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Herpes simplex virus infections are an enormous global health problem and there is currently no viable vaccine. For nearly three decades, immunologists' efforts to develop a herpes vaccine have centered on exploiting a single protein found on the virus's outer surface that is known to elicit rob... Read More
A video from NASA shows how air pollution moves around the world. So what happens when emissions from Asia blow across the Pacific Ocean to North America?
Click "source" to read more Read More
U. MINNESOTA (US) — One effective way to fight the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as "superbugs," may be to treat municipal wastewater solids at higher temperatures. Heating the solid waste to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius) was particularly effective in eliminating ... Read More
AWARENESS OF EBOLA is picking up again in the United States: An American volunteer who was working in Sierra Leone has contracted Ebola and been medevac'd to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center for Ebola treatment, and 10 more volunteers have been brought back to NIH, Omaha and Atl... Read More
Bioelectrochemical processes have the potential to one day replace petrochemistry: Lysine production as example
Researchers have found that the electrification of the white biotechnology is not merely a green dream, but an alternative to petrochemistry with realistic economical potential. Compared to classical sugar based bio-processes, bioelectrochemical processes promise improved yields, which could tur... Read More
Chlorine, a disinfectant commonly used in most wastewater treatment plants, may be failing to completely eliminate pharmaceuticals from wastes. As a result, trace levels of these substances get discharged from the plants to the nation's waterways. And now, scientists are reporting preliminary st... Read More
Borrowing a trick from nature, engineers from the University of California at Berkeley have created an incredibly thin, chameleon-like material that can be made to change color—on demand—by simply applying a minute amount of force.
Click "source" to read more. Read More
Tiny parasitic hookworms infect nearly half a billion people worldwide, almost exclusively in developing countries. Researchers say sequencing the genome of a particular species could help develop more effective drugs.
Other hookworm species cause more disease among humans, but Ancylostoma ce... Read More
The lower estimates of acute phase infectivity suggest that recently infected individuals--who have not had the chance to start antiretroviral treatment--although still more infectious on average than those in the chronic stage of infection, are not as likely to infect others as was previously t... Read More
If advanced biofuels are to replace gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on a gallon-for-gallon basis at competitive pricing, we're going to need a new generation of fuel crops – plants designed specifically to serve as feedstocks for fuels.
Fuels made from the sugars in plants and other forms of bi... Read More
An advanced protective suit for health care workers who treat Ebola patients, devised by a Johns Hopkins team, is one of the first five awardees in a federal funding contest aimed at quickly devising new tools to combat the deadly disease.
The Johns Hopkins prototype is designed to do a bette... Read More
A dangerous, often deadly, type of bacteria that lives in soil and water has been released from a high-security laboratory at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in Louisiana. Officials say there is no risk to the public. Yet despite weeks of investigation by multiple federal and state a... Read More
Scientists have discovered a new hormone that fights the weight gain caused by a high-fat Western diet and normalizes the metabolism -- effects commonly associated with exercising. When tested in mice, the hormone blocked the negative health effects of eating a high-fat diet. Read More
Leprosy is a chronic infection of the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, affecting over a quarter million people worldwide. Its symptoms can be gruesome and devastating, as the bacteria reduce sensitivity in the body, resulting in skin lesions, nerve damage ... Read More
The Spanish fly exists, only it's actually a beetle. Oh, and you might die excruciatingly if you eat it.
Click "source" to read more. Read More
Look what the cat dragged in! The parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a common protozoan transmitted by cats, can effect mammalian brain cells in strange ways. In rodents, the parasite has been shown to inhibit fear and actually attract them to the smell of cat urine. Humans can be infected through c... Read More
Two Ebola aid workers - one American, one from Sierra Leone - received very different treatment after becoming infected with the virus. The American aid worker received an expedited course of treatment, travelling from a British Defense Ministry treatment center to the NIH in Bethesda, MD, whil... Read More
Viruses can be broadly classified according to whether or not the particle is enveloped – surrounded by a membrane taken from the host cell – or naked. Some naked viruses apparently are more modest than we believed. Read More


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All eyes on love
After a night out on the town with her sister, Charlotte Swann was getting ready to leave a Charlotte club and call it a night. Before she headed home, Andrew Love walked in and the two locked eyes. "It was like a movie where you see each other from across the room, which sounds corny," laughs Charlotte. The two introduced themselves and ended up talking and dancing. Andrew called Charlotte the next day, and the fateful night sparked a five-year relationship. On Christmas Day in 2009, Andrew's and Charlotte's families were gathered together and opening gifts. Charlotte opened two gifts from Andrew. The first was a pair of shoes and the second was perfume. Then Andrew handed her a card. She read the thoughtful and loving words, and when she reached the bottom it said in bold letters, "Will you marry me??" She looked up and Andrew was down on one knee revealing a beautiful ring. "I was more in shock than anything. I did not see it coming. I just sat there with my mouth open," recalls Charlotte. However, she finally gathered herself to say, "Yes!" Charlotte and Andrew wanted a traditional yet contemporary wedding. Charlotte wanted the white dress, wedding cake and bouquet of flowers. However, she didn't want a long ceremony or big church wedding. The couple wanted the wedding to be elegant and convenient for their guests, so they chose to have both the ceremony and reception at Hilton Charlotte University Place. The lakefront hotel served as a beautiful and contemporary ceremony site. There were even two swans swimming in the background of the ceremony! Charlotte looked breathtaking in her trumpet-fit, sparkly gown from Dar-Lynn's Bridal. Five years earlier, the couple had locked eyes from across the room, and on this April day the two locked eyes again and became husband and wife. The reception was all about having a good time. The décor was simple and elegant with beautiful flower centerpieces and floating candles. Nona's Sweets was responsible for the four-tiered wedding cake with cascading, purple hydrangeas. Image Gallery was there to capture all the memorable moments of the day. From their sweetheart table, Charlotte and Andrew felt the love as they looked out at all their friends and family having a wonderful time. After a relaxing week in the Bahamas, Charlotte and Andrew are now enjoying each other in the comfort of their everyday lives. The two are working and hoping to start a family, although they want to travel first before they settle down.
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Experienced Offensive Line Looks to Pave the Way for Hoyas
Hoyas offensive line features four players with starting experience
Experience, Depth and Toughness Characterize the Hoyas 2012 Offensive Line
Offensive line returns six players with starting experience
Georgetown Football Training Camp Preview: Hoyas Open Training Camp 2012 with High Expectations
Hoyas look to finish the job after falling one game shy of a Patriot League Championship in 2011
2013: Did not see game action during his freshman season...Selected to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
2012: Did not see game action during his freshman season.
High School: A six-time letterwinner, earning three letters in football and three letters in basetball...Football team captain during his senior season...Two-time Peoria Journal-Star All Area first team selection, two-time Mid-Illini All Conference first team selection and All-State honorable mention during his senior year...Helped lead team to state playoffs for two-consecutive seasons...Earned Academic All-State honors two times...Was coached by Jason Thiry.
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text: This is the Day By Rust Belt Media Insurance sales can be tough. It is even tougher if you have bad luck and a bad name.... more »Insurance sales can be tough. It is even tougher if you have bad luck and a bad name. Harry Buns seeks to be the most successful insurance agent in the world but he has issues. Shady characters and poor timing could prevent him from achieving his big break. Rust Belt Media & Charlie Newhart International This is the Day Starring: Ron Heisler & Charlie Newhart Written & Produced by Charlie Newhart Produced & Directed by Patrick Seeney Edited by Patrick Seeney, Aaron Schneider, & Nazneen Miah http://www.rustbeltmedia.com « less Published March 09, 2013 110 views More Info » Full Credits Rust Belt Media Uploader Stats & Data 9 Funny Votes 0 Die Votes 107 Views Published March 09, 2013 Categories: Web Series Clean Comedy Keywords: Mack B Detroit Eagle Motors 3 the hard way 2012 Inner Circle DWO funny Charlie Newhart Patrick Seeney Comedy Central Ron Heisler Nazneen Miah Harry Buns This is the Day Rust Belt Media The Daily Grinds 2013 New York Television Festival Mitten Movie Project Up Next: It's Not OK Cupid - Episode 1 AUTOPLAY Up Next In: 10 The Clash: The Last Gang in Town Spoon Prank WIN Dean Norris Spoils Everything Else on TV Sex on the hood.... while driving Follow Facebook Twitter Tumblr Instagram Browse Related Comments Vaguely Related Videos Vaguely RelatedPics & Words Advertisement Advertisement From Around the Web ZergNet


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Woman who killed girl, 17, in car wreck likely to get prison today
MARSHALL -- Sentencing is scheduled this afternoon in Lyon County District Court in Marshall for the woman who pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in the death of Morgan Leigh Cline, 17, of Kandiyohi.
