For this project, we studied human interactions in class before conducting experiments. Our first expirement was Alejandra trying to steal Paris' tire. Alejandra asked a total stranger to help her "fix" her tire and right as he was about to help her change the tire, Paris walked out demanding an explanation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCqkDA-r6nc

Our second expeiment was a drive-thru "abusive" relationship between Paris and Alejandra. Paris was the verbally abusive boyfriend and Alejandra was the accepting girlfriend. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X72_HicuzHo

The reason for these experiments was to observe peoples reactions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2w-hYJJriY
(Please view my Public Service Announcement)

Our Resource Management Project was to study a specific problem globally or within the United States. My topic was the Congo. At first, I decided I wanted to tackle "blood diamonds" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, after conducting research I learned that this cause had already been solved. I did further research, and with Elika's help, I decided to do my project on Coltan/Cassiterite.

In this blog, you can find the following:
-Research Paper
-Official Letter to Congressperson
-Abstract Paper
-PSA (Public Service Announcement)

Research Paper: Diamond Wars

Across the vast plains of Africa, diamonds are being used to fuel war. Diamonds are so lucrative for greedy governments, pillaging rebels, and devious enterprises that war has become a useful cover for smugglers. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) there is an uncontrolled war over diamonds and for millions of Africans, who happen to get in the way, it is a cause for terror. Similarly, this issue is much like the war in Sierra Leone, which was resolved in 2002, but currently in the DRC, this problem isn't being properly addressed.
Sierra Leone, which has produced some of the world's highest quality diamonds, is, to this day, one of the poorest nations on earth. It began as a Civil War, between Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, the President of Sierra Leone, and The Revolutionary United Front (RUF or “The Rebels”) an army fighting for a multiparty system. It was a conflict over a profitable land and a return to a dual government system. Sierra Leone's neighbors, Guinea and Liberia all wanted to bring stability and some form of democratic rule. During Siaka Stevens rule in April 1978, he turned the government into a one-party system which upsetted many citizens. In 1992 rebel soldiers overthrew Stevens' successor, Joseph Momoh, and demanded the return of the multiparty system. That same year, Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Paul Koroma assumed the title, Head of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC also known as “The Rebels”). Koroma and the Rebels were supported by Liberia's president, Charles Taylor, who sought control of Sierra Leone's rich diamond fields. Koroma’s reign of terror consisted of a destroyed economy, murder, torture, rape, and brutal maiming of thousands of civilians. The conflict was officially declared over in January of 2002 when the UN took control of the diamond fields and placed them back into the hands of President Kabbah. Charles Taylor, the former Liberian president, was put on trial and charged with crimes against humanity. He was accused of assisting the Rebel group and was responsible for atrocities which included hacking off the limbs of civilians, sexual slavery, conscripting child soldiers, and even cannibalism. The diamond fields' revenue was unbelievable. Some of the world's largest diamond dealers have approximately 4 billion dollars worth of gems stockpiled. Diamonds are indeed valuable, but perhaps not as valuable as suggested. Risking the lives of millions isn't worth a diamond on our hand, neck or ears. A quick (not entirely accurate) solution would be to stop buying diamonds from countries that don’t have a functioning government. By doing this, military generals who are behind these conflicts would have little reason to continue.
Much like Sierra Leone, the Congo is endowed with a specific abundance of valuable and natural goods, such as diamonds. Congo’s military has risen up against the weak government and is trying to gain control. The DRC civil war has drawn in military forces from neighboring countries, Uganda and Rwanda, whose main warring factions are currently occupying the eastern portion of the country. Nevertheless, the cause of the Congo Civil War was due to the Rwanda Civil War, which was fought between the Hutu militia and Tutsis citizens. In 1996, the aftermath of the war and genocide in Rwanda spilled over to the DRC. President Kabila agreed to assist Rwandan refugees, but by 1998, relations between Kabila, the foreigners and military groups deteriorated. In July of that year, he ordered all foreign troops to leave the DRC. When most refused to leave, a fight erupted throughout the Congo and Rwandan troops rebelled. Their intentions were to replace Kabila with the Congolese Rally for Democracy (another Rebel group). Their failed attempts sent them back to Eastern DRC, where they re-established and took control over portions of the Congo and continued to fight the Congolese Army and foreign allies. Despite supposed attempts to terminate the war, massacres continue in Eastern Congo. This conflict between nations and diamonds was resolved in 2003 but a new combat in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has caused a drastic decrese in populations, immense suffering for civilians and lost hope. This cartel calls for urgent action to improve protection and increase assistance .
Despite years of war in the Congo, and much needed peace, the new elections were designed to bring stability, instead it brought death rates even higher. Since the beginning of this war, effects within the DRC include the displacement of 3.4 million people, as well as the impoverishment of hundreds of thousands more. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II and more than 5.4 million people have died as an effect. An estimated 100,000 civilians have been forced to flee during the most violent of times, including many who had been displaced by earlier waves of fighting. The days of chaos in Congo were supposed to be over, however, during the elections they suffered a $500 million debt. These elections were supposed to end wars and rebellions and give hope to citizens, but the elections have not unified the country or radically strengthened the Congolese government. It’s noticeable that the justice and the military system barely function, but, even in the darkest of times, there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Invisible Children (IC) is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2003. It began with three young filmmakers who journeyed to Africa in search of the truth and what they discovered was tragedy that inspired them to make a difference. What they found was a misfortune, children were being used as weapons and made the viticms of war. In response to this calamity, they filmed and aired their first documentary called "Invisible Children: Rough Cut," which exposed the tragic realities of Northern Uganda’s children soldiers.
Invisible Children Inc. was created to give compassionate individuals an effective way to respond to the situation. This non-profit helps transform apathy into activism, education into inspiration. Individuals in the United States (and beyond the borders) are encouraged to use their unique voices for change. IC focuses on war-affected regions, and has developed an enterprise that works directly with people and institutions to realize their full potential to make a difference. Through education and modern economic chance, partnerships are made in communities to help strive to improve the quality of life for individuals living in conflict and post-conflict regions.
Together, the United Nation and Invisible Children can make a difference, but they cannot do it alone. If you wish to be active in helping better the lives of many, please visit their website at http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php. It is important that this crisis is made public, and that we need to make it public now. As the founders of Invisible Children would say, “We know that in order to realize greater change people must do more than empathize; they must be compelled to act (Invisible Children).”

