-added tomato sauce, add oil and vinegar to a salad rather than bottled salad dressings, or only a small amount of seasoning from flavouring packets instead of the entire packet.

7. Speak up at restaurants and ask to see the nutrition information in restaurants and choose a low-sodium option. Ask for your meal to be prepared without salt and request that sauces and salad dressings be served on the side, and use less of them. You can also reduce your portion sizes. Less food means less sodium! For example, ask the server to put half of your meal in a take-out container before it comes to your table or split an entrée with a dinner companion.

8. Remove salt shakers from the table and the kitchen

9. Cook food to conserve flavour by using methods such as steaming, roasting, baking, stir-frying, microwaving or barbecuing. Boiling foods can result in loss of potassium and flavour into the boiling water which may entice you to add salt after cooking.

10. Marinate fish and meat before cooking to give it more flavour. ■

Sonia Kaurah

10 steps for cutting

down your salt intake


Andreia BrazieRAndreia first started training at just fourteen years of age. She was always athletic, after which she began to experiment with nutrition and diet, and soon found out what worked best for her. This is the way she trains people now – she teaches them what she learned and how to reach their goals, most importantly also encouraging her clients to listen to what works for their body. When she moved to Rio de Janeiro in 2001, she began to work part time modeling for magazines and TV, as well as designing and selling her own jewelry. In 2005, Andreia moved to England where she kept working on herself and started competing in various fitness competitions. Andreia has since become a World Competitor with 4 consecutive WBFF Championships under her belt.

Andreia BrazierInterview by Chirag Lodhia, Melbourne Australia

DEC 2015

DEC 2015

Where were you born and what was your life like growing up in regards to health, fitness and diet? Were they big parts of your life growing up?

I was born in Porto Alegre, the last City in Brazil, and I always felt myself being an athletic person. Thus, I began experimenting with nutrition and diet, and I soon found out what works best for me. The experiences and obstacles that I had been through over the years became a very big part of my life as these are also the lessons that I have been lecturing to my clienteles now, whilst also encouraging them to listen to what works for their body.

When did you start becoming involved in fitness and competitions? What was your motivation?

I first started training at the age of fourteen and started with lifting weights. From that moment on, I never stopped. Being involved in competitions never came to my mind but a friend of mine once mentioned to me “why not join?” and compete in a competition. That idea grew in my mind and I started preparing for it and focused 100% on what I needed to do. We all know that each and every one of us has our own source of motivation. Our own motivation drives us to excel in all the things we do. It empowers us to become the best that we can be in everything that we do and in every endeavor that we enter ourselves into.

Probably, my greatest motivational factor in my life is the desire and will to challenge my own self and to experience new things. I have a passion and aspiration to accept new challenges in my life. I want something that could inspire and test my own abilities and capabilities, thus competing with the WBFF Federation was exactly the motivation I was looking for.


DEC 2015

What is the process of starting and preparing for fitness competitions and how do you prepare your body and mind for competition day?

I completely keep my healthy and fit lifestyle all year round, thus when a competition is coming, I usually make little changes on my diet preferences. I always mentally set-up a specific goal and objective for the change I need to make. I also make sure that my femininity and body composition remains and stands-out among the other competitors.


DEC 2015

Many competitors put their bodies through a lot of intense pressure and use supplements and extreme diets in their process. What is your view on the health of these methods?

I like to take care and manage what I eat as it makes me feel good and it also provides me with a well-balanced lifestyle. I slightly adjust my diet during Stage Preparation as I eat healthy all year round. People do think that I don’t have a social life because of my health restricted diet, but that is not true. I could still go out with my friends and have a social life with them.

When it comes to my diet, we all must be aware that it is very important to have a well-balanced lifestyle that makes you feel great and content.

I do always follow the motto, “Eat clean, Train dirty.” I always keep protein high in my diet and make sure to eat clean, fresh foods no matter what phase of training I am in. I generally keep carbs and good fats to a moderate level and only start restricting my carbs more in the lead up to competition.


DEC 2015

You are a four-time World Beauty Fitness and Fashion Champion; what was it like winning your first competition? What was the drive to continue?

Before my first competition, I was feeling insecure and shy as I never joined any kind of competition before. After I registered for the show, I set up my mind and totally focused on all the things needed to be done. I worked on my training, diet, costume and bikini. After my first win, I was hungry for more.

I never really imagined that I could get my first crown, and suddenly thoughts came into my mind to try and see what else I could get. I keep doing what I do, and put a 100% focus on it. I made sure I didn’t feel gloomy and melancholy, I gave myself all the support I needed and I surrounded myself with people that continuously support and believe in me. I did what I had to do and I knew what commitments were needed from my side.

For many people, exercise and diet is all about getting the "dream body". To you, what is exercise and diet about?

For me having a dream body must also come with having a well-balanced lifestyle. You can lose weight and improve your health and body composition with diet or exercise, but it shouldn't be a case of either/or. By far, the best approach is to partake in an intelligently planned training routine and have a healthy and balanced diet. Your diet should not only support your health and weight goals, but

also improve your training performance. A healthy lifestyle should be a way of living, and not just a temporary fix for a cold or to negate a gluttonous weekend. Once you get into the habit of maintaining a healthy routine, you will be able to see, feel, and experience the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle. Though the definition of being healthy may differ between people, living a healthy lifestyle is a fundamental component in achieving your optimal mental and physical well-being.

What does your exercise routines consist off?

When I train, I like focusing on whole-body work but I mostly focus on my legs and core, which are my favorite parts. I love doing squats and lunges; these are compound exercises that make me feel very balanced and strong. I also do isolation exercises as it helps in strengthening your muscles in a different ways and avoiding injuries. My weekly training consist of: 75% legs and abs, 25% upper body and abs. The training routine that really works for me is the Weight Training that I’ve been practicing for over 20 years and it is the best thing I have ever done.