Courtney Karen Voorhees, 30, of Cottonwood, pleaded guilty in May and is expected to receive a 41-month prison sentence under terms of a plea agreement.
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Our special coverage of the closest race for years
Explore the personal stories of Syrian refugees in Lebanon
11 Jun 2014�12:32 GMT | Health, Asia Pacific, Cambodia
Over the last 20 years, more than 14 million people have been cured of leprosy and the number of new cases has fallen dramatically. However, the battle against this chronic infectious disease is not over and the condition still affects thousands of people around the world.
In Cambodia, where hundreds of new cases of leprosy are detected each year, a new strategy called contract tracing has been introduced to halt transmission.
Contact tracing works by tracking down people who have been in touch with newly diagnosed leprosy patients and examining them for early signs of leprosy.� Once diagnosed they are offered free treatment.
Join Dr Louise Pealing in Cambodia to see how the initiative is helping to wipe out the chronic infection once and for all.�
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How the world's first 'bionic eye' is giving artificial sight to blind people.
Science & Technology, Health, Europe
The first new TB drug in 40 years brings hope to patients
Science & Technology, Health, Armenia
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Trash is a fast-growing import in the Scandinavian country, which turns it into heat for people's homes.
Environment, Europe, Sweden
Critics say the UK's home secretary is using Muslims as a 'political punchbag' in a bid to shore up right-wing support.
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It is a source of sustenance but also of tension and new political realities are now increasing uncertainty.
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How to keep a telenovela profitable and demanding sponsors happy while inspiring the production team to stay passionate.
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Posts Tagged 'Dateline NBC Ratings'
October 8th, 2011 at 8:31 am
TV Ratings Friday: 'Fringe,' 'Blue Bloods' Rise; 'Nikita,' 'CSI: NY' Fall; 'Supernatural,' 'A Gifted Man' Steady
Led by 'Blue Bloods' CBS won the night with adults 18-49;'Fringe' inched up, 'Nikita' inched down.[Read-More]
October 3rd, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Friday Final Broadcast TV Ratings: 'CSI: NY,' 'Kitchen Nightmares' Adjusted Up; Sorry 'Fringe' Fans, No Adjustment for You
Friday's final broadcast primetime ratings.[Read-More]
October 1st, 2011 at 8:21 am
Updated TV Ratings Friday: 'Fringe,' 'Gifted Man,' 'CSI:NY,' 'Blue Bloods,' 'Supernatural' Down; 'Kitchen Nightmares,' 'Nikita' Steady
All scripted shows but 'Nikita' have post premiere declines.[Read-More]
September 26th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Friday Final Broadcast TV Ratings: No Adults 18-49 Adjustments, Plus 'Fringe' & 'A Gifted Man' 15 min. Ratings
Friday's final broadcast primetime ratings.[Read-More]
September 24th, 2011 at 8:35 am
TV Ratings Friday: 'Fringe' Premieres Down; Modest Start for 'A Gifted Man'; A (S)Low Start for 'Nikita' + 'Blue Bloods' & More
'Blue Bloods' was the Friday's top show with a 2.0 adults 18-49 rating.[Read-More]
September 19th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Friday Final Broadcast Ratings: 'Secret Circle' Encore Adjusted Up
Friday's final broadcast primetime ratings.[Read-More]
September 19th, 2011 at 7:49 am
Lester Holt Named Principal Anchor of 'Dateline NBC'
via press release: LESTER HOLT NAMED PRINCIPAL ANCHOR OF "Dateline NBC" The Signature Newsmagazine Celebrates 20 Years of Story Telling - True[Read-More]
September 17th, 2011 at 10:18 am
TV Ratings Friday: 'Dateline' Again Leads NBC Win; 'Karaoke Battle USA' Finishes Down
NBC won the night with adults 18-49 and total viewers.[Read-More]


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'House of horrors' woman says her statements can't be used
A woman charged in the "House of horrors" case in Portage says the things she told police should not be used against her.
On Monday, Candace Clark, 24, told a judge she was confused when she spoke to officers because she didn't have her required diabetes medicines, food or water.
As a result, Clark said she never understood she had the right to speak with a lawyer.
But a jailor insisted Clark got her medicines.


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Take the Tour
Comments (page 14)
When Bad Things Happen
Dear God, Your mercies are indefatigable,and Your presence sustains me through the day.Reply
Hello Tyler Atlanta
Jesus is LordReply
Sandra Donaldson Maryland
03/14/2015 Hello Tyler, I have always admired your body of work, you have put out some great inspiring plays and movies that has help many of us. I want to share an idea with you for a project that I have. Without hesitation, I strongly believed that you can put wings to this project. The end result of the project will be remarkable. I know that you are a very busy person, and your plate is over flowing with other demands. However, please take the time to reach out to me and I can give you details of the project. I know you will make all of us happy, meaning your fans to bring this project to the big screen. Thank you for taking the time to read my email and I hope to hear from you someday soon. Please continue making inspirational movies. Peace and Blessing ~SD~Reply
....those latest Madea commercials are hilarious United States
Appreciate your craft. I heard y'all rehearsals were a blast...Reply
This is the day United States
The Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.Reply
Sharon Renae Dixon Biloxi, MS
I love you. Have a good day.Reply
The peace of this world is elusive,at best. Our only hope is the peace we find when we walk closely with Jesus.Reply
Psalm 73:24
You guide me with your counsel,and afterward you will take me into glory.Reply
Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentiethReply
Matthew 7:7 United States
Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find: keep on knocking { reverently} and { the door} will be opened to you.Reply
Isaiah 48:22
"There is no peace for the wicked," says the Lord.Reply
If you keep your eyes on Jesus, you can endure anythingReply


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They are an organization dedicated to teaching and training kids and coaches in the awesome game of soccer.
NMCYS Youth Division – They have NO TRY OUTS for their Youth League Teams!
Everybody plays! Ages 3-19! Their games provide more touches on the ball, so your child gets excited and gains a wealth of experience!


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2-7-14 The Rash Report On The WCCO Morning News With Dave Lee
The Beatles and the Olympics take center stage this weekend. Click the link above to listen to THE RASH REPORT.
U.S. Women's Hockey Team Looking For Gold
Women's hockey gets started this weekend at the Sochi Olympics and the U.S. team has a strong Minnesota flavor. But beyond that, they're excited for the chance to win America's first gold since the very first gold.
2014 Sochi Games Pregame Playlist
As Team USA gears up for the biggest sporting events of their lives in Sochi, they need some motivation to push themselves in ways they never have before.
Minn. Curler Prepares For Third Olympic Games
On another chilly morning in Duluth, as the clouds roll in and the city wakes up, John Shuster is hoping his 8-month-old son Luke is ready for some sleep. "Every day … I toss him in the car seat and head down to the (curling) club," Shuster said. "And hope he has a long nap." That's when the stay-at-home dad walks into his second home. His sanctuary.
Kevin Love Named To Initial U.S. National Team
For the second time, Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love has been named to the initial roster for the U.S. Nation Team for 2014-16. The roster was released Thursday morning by USA Basketball, and Love was one of 28 players named.
1-23-14 Mike Max Sports On The Morning News With Dave Lee
Are Gophers looking like a NCAA Tourney Team? Click the link to listen to Mike's thoughts.
Wild Players Parise, Suter Express Concern Over Sochi Security
As athletes from around the world prepare to attend the Olympics in Sochi next month, concerns about security continue to mount. One member of the Senate Intelligence Committee says he wouldn't go, and he wouldn't have his family go.
1-10-14 The Rash Report On The Morning News With Dave Lee
Why is the Award Show season so condensed this year? Click the above link to listen to THE RASH REPORT with John Rash.
P & G Olympic Ad Is Tear-Jerker
A tribute to moms
Granlund, Koivu Named To Finnish Olympic Team
As many as five Minnesota Wild players will play for their native countries in the Winter Olympics next month. Forwards Mikael Granlund and Mikko Koivu were named Tuesday to Finland's roster. Koivu's participation is in question because of a broken ankle he suffered Saturday and had surgery to fix Monday.
Curlers Rock Fargo For Shot At 2014 Olympic Games
The leader of the only U.S. team to win an Olympic curling medal has spent the last several days playing before a mostly empty arena in North Dakota. Pete Fenson doesn't mind. He still remembers the parade in Bemidji, Minn., that had residents waving brooms and American flags in 2006.
The Wrong Man
Has the media and law enforcement learned any lessons from the Olympic bombing in 1996?
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12 time Olympic swimming medalist Dara Torres was in town for two days
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US Wrestling Officials Cheer Olympic Reinstatement
Gold medalist Jordan Burroughs and his fiance nervously awaited word Sunday on whether wrestling would be reinstated as an Olympic sport.
