AidBlogshttp://aidblogs.orgThe latest blog posts by aid workersenTue, 07 Feb 2012 09:45:00 PSThttp://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1hourly1Aidblogshttp://feedburner.google.comCowcrowhttp://aidblogs.org/cowcrow/AidBlogsTue, 07 Feb 2012 09:45:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=14ec8c7f5549b574201b82672f9a1fd2I've never really thought about what we do with all the heads that belong to our hamburgers, steaks, and fillets. Next time you take a bite, ponder that.
I did, however, find one creative use while camping in the desert north of Khartoum, Sudan. We were driving alongside the Nile where many people have put their farms and were suprised to find a very carefully constructed "Cowcrow". Gross and Functional all at the same time. (...)

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]]>I've never really thought about what we do with all the heads that belong to our hamburgers, steaks, and fillets. Next time you take a bite, ponder that. I did, however, find one creative use while camping in the desert north of Khartoum, Sudan. We were driving alongside the Nile where many people have put [...]http://aidblogs.org/cowcrow/feed/0CMDA KENYA 2012http://aidblogs.org/cmda-kenya-2012/AidBlogsTue, 07 Feb 2012 03:20:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=c7a30250dd09163c3980894e3e770d29Read the original article...

]]>Every two years a dedicated group of Christian academic doctors travels to Kenya to teach a two -week medical education conference so that missionary physicians can maintain their American medical licenses. We have gone probably six or seven times in the last 19 years. This year's conference started Monday. The first two days are generally [...]http://aidblogs.org/cmda-kenya-2012/feed/0Poverty down 12% in Rwandahttp://aidblogs.org/poverty-down-12-in-rwanda/AidBlogsTue, 07 Feb 2012 02:40:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=2874b2ad2df4e0739c15215609c12540 Rwanda launches its new poverty numbers today. Poverty has fallen by almost 12 percentage points in just 5 years. That is pretty incredible. Speaking at the launch, Paul Collier said "The combination of growth, reduction in poverty and more equity has been achieved no where else in Africa."


Here is a comparison with international experience of poverty reduction:


I imagine that some commentators may have something to say about the political implications of all this. (...)

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]]>Rwanda launches its new poverty numbers today. Poverty has fallen by almost 12 percentage points in just 5 years. That is pretty incredible. Speaking at the launch, Paul Collier said "The combination of growth, reduction in poverty and more equity has been achieved no where else in Africa." Here is a comparison with international experience [...]http://aidblogs.org/poverty-down-12-in-rwanda/feed/0India Day 1 Quick Hitshttp://aidblogs.org/india-day-1-quick-hits/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 21:58:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=571944007e3f9318f75b52bbcd4edebbRead the original article...

]]>I have time to do a quick post here in the middle of the afternoon. What is here are some quick notes and reactions. Much of this will later come together into actual stories and reporting. Please forgive me in advance as this is rather hurried and will not be edited. If any information, ideas, [...]http://aidblogs.org/india-day-1-quick-hits/feed/0Time and connectionshttp://aidblogs.org/time-and-connections/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 11:56:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=c65b40e23366c9de3f6e6048648917db
Edmonton night shot (from Chateau Lacombe)

We've been in Canada for over a month already and although things are feeling more familiar, it seems like we're in a type of time warp. It's not like jet lag since we've long since been sleeping and waking on Canadian time. (Though it is extremely difficult to shut things down for the night when there's no generator force-quitting work at 9 pm!)

The time warp we've been experiencing is getting used to the changes that have taken place while we've been otherwise occupied in Africa over most of the past 24 years. Yes, we've been back here on other trips before. (...)

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]]>Edmonton night shot (from Chateau Lacombe)We've been in Canada for over a month already and although things are feeling more familiar, it seems like we're in a type of time warp. It's not like jet lag since we've long since been sleeping and waking on Canadian time. (Though it is extremely difficult to shut things [...]http://aidblogs.org/time-and-connections/feed/0Trafficking & The Super Bowlhttp://aidblogs.org/trafficking-the-super-bowl/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 08:20:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=7a1f572da432a32978a7e06d7f4d6c77
Read that again - 10,000 children brought into Dallas to be sold for sex.

The Super Bowl in Dallas (the Super Bowl in general) is sadly far from the only sporting event where traffickers appear for the event and then leave town.

Here is a quote from a Huffington Post article with an example of what happens:
...A trafficker was arrested and imprisoned for selling two girls, 14 and 18, as "a Super Bowl special. (...)

