Africans Celebrate Progress on National AIDS Day

This past Saturday, the world celebrated National AIDS Day with hope for Africa, especially Sub-Saharan Africa which houses the world's largest AIDS population. For example, AIDS deaths in Africa have fallen by 32% in the last 6 years. In Kenya, there is a push for a Kenya’s Equity Tribunal which will help to end discrimination for getting treament and being hired for people who are infected with AIDS. There's been a large change in the number of people infected because of a push for condom use, use of sterile needs, circumcision, antiretrovirals and other efforts to help stop the spread of the disease. In some countries in Africa, there has been as much as a 50% decline. All this is wonderful news for a continent that has suffered so long!

Number of New HIV cases falling in Some African Nations--and around the world

This article talks about the ways in which new cases of AIDS are falling in some nations such as Botswana, Zambia and South Africa--which are some of the most effected countries in the world. Overall, one of the greatest tools to fend of new cases of AIDS has been the use of antiretroviral drugs to prevent mothers from spreading AIDS during child birth. Interestingly enough, its not that more money has been the fighting force in causing the reduction of AIDS, but rather its the focus on high risk groups such as the gay community, prostitutes and drug abusers. The testing done on these groups help to reduce the spread. In order to effectively fight off the disease, more money is needed because many people cannot get the treatment they need. Worldwide, "The number of people living with H.I.V. rose to a new high of 34 million in 2011, while the number of deaths from AIDS was 1.7 million, down from a peak of 2.3 million in 2005. As more people get life-sustaining antiretroviral treatment, the number of people living with H.I.V. grows". Although more and more people have access, there is still not enough to wipe out this epidemic, but there is definitely hope!
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/21/world/new-hiv-cases-falling-in-some-poor-nations-but-treatment-still-lags.html?ref=africa

Heavy Traffic in Kenya Alleviated by Commuter Rail

Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is one of the most traffic congested cities in the world believe it or not! In order to help alleviate traffic, the government of Kenya has recently build a commuter rail that stretches from the business district to the Syokimau suburbs which is a 40-min trip. It is estimated that 20,000 commuters will be able to ride the train daily with the six trains daily. I thought this was a great way to save people money, gas and a way to reduce pollution since the tickets are around a dollar each way. It is also an effort to help Kenya become a more industrialized city. Kenya has plans to build more trains in the near future. It will be interesting to see if it become a city more reliant on trains than on cars.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1117/Sick-of-traffic-Kenyans-on-board-with-Nairobi-s-new-commuter-rail

New University to Open in Kenyan Refugee Camp

I found this post interesting for two reasons. One: I had no idea that Africa's largest refugee camp was located in Kenya--let alone, I had no idea that it is mainly Somalians that live in the refugee camp. Two: I think this is a fantastic thing to do! It gives refugees the opportunity to better themselves, build a future for themselves and help society out. In a continent like Africa where the numbers of educated are still low, this new university helps provide hope for many--especially those who have lost their home because of war and poverty. Also, educated women are more likely to have children that survive childhood. This is a great solution and I think Kenya and the refugees will only benefit.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1027/In-world-first-biggest-refugee-camp-gets-university

Somalian Piracy on the Decline

In the past year, the number of ships being commandeered by Somalian Pirates has plummeted from 199 in 2011 (from January to September) to only 70 in the same period of time. This number has declined because many ships are now choosing to hire ships to escort them through the waters and many naval ships from the US, Britain, EU, Russia, China and India are now patrolling the waters to put a stop to these attacks. The main interest in doing so is because of the expensive cargo that is carried on the ships and the increase in insurance prices as a result. For example, 2010 saw the costs of these pirate raids to be totalling at almost $12 billion dollars. Now these attacks occur to only 1 in every 20 ships. The ransoms for those that have been caught can be extraordinarily high though. For example, a super sized oil tanker that was seized from South Korea in 2010 is being help hostage for almost $9 million. How ridiculous is that? In order to end piracy, officials have mentioned that they want to go after the most high ranking officials in the business. They're hoping to get these officials for such crimes as money laundering because these individuals can then be arrested in other countries.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1030/Pirate-attacks-off-Somalia-plummet-thanks-to-navies-armed-guards

Digital Technology in Africa

I found this article to be quite interesting and informative. For a continent that has electricity for only about 1 in every 3 people, the country has a far greater number of people who have mobile phones. Shocking right? Most of the cell phones they have are not smart phones, but rather ones with basic necessities and a long battery life because charging them can be a challenge. They are helpful in the sense that they keep families connected when individuals go off to find jobs. Also, there has been a growing trend in using mobile money (which can be wired from other people straight to their phones), this money can then be redeemed at vendors. It's a great way for individuals to send money home when they are off on a job far away. As of now, only about 15% of people have Internet access, but the Internet is still being used for productive uses. As opposed to the people with Internet getting involved with social media sites, many of the people use the Internet to find jobs, send money to a rural family member and find the best place to sell their products. In this way, technology in Africa is very much centered around the needs to move the country forward.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/africa-digital-revolution-mobile-phones

