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Green Reporters – 4th online seminar

‘Preparing an Environmental Reportage’

Green Reporters’ 4th online seminar – December 19, 2022.

By Mrs. Maro Kouri, International photojournalist Maro Kouri (https://www.marokouri.com/).

Watch full seminar’s video recording on YouTube

Maro Kouri reporting on “Bangladesh Shipbreaking Yard”

Bangladesh shipbreakers have beached toxic ships for scrapping on the Chittagong coast for the last 30 years, according to the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, a global coalition of environmental, human and labor rights non-governmental organizations working for safe and clean ship recycling. ÇIt is a clear violation of the 2009 High Court order that stated that no ship could be beached without an environmental clearance certificate that guarantees that they are free of all in-built toxic materialsÈ explains Rizwana Hasan, Goldman Prize winner and Exectutive Director of Platform member, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Asssoication (BELA). The work is done on or around the beach by unskilled labourers who travel from the poorest parts to work for a pittance, largely without any protection. The sites see asbestos thrown freely about, the dust filling the air and the toxic smoke from metal cutting drifts amongst the workers. Heavy metals run freely into the sand along with the waste lubricants to pollute the beach and sea. Although there are safer and cleaner methods for recycling ships, cash buyers continue to sell their vessels to the poorest countries of South Asia to gain maximum profit.

Maro Kouri reporting on “Tanzania Albino Talisman”

St. Mary’s International School in Mwanza. Tindy, a 9 year old albino girl and her 11 year old albino sister, Viviana were both adopted by Mrs. Al Shaimaa, an albino member of the parliament after the criminal invasion of their home in Moshi of Kilimanjaro at the beginning of 2008. The invaders cut and took Viviana’s leg, in front of her sister’s eyes. Viviana is still afraid of men, and when the bell rings both sisters run to hide. In the black market of witch doctor’s, an albino’s limb is a talisman and costs over 10,000 US dollars. Criminals are uneducated, superstitious people who believe that albino’s limbs bring fortune to their fishing nets or to their gold mines. Mrs. Al Shaimaa pays for the two girls’ school. Viviana has an artificial leg which was implanted in Kilimanjaro KCMC hospital. Unfortunately, it is a small size. Police still search for the guilty parties. Tindy and Viviana are orphans. Their father was albino. They were living with their uncle. Their teacher, James Murkuk from Kenya, admires their progress in school. Mwanza, Tanzania, Africa