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]]>It is estimated that over 10,000 children were brought into Dallas last year during Super Bowl weekend to be sold for sex. Read that again - 10,000 children brought into Dallas to be sold for sex. The Super Bowl in Dallas (the Super Bowl in general) is sadly far from the only sporting event where [...]http://aidblogs.org/trafficking-the-super-bowl/feed/0me… via 2007http://aidblogs.org/me-via-2007/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 03:35:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=e8848b8353a8f695cc178857928321f7


I found this saved in my files from 2007. I thought it was worth the share...

Me...

Childhood Ambition: To save the world

Fondest Memory : Playing with my nieces
Soundtrack: Something made in the 40's with some Norah Jones, Frankie, and Dianne Reeves mixed in.
Retreat: A day alone in my apt. (...)

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]]>I found this saved in my files from 2007. I thought it was worth the share... Me... Childhood Ambition: To save the world Fondest Memory : Playing with my nieces Soundtrack: Something made in the 40's with some Norah Jones, Frankie, and Dianne Reeves mixed in. Retreat: A day alone in my apt. (...) Read [...]http://aidblogs.org/me-via-2007/feed/0Top regrets at the end of life..http://aidblogs.org/top-regrets-at-the-end-of-life/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 03:02:23 PSThttp://www.abejero.net/?p=2638From The Guardian, Top Five Regrets of the Dying, a piece written by a palliative care nurse, Susie Steiner, who worked with people in the last 12 weeks of their lives (published Feb 01 2012)

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

“This was the most common regret of all. (...)

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]]>From The Guardian, Top Five Regrets of the Dying, a piece written by a palliative care nurse, Susie Steiner, who worked with people in the last 12 weeks of their lives (published Feb 01 2012) 1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of [...]http://aidblogs.org/top-regrets-at-the-end-of-life/feed/0#135 Spiffy Project Nameshttp://aidblogs.org/135-spiffy-project-names/AidBlogsMon, 06 Feb 2012 02:52:03 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=2910submitted by Matt Greenall who also tweets: @mngreenall and blogs: epidreamiology.

Spiffy Names for Spiffy Projects! (Photo from SHOPS twitter page...)

(...)

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]]>submitted by Matt Greenall who also tweets: @mngreenall and blogs: epidreamiology. Spiffy Names for Spiffy Projects! (Photo from SHOPS twitter page...) (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/135-spiffy-project-names/feed/0Gigglingbob’s Weekly Twitshttp://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-41/TweetsAidBlogsSun, 05 Feb 2012 17:10:00 PSThttp://robrooker.com/blog/archives/911http://t.co/PTSdZaJI @rossvanhorn @thecreativez # http://t.co/1lfcjHMW #ada_dsi @TheCreativez @rossvanhorn @aCeramicArtist @TheMumBi @TheParasGudka @just_sham_it @mercynguyo @Pawa254 # RT @afrodigitalart: ADA EVENT: DESIGN + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: Process and Possibilities. Limited space!

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]]>nice article on introverts http://t.co/PTSdZaJI @rossvanhorn @thecreativez # http://t.co/1lfcjHMW #ada_dsi @TheCreativez @rossvanhorn @aCeramicArtist @TheMumBi @TheParasGudka @just_sham_it @mercynguyo @Pawa254 # RT @afrodigitalart: ADA EVENT: DESIGN + SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: Process and Possibilities. Limited space! Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-41/feed/0Same problems, different solutionshttp://aidblogs.org/same-problems-different-solutions/AidBlogsSun, 05 Feb 2012 14:04:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=d478ed938e38a63c1dda4327afbac138
One day, I was sitting in the school playground talking to the head of my department when an incident unfolded. A group of teens from another suburb had entered our school to attack one of the students, but were interrupted by a Science teacher (I'll call him "John"), who marched the kids out to the street to send them on their way. Something sparked a sudden fury in one of the boys, who leapt back over the fence, charged at John, and king-hit him. (...)

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]]>Once upon a time - long, long, ago - I was a school teacher in Sydney. I taught in a pretty good school in a neighbourhood that is reputed to be rather rough.One day, I was sitting in the school playground talking to the head of my department when an incident unfolded. A group of [...]http://aidblogs.org/same-problems-different-solutions/feed/0Desert Camping Triphttp://aidblogs.org/desert-camping-trip/AidBlogsSun, 05 Feb 2012 09:57:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=6f402f68a2e0252a6438d7198b7ee0e7
This weekend we left the great city of Khartoum for a bit of adventure in the desert. We and about 15 other families ventured 3 hours out of the city to camp and explore.

Just a little ways out of the city we discoverd the engine of the amjad/van was getting hot. We learned that it doesn't drive so well at faster speeds for longer times. :) Our driving caravan was kind to slow down and take a few "cool down" breaks with us. (...)

