Sernidad

Dios me da la sernidad
Para acceptar las cosas que no puedo cambiar
El corage para cambiar las que si puedo
Y la sabidura para reconocer la diferencia

"God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference"

TB Drug Optimism

Over 500,000 people worldwide (and by worldwide I mean almost all in poor countries) have MDR-TB and the WHO estimates less than 1 % receive sufficient treatment. Over 1.7 million people die every year of MDR-TB and TB combined (the leading infectous disease killer after HIV/AIDS). So here we're talking about a curable disease. Treatment usually takes 6 months and as little as $20 for a full treatment (of a standard case), where millions of people die every year. Yet, because it is a disease that affects mostly the poor, we don't hear much about it, and there has been no new treatment in the last half-century because drug companies can see a "payout" at the end of their research and development for the drugs.


But, here is the good news. For the first time in 50 years a new TB drug, called "aEuro" is in the testing phase for use in fighting TB and MDR-TB (multi-drug-resistant TB). This is a huge advance, especially because it is impossible for the TB agents to be resistant to this drug since they have never experienced it before. It also can be stored at room temperature and only has to be taken 3 times a week, a plus in developing countries. Now it just has to be tested with people who are HIV positive and are taking antiretroviral drugs, to make sure it is safe to combine the medications. TB is the leading cause of death for those who are HIV positive.

I hope to write more sometime about TB in the developing world, and especially about Paul Farmer, an amazing man who organized Partners in Health and currently is working in Haiti.

http://cgi.wn.com/?action=display&article=87361758&template=worldnews/paidnews.txt&index=recent

Hey World II

I'm interested in working in International Development, so I am planning a journey abroad next year, beginning in September. Really the purpose is to explore the developing world and to learn as much as possible about sustainable development and the lives of people who live in these countries. I think its so important to really understand the issues and the culture before getting into a field that trys to bring about change. Therefore the trip is designed as much as possible to explore different areas of development. Another goal is to become fluent or at least competent in Spanish, to be able to communicate directly with the people there.
As of now, this is the plan:

1. Language school in Antigua, Guatemala
2. Unite for Sight Program, Honduras (Public Health focus)
3. Program in Nicaragua (Construction/Microfinance/Education focus)
4. Program in Ecuador or Bolivia (Sustainable Agriculture focus)
5. Communities Rising, India (Education and Women's Rights focus)

Its a very ambitious travel schedule and will undoubtedly be hard to move around so much, especially after developing relationships with people in a certain area. It was a hard decision to work with different projects in different areas as opposed to a year in one location, but I think it is the right decision. There are so many things that I'm interested in and want to learn.

Right now I'm in the planning phase, still trying to decide between different programs in some areas. Its hard because I'm taking business classes which are sooo boring and I'm ready to begin the travels, but have to be content with planning for right now. I'm so ready to go though!

Hey World

(not my video- from youtube)


Hey World (Michael Franti & Spearhead)

Tell me why the grass was greener
Years ago
I swear it used to grow here
But no more here
Tell me why
On this hill
All the birds they used to come to fly here
Come to die here
And tell my why I need to know
Sometimes I wish I didn't have to know
All you show me
Hey world
What you say
Should I stick around for another day or two
Don't give up on me
I won't give up on you
Just believe in me like I believe in you
Tell me why on the corner
All the kids that used to come to run here
Load the guns here
And tell me why
It's okay
To kill in the name of the gods we pray
Tell me who said it's okay
To die in the name of the lies we say
Tell me why there's child soldiers
Tell me why they closed the borders
Tell me how to fight disease
And tell me now won't you please
The only thing i want to do
Is to be in the arms of someone who believes in me
Like I believe in you
I try try try try
I try try try try for you
Don't give up on me
And I cry cry cry cry
I cry cry cry cry for you
Just believe in me
Like I believe in you