Vonn Skis In Chile, Optimistic About Knee Rehab
Lindsey Vonn is skiing in Chile and way ahead of her rehab schedule with the Sochi Olympics five months away. The four-time World Cup overall champion returned to the slopes over the weekend nearly seven months after her injury.
Backyard Olympics: How To Have Your Own Field Day
Give your kids a summer day filled with friends, fitness and fun! Organizing a Backyard Olympics can be as simple or complex as you want to make it, so don't be afraid to dive in and indulge your kids with a field day of their own!
Finding Minnesota: The Biathlon At Camp Ripley
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A Minnesota lawmaker and former wrestler is going back to the mat, this time with the International Olympic Committee.
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Russians Prepare To Invade Timberwolves
Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved have been basking in the success of Russia's bronze medal in the Olympics just about long enough. They both say they're ready to come to Minnesota to join the Timberwolves.
Olympics Over, McCutcheon Starts As Gophers Coach
Hugh McCutcheon is about to formally take over as Minnesota's coach, silver medal and all.
Former Olympian Busted For Soliciting Prostitution
A former Olympian who is now running for parks commissioner in the west metro area was busted for soliciting a prostitute.
Kristi Yamaguchi Talks Skating And Literacy On WCCO Morning News
Olympic Skating gold medalist and Dancing with the Stars Champ Kristi Yamaguchi called into the WCCO Morning News with Dave Lee on Friday.
Gloria Estefan Previews Talent-Themed Show "The Next"
Famed singer and musician from the Miami Sound Machine, Gloria Estefan, joined Dave Lee on the WCCO Morning News


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Mandragora officinarum
|Mandragora officinarum
|Scientific classification
|M. officinarum
|Binomial name
|Mandragora officinarum
Mandragora officinarum or mandrake is the type species of the plant genus Mandragora, native to Europe and Mediterranean region. It is a perennial herbaceous plant with ovate leaves, white to purple flowers, which produce red berries. It is sometimes called autumn mandrake or Mediterranean mandrake to distinguish it from the other speciess of Mandragora.[1]
Because mandrake contains deliriant hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids and shape of its roots often resembles human figures, it has been associated with a variety of superstitious practices throughout the history. It has long been used in magic rituals, today also in contemporary pagan traditions such as Wicca and Odinism. [2]
Physical characteristics[edit]
Mandrake is a perennial plant growing to 0.1 by 0.3 m (0.33 by 0.98 ft). It is in leaf from late winter to midsummer, in flower from late winter through early spring, and the seeds ripen in late summer.[dubious ] The flowers are hermaphroditic (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. The plant is self-fertile.
The roots are somewhat carrot-shaped and can be up to 1.2 m (3.9 ft) long; they often divide into two and are vaguely suggestive of the human body. This root gives off at the surface of the ground a rosette of ovate-oblong to ovate, wrinkled, crisp, sinuate-dentate to entire leaves, 5 to 40 cm (2.0 to 15.7 in) long, somewhat resembling those of the tobacco plant. A number of one-flowered nodding peduncles spring from the neck bearing whitish-green or purple flowers, nearly 5 cm (2.0 in) broad, which produce globular, orange to red berries, resembling small tomatoes. The fruit and the seeds are poisonous.[3]
Leaves grow in a rosette, and are ovate-oblong to ovate, wrinkled, crisp, sinuate-dentate to entire leaves, 5 to 40 cm (2.0 to 15.7 in) long, somewhat resembling those of the tobacco plant. A number of one-flowered nodding peduncles spring from the neck bearing whitish-green or purple flowers, nearly 5 cm (2.0 in) broad, which produce globular, orange to red berries, resembling small tomatoes. All parts of the plant are poisonous. The plant grows natively in southern and central Europe and in lands around the Mediterranean Sea, as well as on Corsica.
The plant requires well-drained, acidic or neutral soils; it prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) ones. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It grows in woodlands, cultivated beds, sunny edges, and dappled shade in locations where temperature never drops under about -15°C.
The alkaloid chemicals contained in the root include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. These chemicals are anticholinergics, hallucinogens, and hypnotics. Anticholinergic properties can lead to asphyxiation. Ingesting mandrake root is likely to have other adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhea. The alkaloid concentration varies between plant samples, and accidental poisoning is likely to occur.[4]
Mandrake has a long history of medicinal use, although superstition has played a large part in the uses to which it has been applied. It is rarely prescribed in modern herbalism.[citation needed]
The fresh or dried root contains highly poisonous alkaloids, including atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine, scopine, and cuscohygrine.[5] The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of oblivion and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times.[6] In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains.[6] It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania.[6] When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness.[6]
In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it.[2] Therefore in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil.[2]
In the Bible[edit]
Two references to דודאים (dûdã'im)—literally meaning "love plant"—occur in the Jewish scriptures. The Septuagint translates דודאים (dûdã'im) as μανδραγόρας (mandragoras), and Vulgate follows Septuagint. A number of later translations into different languages follow Septuagint (and Vulgate) and use mandrake as the plant as the proper meaning in both Genesis 30:14–16 and Song of Solomon 7:13. Others follow the example of the Luther Bible and provide a more literal translation.
In Genesis 30:14, Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob and Leah finds mandrake in a field. Rachel, Jacob's infertile second wife and Leah's sister, is desirous of the דודאים and barters with Leah for them. The trade offered by Rachel is for Leah to spend that night in Jacob's bed in exchange for Leah's דודאים. Leah gives away the plant to her barren sister, but soon after this (Genesis 30:14–22), Leah, who had previously had four sons but had been infertile for a long while, became pregnant once more and in time gave birth to two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah. Only years after this episode of her asking for the mandrakes did Rachel manage to become pregnant. The predominant traditional Jewish view is that דודאים were an ancient folk remedy to help barren women conceive a child.[citation needed]
14 And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
15 And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.—the Bible, King James Version, Genesis 30:14–16[7]
A number of other plants have been suggested by biblical scholars,[citation needed] e.g., most notably, ginseng, which looks similar to the mandrake root and reputedly has fertility enhancing properties, for which it was picked by Reuben in the Bible; blackberries, Zizyphus lotus, the sidr of the Arabs, the banana, lily, citron, and fig. Sir Thomas Browne, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica, ch. VII, suggested the dudai'im of Genesis 30:14 is the opium poppy, because the word duda'im may be a reference to a woman's breasts.
The final verses of Song of Songs (Song of Songs 7:12–13), are:
לְכָ֤ה דֹודִי֙ נֵצֵ֣א הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה נָלִ֖ינָה בַּכְּפָרִֽים׃ נַשְׁכִּ֙ימָה֙ לַכְּרָמִ֔ים נִרְאֶ֞ה אִם פָּֽרְחָ֤ה הַגֶּ֙פֶן֙ פִּתַּ֣ח הַסְּמָדַ֔ר הֵנֵ֖צוּ הָרִמֹּונִ֑ים שָׁ֛ם אֶתֵּ֥ן אֶת־דֹּדַ֖י לָֽךְ׃
12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.13 The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.—the Bible, King James Version, Song of Songs 7:12–13[8]
Magic and witchcraft[edit]
According to the legend, when the root is dug up, it screams and kills all who hear it. Literature includes complex directions for harvesting a mandrake root in relative safety. For example Josephus (circa 37–100 AD) of Jerusalem gives the following directions for pulling it up:
A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this, the root can be handled without fear.[9]
Excerpt from Chapter XVI, "Witchcraft and Spells", of Transcendental Magic: Its Doctrine and Ritual by nineteenth-century occultist and ceremonial magician Eliphas Levi.
The following is taken from Paul Christian's The History and Practice of Magic:[10]
Would you like to make a Mandragora, as powerful as the homunculus (little man in a bottle) so praised by Paracelsus? Then find a root of the plant called bryony. Take it out of the ground on a Monday (the day of the moon), a little time after the vernal equinox. Cut off the ends of the root and bury it at night in some country churchyard in a dead man's grave. For 30 days, water it with cow's milk in which three bats have been drowned. When the 31st day arrives, take out the root in the middle of the night and dry it in an oven heated with branches of verbena; then wrap it up in a piece of a dead man's winding-sheet and carry it with you everywhere.
In literature[edit]
In its more sinister significance:
- Machiavelli wrote in 1518 a play Mandragola (The Mandrake) in which the plot revolves around the use of a mandrake potion as a ploy to bed a woman.
- Shakespeare refers four times to mandrake and twice under the name of mandragora.
- "... Not poppy, nor mandragora,
- Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
- Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
- Which thou owedst yesterday."
- Shakespeare: Othello III.iii
- "Give me to drink mandragora ...
- That I might sleep out this great gap of time
- My Antony is away."
- Shakespeare: Antony and Cleopatra I.v
- "Shrieks like mandrakes' torn out of the earth."
- Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet IV.iii
- "Would curses kill, as doth the mandrake's groan"
- King Henry VI part II III.ii
- John Donne refers to it in the second line of his song, 'Go and catch a falling star', as an example of an impossible task,
- "Get with child a mandrake root"
- Alraune (German for Mandrake) is a novel by German novelist Hanns Heinz Ewers published in 1911.
- It is in Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot, too. "Let's hang ourselves immediately!" "It'd give us an Erection!" "An Erection!" "With all that follows—where it falls, Mandrakes grow, that's why they shriek when you pull them up. Did you not know that?"
- In Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, mandrakes can be found in the Hogwarts greenhouses. When pulled out of the earth, they resemble humans, and just as in the mythology, the cry is fatal. The mandrake can also revive those who have been petrified.
- In The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck, Ethan Hawley mentions both the form and legend of the mandrake root in chapter eight when describing a collection of "worthless family treasures" as follows: "We even had a mandrake root—a perfect little man, sprouted from the death-ejected sperm of a hanged man ..."
- In Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro, the Fawn, Pan, explains that a mandrake root is "A plant that dreamt of being human", and it can have healing powers if instructions are followed.
- In Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett, a reference to the mandrake is made, describing a plant that lets out a supersonic scream when it is uprooted.
- In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Adventure of the Devil's Foot (contained in the Sherlock Homes collection His Last Bow) a crystalline extract of "Devil's Foot Root", also called mandrake, is at the root, so to speak, of two bizarre and related murders.
- In Neil Gaiman's "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" Lettie Hempstock trades a Mandrake for a shadow-bottle to attempt to send Ursula Monkton away "Mandrakes are so loud when you pull them up, and I didn't have earplugs"
- In The Republic by Plato, mandrake is used in an image whereby men use it to drug a ship captain, and take control of the ship (488 c4).
- ^ a b USDA GRIN Taxonomy, retrieved 28 March 2015
- ^ a b c John Gerard (1597). "Herball, Generall Historie of Plants". Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.
- ^ Mandrake in wildflowers of Israel
- ^ Piccillo, G.A.; Mondati, E.G.M.; Moro, P.A. (2002). "Six clinical cases of Mandragora autumnalis poisoning: diagnosis and treatment". European Journal of Emergency Medicine 9 (4): 342–347. doi:10.1097/00063110-200212000-00010.
- ^ Hanuš, Lumír O.; Řezanka, Tomáš; Spížek, Jaroslav; Dembitsky, Valery M. (2005). "Substances isolated from Mandragora species". Phytochemistry 66 (20): 2408–17. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2005.07.016. PMID 16137728.
- ^ a b c d A Modern Herbal, first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve, contains Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore.
- ^ "Genesis 30:14–16 (King James Version)". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "Song of Songs 7:12–13 (King James Version)". Bible Gateway. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ James Hastings (October 2004). A Dictionary of the Bible: Volume III: (Part I: Kir -- Nympha). University Press of the Pacific. ISBN 978-1-4102-1726-4. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ pp. 402-403, by Paul Christian. 1963
Further reading[edit]
- Heiser, Charles B. Jr (1969). Nightshades, The Paradoxical Plant, 131-136. W. H. Freeman & Co. SBN 7167 0672-5.
- Thompson, C. J. S. (reprint 1968). The Mystic Mandrake. University Books.
External links[edit]
|Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mandragora officinarum.
|Wikispecies has information related to: Mandragora officinarum
- Erowid Mandrake Vault
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Mandrake". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Translation of Grimm's Saga No. 84 The Mandrake
- Mandragora in Wildflowers of Israel


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Natural Resources
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An 18-year-old Mill Park male died in a tragic single vehicle crash, while his female companion is in the hospital over serious head injuries.
Police told AAP the teen driver's car veered off Bonds Road at Lower Plenty and crashed through a fence before rolling several times, about 10.50pm (AEDT) on Monday.
Police suspects the teen driver lost control of his car, causing him to die on the scene.
A police statement noted the driver's lone passenger has been rushed to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious head injuries.
The death brings Victoria's road toll to 19, six more than at the same time last year, AAP reported.


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Check out these new additions to Nassau County, Long Island, that cater to kids and families.
Rockin' Ropers
Lucie B Jump N' Fun now has a new location in Baldwin. Originally located in Woodmere with a sub-location in Great Neck, Lucie B continues to conduct exercise programs for children using jump rope skills. Children progress to different moves such as crosses and two arms behind the back as they become comfortable with the correct way to use the rope. "They don't even know they are exercising," said owner Dion T. The more advanced students learn double-dutch, moves in double doubles, entering and leaving, special footwork and how to cartwheel and handstand inside the moving rope. Kids are grouped into ages 5- 6, 7-12, 14-16, and 17 and up. Lucie B provides a super cardio workout to music that is new and fun. The new location can be found at 807 Atlantic Avenue in Baldwin, and is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:45-8:30pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-8:30pm, Fridays from 1:45-3:30pm, and Sundays from 10am-12 pm. 807 Atlantic Avenue, Baldwin. 516-791-1028. www.luciebjumpnfun.com.
Easy Sewing
Kids Are Sewing has recently added sewing instruction classes on sewing machines to those who have completed their beginners sewing classes. Each sewing kit includes simple pattern instructions for decorative stitches, all of the fabric needed as well as the needles and thread. Sewing lessons and instructions for children age 7 and up are also available with sewing kit projects in Needleart. These programs introduce the tools of sewing and practice on various fabrics. All of the materials are provided. Teachers are available to travel to small gatherings or school groups for sewing lessons as well. The new classes are available on Wednesday or Thursday from 4-6pm at Christ Church of Parish Hall in Oyster Bay. Private lessons must be scheduled in advance. Contact Ms. Barbara at firstname.lastname@example.com or 866-920-3996.
Fitness for All
Providing an exercise experience for individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities since 2004, HOPEFitness creates an opportunity for everyone to exercise in a safe environment and comfortable atmosphere. Their mission is to bring a fun and challenging experience in exercise to youths and adults with disabilities while opening their doors to the general public. This integrates inclusion while providing clients with special needs with a gym they can call their own. Believing that all individuals have the fundamental right to partake in a program that helps to maintain ones' quality of life, HOPEFitness offers group fitness training as well as personal training, aerobic dance classes and a multi-sensory kids program. These classes reduce stress, burn calories, increase flexibility and build self-esteem. HOPEFitness can be found in both Nassau and Suffolk counties: 2750 North Jerusalem Road, North Bellmore; 1615 Ninth Avenue, Bohemia. 877-396-HOPE. www.HOPEFitness.com. email@example.com.
