Some good news on the refugee front. The RISSE Amazon Wish List – wiped out repeatedly by the Army Of Good – is back up again, a modest list with four items ranging from recycling containers to beads to coloring books. The AOG has cleaned out the list 10 or 12 times now, and thank you. This is a good way to support the refugees and immigrants and their after school. Your support is desperately needed and deeply appreciated.

Check out the Wish List here.

Today, I’m going to Albany to see Farmaz, we  got him a beginner’s digital camera, the only thing he wanted for his birthday. He lives with his mother and sister in Albany, his father was killed in Afghanistan. His mother works several jobs cleaning offices and hotel rooms.

He asked to meet with me today, he wants to thank me for his camera and show me some of the photos he has taken.

I am excited to see  him. Farmaz is a very shy boy and sitting down and talking with me is difficult. I hope to make it easier. I can’t wait to see his pictures. My gut says this is a natural photographer. (Note: I’m bringing two other new digital cameras to RISSE today, so there will be one for each classroom. The teachers will take charge of the cameras, and pass them out, and hopefully, we can put the photos up on a wall.)