I am now on Union's campus...Union and the Minerva Fellows Program is putting us to work - here is a list of lectures, events, or presentations I'll be involved with in one way or another (if you are interested, send me an e-mail - many are open to the campus, others I may have to get permission from the instructor or the sponsoring group):
Monday May 11 4:00 PM - Minerva Fellows Panel Discussion in the Nott
Monday May 11 5:30 PM - Panel Discussion after party
Thursday May 14 5:30 PM - Ugandan Dinner and Discussion with Becky and I
Monday May 18 1:50 PM - Comparative Economics Class (Professor Dvorak has invited fellows to this class, which tests various theories on what factors affect poverty)
Monday May 18 6:00 PM - Ugandan Dinner ($5 suggested donation)
Tuesday May 19 9:00 AM - Social Entrepreneurship Class: Health, Poverty, and the Environment (I will be the speaker for this class).
Wednesday May 20 12:50 PM - Child Labor vs. Education: Perceptions From The Field a discussion for an independent study class
Thursday May 21 1:55 PM - Using Physics for Humanity (for an introductory physics class)
Thursday May 21 6:30 PM - Film:
Last King of Scotland and Bombers Burritos
Friday May 22 7:00 PM - John Welcome to US Extravaganza (in Albany)
Monday May 25 3:05 PM - Comparing Health Systems Class - Dave Shulman (PIH, Malawi) and Becky and I will be available to discuss health systems (from our perspective) in Malawi and Uganda
Tuesday May 26 1:55 PM - Senior Scholars Seminar - A class for seniors in the Union Scholars program, Robbie Flick (Cambodia) and I will discuss an interesting, current topic (and reading) based on our experience (topic yet to be decided)
Wednesday May 27 10:45 AM - "Environmental Issues in Uganda" for an introductory environmental sciences class.
Wednesday May 27 5:30 PM - Engeye Dinner Fundraiser - This dinner will benefit Engeye Health and feature
Dr. Robert Paeglow ("Dr. Bob"), an incredibly inspiring doctor who has been involved with Engeye Health over the years and has a practice in Albany, NY.
Friday May 29 7PM - Minerva Fellows Panel Discussion in the Nott (Alumni Weekend)
Saturday May 30 2PM - "Pick up for Uganda BBQ" - should have live music, BBQ, volleyball, snow cones and other fun
Thursday June 4 5:30PM - Uganda Presentation, Dinner, and Silent Auction - Nikhil Kothari (volunteered in Kampala, Uganda), Becky and myself will present photos and background on Uganda and our work within the country, which will lead into a dinner and discussion. Photos will be displayed for a silent auction to benefit Engeye Health.
Friday June 5 - Environmental Economics - I will present on issues involving environmental economics and Uganda. For example, Nakivubu Swamp Environmental Assessment; Climate Change Impacts and Causes; Food Supply; Urban Air Pollution; GDP and Economic Impact Curve; Population; Impacts on Forests; Impacts on Wetlands; Role of Business (ie Coke, Hydroelectric, and Swamplands); etc.
One of the reasons we are doing all these events is to help generate awareness or provide information for those interested in health, poverty, NGOs, Uganda, etc. Becky and I are also trying to help raise funds for Engeye, the health care organization we were based out of.
Engeye provides scholarships to impoverished kids to attend the best local schools and provides affordable health care to the surrounding villages. Villagers come from far and wide to utilize Engeye's services; services that were not available just a few short years ago. For example, malaria, which kills one million people per year is a highly treatable disease that no one needs to die from. Engeye provides all services - checkup, diagnosis, and treatment (drugs) for 3000 Ugandan shillings ($1.33). Malaria costs roughly 7000 - 10,000 shillings to treat ($3.11 - $4.44). Without Engeye's subsidized, compassionate health care many people would suffer and could potentially die from simply treated ailments.
If you would like to make a donation please visit Engeye's website for more information or send me an e-mail at pochedls@union.edu. I will also be selling prints of some of my photos and giving all proceeds to Engeye - if you are interested in helping and getting some great prints, please send me an e-mail. Last, I carried home about 30 baskets made by the woman of Ddegeya - if you are interested in purchasing a handmade, beautiful basket, which supports the woman of the village, please send me an e-mail.
Like I said, it costs a couple dollars to treat malaria, UTI, RTI, pneumonia, and other common infections. With your help, kids in this region can benefit from reasonable health care and we can begin to address shortfalls in the UN's Universal Primary Education. If you can help in other ways, let me know!