Locust Valley Day Camp Adds Science Programs
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LIU Post Youth Camp To Begin Cheerleading Program
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FGM-Free Village Model (MDG 3 – Gender Empowerment) Progress Report January – December 2006 I. INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING I.1. Project Unit at NCCM The project secretariat at the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) comprises the following staff members: Senior Project Supervisor Ambassador Hussein El Sadr National Project Director: Ms. Mona Hassan Amin NGO Coordinator: Dr. Magdy Helmy Training Officer: Dr. Vivian Fouad Youth Coordinator: Ms. Dalia El-Motaz Finance Officer: Ms. Dina El Tobgy NGO Monitoring Support Staff: Mr. Akmal Gamal Ms. Walaa Hassan Project Secretary: Ms. Sarah Sayed UNDP is providing technical support to the NCCM projects through a full time programme officer (Ms. Simona Galbiati), a project Assistant Ms. Samira Helmy) and a finance assistant (Ms. Inji Ayad). I.2. Project Unit at local level: FOCAL NGOs NGO Contracts for the 12 Focal NGOs in Upper Egypt were terminated end of June 2006 and were renewed with an extension agreement for six months till end of December 2006. The 8 Focal NGOs in Lower Egypt (expansion phase) were contracted for a probation period as of January 2006 and contracts ended in June 2006 and were extended with a similar 6 months extension thus ensuring that all 20 NGOs shall be renewed in line with the project Fiscal year which ends in December. The project terminated the contract with the Young Muslim Men Association in Minya Governorate due to the numerous internal managerial problems that the NGO faced with the risk of compromising the sustainability of the project activities at the grassroot level in the villages. In order to avoid disruptions in the project implementation, the project team, led by the Senior supervisor, decided to continue the project activities with another focal NGO that had less problems with their board of directors and personnel. A selection process was conducted amongst several NGOs in Minya working with children issues, especially those related to girls' rights topics like FGM or early marriage etc. Upon a field visit to the selected NGOs and an analytical review of their proposals, the NGO 1 monitoring staff, NGO coordinator and the remaining project team selected Misr Youth NGO. The Misr Youth NGO proved to have a solid experience in the villages in Minya, in addition to their previous scope of developmental work and their belief that FGM is a clear violation of child rights from different angles. In addition to the Focal NGOs in the selected governorates, the project contracted the Eyoun el Wadi NGO located in both Aswan and Cairo Governorates. This NGO is specialized in the provision of quality medical services. It is founded by a number of young professional doctors in Kasr Aini Med School. The NGO works on strengthening the medical services on the ground particularly in the villages that have announced their stance against FGM, i.e. Benban village, and will establish a pilot Family Medicine Clinic in the Village, attracting the families in the village that announced their positive stance, in addition to attracting other families with girls at risk from the neighboring villages. Village Selection for Lower Egypt: The project team has completed the selection process for the villages in Lower Egypt in collaboration with the selected Focal NGOs based on the following criteria: 1. the local community is willing to accept the principle of introducing FGM within the girls' rights package 2. previous exposure to the issue of FGM 3. level of acceptance to the anti-FGM campaign. I.3. Project Unit at local level: UNVs 42 UNVs currently on board: 5 UNVs from the Medical School of Ain Shams University, 1 from Faculty of Commerce Helwan University, 3 Specialists, 2 working inside the NGOs, 5 helping in M&E of NGOs, 25 field workers, 1 UNV offering technical support at NCCM. II. ADVOCACY NETWORK and ACTIVITIES II.1 NGO Networking The project held the following coordination meetings for the Upper Egypt NGOs and furthermore the project team met Lower Egypt NGOs separately: - NGO meetings for Upper Egypt Governorates: 2 meetings 3 days each. The first meeting assessed the progress achieved and the shortcomings occurred during the first declarations held last year, and evaluate the effectiveness of the current community initiatives in addition to making relevant recommendations for the community initiatives based on the assessment of the full time field specialists. The second meeting was held for the directors and accountants for incorporating and introducing new rules for the financial reporting and technical in order to ensure that all technical and financial gaps are closed in the reports submitted especially that the Upper Egypt NGOs have been on board now for the 3 years. - NGO meeting for Lower Egypt Governorates: 1 one day meeting held in January 2006 for establishing all the rules and reporting requirements for the project. 2 The project team held individual meetings with all NGOs on board prior to June (the 6 months renewal note) in order to assess the work done and finalize and refine initiatives planned until the end of December 2006. II.2 Training Village Profile training for Lower Egypt NGO. The training was held by project team in collaboration with key field coordinators from the Upper Egypt NGOs. The project team incorporated key indicators in the study thus ensuring that the scope of the study focuses closely on local community attitudes towards FGM specifically and girls' rights issues generally, in order to define the most effective entry points for the new villages in addressing FGM. Moreover, the village profile will also focus on analyzing existing services and community needs in order to develop effective community initiatives that cater to the actual demands of the community especially in sectors like education and health which directly influence the quality of life of families and children. Village profile training for NGOs was completed in December 2006. In addition, the consultant completed the training, scheduled field work and data collection for the village profile in collaboration with the focal NGOs, to be done in January 2007. The deadline for submitting the draft report of village profile for Lower Egypt is March 2007. Media Training. The project contracted a short term consultant in the second quarter for 4 months as a Media Advisor in order to deliver 2 workshops for media personnel and creative comic book artists. The project established a preliminary plan of action for addressing unified messages to the media personnel and under the guidance of the Media Advisor held 2 Focus Group Discussions primarily for TV and Radio personnel and another FGD for journalists. a) The aim of the FGDs was to assess primary needs of media personnel in order to enhance their performance regarding introducing child rights issues with a focus on FGM. b) Secondly the project held a 3 day workshop for selected media personnel to develop a curriculum guideline publication for TV, Radio and Press personnel to address FGM within their scope of work within a defined framework ensuring that FGM media coverage does not instigate negative feelings among the public and yet gains both rational and emotional grounds among families with girls at risk.Media Personnel guidelines book draft completed by media expert and edited by project training coordinator. c) Furthermore, the media book incorporated a thorough analysis of media works that tackled FGM in the past in addition to the progress that happened lately in addressing FGM without confusing messages for the various target groups with girls at risk. d) The project media advisor also delivered a training course for the project UNVs on the different means of documenting project activities through field interviews that are taped or shot by a Digital Camera, furthermore, the UNVs were also trained on utilizing such raw material and presenting it in an attractive form that could make a good story of which other young people can benefit from. e) The project also held a media training workshop for script writers and comic strip artists in which FGM was introduced from a comprehensive approach thus enabling creative persons to 3 incorporate appropriate messages pertaining to child rights and FGM into their work. The participants submitted to the project different forms of comic strips and stories and the project will filter all materials submitted and produce the most valid work and incorporate it in the Anti-FGM kit produced for school children or adolescence which represent the largest segment of the targeted population that can abandon the practice in upcoming generations. The project facilitated a focus group discussion for the mid term evaluation thus incorporating the trend changes in media channels (Press – TV and Radio) in tackling FGM and also including future recommendations for the media personnel. Judges: The project team held several meetings with the head of the Human Rights Department in the Ministry of Justice, to establish the framework for collaboration and develop the program agenda for the first training course (3 days) held out of Cairo for 50 Judges and district attorneys. The training was held in July and the main objectives of the course was 1. to revisit all the national and international conventions on child rights, 2. to analyze and assess all legislative measures related with FGM 3. to provide legal personnel with in-depth information on, social and medical dimensions of FGM within the framework of the child rights. The workshop searched all the legal implications of FGM and the importance of advocating properly for a law that punish practitioners like doctors, dayas, nurses, health barbers etc and provide counseling to families. The workshop resulted in substantive impact among young judges: a core of approximately 15 judges volunteered to submit papers on their suggestions of introducing legal means to protect girls from FGM since there is a clear harm that is inflicted on the girl child immediately and yet more in the long run. These judges will participate in the next training to help the dynamics and to encourage the second team to open up and make other legislative recommendations for the Attorney General. The recommendations of the workshop were developed by the Judges and submitted formally through the Human Rights Dept. of the Ministry of Justice. Synopsis of Judges Workshop Recommendations pertaining to FGM: - To continue the formulation of legal anti-fgm lobby groups through further workshops to iterate and envision a clear law and unified procedure to punish practitioners of FGM. - Strengthening the role of concerned institutions whether governmental, Non governmental, religious or media persons to develop preventive mechanisms for protecting children at risk from all violence forms. - To invest the role of NCCM in revisiting the child law and incorporating key violence issues that are addressed at the national, regional and international scene. Three comprehensive research papers were submitted by the selected group of judges that participated in the legal training workshop. Furthermore, the concept papers tackled possible social service punishments for parents (like attending a training course on the detriments of FGM) and as for the practitioners whether service providers or traditional practitioners like barbers or midwives a severe punishment is highly recommended in order to reduce the magnitude of the practice in the future. 4 A focus group discussion was held by the Population Council with 15 judges to assess the impact of training on legal society and the future prospects of criminalizing FGM in the Egyptian penal code. Doctors training and the "Doctors Against FGM Civic Movement": The project team performed a thorough perusal of all the outcomes of the doctors' training carried end of 2005 and the doctors recommendations are summarized to the following: 1. FGM is not a medical practice and is considered a violation of the medical code of ethics. 2. Formulate anti–FGM lobby group from doctors in the different governorates where the Free Village Model project is implementing its initiatives. 