One of the challenges of trying to launch an innovative non-profit organization in a former war zone is that on any given day, you can run into serious and unexpected problems that can impede your progress.One story from a couple of months ago best illustrates these surprises and challenges:One morning, I received a call on my cell phone in Uganda: it was one of our regular users of the BOSCO network, named Jokondino, in Pagak IDP camp, a fairly large and congested camp of over 15,000 people. As an aside, Jokondino is a primary school teacher and has been using our network to find educational information on the web to enhance his knowledge of the school subjects he teaches—many teachers in northern Uganda do not receive adequate training and almost none of the primary school teachers have received a university education.
As a bill outlawing pornography in Uganda is about to be tabled in parliament, one is of the view that pornography should not be outlawed. If the penalty of promoting and dealing in pornography will be ten years in jail, then a certain brand manager of pornography is making pornography business the more lucrative in Uganda. Talk about anything pornography in Uganda , the brand manager might be
Mine, she paint my skinsome nights get a'wearystill she paint it inblood drop in her tearheartache in her inkoh so tender strokecan't fight what she thinkmy skin give her hopethrough her paint she wailnever be fearfulmine, she trace her taleseduce my dear soulacross my open skinher journey astound mewhisper, "Hush now, sweet one,this be why you found me..."
There comes a time in a girls life when she must outgrow those bad boys and settle down. She needs to find a man that will provide for her and her family, love her no end, and most importantly be willing to put a ring on her finger before all that. But sometimes the bad boys are still there. They never do go away and we keep them in some corner of our lives. You know, like the time you're happily planning your 5th anniversary with your hubby and two-year-old son and you meet that electric guitar player. He's just too irresistible! The way he croons to you and oh boy can he pluck that guitar. Or you bump into your bad boy ex that you dumped for your stable, secure boyfriend. Just one look at that devilish smile and all the memories come flooding back. Why can't we be content with the stable, secure and safe guys? Why do we women have that innate desire for adventure. For a motorcycle riding, leather jacket totting daredevil?Well, I'm back and loving it. See you all on blogger.
Today is the last day of our two-week rotation on the Pulmonology Ward, which marks our first glimpse as Yale-trained medical students into the world of health care provision in a tropical setting. The senior residents with whom we’ve worked – Charles and Michael – have been superb at making us feel a part of the team; several times our input (and that of our Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine) has influenced decision-making for a patient’s care. Yet, as part of the team, I’ve also empathized with the other side of care provision in Uganda: the stark limitations of poverty.
Today is the last day of our two-week rotation on the Pulmonology Ward, which marks our first glimpse as Yale-trained medical students into the world of health care provision in a tropical setting. The senior residents with whom we’ve worked – Charles and Michael – have been superb at making us feel a part of the team; several times our input (and that of our Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine) has influenced decision-making for a patient’s care. Yet, as part of the team, I’ve also empathized with the other side of care provision in Uganda: the stark limitations of poverty. The knowledge and skill of a physician trained at the best medical school in the world is rendered impotent in the face of a lack of medical resources and a patient’s inability to pay for treatment.
Il était une fois deux frères, dénommés Mburo et Kigarama, qui vivaient dans une verdoyante vallée au cœur de la perle de l’Afrique. Une nuit, Kigarama eut un rêve prémonitoire lui signifiant qu’il fallait quitter la vallée sans tarder car un grand danger menaçait. Dès le lendemain, Kigarama rapporta le rêve à son jeune frère en insistant pour qu’ils se déplacent au plus tôt. Toutefois, l’insouciant Mburo préféra ignorer les recommendations de son aîné, laissant ce dernier rejoindre prudemment les collines adjacentes. En peu de temps, la vallée fut envahie par les eaux menant à la formation d’un grand lac. Kigarama assista, impuissant, à la noyade de son frère. Depuis, le lac porte le nom du malheureux Mburo alors que les collines qui l’entourent ont été baptisées Kigarama en souvenir du plus sage des deux fères.
i know i have takenlike ages with out writing . A lot has happened like me graduating , something i though i would never be able to do bu trust God and his ways , he helped me do that thats why i just cant stop thanking him so much.Am sick with malaria right now but i think he is already making me better and there are days when i feel like dying cos of what is happening in the world, it just makes me sick that people are busy taking other's lives something they are not supposed to do cos no one ever created a person on this earth. Oh God open our eyes and give us wisdom to think before we do anything
My favourite bar in Kampala is on Kampala road, and on the balcony, where I always insist on sitting when I’m there, at least twice a week, sometimes more, I can watch the Constitutional Square. The one which most people like to call City Square.
