Ministry of Magic

Yes, Harry Potter fans, I made a reference. Good call... now, moving right along.

Yesterday I met with a politician at NEMA, the National Environmental Management Associate... ok I made that up, I remember the acronym, not what it stands for (good guess though). Anyway, NEMA is excited about our study and wants us to give a presentation next week! Also, today we are going to the Ministry of Education and Sports in order to seek their support. People are really interested in our project because, as I understand, a lot of people feel strongly about the Mpererwe Dump and that it is in a bad location. Christine, Dr. Luboga's wife said that she can sometimes smell it at the house.

I think that it's hard to blame the govenment here for the placement of the dump, Kampala has grown and continues to grow exponentially. The infrastructure could not keep up with the population... a common problem in developing countries, specifically in their cities. If someone really wanted to help millions, they would be a city planner, civil engineer, or something like that and lend their time and expertise to developing cities and countries... you could also probably make a mint. Part of the problem, depending on how you look at it, is people like me. We are working on a research project to help the people of Uganda lead healthier, longer, and more productive lives. (I am not sure I like using the word productive, might seem like I am making a xenophobic western comment, but it makes sense here because lead (Pb) can really prevent people from reaching their potential.) Because of people on medical and other missions here, the Ugandan people are living longer, surviving more childbirths, and having more kids. The population is increasing at a rate of 3.5%, the US is growing at only 0.9% (google). Unless there is some major investing and developement of the cities in developing countries, we will continue to have shanty towns, bad roads, not enough hospitals, schools, and public services, and thus more disease. It's a really serious issue.

On the lighter side, suprisingly, I found KOSHER FOOD here! Last night, for dinner, I made (made in africa) pasta with fresh tomatoes (also made/grown in africa, but less suprisingly). I also found okra and tomato sauce so for shabbat I am going to make something called bamia (think gumbo, but without the meat and spicier). I am also making something called courge (sp?), which is basically a butternut squash cooked and mushed with garlic, cumin, and (hopefully if I can find some) hot pepper. I am also making poor-man's guacamole... have only avocado (no, not hass avocado, Cassie <-- a real guacamole guru), limes, and onion, but it should be alright. Lastly, and just to make sure I have leftovers, I will make some potatoes and couscous and of course I will bake some challah.

Day 3 of watergate... We still don't have running water at the house, but things are falling into a routine. John, the caretaker heats water for our baths, you flush with a jerry can, and you wash dishes in a small tub. No biggy....anymore...kinda. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanyway.

Last night, just like any good doctor who cares about his community, Dr. Luboga had a woman visit with her child who had a fever. Cute kid. He was fine, just had a little immunization fever. However, the man who brought the woman, a neighbor, was really intersted in me... you see, in the house, I wear my yarmulke (sounds like: Yam-ma-ka even though it's not spelled that way). He is a devout Catholic and thought that because I had to be a rabbi. So we had a conversation about Judaism. It's nice to be able to share such an important part of my life with someone who has never met a Jew before. I think that if I were to wear my yarmulke on the street I would get more questions than stares.

OK, off to Parliment, we have an appointment with the Ministry. Shabbat Shalom!