http://opportunitycafe.com appreciating cultural differences, global opportunity and the experience of immigrants Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:19:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en At the ripe old age of 28, Aaron Jackson has delivered medicine to cure over 1.7 million Haitian children of the intestinal worms that eat away their bodies, and slow their brains and drive into a nutrient-depleted lethargy. Long before the Earthquake, Haiti saw its share of tragedies.  The devastation caused ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2010/01/haiti-heroes-parasites-and-shame/ When is a deal a deal?  When the words are spoken?  When the hands meet? When the contract is signed? In contrast to some countries which have a reputation for corruption at the local and country levels- within government and in the private sector, too- the United States, for ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/12/organizational-structure-and-economic-opportunity/ Janet Napolitano is President Obama’s “point person” for Immigration Reform. As the US Department of Homeland Security Secretary and a past governor of the State of Arizona, she is well versed in immigration issues. While she is an advocate of immigration reform and national security, she ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/11/immigration-reform-we-can-fix-this/ Music is the language of angels.  Sharing the pleasure of Jesse Cook... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/10/fall-at-your-feet/ [caption id="attachment_677" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Home of the Free and the Brave"][/caption] Persons who seek asylum from the USA based on fear of persecution in their home country must file for asylum within one year of arrival in the USA.  Persons who have been granted status as Refugees and Asylees have one ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/09/protection-for-refugees-and-asylees-in-the-united-states/ Get it.   We are interdependent.   Economically and spiritually, we are a chain.  A world of links, one pulled by the other.  And yes, the USA is the mother link, economically.  Now.  That will not always be the case.  Change is the nature of life.  Today, the USA.  Tomorrow, perhaps, China.  ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/08/admonishment-to-terrorists/ Faith. The belief in something that is as yet unseen. Hope. Belief in a positive outcome in the future. Love. The antithesis of Apathy.  The opposite of Fear. (No, not hate. Hate is a disfiguring of love.  The true evil is apathy.)  Love must begin with love of self.  ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/08/three-must-haves-for-success/ [caption id="attachment_648" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Opportunity in the USA"][/caption] Recently, a student at the CUNY School of Professional Studies suggested that the numbers of visas available to foreigners should be based on the historic productivity and contribution to the USA by immigrants of the individual's nation. He proposed that a greater ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/07/who-should-be-eligible-for-a-visa-to-the-usa/ The Ebo tribe in Nigeria frowns upon praising relatives, friends and acquaintances.  Showering someone with verbal sentiments of love, appreciation, respect, etc. occurs less frequently than in many other cultures.  It is thought that such praise will "go to  one's head."  Rather, caring is evidenced by action.  It is in ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/07/love-is-a-verb/ There is a television show on American T.V. about a man known as "The Dog Whisperer."   Born in Mexico, his ability to communicate with dogs became apparent when he was young.  The locals called him: "El Perrero"- which is Spanish for "The Dog Man."   On every television episode of "The ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/the-people-whisperer/ Luis is a Taxi Driver from Argentina who has evidenced a keen aptitude for dispute resolution.  On a recent road trip in Baltimore, I appreciated his ability to "be his own boss" and complained about the lack of "human-ness" working in a corporation.   He jumped at the opportunity to share ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/milk-bottles/ ... If you missed the introduction to how Miguel from Mexico, Fuhrat from Iraq and Hanna from Bulgaria were able to access global economic opportunity and create prosperity for themselves and their families with no opportunity-no money to start, go to the FULL STORY. Here is the continuation... POST 2   The Stories Begin Manuel ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/no-opportunity-no-money-to-start-the-stories-begin/ Are you eligible to apply to the Diversity Visa Lottery for a US Green Card that will allow you to become a permanent resident of the United States? Each year the US State Department’s national Visa Center oversees the Diversity Lottery to bring immigrants to the USA. Applying to the ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/how-to-determine-if-you-are-eligible-to-apply-to-the-diversity-lottery/ Technorati Profile . Miguel spends most days picking the seaweed off his sneakers as he fishes for dinner to feed his family in Mexico. Fuhrat used to be a wealthy man, but the violence in Iraq wiped out everything he built. Hanna daydreams about the life she would have ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/no-opportunity-no-money-to-start-the-success-story-unfolds/ Throughout the world, millions of people are alone. Some are alone as a result of mistakes made in the past.  Some are alone as the result of mistakes made by others.  Some are alone because that is their destiny.  It is a destiny of opportunity. True to ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/the-only-opportunity/ [caption id="attachment_544" align="alignleft" width="84" caption="America: Opportunity for Immigrants - Immigrants: Opportunity for America"][/caption] Historically, America has proudly proclaimed its rich heritage as a nation grounded in the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants. Today, America continues to find strength in this heritage, in the strong family values brought by immigrants, and in the ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/immigrants-the-economic-opportunity-in-the-usa/ Would you? Watch the outstanding video on the "Make a Difference" page above.  It is about an American hero.   It is about hundreds of thousands of children who have been given a new opportunity to live, in Haiti, Guatemala, and other impoverished countries. http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/if-you-could-cure-250-children-of-parasitic-disease-for-just-five-dollars/ We all have gifts and talents and opportunities- even when there are tremendous obstacles in our way.   It is possible for every one to make a difference-  for themselves and for a more beautiful world.  Sometimes that is as simple as a smile to someone.  Sometimes that smile achieves a ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/the-music-of-silence/ In India, and in some parts of the Muslim world, marriage is entered into much like a Business Agreement (contract) is entered into in the United States.  Under US law, in order for a contract to be binding, it must include four components:  An Offer, Acceptance, Competency, and Consideration (the ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/05/the-business-of-marriage-and-bio-data/ The first law of thermodynamics is this:  Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.   The form of energy may change- becoming, for example, mechanical, chemical, or heat energy.   But more energy is not produced.  Any energy "created" or used is diverted from elsewhere. If one considers this principle carefully, it becomes ... http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/05/creative-energy/