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]]>This weekend we left the great city of Khartoum for a bit of adventure in the desert. We and about 15 other families ventured 3 hours out of the city to camp and explore.Just a little ways out of the city we discoverd the engine of the amjad/van was getting hot. We learned that it [...]http://aidblogs.org/desert-camping-trip/feed/0What is It?http://aidblogs.org/what-is-it/AidBlogsSun, 05 Feb 2012 03:34:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=574f056385095bae1a2dffa6de6f17f2Read the original article...

]]>This morning my reading fell in the book of Exodus, following a historical/sequential read-through-the-Bible in one year plan. Some background: such dramatic stories, but we often forget the years of less glorious preparation God puts His chosen leaders through. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner from age 17 to age 30, with no glimmer [...]http://aidblogs.org/what-is-it/feed/0ifttt: such a simple app, so usefulhttp://aidblogs.org/ifttt-such-a-simple-app-so-useful/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 22:42:37 PSThttp://www.abejero.net/?p=2608Some privacy concerns I have with it are mentioned at the bottom of this post, but for the most part I’ve found ifttt to be a very handy web app. It solved one of the problems Google created when they revamped Reader several months ago.

Like many users, I was very unhappy with the Google Reader changes. (...)

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]]>Some privacy concerns I have with it are mentioned at the bottom of this post, but for the most part I’ve found ifttt to be a very handy web app. It solved one of the problems Google created when they revamped Reader several months ago. Like many users, I was very unhappy with the Google [...]http://aidblogs.org/ifttt-such-a-simple-app-so-useful/feed/0Calling all Brisbanites!http://aidblogs.org/calling-all-brisbanites/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 12:53:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=6c31a7a22ac57b4acaf23d3d22b981d8Finding Duong, Finding Myself.

On a journey through this part of the world a few years ago, Robyn befriended a young man named Duong begging on the streets of Hanoi and set about helping him make a change... but instead Duong met a tragic ending. That's all I'll say here - go along, meet Robyn, and buy the book!

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]]>A good friend of Blue Dragon, Robyn Ramsay, is launching her book on Monday 13 in Brisbane: Finding Duong, Finding Myself.On a journey through this part of the world a few years ago, Robyn befriended a young man named Duong begging on the streets of Hanoi and set about helping him make a change... but [...]http://aidblogs.org/calling-all-brisbanites/feed/0Thoughts on Luang Prabang and ‘different’ Hanoihttp://aidblogs.org/thoughts-on-luang-prabang-and-different-hanoi/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 04:15:58 PSThttp://ourmaninhanoi.com/?p=1485IMAG0614-1

As mentioned earlier, we spent Tet in Luang Prabang one of those places that I initially liked then struggled with the longer I was there.

We started the holiday with an ongoing joke that everything was “so much better than Hanoi” – the backpacker near cliche of comparing everything in Vietnam negatively to Laos. But as the holiday went on, one more than one occasion we sat and ate (with bitten tongues, which is tricky) while listening to someone holding forth on why Laos was so amazing and Vietnam (and usually Hanoi) was, at best, different. (...)

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]]>As mentioned earlier, we spent Tet in Luang Prabang one of those places that I initially liked then struggled with the longer I was there. We started the holiday with an ongoing joke that everything was “so much better than Hanoi” – the backpacker near cliche of comparing everything in Vietnam negatively to Laos. But [...]http://aidblogs.org/thoughts-on-luang-prabang-and-different-hanoi/feed/0Is microcredit insane?http://aidblogs.org/is-microcredit-insane/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 02:59:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=5bb657e8e02c250244d574e34c1026f1
First off, a lot of microcredit programs operate under the assumption that there are large populations of entrepreneurs in countries with long histories of poverty who just need a tiny push in the form of a microloan to unleash their wealth creating power. A lot of EAWs can say with a straight face that their microloans empower people who may be illiterate, innumerate and own no productive assets to start 'microenterprises'.
The problem with this belief is that it's insane.
http://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/2012/01/23/132-microcredit/

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]]>First off, a lot of microcredit programs operate under the assumption that there are large populations of entrepreneurs in countries with long histories of poverty who just need a tiny push in the form of a microloan to unleash their wealth creating power. A lot of EAWs can say with a straight face that their [...]http://aidblogs.org/is-microcredit-insane/feed/0East African etiquettehttp://aidblogs.org/east-african-etiquette/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 02:59:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=4ee2bc04311e63bb9e6bb0cb13033752 One of my favourite Juba-things, which is apparently also a Kenya-thing, is hand-shaking. You always shake hands with the people you meet, all the time, every person in the room, no matter how long it takes.