Recently, a civilised man, one of the brainest men i know at my workplace,followed me to the loos and tried to kiss me by force (i dont know what else he intended to do -dont ask me). i dont know what to say or feel about the whole thing, except....from the office loos? couldnt the moron at least have followed me to a more pleasant place!?didnt he figure a more suitable ambiance would at least have helped his cause better? Damn losser.no wonder he failed.so anyway, in an effort to get my mind off of the disappointing cheap jerk/rapist wannabe, i checked out what the cameramen at Uganda's leading vernacular newspaper (the one with the briefest catchiest headlines in the whole world,(yes, Bukedde)), see at the gatherings where the rest of us are focused on the speeches, performances or whatever else it is the organisers intend for us to focus on;at political events
16 players attended a training camp at Uganda Christian Matyrs University, in Mukono, from 24th - 26th September. The camp was conducted by head coach, David Mutaka and his assistant, Robert Sseguya. South African, Norman Mbiko was absent during the camp as he cancelled his trip to Uganda after IRB pooled Uganda together with South Africa. The players who attended the camp were,Aliya Adania (Rangers), Josephine Namayega, Agnes Nantongo, Rosenburg Kanyunyuzi, Christine Kizito (Thunderbirds), Claire Anena, Fortunate Irankunda, Brenda Kayiyi, (Black Panthers).Backs: Joan Andika, Charlotte Mudoola (Rangers), Winnie Atyang, Rachel Kakaire, Harriet Kayonjo, (Thunderbirds), Helen Buteme, Prossy Nakakande (Black Panthers), Justine Bayiga.ugrugbychiclet
The meetingShortly afterwards he heard the hum of an oncoming motorbike, the rider rode up from the direction of Kyalika on a Yamaha motorcycle, Simon watched as the rider approached, stopped next to the Hilux and killed the engine. He was dressed in blue jeans a white shirt and black army boots.The rider wore a jet black helmet and black riding gloves to match. He looked Simon over head to toe from behind the dark helmet, subsequently he dismounted and proceeded to remove his helmet.
and so I run from the truth even as it stares me right in the face. I compromise, make excuses , stretch boundaries, take back my own words... anything to help me feel better about missing the mark. Perhaps having lived a lie for so long I may be able to turn it into reality. I look at the world through rose tinted glasses hoping that the good I continually fail to find in myself is somewhere in somebody else. There has got to be somebody out there who has got it together, right? and even though nobody's perfect.....some people seem to come pretty close. I like to think that there is a trace of beauty in their flaws. That's why I shouldnt lose hope...I should dig deep and try to find the gem within.....even if this means sorting through so much junk. it'll pay off in the end. Yeah. Sure.
I got my 15 minutes with Jason and Nicholas' teachers today and I have to say that I'm very glad I went.
Jason does NOT play with other children. He only plays with the teachers or on his own and needs more interaction with kids his age so I need to organise some playdates for him. She even mentioned that when he's "cooking" and makes a cup of tea, he only makes it for grown up - not other children!! She did however mention that he reminds everyone that the tea will be hot so they must watch out when he brings them their tea!! LOL!! Other than that, his teacher is VERY happy with his progress.
Nicholas is doing ok - I need to work more on his sounds but she's very happy with his progress otherwise. She commented that he really does TRY hard but his attention span is a little lacking so he becomes a bit of a disruption but he's ok.
Mood: Leaving mood[Toot!] Index: 0.0001Communism Bit: OffLocation: EntebbeI’m going away. I won’t be posting on this blog any more. Yes, clapping and ululating is allowed. Enjoy yourselves. Most of my victims don’t—didn’t—outlive me.The weblogs will have more air, more signal, less noise. And now, you will be able to discuss amongst yourselves without having to watch for that noisy thing that shows up at the party and urinates in your comment boxes, letting the spirits talk through him. Incoherence has lost, verbosity is vanquished.
