Saturday, March 28, 2009

Learn about triangles from James Blunt...

Another reason why Sesame Street is brilliant:

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Memories of Guavas


Last week Joel and I enjoyed a wonderful week of relaxation in Cuba. One thing I love about Cuba is that they have guavas. Guavas were a bit part of my life in Zimbabwe. We ate them for many months and would often buy them at the side of the road. But my favourite guava memories involved the kids that lived nearby. I particularly remember one evening when I went with them to the neighbour's tree and watched the littlest ones climb quickly up and drop them down to the others below. That's one of the reasons I want to go back and live in Africa for a few years once we have kids. How often does a kid here get to climb a tree, barefoot and eat amazingly fresh fruit?

Anyways, eating guavas from the otherwise not-so-exciting buffet in Cuba was a highlight for me. They would instantly transport me back to our front porch at Mtshabezi where I'd love to watch the kids play. I miss them. I miss them coming to the door for duck tape repairs on the beach ball we gave them. I miss Posa coming and saying "This is your balloon", his way of asking for a balloon. I miss the songs Silethemba would sing for me. They are beautiful children!

The kids on our porch (Posa in yellow, Silethemba in purple)

Monday, March 23, 2009

AIDS and the Pope

Something to read if AIDS is something you care about...

Hi,

Did you see the Pope's anti-condom speech in Africa? He said condoms could risk increasing the spread of AIDS! This goes against all the research and is a massive set back to years of prevention and education projects on a continent with 22 million men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. I have just signed this petition which will be delivered to the Vatican asking the Pope to stop making speaking out against condoms. A massive global outcry could influence any further statements he makes. Read the full alert below or just click on the link to add your name to this urgent petition - together, our voices could save lives:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedict_petition/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

Thank you!

----------------------

Dear friends,

Last week, on his first visit to Africa, Pope Benedict said that "[AIDS] cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems".

The Pope's statement is at odds with the research on AIDS prevention, and a setback to decades of hard work on AIDS education and awareness. With powerful moral influence over more than 1.1 billion Catholics in the world, and 22 million HIV positive Africans, these words could dramatically affect the AIDS pandemic and put millions of lives at risk. Worldwide concern is starting to show results and a willingness by the Vatican to revise the statement - sign our urgent petition asking the Pope to take care not to undermine proven AIDS prevention strategies:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedict_petition/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

This is not a religious dispute, but a grave public health concern. Personal beliefs of Catholics and all people should be respected, and the Pope's advocacy for a culture of fidelity and respect could be helpful in prevention if condoms were not discouraged. The Catholic Church engages in a vast amount of social service work, including the care of those living with AIDS. But the Pope's claim that condom distribution is not an effective AIDS prevention mechanism is not supported by research. It's untrue, and if it diminishes condom use, it will be deadly.

The fact is, HIV and AIDS are prevented by condom use. There is no easy solution to the spread of this tragic disease, but condoms and education are the best known prevention combination and have not been found to increase risky sexual behaviour. That is why even priests and nuns working in Africa have questioned the Pope's statements.

We may not be able to ask the Catholic Church to change its broader position, but we are asking the Pope to stop actively speaking out against prevention strategies that work. It's important that people of all beliefs, especially Catholics, call on the Pope to exercise care in his leadership on this issue. Sign below then spread the word to your friends and family - this petition could actually save lives:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pope_benedict_petition/98.php?CLICK_TF_TRACK

25 million people worldwide have already died of AIDS, and 12 million children have been left without parents. If enough of us join this outcry, we will win an important battle in the struggle for a world without AIDS.

With hope,

Ricken, Alice, Ben, Graziela, Iain, Brett, Paula, Pascal, Luis, Paul, Veronique, Milena and the whole Avaaz team

PS - this campaign was polled among a randomized sample of 20,000 Avaaz members. Over 90% supported running the campaign, and over 75% of Catholic Avaaz members supported it.

Sources:

The official position of the UN and the World Health Organization on condoms and AIDS prevention


The Pope's statement opposing condoms (BBC)

Twitter

I signed up for Twitter and did it for about a day, but I never caught on. As someone who udpates their Facebook status I certainly can't make fun of it but I did find this funny...