There's also a great rule for when you are eating, or your hands are otherwise dirty - just offer a wrist instead. Simple, and avoids that English awkwardness where you don't know what to do. I'm bringing it back to England. (...)

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]]>One of my favourite Juba-things, which is apparently also a Kenya-thing, is hand-shaking. You always shake hands with the people you meet, all the time, every person in the room, no matter how long it takes. There's also a great rule for when you are eating, or your hands are otherwise dirty - just offer [...]http://aidblogs.org/east-african-etiquette/feed/0Ugandan billboard of the dayhttp://aidblogs.org/ugandan-billboard-of-the-day/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 02:42:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=426948e44af75d628d62c028e717e155
The UN has declared that internet access is a human right. So we're [MTN] giving you that access for free.
via Brian Swartz

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]]>The UN has declared that internet access is a human right. So we're [MTN] giving you that access for free. via Brian Swartz Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/ugandan-billboard-of-the-day/feed/0Awake traininghttp://aidblogs.org/awake-training/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 01:48:36 PSThttp://www.abejero.net/?p=2598

Lack of sleep – yes, it comes with the territory. (Don’t you love how every Jane Dick and Joe peddles this brilliant insight gleefully to new parents, regardless s/he’s a parent herself? Like the idea won’t logically pop into your head?) As a working mom who luckily likes her job, I’m amazed with how mind and body can actually still function – well, maybe not optimally – on the piddly rest I’m sometimes able to scrape out of my nights. (...)

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]]>Lack of sleep – yes, it comes with the territory. (Don’t you love how every Jane Dick and Joe peddles this brilliant insight gleefully to new parents, regardless s/he’s a parent herself? Like the idea won’t logically pop into your head?) As a working mom who luckily likes her job, I’m amazed with how mind [...]http://aidblogs.org/awake-training/feed/0The Dragon’s Deliverableshttp://aidblogs.org/the-dragons-deliverables/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 00:41:39 PSThttp://ourmaninhanoi.com/?p=1471DSC_0039

My yearly dynamic has been much altered by the lucky break that is having both local and western holidays.

So two and a half weeks after returning from the UK for Christmas, it was time to Tet with another week off.  We elongated that further with a couple of extra days in Laos, more of that later. (...)

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]]>My yearly dynamic has been much altered by the lucky break that is having both local and western holidays. So two and a half weeks after returning from the UK for Christmas, it was time to Tet with another week off.  We elongated that further with a couple of extra days in Laos, more of [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-dragons-deliverables/feed/0Diep got marriedhttp://aidblogs.org/diep-got-married/AidBlogsSat, 04 Feb 2012 00:14:45 PSThttp://ourmaninhanoi.com/?p=1464I’m taking advantage of the immobility of a bad back to catch up on the blog which has been left idle for some time now.

These pictures our from my sister-in-law Diep’s wedding.  It was agreed that I would be photographer. I had mixed feelings about this. (...)

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]]>I’m taking advantage of the immobility of a bad back to catch up on the blog which has been left idle for some time now. These pictures our from my sister-in-law Diep’s wedding.  It was agreed that I would be photographer. I had mixed feelings about this. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/diep-got-married/feed/0Waking up to shithttp://aidblogs.org/waking-up-to-shit/AidBlogsFri, 03 Feb 2012 15:13:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=a416657452a8df7bfb1da945d4157677An international emergency, killing millions every year from among the 2.6 bn people worldwide who dont have access to toilets. The story here in The Guardian, that of Liberia and its sanitation champion, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, none other than the President herself.

She has no doubt how critical sanitation is...
... (...)

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]]>An international emergency, killing millions every year from among the 2.6 bn people worldwide who dont have access to toilets. The story here in The Guardian, that of Liberia and its sanitation champion, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, none other than the President herself. She has no doubt how critical sanitation is... ... (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/waking-up-to-shit/feed/0Playground Sponsor Formhttp://aidblogs.org/playground-sponsor-form/AidBlogsFri, 03 Feb 2012 10:19:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=1a0477f2991a58b5d7137dc82b5fccbc
Sponsor Agreement Form

Sponsors can register until February 17th. Please make checks payable to 'New Horizons Foundation' with LTHF in the subject line and mail with the attached application to:

Let Them Have Faces
PO Box 934
Colorado Springs, CO 80901

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]]>The sponsor form for the film is now available. Click the link below to download the form. Sponsor Agreement FormSponsors can register until February 17th. Please make checks payable to 'New Horizons Foundation' with LTHF in the subject line and mail with the attached application to:Let Them Have FacesPO Box 934Colorado Springs, CO 80901 Read [...]http://aidblogs.org/playground-sponsor-form/feed/0#2 Links Expat Aid Workers Likehttp://aidblogs.org/2-links-expat-aid-workers-like/AidBlogsFri, 03 Feb 2012 04:04:19 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=4060And it’s Friday! Time for Number 2 in our experiment: Links Expat Aid Workers Like (a.k.a. LEAWL)

(...)