3. To incorporate FGM as a key violence issue in the curricula addressed for doctors in the rural units and med schools. 4. To extend the project's comprehensive anti-FGM curricula to all doctors concerned with the issue in order to enhance their capacity to respond to community inquiries when families with girls at risk ask about the decision of continuing or abandoning such a practice. 5. To strengthen the communication and counseling skills of medical practitioners in order to enable doctors to deliver clear unified messages based on documented scientific grounds to families with girls at risk. 6. To disseminate the 1996 Minister of Health Decree that bans doctors to practice FGM in addition to the supplementary explanatory note that accompanies the decree and carry out strong informative campaigns amongst local doctors 7. To effectuate the application of the MOHP decree. 8. To adjust the loophole in the MOHP pertaining to FGM thus giving no excuses for practitioners. The project completed in collaboration with the Eyoun El Wadi NGO the first phase of the training for doctors in Aswan on general eye health examinations and screening for the schools, reproductive health key issues on the most frequent problems of RH among adolescents and FGM. Furthermore, the project team started exploring the expansion phase for similar training courses especially in Qena governorate where there is a lobby group composed of a number of doctors against FGM. Health service needs in Qena are similar to Aswan governorate. Shift in Islamic Religious Institutions attitude toward FGM – In November 2006 Dar el Ifta in collaboration with Al-Azhar and TARGET (a German Islamic NGO) held an international conference on prevention of practices that violate the woman's body (FGM only issue discussed). Conference was attended by all key Islamic heads like the Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, the Mufti, Minister of Endowments and key Islamic scholars like Dr. Youssef El Karadawy. NCCM secretary General, Amb. Moushira Khattab presented an entire profile on FGM from a comprehensive child rights persepective. The conference is considered to be a great shift among religious leaders resulting in a serious call for action against FGM because it is a clear violation of the rights of the girl child. For the first time a clear unified position of the most eminent Islamic Authorities publicly states that Islam does not call for FGM, and that FGM is un-Islamic. The conference requested all legislative organizations to establish a law that condemn and criminalizes practitioners of FGM Furthermore, all local media channels covered the conference recommendations extensively. The conference received strong media coverage, some positive and some negative as expected. But most importantly the conference got support 5 From the Islamic Papers that have high distribution at governorate level like The "Loaa El Islami" "Islam on Line", the Islamic website, featured a detailed reportage on the conference and its positive implications on religious leaders. (see press coverage analysis enclosed) II.3 Youth Interventions: The past year demonstrated that University students have a strong influential status in their rural communities and some of them have already initiated a volunteer network advocating stopping FGM. The youth interventions aim at empowering youth to voice a stronger opinion against FGM and to positively influence their families and their peers' attitudes. Furthermore, the UNVs were able to establish an awareness raising and advocacy component where they address High School students on FGM as a key harmful practice that violates the dignity and rights of the girl child. During the second quarter, the UNVs held the following activities in different Governorates: Beni Suef: 10 seminars held on FGM with High schools' board members, in addition to open seminars for students. Thus introducing FGM as key priority issue of violence against children in schools. Students created small lobby groups in schools to convince parents of the detriments of the practice. Minya: 8 seminars held in UNV villages and high schools where UNVs are originally working: young girls and boys were encouraged to speak openly about the detriments of FGM as young people do not see any reasonable rationale behind practice continuity. The Helwan University UNVs organized a number of activities targeting FGM in different youth outlets. They partnered with the High Council for Youth and collaborated in the youth summer camps during the months June 2006 to mid September 2006. The schedule was divided between all UNVs and each camp targeted 250-300 young girls and boys in the youth age group, where the UNVs advocated for the protection of children rights and the abandonment of the practice of FGM. Furthermore, the group organized a medical caravan in Kalubia in addition to the regular follow up visits in the new Lower Egypt governorates. They received hely from other UNVs in Minya and Beni Suef who also supported the project team during the Village Profile training. They committed themselves to support Lower Egypt NGOs during the performance of the village profile. Ain Shams Med School UNVs: This group established a family group called Osra Fekra inside the faculty of medicine at Ain Shams University. The group aims at creating anti-FGM pressure groups in the university. The group chose one of the renown Ob/Gyn. Professors to lead the group and started gaining grounds among the students with the introduction of printing examination notebooks (containing Child rights inserts), and arranging First Aid Training Courses. They also organized one week training for a group of supportive and active students tackling FGM from a comprehensive perspective. The training organized was supported by a number of professors thus reflecting growing anti- FGM movement inside an Egyptian Med School. The UNVs organized a one day meeting with project team in October 2006 in which it was agreed that this meeting will be held monthly in order to enable the UNVs to exchange their respective experiences and submit their plans regularly thus getting both their colleague and project team insight on the ultimate priority issues among youth and the mechanisms for involving larger groups of young people. 6 Most UNVs participated in the sailing the Nile for MDGs Initiative. Amongst the 8 stops, Minya was dedicated to Gender Empowerment with a special focus on ending violence against women and particularly FGM (see annex I – Minia Programme). Eight feluccas were sailing down the Nile, stopping in eight towns from the 26 th of October starting with UN Day celebrations in Aswan, South Egypt and ending with International Volunteer's Day and Human Rights Day celebrations in Cairo on the 8th of December. Each felucca represented one of the MDGs and had the corresponding "arabised" MDG symbol on the sail. The feluccas exposed Upper Egypt to successful MDG projects involving volunteerism and guided and inspired local communities to start their own projects to realize the MDGs from a Human Right perspective and to volunteer in UN- led MDG projects. In addition, various cultural, sports and arts activities took place in each chosen location. In each town concrete visible results and tools were left behind benefiting the local community. A partnership strategy brought together the United Nations, the Government, civil society, private sector, media, academia and communities to help build the capacity and empower the people of Egypt to reach the MDGs through volunteer efforts. The initiative in Minia was supported by the anti – FGM movement in Minya governorate and their insights were incorporated in the film of Sotna/think twice (UNDP/UNICEF Project) on the practice of FGM in Minya. More info on www.offshoot.tv were you can download a number of videos related to the project and on the official web www.sailthenile.org II.4 Links with other projects and organizations The project supported the following projects and events related to FGM during the 2006 above mentioned period: 40 additional awareness sessions were held in Mansheit Nasser in collaboration with the Child Labour Programme. The seminars targeted approximately 1500 men and women that led to an Anti-FGM public declaration in Manshiet Nasser based on the request of the families that attended the seminars. A plan was established to introduce through FGM project key initiatives like provide trained medical personnel in existing clinic, establish small library in NCCM venue, plan is being established with coordinators from Manshiet Nasser and Child Labor project staff. 3 day training program on anti FGM curriculum held for NCCM related project where common grounds for collaboration exists such as the RH UNFPA project for Youth and Adolescents, Girls Education Initiative, Child Labor and training plan currently under way for the Child Hotline Personnel. Collaboration with UNFPA RH program combined training course for high school students and their supervisors. The 2 projects agreed on continuing to support schools at governorate level as with the number of meetings held with students it is clear that they are the most responsive group to the issue. Support Plan International to develop a project to expand the FGM model to other areas using the same framework of the Free Village Model Program thus ensuring that the expansion at national level will be in line with the national scheme developed for eradicating FGM. Plan 7 International is now a partner in the FGM Free Village Model and a member of the National Steering Committee. III. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES III.1 Community Initiatives Community Initiatives include the following activities (Awareness & Services): Beni Suef Governorate: The focal NGOs concentrated their advocacy efforts and awareness program on youth in schools, in addition to the continuity of the home visits held by the field coordinators to the most responsive families in the villages. Beni Suef is one of the governorates where both NGOs have villages ready to announce their anti-FGM stance. Furthermore, one village already drafted their own declaration and held a small local ceremony announcing NO..To FGM. Furthermore, community services include health environment activities, supporting the establishment of a medical unit in collaboration with the community leaders, and the establishment of meeting spots for women in the villages within the space provided inside the CDAs. Minya Governorate: The contract was terminated with the Young Muslim Men Association in February 2006, yet some of the small initiatives in their villages continued under the supervision of one of the UNVs located in one of the villages and small initiatives were implemented through the Coptic Church and the Islamic Charity CDA in the villages. Furthermore, activities included seminars for families with girls at risk, and continuing to support women to issue National ID Cards. As for CEOSS, activities include seminars for youth through 78 seminars and camps in addition to the service component which includes: small loans to families with girls at risk, establishing meeting spots for local community to utilize during the different events and supporting girl students to pay their school fees and as a result enhancing the status of girls in the villages. Assiut Governorate: The initiatives pertaining to advocacy include seminars for youth and school students, creating lobby groups of religious leaders, refresher training for responsive doctors, and as a result creating lobby groups. Furthermore, seminars are held for community leaders to ensure that they do not hinder project progress and to feel part of the ongoing movement in the villages. Service component includes: support establishment of village nursery, support establishment of women club, support the establishment of medical unit and providing school scholarships for the most marginalized groups in the villages, mainly girls. Villages under the 2 NGOs are ready to announce their anti-FGM stance. Sohag and Qena Governorates: In Sohag, Kom Gharib Village declared itself against FGM in June 2006. The declaration was run with a strong participation of youth activists among other community leaders. The village is currently preparing a proposal to announce an initiative that could attract the girls in the village, bring together the families who are interested in educating their children properly and improve the quality of life of the families. Other initiatives in the villages include support to medical units mainly established through key community leaders donations and seminars for mothers and fathers with girls at risk held in youth centers or in the homes of the women most concerned with the issue. Training activities include doctors training that incorporated FGM in the Sohag University Med School curriculum. Activities on prevention from bird flu were also introduced in order to cope with the community needs during the epidemic phase in the earlier part of the year. 8 As in Qena governorate the advocacy activities included : Awareness seminars to youth, women and men (50 seminars) on RH issues with a focus on traditional harmful practices like early marriage and FGM, and other activities include home visits to follow up on sustainable attitude of families abandoning the practice. 