I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues

7/8/11

So here’s what my paper is sounding like these days: “this program would be really great, but it has no money, and the schools pay some of the fees, but they also have no money, and the parents could pay the schools, but they have no money, and then their kids have to drop out, and then the schools will probably have to close soon because they again will have no money.”  Uplifting stuff, right?  Even if I get grant money, what happens in a few years when the grant runs out?  Public health is utterly depressing.  So is economics.  I heard on the radio at dinner tonight that the Uganda shilling is the third most worthless piece of money in the world.  This doesn’t help the theme of All of Uganda’s Problems Come From No Money and No Literacy.  And then what really gets me is how all these countries who have money spend their money.  Or spend money they don’t have.  And allow unethical business agreements and practices in countries that are already barely standing by ripping off the few resources available so that they can make even more money.  And then I read online that even with all of that money, there still aren’t enough jobs for everyone at home.  I’m feeling frustrated these days.  I want to move to Sweden.  Can you think of any major conflict or ethical dilemma caused by the Swedes?*  I can’t.  They even gave us Ikea. 

My second side project is doing some data collection on Extremely Drug Resistant Tuberculosis, another incredibly uplifting subject.  We’ve done a bad job of treating TB the right way, and in the process, this new super bug of TB has formed, and is pretty much untouched by any antibiotics we have right now.  It sounds like a bad comic book movie.  Guess who got hit the worst.  Yep, Africa.  And because they don’t have enough problems, it’s usually the patients with HIV that get hit.  I miss blissful ignorance a lot. 

And on that lovely note, I did find some pirated DVDs in town, including Ally McBeal.  Dani and Verity left today, and while my writing has not been fun, I have enjoyed a little bit of quiet.  I had a hamburger (still tasted great), got some cookies from the bakery, have a line up of girly shows and movies, and I plan to zone out for the night. 

Tonight I’m thankful...
1. for Sweden.  Way to set an example, guys. 
2. for learning one or two words in Ankole.  People crack up when I say ‘webare’ (thank you).  Doesn’t make for great confidence in my language skills, but they seem to be entertained if nothing else.  Oh, and I’m trying to break the habit of ‘please’ after everything I ask for.  Alex said it just confuses people.  So much for being polite.  I'm also glad he's just now telling me this.
3. for power.  My little house on campus seems to be exempt from the scheduled power cuts every night this week.  Good thing, because matches scare me, and my roommates aren’t here to save me if I light myself on fire. 

*Looked it up and the last war Sweden had was in was 1814.  It’s official.  I’ll look into a visa as soon as I’m home and have enjoyed all of the comforts that unethical business practices have given me for a few weeks.