No, am not dead. Alive and well actually. I'm dedicating my days to perfecting my telephone approach. Smiling into the phone's never been my problem. It's sounding mature that's hustling me. In my s6 vacation, I wanted to thank an auntie for letting me work with her. I got chided for my efforts. Thinking back, it makes me shake my head in disbelief but anyway, here's a rendition
me: Hello? Hi Auntie
Auntie: Hallo (in a sing song voice which if I'd thought about it would have struck me as being used on toddlers and babies)
me: Auntie, it's Rosette. I wanted to...
Auntie: Why have you stolen mummy's phone?
me: What?
Auntie: Put mummy on the line so I can talk to her.
Let's just say I haven't called her since.
Guys, I have not really had a so so good week, in fact I have come to ask of your forgiveness because I am not going to be here. My brother is seriously sick but he is coming down with a healing soon. Me, my foot has refused to be well, but only for a while. Your prayers are welcome.Meanwhile, I leave you with this.Psalm 21.Joy in the Salvation of the LordTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
As you might imagine, getting regular wireless internet access here has been challenging. There are a few Infocom Hotspots in the city (Design Agenda café at the Jubilee Insurance Building is one of the most reliable), and you can always carry your laptop into an Internet café.
One other solution is worth highlighting.
Warid, one of the 3 major wireless telecoms in Uganda provides a USB stick that has a sim card slot on it and functions as a modem. It is essentially dial-up on a USB stick. The data rates are low when compared to broadband (the company claims 256kbps) but the connection is good enough during the late evenings and other times when the network is not likely to be in heavy use.
Yesterday marked 23 years of Museveni's rule as our President. One of the key issue in his address was Northern Uganda. There is relative peace and people are returning to their homes. We pray the trend continues.Below is an extract from the New Vision-government owned paper.WillyNEWS | January 26, 2009UPDF parades rescued abducteesGRACE MATSIKOKampalaWith Achayo, a three-month-old baby suckling from her breasts, Ms Jacqueline Apio, 21, is sandwiched between two UPDF soldiers and a young Sudanese girl.
Longo longo ago (less than 10 years ago anyway), I went on a blind date.he carried a single red rose. I carried me and a heart thumping so hard I marvel that it didn't embarrass me by popping out of its chambers all bloody....We hit it off (we were less than 22 so I don’t know what else we could have done). We were on fire (...pray dont ask for details.). And then we just died out.one day we were.the next we were not.it was there.and then it wasn't. and we didn’t even notice.i doubt we did anyway.it was the cleanest break ever).
Seated in a club last night, watching people have a good time and a majority doing things they would regret the next morning, I couldn’t help but notice a couple…well to say couple would give the impression that that were some form a stable relationship, which would be the utmost fallacy, because for couples…the woman never tries soooo hard to keep his attention. The man happens to be a famous music producer and the girl…from the amount of effort she put into gyrating and sticking her tongue down his throat could have just been “some chic”. Don’t get me wrong, very few things, I gather, are a bigger turn on than a woman who knows what she wants and doesn’t mince words about it, the thing is, where do we draw the line between assertive self assured expression and a desperate & needy attention seeking. At one point she actually ground his head into her chest, I can only presume it was an attempt on her part to distract him from the sight…and scent of other females. And what did he do?
Roadside; At first I thought it crazy, when I mentioned it to friends, they laughed, in the bar they applauded. But it’s true. Even CNN has confirmed it.Japan is sending its workers home early twice a week, as an incentive to encourage them to have more babies. Apparently Japan’s birth rate is so slow, that it may face extinction. Scientists are doing calculations and studies to see when this happens.In Uganda, the saying is that we are producing at a supersonic rate. I wonder why the Japanese have not yet sent a team to study and then copy how Ugandans are able to produce so many babies, with even little incentives.Come to think of it; we spend a lot of time stack in traffic jam and meandering potholes, sit on counters draining everything with an alcoholic label, cheer and thereafter analyze European league football on street corners. With all these engagements, we have managed to grow.