Park Rangers Killed in Virunga National Park

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2 rangers and a solider were recently killed by the rebels that poach the mountain gorillas in the park. The job of the rangers is to protect these animals from poachers, yet I don't think we realize how dangerous their job actually is. The article sites an alarming statistic that mentions that since 1996 over 130 park rangers have been killed. Park rangers are risking their lives for the diminishing number of mountain gorillas left in the world (this park houses 480 of the 790 mountain gorillas left). Yet, these rebels show no respect for the preservation of wildlife, nor any humanity towards those who are trying to protect gorillas. This just goes to show how widespread animal poaching is and the effects it has on more than just wildlife. Its scary to see such a war going on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-20092835

Sierra Leone-- Environmental Preservation or Revenue from Gold?

Sierra Leone is an impoverished nation in Africa that only recently came out of a civil war. When over 3 million ounces of gold was recently found in the Kangari Hills, which is a protected 21,000 acre forest reserve that houses chimpanzees, elephants and various other protected species, the question arose should the economics of the country or the environment seize the day. Cluff Gold, a British mining company, has shown interest in mining for gold in the forest even though it has been a protected areas since the 1920s. One of the biggest problems is the actual boundaries of the reserve are unclear because the original boundaries were set up by stone barriers which have deteriorated and moved over time. Should the government allow this company to come in and mine for gold in order to improve the livelihood of its people? Or do you think this will have an even greater environmental impact on this country? Where should the line be drawn?

In my own opinion, I think it would be best to preserve the land and avoid the mining techniques that will introduce poisonous chemicals into the water and destroy the landscape. Also, I think that wildlife should be preserved as long as possible. But it becomes tricky when thinking about the people of this land. These hills could produce over $5 billion dollars in revenue for the country. It could improve their schools and other important things for the people. Despite my own bias, the country has decided to allow some mining to take place starting in 2014. What do you guys think should happen in this country? Should economy or environment be the main concern?

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1015/Sierra-Leone-s-dilemma-There-s-gold-under-those-trees

The Washing Away of Ghana

Apparently, I'm on a Ghana kick as this is the second week in a row that I'm reporting about an article on this country. Well, this week, I found an article dicussion the coastal erosion that is occuring in Ghana and how it is destorying castles and a former slave forts. As these large toursit attractions and historical sites are destroyed, the tourist industry, which brings in  $2.1 billion dollars annually, is at stake for being lost. Now remeber, Ghana is already a poor country so any lose of revenue could be detrimental to the country. In addition, the wasting away of the coastline causes a great portion of the population lives at the coas. When there are storms, major waves, etc., those that live on the coast line are forced to move inland and abandon their source of income which is predominatly fishing. So there's a lot at stake here with the washing away of the shores. The seas are rising not necessary because of global warming, but also because sand is removed to build houses. As Ghana's shores come more inland, they're not the only country that is going to face problems. It's neighboring countries also face the same fate. This is why its important that all these countries work together to find a solution.

Ghana going green with sewage power?

This article caught my attention for various reasons. First off, I don't think I've ever heard of a country attempting to go green via creating sewage plants from human waste. I've heard of it from using cows to harness the methane but never from humans. Next, I never think of countries in Africa as attempting to go green- it's expensive enough to try to do in the U.S. under established means. And lastly, is this a safe and effective method?

Well, as it turns out, Ghana, which happens to be the world's poorest country, has agreed to have 10% of their country's electricity supplied from a alternative source by 2020. Is this realistic? Well according to this article, it can be if the correct methods are used. It has to be extremely profitable and cheap because few people in the country even pay for electricity when they receive it. Using human waste to create bio fuel to create electricity seems like a ridiculous idea, but it might actually work though. Other proposed ideas included using nuts for fuel or rubbish, but these are not as cheap and effective as this alternative would be. Even though its nice to see country making an effort to go green, I still don't know how I feel about this proposed plan.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/1003/Ghana-s-best-shot-at-going-green-sewage-power

South Sudan's Struggle for Medical Care

As most of you are probably aware, South Sudan is the newest country in the world. It also happens to be the poorest and most underdeveloped nation as well. For these reasons, as well as the long civil war, South Sudan is left with poor medical care for its citizens. In this slide show of pictures, it became how rural and unequipped the rural clinics are in Sudan. Even then, the hospital in Aweil State Hospital there are only 6 doctors and 7 registered nurses trying to serve upwards of 10,000 patients per month. Can you imagine what a wait at a hospital like this would be like? This is why many people seeking medical treatment are turned away and have to go to the rural clinics instead.