High Tech High International
atorrero@hightechhigh.orgcell: (858) 248-1942
home: (858) 571-5351

Dear Madam Representative:
My name is Alejandra Torrero and I am a high school senior student at High Tech High International and wish to present some concerns to you about foreign policy. In 1991, Sierra Leone endured the infamous Diamond Wars that claimed the lives of many. It was resolved 11 years later with our help and their dedication to fix their government. In 1998, the Democratic Republic of the Congo suffered a Diamond and Government War that was ended in 2003. Although the war is over, they are on the verge of a third war involving coltan; this material is extremely valuable here in the United States. In other words, we are funding this war, funding millions of deaths, and funding poverty.

If you are unaware the U.S. as well as Europe uses coltan for many daily used products. Coltan is used primarily for hearing aids and pacemakers, airbags and GPS, ignition systems and anti-lock braking systems in cars, to laptop computers and mobile phones, video games and digital cameras. The upsurge in electronic products over the past decade resulted with an inflated high demand and price increase for the mineral. The high demand means more lives at risk: young and old, men, women and children.

Perhaps, we could fund research programs that would be willing to find a different metal or substance to activate these multiple technological devices. Either way, I don’t find it appropriate to involve ourselves with a country whose tactics in collecting valuable goods is murder. This death rate due to this war has resulted in over 5.4 million to date. High death rates is not the only thing causing Congolese to suffer. The war has led to the recruitment of child soldiers, child slavery for coltan mines, an estimate 1.1 million more people now live with HIV/AIDS, the mass displacement of peoples, and the widespread use of rape as a weapon of war.

America cannot remain a forceful advocate by collecting, buying, selling or trading cargo from a country with an unstable government. We must show the world we are prepared to help nations in need. We can invest our money in another item that can help our technological needs and save the lives of thousands. We showed Sierra Leone democracy, why can we not do the same for the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

Barack Obama said in his inaugural speech, “To those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.” We took a huge step forward, as a nation, towards a new beginning. It is time to show “we are willing to extend a hand” for it is clear to see they have unclenched their fists.

I would appreciate it if you would contact me as soon as madam representative has the chance to ensure me that you will do everything possible to help out another nation in need. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter,

Sincerely,
Alejandra Torrero
5383 Camino Playa Norte
San Diego, CA 92124

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for Alejandra Torrero to dissolve the political bands which have connected her with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal staion to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle her, a decent respefct to the opinions of mankind requires that she should declare the causes which impel her to seperation.
The history of the present President of the United States and Government is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all hyaving in direct object the establihsment of an absolute Tyranny ov er the youth.
· They have restrained underage citizens to explore the city past the hour of eleven.
· They have restricted the youth to explore the blissfulness of tobacco until the age of eighteen.
· They have deemed it illegal for underaged voting, believing that minors are incapable of making informed decisions while most teenagers are more capable than older citizens.
· They have refused to give us the provuledge to bear arms given the state of our age while we could use it just as safely as older generations.
I, therefore, the Representative of the Teenagers of the United States of America, Assembled appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our inentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of this Nation, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Teenagers are, and of the Right out to be Free and Independent to do thses following things. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fotunes and our sacred Honor.