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]]>And it’s Friday! Time for Number 2 in our experiment: Links Expat Aid Workers Like (a.k.a. LEAWL) (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/2-links-expat-aid-workers-like/feed/0India Bleghttp://aidblogs.org/india-bleg/AidBlogsFri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=d779d34b471dce5afacb4351571cb805
My visa came through last night and I am off on Sunday afternoon. Despite missing the Super Bowl (Go Giants!), I am pretty excited. (...)

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]]>I am going to India on Sunday. Yes, you read that right. My visa came through last night and I am off on Sunday afternoon. Despite missing the Super Bowl (Go Giants!), I am pretty excited. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/india-bleg/feed/0The economics of livelihoodshttp://aidblogs.org/the-economics-of-livelihoods/AidBlogsThu, 02 Feb 2012 22:03:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=c508db3824deb99ec5833be6f22d46ec I'm not really sure what "livelihoods" means, except that I know that NGOs talk about it a lot, and that it seems to have something to do with helping poor people to generate more income. In fact NGOs seem to spend a lot of time and money trying to help poor people to improve their livelihoods, or generate more income. Now, how people generate their income sounds a lot like the kind of problem that economics was designed to deal with. In fact, a naive observer might have guessed that the whole point of micro development economics was to apply theory and evidence to the question of how poor people generate their income, and what interventions can do to improve matters. Which might have led you to expect a voluminous literature on the economics of livelihoods. (...)

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]]>I'm not really sure what "livelihoods" means, except that I know that NGOs talk about it a lot, and that it seems to have something to do with helping poor people to generate more income. In fact NGOs seem to spend a lot of time and money trying to help poor people to improve their [...]http://aidblogs.org/the-economics-of-livelihoods/feed/0Book Inscriptionhttp://aidblogs.org/book-inscription/AidBlogsThu, 02 Feb 2012 16:55:59 PSThttp://www.caseykuhlman.com/?p=814Read the original article...

]]>Here’s to the embarkation on a great journey. Here’s to a massive flop or a spectacular success. Here’s to nothing in between. Here’s to risk. Here’s to reward. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/book-inscription/feed/0I Do Not Like Green Okra Souphttp://aidblogs.org/i-do-not-like-green-okra-soup/AidBlogsThu, 02 Feb 2012 12:02:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=a08da071b2f696cf923e61aeccff8303In homeschool today, one of Isaac's assigments (we've been reading Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" this week) was to write a similar poem after choosing a food that he doesn't like and writing about it in the same fashion. He chose green okra soup which is a staple food in Sudan. It's slimy, green goo and not pleasant to the eyes or throat. :) He did a great job putting a poem together. (...)

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]]>In homeschool today, one of Isaac's assigments (we've been reading Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" this week) was to write a similar poem after choosing a food that he doesn't like and writing about it in the same fashion. He chose green okra soup which is a staple food in Sudan. It's slimy, green [...]http://aidblogs.org/i-do-not-like-green-okra-soup/feed/0Vote for the Best Aid Blogs of 2011http://aidblogs.org/vote-for-the-best-aid-blogs-of-2011/AidBlogsThu, 02 Feb 2012 01:00:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=5be0e6859fe9543d9e5910e18e2c75b2


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]]>After collecting your responses, it is now time to vote for the best in aid blogging across 12 different categories. You will notice a few are missing. A post tomorrow will explain why. Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/vote-for-the-best-aid-blogs-of-2011/feed/0Spamalothttp://aidblogs.org/spamalot/AidBlogsWed, 01 Feb 2012 23:20:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=addabd9166c86c4a8378d2675ec37bde
Anyway, there were 2 messages in my spam folder this morning, and what a coinkydink:

Greetings from Hotel Agrabad, Chittagong!

Dear Guest(s),

We would like to inform you that, we are fully booked from February 17 to 23, 2012. During these period we are unable to provide you any room. If you already have given the room reservation then, kindly ignore this massage. (...)