2 villages in Qena prepared to announce declarations. Service initiatives include: establishment of small village libraries, upgrading village nursery, and establishing women development centers for empowering women economically and socially thus encouraging families to abandon FGM. In Qena governorate a series of meetings were held with the Social Services Institute, CARITAS and NCCM for exploring a protocol on Incorporating FGM seminars for the students. empowering the students with the program messages and basic communication skills, as they are the future social counselors in schools, who can convince parents and youth to abandon the practice. In Marees Village, a local conference was held in which religious leaders embraced the recommendations of the Mofti Conference in Al-Azhar during which head religious leaders permitted and called for the prevention and criminalization of FGM from an Islamic. The local conference was attended by project staff and there was a strong feeling that the village religious leaders have a greater understanding of the detriments of FGM that would lead to encouraging families to abandon the practice. Aswan Governorate: Advocacy activities include: 50 awareness seminars and 60 FGDs. Service initiatives include: establishment and opening of Family Medicine Unit in Benban Village in collaboration with Eyoun El Wadi NGO. Furthermore, activities include creation of anti – FGM doctors lobby in Aswan (one of the most responsive group of trained doctors). Service initiatives include preparing 3 technology clubs and 2 Egyptian Girl corners and 8 health education classes. In December 2 villages in Aswan announced their anti- FGM declarations (El Aqab and Eneiba) and there was extensive media coverage of the declarations, available at the project premises. A Documentary film has been produced to reflect the kwy moments of this important step. (CD included) Families spoke very openly in media channels (national TV) against the practice. Furthermore local people called for action against practitioners whether service providers or traditional practitioners. Aswan also took a big step in announcing the first civic doctor's anti-FGM declaration in the presence of senior health representatives and the Director of Aswan Health Directorate, announcing openly that any doctor who practices FGM is strictly breaking the medical code of ethics and shall be punished. IV.1 Television: Airing of anti-FGM TV spots in the metro stations for 3 consecutive months and during the third quarter spots were re-aired in metro stations as constant reminder to the public. Shooting of interviews in Sohag of Kom Gharib village Declaration to support documentary film prepared by the think twice project. Support to several TV programs on national TV that addressed youth by incorporating FGM as a key child rights issue. Extensive Media coverage of Dar El Ifta Conference and exclusive interview was held with the Mufti one day before conference. Extensive TV, radio and press coverage of Aswan declarations with focused reportages from the field. All TV coverage was strongly geared toward banning FGM from all perspectives. Furthermore, the legal perspective was also incorporated in the coverage in order to make public more aware of the legal implications of FGM. Shooting of Documentary film to document the process and development of anti-FGM movement in Aswan. 9 IV.2 Radio In response to listeners' request, the NCCM has produced a sequel to the programme titled The Girl is Egyptian, which is aired three times a week (Saturday – Monday & Wednesday) on the Public Radio Network. The programme offers accurate information on development issue that concerns the Egyptian girl thus introducing FGM within a complete package of rights for the girl child. The Radio program provides wide grounds of awareness at the grass root level especially in the villages where the radio is still considered an equally popular device to TV. The radio last quarter covered extensively in several episodes the event of Manshiet Nasser and Sohag Declarations by holding in-depth interviews with the NCCM Secretary General and project personnel. Radio program of El bent Masria was stopped last quarter because listnership is very limited in Ramadan (all of October 2006) and program will be resumed. IV.3 Newsletter and other printed material Documentation process of First anti-FGM declaration in Benban Aswan in book incorporating other development actions in the village after declaration by 6 months done by a professional journalist. Book was edited revised and printed in the last quarter.(Summary of experience published on UNV site in English and final documents under printing.) Added positive coverage of issue from all perspective especially in papers like Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, Sabah El Kheir Magazine. The noticeable increased trend is that journalists are becoming more attracted to getting a good story of positive actions taken on legal or medical grounds or bringing stories of victims from the field or stories of mothers and fathers who showed their courage and abandoned the practice. Extensive press coverage on Ifta conference and village declarations some of the press was negative but the overall anti- FGM messages were more thus debates were geared toward the abandonment of practice. Re – Edit of FGM Till When? Manual thus updating project activities, new declarations and incorporating latest DHS survey in the manual since there is a continued demand especially among educated youth to get copies since they can get answers to their questions without getting embarrassed infront of their peers. Book was delivered to the printing house. V. Monitoring and Evaluation V.1 Mid-Term Evaluation and documentation Competitive bidding process held by project team and UNDP personnel for selecting organization (best technically and appropriate financially) for implementing the documentation process of the project and perform the mid- term evaluation of the project . The Population Council was selected for the following reasons: Strong in research, evaluation and documentation, best practices in social change with focus on reproductive health youth and gender issues which are in line with requirements of the Free Village Model mandate as the project is interested in change of attitudes in general with a focus on young people which is one of the components. International Organization with a strong network of international and national experts and consultants in the field of social development and FGM. 10 FGM: they have a vision, innovative approach and they are expert and previous experience in the evaluation of the Tostan Model in Senegal and Burkina Faso. The organization also has a renowned experience in research related to FGM and sexuality issues in addition to the INTACT network on FGM which coordinates efforts related to FGM. The proposal submitted responded meticulously to the terms of reference of the project and envisioned a clear strategy for both the evaluation and documentation process, as it reflected a defined balance between the quantitative and qualitative analysis in order to give the project a feel for progress and a vision for future prospects in the upcoming phase of implementation. The Methodology is in line with what we want: evaluation + documentation. The Project is also keen on the documentation publication as it gives room for proper replication of the model nationally and internationally. The project collaborated with UNICEF that was in the process of selecting the Population Council to carry out the evaluation of their FGM programme. Although UNICEF and UNDP could not conduct a joint evaluation because the projects are different in scope and strategy, the two organizations decided to share budgets and information in order to create synergies, avoid replication of costs (for example development of the questionnaire, some of field visits and the FGDs can be organized in parallel saving some cost of transportation, and control villages can be adopted for the two project at the same time…) and get final join recommendations that will be presented to the steering committee and will be eventually incorporated into a national unified strategy to stop FGM. The Methodology of the Evaluation: The Population Council is: 1. evaluating the work done during the first phase of the project from 2003 to 2005 in 6 governorates in Upper Egypt involving 60 target villages, as per TOR attached, through qualitative and quantitative research. 2. documenting the process in order to create an updated, reliable and consistent knowledge and information that can be used to support policy dialogue on FGM and the transfer of experience to other communities across Egypt as well as in other countries where FGM is practiced. During the last quarter the Population Council performed the data collection for the evaluation process and 10 UNVs supported the council in the process. Furthermore, several focus group discussions were held with legal, media, project staff, and some other concerned organizations. Preliminary Draft shall be submitted in the first quarter of the next year. A summary on the key findings and recommendations will be presented in the Steering committee Meeting. 11 Annex I – Programme in Minia MDG# 3 gender equality and empower women (25-27, November , 2006 ) The first day , 25th November , 2006 10:00 Youth parade of about 200:300 (volunteers from NGO's , culture palace , schools 11:00 About 150 from the Youth participating in a marathon organized by the council for youth and sports wearing t- shirts with the logos printed on them 11:15 The opening , welcoming the feluccas with some folkloric and traditional dancing and The opening of the NGO's exhibition 11:30 Opening remarks ( the governor , UN spokes person , the NGO representative , NCCM ) 11:30 - 12:00 Press conference 12:30 - 1:00 Al-Saed association koral 2:00 - 5:00 Rest 5:00 - 6:30 Shows organized by NGO's (Egypt's women association) on women empowerment (Hawaa the future association) on calling against violence against women (the bible's agency) short documentary movie on gender equality (lessons from life) short documentary movie from caritas 7:00 – 8:00 Folkloric performance (tahteeb) Second day ,26th November , 2006 10:00 – 12:00 press conference by the National Democratic Party 12 12:00 – 1:00 artistic performance by the culture palace 12:00 – 1:30 release paper works from NGO's about - education , by care association - women empowerment , by save the children - women empowerment , by new vision - women empowerment , by save the children 1:30 – 2:30 play by father Christmas group 2:30 – 5:00 rest 5:00 – 6:30 conference on Female Genital Mutilation , by the association of "better life" 7:00 – 8:00 perform a play on women empowerment by Jesuit 8:00 – 9:30 perform folkloric songs, by the singer donya Third day , 27th November , 2006 10:00 – 12:00 conference on the role of the youth in women empowerment specially girls 12:00 – 1:00 koral performance by the Catholic's diocese 1:00 – 2:00 show cartoons by salama mosa association about the MDG's 2:00 – 3:00 farewell the feluccas and give awards to the volunteers Perform folkloric shows by the culture palace 13 Annex II Terms of Reference for Documentation and Evaluation of the FGM-Free Village Model The FGM-Free Village Model started in January 2003 covering 60 villages in 6 governorates of Upper Egypt. Results are very encouraging: the issue is widely discussed in TV and press (while it was carefully avoided in the past), the communities have been empowered by the extensive communications and advocacy campaign, and now we witness a clearly growing trend of rejection, especially among youth. In June 2005 the first village in Upper Egypt made a public solemn declaration to prevent the practice of FGM, widely publicized on national and international TV. Other two public declarations followed in another governorate (November and December 2005). After two years of using various educational and training approaches to reach out to families, community leaders, health workers and religious leaders, some communities are now able to overcome peer pressure and convince families not to circumcise their girls. Community life and general participation in other local development issues has been promoted and energized and volunteerism spread. After three years from the beginning of the project, a new phase is going to expand and replicate the initiatives to stop FGM/C to other 60 villages in Upper and Lower Egypt. In order to have a solid expansion and replication of the successful model implemented, the project felt the need to document and evaluate the process and the methodology used by the FGM-Free Village Model Project in order to create an updated, reliable and consistent knowledge and information that can be used to support policy dialogue on FGM and the transfer of experience to other communities across Egypt as well as in other countries where FGM is practiced. The documentation/evaluation will capture community initiatives and workable approaches for the various target groups paving the way for a larger scale replication across the country. Documentation and evaluation are two important steps that should be conducted by the same Organization in order to minimize efforts and maximize synergies. Objectives of the evaluation UNDP/NCCM have initiated the evaluation and documentation process as an exercise at the mid-term of the project implementation to collect effective tools for the replication of the project at national level. The evaluation and documentation will provide donors, project partners and other relevant national and international stakeholders with an independent view point of the status, relevance and performance of the project. It will also assess whether the project has successfully accomplished its objectives towards the UNDP Country Programme outcome and the NCCM priorities. In addition to reviewing technical and managerial aspects, the documentation/evaluation will analyze the comprehensive and innovative approach adopted by the FGM free Village Model and the possibilities to replicate the model in other communities. The findings of the mission shall identify the key elements of success to define the project as a best practice and at the same time shall help in re-orientation and re-prioritizing of project activities as needed, and facilitate in addressing specific issues by the project team. On this basis decisions will be made for the second half of the project to ensure a successful implementation, an exit strategy and project sustainability. 14 Proposed methodology The documentation/evaluation shall be conducted revising all the documentation/materials available and through participatory evaluation methods including the use of focus group discussions, in depth interviews, household surveys, field visits, control groups, etc. that will test and evaluate the approach. The Organization selected will work in close collaboration with the project team and the UNDP program officer in charge, who are involved in the process since the beginning: they will facilitate the link with the local communities, the direct beneficiaries of the project and other stakeholders involved (ministries, journalists, doctors, religious leaders, youth…..). The evaluation team shall analyze the different tools/methodology/approach adopted by the project and should capture the success of these tools and methodology related to their contribution to the main objectives of the project that are as follows: 1. create a supportive atmosphere versus the abandonment of FGM 2. spread a unified and appropriate message within and outside the targeted villages 3. Overcome the resistance that was normally challenging previous interventions. The evaluation shall cover the following points: 1. The process and the methodology used by the FGM free village model project 2. The impact of the project in terms of attitude towards the practice 3. Recommendations to scale up the project to reach a national coverage. The prevalence of the practice will be measured relying on the analysis of existing surveys (EDHS, MOHP study and others) without collecting new data. The project document, as initially formulated, provided output indicators that have been monitored during the course of the project implementation and will be provided to the evaluation team. It's recommended that the evaluation documentation shall focus on process and impact indicators that should be measured at village, governorate, and national levels, including: Change in knowledge, language, and terminology on all FGM aspects. Change in attitudes; a change from approval to disapproval of the practice, or a change in intention to circumcise a daughter. Committed people (youth, doctors, religious leaders, NGOs activists, media people) advocate against FGM practice. Public declaration against the practice in the village. Engage new group in the project activities (e.g. school and university students, academics, media people, opinion leaders, government officials). Public discussion around FGM; is FGM still a taboo in public discussion, or FGM issue is raised repeatedly in the press, television, radio, internet,… Effectiveness of the project 's approaches and tools; appropriateness , availability to be replicable, flexibility, 15 Scope of the evaluation The suggested sample should include 15 villages (12 main villages where the project is working and 2-3 control villages, with an equal distribution per governorate) The scope of work should focus on the following aspects: 1. Basic info. The FGM problem in Egypt, previous efforts against FGM especially FGM Task force, the project development process, project funds, partners, project strategies built on the lessons learned from previous experiences, key achievement so far, the original project document and the revised one. 2. Networking and partnership. Model of partnership among government (NCCM), civil society and international organization UNDP, other UN agencies and donors) to combat FGM. The role of each partner. - At local level. The NGOs as entry point in the communities to the CDA, the youth centers and the beneficiaries, their role in the governorate, their link with NCCM and the link between themselves. The UNV and the volunteers and their link with the academia… - At central level. The structure of the project (technical team at NCCM and UNDP) , NCCM, the UN agencies, the ministries, the national taskfoce on FGM/C, the donors, the other coalition created and new potential partners. - At international/regional level. The Cairo Declaration, the participation to Nairobi conferences, special support to Mali and other countries…Sudan… 3. Awareness, advocacy and trainings. The different target groups (NGOs, youth, doctors, community leaders, journalists, judges….), new target groups (school students), how to approach them, when to approach them, how to start an advocacy intervention at local level. Training modules, the use of NGOs and the use of UNVs and youth, integrating training component of FGM in other development programs of NCCM (girls' education, reproductive health education for adolescents – child labor…), the changes in the NGOs and Youth involved, how their capacity improved. 4. Community Initiatives. Criteria for selection of geographical interventions, governorates and villages (also for the expansion phase), dimension and characteristic of the villages, selection of NGOs and their characteristics, contracting NGOs, the grant for the NGO and their reporting. Initiation of anti FGM group at village level, as a key element of sustainability. The project was able to move from informative seminars and workshops towards more service oriented interventions in order to have a stronger impact in the communities. 5. The project was flexible enough to be able to implement demand driven interventions. The village profile suggested the services that can serve the community as whole so that FGM could be mainstreamed in the daily activity, expanding to other projects and not be confined to a single one. The project sustainability is based on promoting a community model for 16 addressing FGM whereby interventions are designed to enhance the magnitude and range of impact among the community members. 6. Youth volunteers, how and when the project approached them. Social, education and cultural background of the youth. Different approach to develop their capacity and form a national network. Their works and initiatives. 7. Communication strategy. The TV spots development, the talk show, the toolkit and the manual, the printed materials, the radio, the press , the slogan…. Messages, contents and methodology of the printed materials. New approach of religious messages ( Islamic and Christian). Public feedback from all communication packages . 8. Policy intervention and legal framework. Which kind of policy impact, which kind of lobby the project pursued and how should it move forward, 9. Monitoring and evaluation. The village profile as baseline, the fgds, the field visits, the mid term evaluation, the reporting tools, the indicators, the steering committee. 10. Key lessons learned and obstacles. 11. Stories on FGM: success stories, pioneering works, Girls and women suffered from FGM speak about their stories, doctors confess their faults…. 12.Exit strategy and sustainability of the project Proposed time line Two moths for data collection and analysis Two month for drafting the report One month for external review and finalization REQUIREMENTS OF THE EVALUATION TEAM: The Organization shall work in development and research field. The organization should identify and select a multidisciplinary team to work on the evaluation- documentation task. The team should have experience in the field of FGM and reproductive health, human rights based approach, socio cultural analysis skills and extensive experience in the fields of project formulation, execution, and evaluation. The team of experts should be fluent in English and Arabic also posse strong writing skills coupled with relevant experience in results-based monitoring and evaluation techniques. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS: The Organization selected will work in close collaboration with the project team and the UNDP programme Officer in charge, who are involved in the process since the beginning: they will facilitate the link with the local communities, the direct beneficiaries of the project and other stakeholders involved (ministries, journalists, doctors, religious leaders, youth…..). The organization will be contracted by UNDP country office in consultation with NCCM. The Project Staff shall provide all relevant documentation to the team of 17 experts and should facilitate all necessary site visits and meetings. The organization shall arrange all the logistics for the mission including hotel reservation and transportation during the mission, based on the proposal submitted. The mission will maintain close liaison with UNDP Officer in charge and NCCM Project Team. During the evaluation mission, at least two meetings should be held to present the status of the work. One meeting will be held after the completion of the data collection and another one after the first draft of the report. The first draft should be presented in English. Two copies of the final draft report (two in English and two in Arabic) should be submitted for review to UNDP Cairo Office (one for UNDP and one for NCCM). The final report should be submitted after two weeks of receiving the comments. Two copies of the final report (two in English and two in Arabic) and one electronic copy are required. The findings of the mission will be presented to the members of the Steering Committee of the project. 18
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