Kiss of deathIn the years to come he would look back at this moment and wonder whether that fall saved his life.As he hit the ground Simon heard a swoosh sound above his head, in the next split second a spear hit the tarmac in front of him and skidded across the road.Simon stared right ahead at his hilux, he estimated thirty lay feet between him and the car, ‘I’ll never make it’ he thought resignedly.“Son of a bitch” the leader growled.Simon had been sure they were right onto him but the voice had come from far off, he stole a glance behind him and realized much to his relief that the savages hadn’t even moved at all, they had relied on the spear thrower who fortunately for him had missed.The bunch had turned really angry and were brandishing their weapons in the air.“Get him.” The leader’s order needed no repeating.
There comes a time in life when one has to make a decision that differs from the common acceptable norms of the community. Actually the people who have no self confidence will never make such a decision. They cannot withstand the pressure.
Recently I was faced with such a scenario. I was invited to attend a social function. Most of my old good friends were invited too. And from the onset, it looked like a Grand Get together for old friends. Most of the invited guys were looking forward to the Grand Day and the excitement could be felt in the mails that were exchanged in the build up for the Grand Day.
wow ... i didn't realize it had been so long since my last update. the past couple weeks have been busy, busy. i'm now sitting in a much quieter house, save the crickets and bats outside. my texas housemates left a couple hours ago to head back to the lone star state. while i am more accustom to bachelorette living, i enjoyed having them here to live and work with my first few weeks in uganda. i'm glad i have my "quote book" to remember our time together. so, for the next few days, i have the place all to myself before the next batch of minis arrive. it's not much different than my home life in wilmington ...
A lot has been happening in and around Sudan like it usually happens! However, when one comes across a ridiculous analog age decree so stupid it is laughable and the more, in a world where many lawless don Eden's suit and rags. A New South Sudan (NSS) could be in an offing and in style.Anybody who has ever been to the New Sudan (NS) / South Sudan and seen it all, will agree that the decree
When you go hometell them for us-that,today,we write our best.we write for lovewrite,in the name ofFreedom.Tell them-pleasethat,we write forpeace,justicewe write for them.Tell themthat-for their tomorrowwe write our souls outToday.
Outside Looking inD E Wasake Esq.It’s the year 3009 A.D Date: 25 January, Time: 13:52.I see message on my computer screen: “Wake up Dickson, the Matrix has got you…”It begins then:Ever get the feeling where you not sure whether you are awake or sleeping? Whether you are human or just a zombie?
I would have laughed at the irony if I hadn’t been so afraid, terrified by the sudden possibility of our story ending. I was baking fish sticks when your sister called to tell me what happened. Summer Saturday nights were a treat after radiology rotation; there were lavender scented candles and lovey-dovey playlists, and old denim, and your shirts, and fruity drinks on your star studded patio. The long insanity of the work week seemed to fade away, the depressing feel of wrinkled scrubs, and loud pagers, and mundane paper work all almost forgotten.
I would have laughed at the irony if I hadn’t been so afraid, terrified by the sudden possibility of our story ending. I was baking fish sticks when your sister called to tell me what happened. Summer Saturday nights were a treat after radiology rotation; there were lavender scented candles and lovey-dovey playlists, and old denim, and your shirts, and fruity drinks on your star studded patio. The long insanity of the work week seemed to fade away, the depressing feel of wrinkled scrubs, and loud pagers, and mundane paper work all almost forgotten. I had music and finger food, and invariably you; with your goofy house shoes and miserable plants and your guitar. Your apartment terribly masculine, many grays and blacks and steel, and yet on the mantel by the childhood picture you wouldn’t let me see for the longest time, a yellow and green water gun sat waiting. Waiting for you to return, and in one smooth move fill it and possibly piss me off when you wet my hair again.
I have been away for almost 2 months and I have nothing to show for it. I am still as rusty as I left.
And now I have to go away again. I have to correct some mistakes; and pay for some. I will go in naked. For not a paucity of pride is left in me.
But that’s my biz. See y’all in June or July.
On a happier note, her birthday came and passed and since I am rusty, it has taken me this long to forge her a verse.
I have been away for almost 2 months and I have nothing to show for it. I am still as rusty as I left.