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]]>I was telling a friend last night that I continue to receive spam emails from a number of strange places (not strange like Nigerian bankers, but strange like places I've lived) and recalled the Hotel Agrabad in Chittagong - a hotel I never stayed at, and I can't even remember where the Agrabad district in [...]http://aidblogs.org/spamalot/feed/0Indian defence purchase decision a blow to UK aid strategy?http://aidblogs.org/indian-defence-purchase-decision-a-blow-to-uk-aid-strategy/AidBlogsWed, 01 Feb 2012 13:23:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=d10e348a2e564fba7189f8dd77abe91fI hope not...but there were a few interesting statements made yesterday over India's decision, in a $10 bn deal, to prefer the French fighter jet Rafale over the Eurofighter, manufactured by BAE, in which the British group BAE has a stake. Excerpts below, from The Hindu -
Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday led an attack on India for selecting French firm Dassault Rafale for a mega deal to supply fighter jets ignoring British claims as MPs and the media accused New Delhi of 'ingratitude,' arguing that Britain gave millions of pounds in aid to India...

...MPs and right-wing media questioned the wisdom of giving aid to India if it persisted in 'snubbing' Britain. (...)

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]]>I hope not...but there were a few interesting statements made yesterday over India's decision, in a $10 bn deal, to prefer the French fighter jet Rafale over the Eurofighter, manufactured by BAE, in which the British group BAE has a stake. Excerpts below, from The Hindu - Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday led an [...]http://aidblogs.org/indian-defence-purchase-decision-a-blow-to-uk-aid-strategy/feed/0Vote for DAWNS Grant Recipienthttp://aidblogs.org/vote-for-dawns-grant-recipient/AidBlogsWed, 01 Feb 2012 02:08:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=29dd203e45f2b9731a2a66d2fc3cb7c0
Kafa Al-Hashily - Yemen
 Laura Fletcher - Ireland
 Mohammad Rakibul Hasan - Bangladesh
 Namebage Chouchou - Democratic Republic of the Congo
 Aya Chebbi - Tunisia
 David Mafabi - Uganda
 Amanda Fortier - Canada
 Alanah Torralba - Phillipines
 Bijoyeta Das - India



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]]>The voting lines are open for the 9 finalists for our pilot grants. Check them out and vote today: Kafa Al-Hashily - Yemen Laura Fletcher - Ireland Mohammad Rakibul Hasan - Bangladesh Namebage Chouchou - Democratic Republic of the Congo Aya Chebbi - Tunisia David Mafabi - Uganda Amanda Fortier - Canada Alanah Torralba - [...]http://aidblogs.org/vote-for-dawns-grant-recipient/feed/0On posturing by MFIshttp://aidblogs.org/on-posturing-by-mfis/AidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 23:16:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=2ee6a683715d6b88176ff81a75945416MS Sriram has an article on MFIs, where he insists on the importance on 'modesty' as an important personal and organisational attribute in general, doing business, but especially when working with the poor.
When Mexico's Compartamos, one of the largest MFIs in Latin America, was a not-for-profit, it was not really questioned much on its "sustainability" issue. The moment it became a bank, and particularly after it issued shares in the secondary market, several eyebrows went up. Fundamentally nothing had changed with regard to Compartamos vis-a-vis the clients. In case of Bolivia's BancoSol, the differences between the profit orientation and the social orientation became very sharp, with those with a social orientation moving back to a not-for-profit model leaving the people with commercial orientation to continue the mainstream banking operations. (...)

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]]>MS Sriram has an article on MFIs, where he insists on the importance on 'modesty' as an important personal and organisational attribute in general, doing business, but especially when working with the poor. When Mexico's Compartamos, one of the largest MFIs in Latin America, was a not-for-profit, it was not really questioned much on its [...]http://aidblogs.org/on-posturing-by-mfis/feed/0AusAID, butter and begginghttp://aidblogs.org/ausaid-butter-and-begging/AidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 20:28:16 PSThttp://itinerantindigent.wordpress.com/?p=1511I have a meeting at the Australian Embassy.

The person I meet with lives at the Embassy compound, maybe 200m away. The Embassy staff are driven to work each morning, in flak jackets and in an amoured vehicle. This, in the most militarised part of town, where they already are well within the green zone. (...)

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]]>I have a meeting at the Australian Embassy. The person I meet with lives at the Embassy compound, maybe 200m away. The Embassy staff are driven to work each morning, in flak jackets and in an amoured vehicle. This, in the most militarised part of town, where they already are well within the green zone. [...]http://aidblogs.org/ausaid-butter-and-begging/feed/0ToonsEAWL: Being ‘between jobs’http://aidblogs.org/toonseawl-being-between-jobs/AidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 17:31:48 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=4088


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]]>Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/toonseawl-being-between-jobs/feed/0Déjà Cloo’http://aidblogs.org/deja-cloo/preachyAidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 10:12:12 PSThttp://laurenist.wordpress.com/?p=287Hello. Remember me? More importantly, remember George Clooney? He’s back–in spirit.

(...)

