What We’re Reading: Cell phones saving lives in Rwanda
Nigeria advances the fight against polio, says Gates – Philanthropist Bill Gates argues that with continued hard work and investment, the world is on a path toward the eradication of polio. Returning from a recent trip to Nigeria, he recounts the progress he saw and the challenges that remain, including the hurdle of fear and suspicion that surrounds the disease. Saving the lives of children is a universal concern, maintains Gates, who commends Nigeria’s progress, saying “I tried to encourage everyone to not let up.” (The Huffington Post)
Effective aid agencies in Africa key to fighting poverty – Philanthropist Marieme Jamme argues that regulation, accountability and closer monitoring of a number of well-meaning but often misguided aid organizations is vital to supporting efforts to eradicate poverty in Africa. Jamme outlines what she believes makes an effective NGO, including a sound, carefully thought-out core idea, with an organizational structure that enables good execution on the ground. (The Guardian)
New Bribery Index measures corruption in East Africa – The recently issued East Africa Bribery Index, designed to show how citizens experience corruption in public institutions across East Africa, finds two neighboring countries falling on different ends of the spectrum in terms of corruption. Burundi came out as the most corrupt country in the region, while Rwanda proved the least. The study is meant to highlight that much work still needs to be done to address corruption and ensure better leadership going forward. (Kim Lewis, VOA)
Cell phones save lives in Rwandan villages – Nearly 500 volunteer community health care workers in Rwanda have been given free cell phones so they can keep track of pregnant women in their villages. Health workers use the phones to register and monitor expecting mothers, sending text messages to local clinics if they have any questions or updates. The cell-phone program was set up in conjunction with various U.N. organizations to combat child and maternal deaths. (Lisa Desai, CNN)
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July 28, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hey Robyn – just an fyi about Marieme Jamme: she is an avid trasher of the MDG’s, Prof. Jeff Sachs & the African advocacy of Bob Geldof & Bono.
I have followed her for a while @ Twitter and have seen her attacks on our movement. So I think that ONE or ONE members might want to retweet your post to highlight to her that our movement are rational people & more than willing to engage in civil & constructive discussion about the best ways to support Africa in its own efforts to uplift & empower its people.
I think if we would be the first to offer our hand in friendship to Marieme Jamme then it would have to diminish the credibility of her criticism of our movement.
Just some ideas……that I hope someone takes & uses wisely.
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie
http://www.mpwn-uganda.org
July 29, 2010 at 3:48 am
No worries Marreme. You’re not tthe only one with “smear blogger” believe me.
At least yours isn’t suggesting you’re a criminal. I guess you touched a raw nerve somewhere.
July 29, 2010 at 8:31 am
Welcome, Jeff Mowatt. Constructive discussion of issues is always welcomed here in the ONE Blog. You are among friends here. As someone who has been smeared by a blogger, I know the feeling. I was once told that I had no right to speak up for Africa because I was not an African! Very sad perspective….
AS ONE, debbie
http://www.myspace.com/mulago
July 29, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Dear Debbie,
Our paths cross again! Your comments do not surprise my team or myself.
I am obviously well aware that you have been following me and have noted with interest your tweets and aggressive on-line behaviour towards me.
I would like to correct and clarify some of your points for the sake of accuracy.
First of all, I reject your description of me as an “avid trasher” of MDGs, Prof. Jeff Sachs & the African advocacy of Bob Geldof & Bono. Critical sometimes, yes – and I am not the only one, as you know – but I am not an “avid trasher”.
Secondly, my criticism is not directed solely at ONE, but more particularly at bad NGOs that are doing harm to the African Continent. I am sure that all the people you mention in your post are aware of this and will agree with what I am talking about.
If ONE were to offer me the hand of friendship, I would hope to be able to make a positive contribution, but this would boost ONE’s credibility rather than “diminish the credibility of (my) criticism of (your) movement.”
Ultimately though, my job is not to criticise the work of the ONE movement in Africa, but to describe things as I see them and bring clarity on events on the ground while attempting to make a positive contribution to African development which I am very passionate about.
I am open to the idea of a discussion, if you wish.
Kind Regards
Marieme Jamme
July 29, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Good to see that you are open to a constructive discussion, Marieme. This has not been my experience with you in the past but that should be a private discussion between us and not splashed all over the Internet.
My experience has been that ONE has ALWAYS been an organization that is tolerant of varying points of view and is looking only to be the best that it can be in reflecting the diversity, determination & dignity of the Continent. Your voice for Africa is welcomed as are all others here. We should be working AS ONE for the future of Africa.
Wishing you well. ~
July 30, 2010 at 2:46 am
Actually Debbie K (or whatever your name is)
I don’t understand why you wouldn’t welcome criticism of MDGs as well as Saint Geldof and his best friend, Bono. They, nor you, have all the solutions to Africa’s problems and speaking as an African myself, I would much rather see Africans solving their own problems than have solutions imposed on them by foreigners.
In case you hadn’t noticed, there are a huge number of African diaspora who are aware of the challenges that beset the African continent and are returning in droves to set up businesses, provide employment and enrich their respective communities. The potential for Africa is exciting and the way out of a lot of it’s problems will be through innovation and attracting investment and not through being portrayed as childlike and helpless by people such as yourself.
Words of advice, find someone else to save. You aren’t needed.
Chika E
July 30, 2010 at 7:04 am
Thanks Chika for your ideas & opinions. As I said yesterday, from my experience, everybody’s input is welcomed here in the ONE Blog – as long as it is constructive. For me, the constructive part of your post is to highlight the sort of embittered person that I hope I never become.
Neither you or Ms. Jamme or any of her supporters know me, my activities nor my heart yet you proceed like you do! What is the saying – “Folly precedes the fall of a man”? Indeed!
The best thing I think is for this conversation – & obvious negativity coming from my “opponents” -to simply end. The way y’all are carrying on your “attack” of me and, by inference, this movement is counterproductive for you.
It does NOT put your viewpoint in the best light as Ms. Jamme tried to do in her Guardian article. Maybe the Guardian should be informed of this thread and the “other side” of her supporters’ opinions that were NOT conveyed in the Guardian article.
I will NOT respond to any more of this sort of embittered line of personal attacks. I’ll let the words of negativity speak for themselves.
I wish you all well.