Worst of all, its not like these hospitals and rural clinics are treating victims with common colds and broken bones. The vast majority of victims are burn victims as a result of living in Thatch houses that catch fire easily. Another portion of the victims have to come in as a result of animal attacks and diseases like malaria. These are not exactly things treated easily at a rural clinic and a way understaffed hospital. The nurse pictured in this slide show takes his job seriously but can only do so much. If only there was a way we could help impoverershed nations in Africa have more nurses and doctors within their population or even help supply them with medical supplies. It's really difficult to see nations struggle so much with providing routine care when the medical treatment has improved so much in the last few decades.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19649232

Deadly Epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Considering the events of this week in Egypt and Libya, I wanted to steer clear of these highly publicized events and focus on some other tragedy that failed to get national coverage. Then I stumbled upon this article. The Democratic Republic of Congo declared a reccently discovered strain of the Ebola virus to be an epidemic on August 19th. That was almost a month ago....... AND its still causing problems in this country.

What's especially scary is that there is no known cure or vaccine for this virus. So far, its account for the death of 31 people in the towns of Isora and Viadana. The disease is spread by human contact and will cause a person to iternally bleed to death. Although these towns have been quarintened, there is no guarentee that it will stop the virus from spreading elsewhere. A few months earlier, it accounted for the deaths of 16 in Uganda. Where will it go next? Will it be stopped? Who knows. All we can know for sure is that the unique climate of Africa can create the perfect breeding ground for deadly diseases which I find scary to think about. What will cause the next major world wide epidemic?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19591204

Little League in Uganda

Baseball, first invented in the United States, is now making its way to Uganda in a very big way. Well, at least it has become apparent after Uganda made its first ever appearance in the Little League World Series this year. As a college softball player and a fanatic baseball fan myself, this topic holds very near and dear to my heart as I want to see both baseball and softball become sports as popular as soccer. Many have become inspired by the heart-warming story of the Uganda Little League team making it on an international scale. Thus, donations have flocked to Uganda because of so many wanting to help make baseball (and also softball) more accessible sports in the African Country. However, the not so ideal political situation in Uganda has prevented most of this money and equipment from actually reaching the children of this country.

Baseball isn’t exactly a cheap game to play. As all of you know, it requires the use of bat, balls, gloves and a field. It’s not like soccer at all where all you need is a ball. The boys of Uganda who made it to the Little League World were playing on dirt fields in their bare feet with little equipment. If the money that was donated eventually gets used there, it will make a world of difference in the lives of these kids. Beside, I would like to see baseball and softball be more accessible sports around the world so they can be reinstated as sports into the Olympics. With the donations to countries like Uganda, boys and girls get to participate in a whole new game.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/0823/Showing-at-Little-League-World-Series-buoys-Uganda-enthusiasm-for-baseball

From Africa to the United States: Educational Oppertunites for Bright Students

Many of in the United States take for granted the education opportunities we are given. In Africa, children are lucky to receive an elementary school education. The United States Achievers Program (USAP) has recently begun to provide funding to allow disadvantaged students from around the globe in order to seek a university education. It provides over $12 million dollars in funding to 13 different countries, spanning over 4 different continents. Africa is one of the main continents on the receiving end of this funding.

The program helps bright students in disadvantaged countries receive the funding and mental support they need in order to make higher education opportunities possible in the United States. The program sets the students up with all the tutoring they need to take the SATs and then helps to get them into the schools where they would like to go. Many of these students are sent to Ivy League schools such as Yale, Harvard and Princeton. In many cases, students are sent here because the private schools have more funding to help sponsor these student on their journey.

The program is most inspirational because many of the students that are blessed with these educational opportunities are studying for reasons that are unselfish. One student mentioned that he is currently studying biology and chemistry at Duke University with the goal of finding a cure for AIDS to help those in his native country of Zimbabwe. It amazes me that many of the students have goals to study something that they can use to help improve their native country. Their goal is not to be education for their own selfish reasons. They want to improve the lives of others.

If we educate those who seek to help others, we can see great change in the world. By educating those the most in need, we will slowly see change to all of mankind. I think the USAP is a great opportunity to improve the living conditions and standards in Africa as well as other impoverished continents and nations.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2012/0902/Back-to-school-From-rural-Africa-to-the-Ivy-League