High Infant Mortality Rate in Sierra Leone, SSA (140 per 1,000 deaths)

Sierra Leone, a much smaller country in SSA, has implemented an actionable solution to combat its high maternal and infant deaths. Is this a pilot project, is it sustainable and, was needs assessment done properly?  There are pitfalls in the programme, as they are currently experiencing, nevertheless hurray to the president and healthcare workers for putting some thing in place after much debate and strike.
www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/2010/10/101008_sierraleonehealthcare.shtml  This program came about due to the efforts of the Global Village; as in (a) Robert Zoellick, Director of the World Bank, (b) Mr. Gordon Brown of U.K who said "the World must be 'ashamed into stopping child deaths", "a few pence is the price of life or death for millions" he added, (c) Austria, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom (Douglas Alexander- International Development Secretary) and (d) Centre for Progressive Health Financing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8645968.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8271882.stm  "This won't happen overnight but we hope in the years ahead we will see a shift in approach that will revolutionise health services in the world poorest countries.  Poor health and poverty go hand-in-hand and so we must first improve people's health if we are to improve their lives" said Secretary Douglas Alexander.

Staying focused on High Infant Mortality Rate in Nigeria, SSA

I got a call recently, and the person said, "you know you can start a blog called venting :-)". I wouldn't bore you with the recent of the conversation, suffice to say my take away lesson from the conversation, was I seem to be deviating from my aim of this blog,  to (a) highlight the High Infant Mortality Rate in SAA (Nigeria) and (b) hope and pray the numbers would be reversed. But praying wouldn't do it,  and hoping is a positive sign, hence there needs to be actionable solutions to the problem.  Furthermore. I remember my uncle saying "stay away from politics, stay focused to the cause", wise words from a man of wisdom, I wonder if I have stayed true to his comment.  Nor does my brother's comment help when he said, "folks who blog think people really need to hear what they have to say because, I think it is ridiculous, people who post crap on face book are stupid... abusing the internet with no training".  Apart from enjoying the art of reading, especially a piece of good writing, I felt compelled to comment on the downtrodden nature of the U.S. economy (as a public consumer of news), since being from California I am deeply affected by it or know lots of people being equally affected by it.  As I previously mentioned I did not know what blogging entails however, I know it is fluid in nature, and so would 1.

Falash Mura aliyah

Hurray to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah to allow approximately 8,000 Ethiopian Jews to call Israel home in the next three years.  www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-11753909 "These are the seeds of Israel- men, women and children that currently find themselves in the worst living condition,"  'Israel had a moral duty to resolve the complex humanitarian crisis,' said Netanyah.   Would this aliyah complete the immigration of the entire Falash Mura community in Ethiopia as Silvan Shalom (2007) suggested? Ethiopians would tell you "No".  I wonder the rate of infant mortality at these camps- is it high, medium or low in the past twenty years?  Nevertheless, aliyah gesture from Prime Minister Netanyah is a wonderful one.  Hence, to end the persistent hunger of infants and their families homelessness in these camps.

America's Economic Robustness and High Infant Mortality Rate in SSA

What has America's economic-financial strength got to do with my cause celebre? Everything! When I call upon the Global Village in a public-private partnership to help reverse a tide, the U.S. is in the fore front of that call. When I think of which country that donates more than others to causes within its boundaries? The U.S. comes to mind.  When I think of who gives a bit more than most to causes outside its borders? The U.S. is the answer.  When I think of which country among the G20 that believes in philanthropy the most? The U.S.  And when I think of which country has the most concentrated wealth?  The U.S. www.forbes.com/2009/03/11/worlds-richest-people-billionaires-2009-billionaires_land.html   So, U.S. retaining its preeminence, being fiscally robust, with a viable economy benefits my cause, and countless others globally. When people are comfortable and happy in their zone thus, they are able and or willing to assist the less fortunate. Hence, the adage- I have to feed my stomach first, before worrying about the hungry man next door.

Charlie Rose and Realism

My aunty always says "America is a very organized society." Last night I caught Charlie Rose on my local PBS channel KCET, and there were his guests David Walker (Peterson Foundation) and Mr. Friedstein (sp) or Frieden (Harvard) talking about fiscal responsibility and tough choices that needs to be made.  According to Mr. Walker, "the president has to lead", regardless of whether or not the bipartisan panel reaches the 14 out of 18 votes needed for agreement. The country is waiting for the president to lead, continued Mr. Walker.  But one would not have known that from the midterm election, I might add.  On the other hand may be Mr. Walker knows something I do not know, since I am neither an economist nor a politician. After all he is of the Peterson Foundation. So, I give him the benefit of the doubt, and believe that the country is waiting for President Obama to lead. The New York Times echoed a similar theme this morning "Waiting for the President" www.nytimes.com/opinion  to lead.  I read Paul Krugman's "The Hijacked Commission", I am still LOL, and next to it was David Brooks "preserving American pre-eminence" beautiful piece of writing, especially his last sentence.  Let me say, I appreciate Mr. D. Brooks style of writing, shall we say his prose and command of the language.

Guitar Hero on Veterans Day

Shall we salute all veterans, today being veterans day. There were many stories about veterans today.  The guitar hero story by Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News in his "Making A Difference" segment (I think that has become a signature piece of his), showed effectiveness of a simplified strategy to a complex problem.  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/  In short it is a story about a PTSD Vietnam veteran who started a program of helping injured veterans by giving them guitars and teaching them how to play the instrument (using Kaizen approach).  And this is my point, using collective effort in helping others, as Brian would say to make a difference in others lives.  To date the program has given out 800 guitars. Thus, the process of learning to play the guitar  in addition to the music helps the veterans in healing. As a daughter of a major in the army (civil war) who lost her father from the ills of the war, lost a young uncle (father's only brother) at the war front, lost an aunt at a market when a bomb exploded and other relatives from effects of war, I simply understand the anguish of war ramifications. Kudos to those who sacrifice their lives in the war front. That is the utmost sacrifice, and they are the true heros of today.

Prayer Line response to IF

I m still LOL. Obviously you read every line with a fine tooth comb. That is the down side of blogging. As my friend said you have to always check for accuracy ie in spelling. You caught the tight-tithes sentence. Thanks for the correction.  From what I understand the pastor is too busy saving souls and doing deliverance prayer that he would not be interested in my cause. Thanks for the suggestion. I may pick up the courage and present the idea to him. Stay tuned.