Sorry I have been MIA lately. I have been meaning to write several blogs and update the photos...
This video is one of the best summaries of the subsistence farming and environmental degradation problems in Africa. It isn't an option - these people need to adopt poor practices to survive.
Howard Buffet's Crusade Against African Famine
More soon...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
The Earth is a Satellite of the Moon
Apollo 2 cost more than Apollo 1
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 3 cost more than Apollo 2
Apollo 2 cost more than Apollo 1
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 4 cost more than Apollo 3
Apollo 3 cost more than Apollo 2
Apollo 2 cost more than Apollo 1
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 8 cost a fortune, but no one minded
because the astronauts were Protestant
they read the Bible from the moon
astounding and delighting every Christian
and on their return Pope Paul VI gave them his blessing.
Apollo 9 cost more than all these put together
including Apollo 1 which cost plenty.
The great-grandparents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the grandparents.
The great-grandparents died of hunger.
The grandparents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the parents.
The grandparents died of hunger.
The parents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the children of the people there.
The parents died of hunger.
The people of Acahualinca are less hungry then the children
of the people there.
The children of the people of Acahaulinca, because of hunger,
are not born
they hunger to be born, only to die of hunger.
Blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the moon.
---Leonel Rugama
translation: Sara Miles, Richard Schaaf & Nancy Weisberg
from: Poetry Like Bread, Curbstone Press, 1994
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 3 cost more than Apollo 2
Apollo 2 cost more than Apollo 1
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 4 cost more than Apollo 3
Apollo 3 cost more than Apollo 2
Apollo 2 cost more than Apollo 1
Apollo 1 cost plenty
Apollo 8 cost a fortune, but no one minded
because the astronauts were Protestant
they read the Bible from the moon
astounding and delighting every Christian
and on their return Pope Paul VI gave them his blessing.
Apollo 9 cost more than all these put together
including Apollo 1 which cost plenty.
The great-grandparents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the grandparents.
The great-grandparents died of hunger.
The grandparents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the parents.
The grandparents died of hunger.
The parents of the people of Acahualinca were less
hungry than the children of the people there.
The parents died of hunger.
The people of Acahualinca are less hungry then the children
of the people there.
The children of the people of Acahaulinca, because of hunger,
are not born
they hunger to be born, only to die of hunger.
Blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the moon.
---Leonel Rugama
translation: Sara Miles, Richard Schaaf & Nancy Weisberg
from: Poetry Like Bread, Curbstone Press, 1994
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Little Bit of Ddegeya
So I made a video for my class tomorrow to try to give people a slightly better sense of Ddegeya. I started this video today so it isn't perfect, but it works and conveys some of the issues Ddegeya is facing along with some of the humor of working with kids. There are a couple pieces that bother me - I accidentally had a photo effect on the photo of Steph, the clinic founder, which bothers me to no end. I will get a better video with more appropriate music up at some point.
or
A Village Called Ddegeya
or
A Village Called Ddegeya
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
On Campus, Ways to Help, and How to Hear More
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!
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!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Admissions
I compiled a list of things that I never blogged about because I was worried that my e-mail inbox would be clogged with worried e-mails from my mom.
I got malaria. It is not nearly as bad as people think. During that time I spent a lot of time looking at Where There is No Doctor and Dengue, Malaria, Yellow Fever, Schistosomiasis, and a host of other diseases are highly treatable. No sweat. Unpleasant, yes? Worth considering when deciding about going to some third world country that you may or may not be able to point to on a map? No. Ebola, on the other hand, is deadly. So is rabies (once you show symptoms).
Speaking of rabies. A bat flew into me one night! Didn't bite though...
A rat crawled into my bed. The first time it happened it could have been a mouse. The second time it could have been a house cat. The first time John bought rat poison. The second time was a battle, a test of my own capacity to outsmart a rodent. After three hours (1:30 AM - 4:30 AM) I tricked it into going outside. Becky helped. At the end of the struggle.
The resident gecko in the latrine fell on me twice in the last month. Strange?
Final chigger count was ~7. Beat that Tom.
I was pick-pocketed in Kampala.
Diarrhea goes with the territory.
So my plane should be landing right now. But now I am going into hiding with family for the next week...
So my plane should be landing right now. But now I am going into hiding with family for the next week...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth
and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
-T.S. Eliot - "The Journey of Magi" excerpted from Santiago's Children
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth
and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
-T.S. Eliot - "The Journey of Magi" excerpted from Santiago's Children
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