My 3 favorite exercises are squats, lunges and arm rows because I get quick and better results with these as I am using big and major groups of muscles which helps you build a better skeleton structure, well balanced body and helps burn body fat during the day. I go to the gym 4-5 times a week, but if I am preparing for a competition then I train the whole week.


DEC 2015

What are your personal tips on developing a diet? What types of foods do you eat and how would you structure you’re eating patterns through the day?

My lifestyle was always healthy although I never really had a body that I was proud of. I used to eat 3 meals a day, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes I would just have another meal similar to my breakfast at dinner time. Before competing I used to eat carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, bread and potatoes. Nowadays, during breakfast which is my favorite and my main meal, I love eating Peanut Butter, Rye Bread, Eggs, Cottage Cheese and drink coffee with skim milk and honey. For my snack I love having Banana with organic and low-in-sugar peanut butter.

For lunch I eat lean meat that is available for the day with some raw or steamed vegetables and peanut butter again. Snacks in the afternoon will vary. Sometimes I eat smoked salmon and avocado, steak and salad or just a plain coffee with some dates. Lastly for dinner I eat lean meat with vegetables or salad and peanut butter! (I have all of these with fresh water of course!)

I mainly eat proteins and good fats during the day which keeps me energized and ready for my training. I normally eat low and moderate carbs.

What other aspects of your lifestyle do you feel contribute to you being able to maintain the physique that you do? Do you do other activities outside the weights/gym room?

All aspects of my life involve a healthy and well balanced lifestyle. I like going out for nice coffees and lunches, watching shows and having spa treatments. However, I mostly enjoy getting away for a relaxing time. I do also love to being in contact with nature, beaches and parks, but only if the weather is good.

I like to work and focus on growing my business. On the weekend I love resting and pampering myself. I do also hang out and go out with my circle of likeminded friends and love and enjoy travelling.

ANDREIA BRAZIER74

DEC 2015

Many people have many excuses for not exercising or going to the gym. How do you motivate people to break past these excuses?

Excuses will always be there, but success and opportunities won’t. Save your excuses, it is not about having the time but instead it is about making the time for what truly matters.

Looking back on my life I see that I have learned many lessons and these lessons make me stay focused and motivated. To think and visualize your future is important; think of what you would be and feel in the next 5-10 years and set up your goals which could help you to keep focused and motivated in going to the gym and start your workout.

Listen to your body, focus on what you are doing rather than looking on what others are doing, and always remember a healthy body is a reflection of a healthy lifestyle. Make wise choices after all you are what you do.


DEC 2015

You were recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. To those unaware, what is hypothyroidism? How has it affected your routine?

For those who are unaware, hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid that produces hormones that controls how your body's cells use energy, a process called metabolism, fails to produce particular hormones to a level that maintains good metabolism. Among other things, your metabolism affects your body’s temperature, your heartbeat, and how well you burn calories.

If you don't have enough thyroid hormone, your body processes slow down. That means your body makes less energy, and your metabolism becomes sluggish.

1 month prior to WBFF World competition 2014 to defend my 3rd Crown I felt that something was wrong with me and I felt my energy decreasing, thus we went to a Specialist to see what the problem was and that I was diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition. I was struggling from this condition for the past 4 years and I thank my partner Kassem for being on my side always.

Some of the symptoms are: tiredness, weakness and fatigue, slow heart rate, depression, weight gain, fatigued and aching muscles and difficulty concentrating. It was really my goal to compete so I made sure that I did everything that was possible to look my best on stage no matter what obstacles were placed in front of me.


DEC 2015

Some feel the need to lift as heavy as possible when they go to the gym. Do you feel lifting heavy is essential when going to the gym?

I never lift overly heavy weights. Instead I lift weights that I can manage with a proper form. In my own point of view, yes lifting the weights is essential when going to the gym. In my own personal experience, my muscle has come from my higher resting metabolism. More muscle

and less fat means that you’ll burn more calories at work, on the couch, and while you’re sleeping. Muscle tone helps you get lean, look lean, and stay lean. Aesthetics and looking great are one of the driving forces behind why most people strength train. Society weighs appearance so heavily, but it also produces self-confidence. For me, weightlifting improves the coordination of muscles working together, which increases an athlete’s power.


DEC 2015

Some are often reluctant to lift heavy weights at the gym. What is your view on this?

Women do think that every time they go to the gym and lift weights, thoughts are coming into their minds that they would become bulky. I disagree with the belief; that weight-lifting will get women super-jacked, ripped, and masculine is completely ridiculous and flat-out wrong. Weightlifting won't get you bulky or turn you into a she-hulk, but you will gain confidence, self-esteem, and a wonderfully healthy body.

Strength training, resistance training and weight lifting are not just about building bigger muscles. Sure, one popular goal is to grow size-wise, but the majority of people who train religiously acknowledge that the benefits go far beyond muscular growth. Strong girls exude a confidence that is intoxicating. I happen to believe that this comes from the knowledge that you can accomplish pretty impressive feats at the gym.

When you realize your outer strength, you can tap into your inner strength, and that begins to radiate. Confidence is a very attractive quality, and that gym confidence starts to leak into every other aspect of life. I always say, if you can crush it in the gym, you can crush it at life.

DEC 2015

You are famous for your abdominal physique. How do you develop and maintain your abdominals the way

you do?

A lean fit body always starts in the kitchen. Most of the time, I start doing abs workouts and I normally vary my exercises. I also avoid doing weights while doing abdominal workouts for me to sidestep bulking up and keeping my feminine appearance as well. ■

project third world: december 2015

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