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]]>Hello. Remember me? More importantly, remember George Clooney? He’s back–in spirit. (...) Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/deja-cloo/feed/0Economic models are so unrealistichttp://aidblogs.org/economic-models-are-so-unrealistic/AidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 09:07:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=2cb7483786b07752e0e906f5784fdf50

Sometimes listening to criticisms of models feels a bit like this.

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]]>Sometimes listening to criticisms of models feels a bit like this. Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/economic-models-are-so-unrealistic/feed/0Robert Burns and Crookston- People on a missionhttp://aidblogs.org/robert-burns-and-crookston-people-on-a-mission/AidBlogsTue, 31 Jan 2012 02:11:29 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=a3ecd321c5c5b08d619cd06ee5d3ad32Read the original article...

]]>There is no less number of gatherings, conferences, and functions I attended enjoyed and rejoiced for a very long time but I believe my last weekend has added some incredibly bright and amazing moments into my memory. On this weekend I had the pleasure of being a part of a couple of highly inspiring gatherings, [...]http://aidblogs.org/robert-burns-and-crookston-people-on-a-mission/feed/0Micro-States; Pirates; Terrorists; The London Conference: What a Fascinating Time for Watchers of Somalishttp://aidblogs.org/micro-states-pirates-terrorists-the-london-conference-what-a-fascinating-time-for-watchers-of-somalis/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 07:49:16 PSThttp://www.caseykuhlman.com/?p=808Read the original article...

]]>For almost four years now I’ve been a careful observer of Somali politicians. For three of those years I was paid to try to be their lawyer. To provide them expert international legal assistance tied to a deep network full of some of the finest international practitioners and thinkers in the world. But they rarely, [...]http://aidblogs.org/micro-states-pirates-terrorists-the-london-conference-what-a-fascinating-time-for-watchers-of-somalis/feed/0Google: Good to Knowhttp://aidblogs.org/google-good-to-know/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 07:19:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=dfd36524f81b2bd81cc13316506f649f ]]>Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/google-good-to-know/feed/0Back in Nairobihttp://aidblogs.org/back-in-nairobi/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 05:18:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=3ed2bd16663e472b2987fa89753fdde8
The work I'm doing is a combination of fascinating and drudgery; I have to really motivate myself to do the more laborious bits and pieces and not focus solely on the innovative, interesting parts. (...)

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]]>The only times I've been to Kenya were in winter, and I must say, I much prefer Nairobi in the summer! It's sunny and warm (in the high 20s) and I find it much easier to function when it's not below 10 degrees. Thankfully, a number of my friends are still here, I've moved back [...]http://aidblogs.org/back-in-nairobi/feed/0Monsanto Go Awayhttp://aidblogs.org/monsanto-go-away/peterMon, 30 Jan 2012 04:06:15 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=1581276428ffe04891dbd5f83857fff5
Full post on www.theroadtothehorizon.org

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]]>As part of the Occupy Maui movement, The Human Revolution has a clear message for Monsanto. More on Monsanto on The Road. Full post on www.theroadtothehorizon.org Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/monsanto-go-away/feed/0#134 Driving a Beaterhttp://aidblogs.org/134-driving-a-beater/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 03:19:20 PSThttp://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/?p=3053Submitted by Kolberg

There’s only one thing that real Expat Aid Workers like more than a cushy, air-conditioned Land Cruiser washed by their security guard every morning – and that’s an old, beat up sedan, probably a Toyota Corolla, bought at a second-hand dealer, or off of a local guy, who, despite the $4,000 price tag, probably got a 100% markup anyway.

Much like going native, or participating in symbolic local traditions, driving an old car proves that you’re just so much more in touch with the community of the country you’re patronizing. To top it off, it provides a huge amount of field cred, showing that there’s no need for you to drive an extravagant vehicle just because you’re paid around 500 times the average local salary. (...)

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]]>Submitted by Kolberg There’s only one thing that real Expat Aid Workers like more than a cushy, air-conditioned Land Cruiser washed by their security guard every morning – and that’s an old, beat up sedan, probably a Toyota Corolla, bought at a second-hand dealer, or off of a local guy, who, despite the $4,000 price [...]http://aidblogs.org/134-driving-a-beater/feed/0Trumped!http://aidblogs.org/trumped/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 02:33:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=f8e62243f642d9b8a0f5f37bb20ff896

He's on a scholarship to an international school, and he won THREE medals at a sports day last week.

I think I've been trumped!

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]]>After posting on Thursday that I am to receive a medal, one of our students sent me this photograph on Friday:He's on a scholarship to an international school, and he won THREE medals at a sports day last week.I think I've been trumped! Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/trumped/feed/0Boys’ Progress Reporthttp://aidblogs.org/boys-progress-report/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 01:38:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=5220ce2589b4e10d32dbbae221a3b8c5
Yesterday I went to visit the boys at school and meet with the principal to hear how they're doing. It was so encouraging to hear very glowing reports about each boy.
Joshua: he has a true Sudanese accent and surprises his teachers with the things he says!
Evan: has really come out of his shell and is actually singing along in music class and participating more.
Isaac: is a true helper and friend. (...)