And now I have to go away again. I have to correct some mistakes; and pay for some. I will go in naked. For not a paucity of pride is left in me.
But that’s my biz.
So we're almost half way through the second term and we got reports on Friday....here's some highlights (or lowlights )
Jason
Generally an ok report. Thank goodness for parent teacher conferences though because there’s a couple of things I want to discuss with them.
Generally he got “within developmental age expectations” but I feel that not much thought actually went into the report because he got “wdae” for the area communication, language and literacy but then underneath it the teacher has written “he has a wide and varied vocabulary for a child of his age and he discusses his experiences with confidence”. ???
And then….under the heading “mathematical development” they wrote that he can recite his numbers to 4 in the right order which is crap….I KNOW he can count to 11!!! Have they actually got the right child here??
Between 14:00HRS and 15:30HRS East African Time, our three servers were offline for critical security updates. Each server was off for approximately 30 minutes while the hardware nodes were rebooted after updating the servers.
Here is the notification we recieved from our server provider, which they sent out to all their clients:
From 11pm-8am CST(05:00-14:00GMT) tonight, we will be rebooting Virtuozzo hardware nodes. This is to perform a critical security update to the Virtuozzo software. Total downtime for each server is expected to be 10-30 minutes.
We do regret the short notice of this announcement. However, we feel the need to act quickly to insure the protection of your precious data. We appreciate your understanding, and apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
Friends, This morning i got up just before five, thanks to the mosquitoes that thought I have the tastiest blood ever.Well, I believe that God wants us to fellowship with him every minute of our lives... he really LOVES US that much!I have been trying to make more meaning of my life and what that higher calling God has called me to is.... The service i am called to that is bigger than the sum of all my individual ambitions.Then this SCRIPTURE came to me:SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED ON TO YOU.(MATT 5:33)So what do I do to get all these things added to me?1. SEEK - Means to Pursuit, Learn, Understand, Explore, study.2. FIRST - Before any thing else.3. KINGDOM of GOD - Area of influence of the KING (in this case GOD)or be under the dominion of GOD.
I had been putting off watching Louie Giglio's "How Great is our God" video. It was top priority on my holiday list.The first time around, my bible study group watched it and I had a write-up deadline to beat so I missed it. You know I usually do my write-ups at the last minute, I have no idea why!!!
"For the great enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest-but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often, we hold fast to the cliches of our forebearers. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations.
These remaining days have been a blur.. They were so interesting that I couldn't keep up with the diary. Anyway, we had the community site visits. I was in the group that visited Fundacion Cardio Infantil, a hospital that specialises in paediatric heart surgery but provides medical care to all patients.. This is an inspiration for my future health centre! We then headed to Usaquen, which is in old town bogota. Beautiful place with colored buildings and cobblestone streets.. with jewellery sellers lined up on the streets and housing the ultra trendy hacienda mall...Our group had some of the funkiest ladies.. Lina, Paula, Carolina etc... It was a funky group!!
i have been thinking how certain things about me might just be me for life. no changing. thirty years and i'm still doing them? i think this is it. i find that i still:1. hate waking up in the morning, and absolutely can't stand creatures with more than 20% zest for life before 11am, on any given day. 2. don't say "good morning". why bother? i'll mumble or raise my eyebrows sometimes but that's
Edit [Jan. 24, 2009 9:30am ]: At the time of this post, $1 equals 1,950 Uganda shillings. Amos’ math isn’t all that accurate in regards to calculating how much he earns per day.
While in Uganda for Christmas, I visited the Kireka stone quarry. This is where the women who will be part of our tailoring program work seven days a week.
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Jason
Generally an ok report. Thank goodness for parent teacher conferences though because there’s a couple of things I want to discuss with them.
Generally he got “within developmental age expectations” but I feel that not much thought actually went into the report because he got “wdae” for the area communication, language and literacy but then underneath it the teacher has written “he has a wide and varied vocabulary for a child of his age and he discusses his experiences with confidence”. ???
And then….under the heading “mathematical development” they wrote that he can recite his numbers to 4 in the right order which is crap….I KNOW he can count to 11!!! Have they actually got the right child here?? 
