Depression Among Oklahoma's Youth
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), major depression is a medical illness that affects thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood, and physical health. Also known as clinical depression, major depressive illness, major affective disorder, and unipolar mood disorder, major depression affects five to eight percent of the United States adult population. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSBS), by comparison 10... Read More
‘Compassion’ Has a Name: Wondemu Desta
As one of four children, Wondemu Desta—a kindergartener—lives with his family along the plains of Durame, Ethiopia, Africa. A student at the Durame Kale Heywot Child Development Center, Koyei lists his best subject of study as “Mathematical Numbers”. The soon-to-be 8-year old likes the color red, and has aspirations of being a singer in adulthood. Desta is a Compassion International sponsored child. More specifically, he’s our second “Compassion child”. The... Read More
'Compassion' Has a Name: Saitabau Koyei
As the oldest of five children, Saitabau Koyei—a sixth grader—lives with his family among the hill country of Kajiado, Kenya, Africa. A student at the POMC Osero-onyokie Child Development Center, Koyei lists his best subject of study as Mathematics. The soon-to-be 15-year old enjoys soccer, and has aspirations of being a doctor in adulthood. Koyei is a Compassion International sponsored child. More specifically, he’s our “Compassion child”. The desktop... Read More
A Nation With a Number
According to Switched.com, 250 million Americans were subscribers to some form of cellular telephone service in November 2007. At that time, those numbers equated to approximately 82.4 percent of the entire United States population. Effective January 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau’s population clock for America registered over 305 million residents. So even by today’s figures, approximately 82 percent of Americans still have some form of cell phone contact to include:... Read More
The "P" Word (pt.3)
This is part-three of a three-part series; click here for part-one, and here for part-two. Pornography. The “P” Word. Porn. According to XXXChurch.com, the revenue of the National Hockey League (NHL), National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Major League Baseball (MLB) combined is less than that of the sex industry. As part of the industry, pornography—also considered “adult entertainment”—is attracting younger and... Read More
A Handwritten Letter From Africa
Approximately four months ago my world changed for the better. I said, “yes!” Not to a sports score, a pay raise, or even a new marriage. I said yes to a relational and financial commitment a continent away. October of 2008, two young men became a part of my thoughts. More importantly, I was able to become a part of their world. Saitabau and Wondemu are now—in essence—my children. The company that I work with “adopted” these two youth through... Read More
Mexi-homa: The New Oklahoma (pt.3)
Introduction Nation State Community Recent figures released by the United States Census Bureau suggest a shift in the demographics of Oklahoma’s youth population. The Tulsa World reported on the findings in 2007, and included an explanation of the data’s potential outcome. “The makeup of the state’s young population is changing from mostly white to frequently Hispanic,” the newspaper states. “If the pace continues, at least a quarter of Oklahoma... Read More