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]]>Yesterday I went to visit the boys at school and meet with the principal to hear how they're doing. It was so encouraging to hear very glowing reports about each boy.Joshua: he has a true Sudanese accent and surprises his teachers with the things he says!Evan: has really come out of his shell and is [...]http://aidblogs.org/boys-progress-report/feed/0Obama’s Look Inward to a Zero-Sum Worldhttp://aidblogs.org/obamas-look-inward-to-a-zero-sum-world/AidBlogsMon, 30 Jan 2012 01:17:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=8db3b436473acd9c01e90b1f8a547b38the Economist. This section is worth pointing out:
Americans are motivated by competition and patriotism, and if that's the only way to rally the country behind fundamentally sound policies like subsidies for basic research, then that's the card you play. And, in practice, Mr Obama's reforms will probably not do much more than offset the crummy, mercantilist choices made by other governments elsewhere. (...)

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]]>R.A. analyzes President Obama's State of the Union speech in the Economist. This section is worth pointing out: Americans are motivated by competition and patriotism, and if that's the only way to rally the country behind fundamentally sound policies like subsidies for basic research, then that's the card you play. And, in practice, Mr Obama's [...]http://aidblogs.org/obamas-look-inward-to-a-zero-sum-world/feed/0South Sudan non sequiturhttp://aidblogs.org/south-sudan-non-sequitur/AidBlogsSun, 29 Jan 2012 22:17:00 PSThttp://aidblogs.org/?guid=06264d49c01b4c41442ca61d97e381de Simon Tisdall writes in the Guardian
disputes over oil revenue-sharing, cross-border conflict, and looming famine. These multiple crises combine to pose a fundamental question: can South Sudan survive as a viable state?
Which in a slightly round-about way is a nice reminder of the tremendous benefits of studying economics. Economics teaches you a handful of incredibly powerful core concepts which, once assimilated, you kind of take for granted, and forget that not everybody intuitively thinks this way. Supply and demand. (...)

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]]>Simon Tisdall writes in the Guardian disputes over oil revenue-sharing, cross-border conflict, and looming famine. These multiple crises combine to pose a fundamental question: can South Sudan survive as a viable state? Which in a slightly round-about way is a nice reminder of the tremendous benefits of studying economics. Economics teaches you a handful of [...]http://aidblogs.org/south-sudan-non-sequitur/feed/0Gigglingbob’s Weekly Twitshttp://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-40/TweetsAidBlogsSun, 29 Jan 2012 17:10:00 PSThttp://robrooker.com/blog/archives/864surerogers: Longhorn promotes school e-reading with free Kindles in partnership with Worldreader International. # fun evening #creativezmeetup #repkenya @ItsBuddhaBlaze @aCeramicArtist @sk5sami @Zawadin @just_sham_it @TheCreativez @RVHrossvanhorn # RT @ItsBuddhaBlaze: RT My name is gigglingbob and I #

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]]>RT @surerogers: Longhorn promotes school e-reading with free Kindles in partnership with Worldreader International. # fun evening #creativezmeetup #repkenya @ItsBuddhaBlaze @aCeramicArtist @sk5sami @Zawadin @just_sham_it @TheCreativez @RVHrossvanhorn # RT @ItsBuddhaBlaze: RT My name is gigglingbob and I # Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-40/feed/0Gigglingbob’s Weekly Twitshttp://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-39/TweetsAidBlogsSun, 29 Jan 2012 17:10:00 PSThttp://robrooker.com/blog/archives/863surerogers: Longhorn promotes school e-reading with free Kindles in partnership with Worldreader International. # fun evening #creativezmeetup #repkenya @ItsBuddhaBlaze @aCeramicArtist @sk5sami @Zawadin @just_sham_it @TheCreativez @RVHrossvanhorn # RT @ItsBuddhaBlaze: RT My name is gigglingbob and I #

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]]>RT @surerogers: Longhorn promotes school e-reading with free Kindles in partnership with Worldreader International. # fun evening #creativezmeetup #repkenya @ItsBuddhaBlaze @aCeramicArtist @sk5sami @Zawadin @just_sham_it @TheCreativez @RVHrossvanhorn # RT @ItsBuddhaBlaze: RT My name is gigglingbob and I # Read the original article...http://aidblogs.org/gigglingbobs-weekly-twits-39/feed/0