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Why is there so much bigotry in this world?  Read More »

In my city, the murder rate is up from last year. I am so frustrated with the amount of senseless violence I see too many African American use against each other. This does not make much sense to me. If you do not like a person, just do not talk to them or find a positive way to break the ice. Gun violence is absolutely crazy.  Read More »

From the When not in Africa. . . blog.

When writing about Africa many times it is difficult to bring the proper perspective or 'view'. So often people write about Africa with the view, that many of us have come to know, from the myths of Africa. The old myths of a 'dark' continent, Heart of Darkness, uncivilized, and savage to the new myths of a continent wrought with poverty, disease, and conflict, these are all too often emphasized in writings about Africa. That, I would say, is a poor representation of Africa, its many countries, and its many peoples. In her blog, Acumen Fund Fellow Jocelyn Wyatt, writes about her training in writing about Africa before being stationed in Kenya for eight months. She tells us of three views often evident in writings about Africa. I will allow her writing to continue this message. And I hope, that I can write about Africa with a critical eye and not with a jaded or an overly simplistic mindset. I hope to understand the intricacies of Africa and not look too far past the idea that all people are more alike than they are different.  Read More »

From the When not in Africa. . . blog.

It crowds my thoughts; it accompanies my dreams; it wrenches my heart; I am so close to arriving on its glorious soil: Africa. In less than three days I am going to travel back to the continent that stole my heart. Six years ago I was captivated and moved by my travels in Uganda and now I will be headed to Ghana to continue my journey. This summer I am going as part of an official study abroad through my university, Michigan State University's study abroad program in Ghana: A Multidisciplinary Perspective. And so this blog's title is about to become a bit oxymoronic, however regardless of title this blog will cover my experiences in Africa this summer and will continue to chroncile my work in and for Africa.  Read More »

My husband and I are one of the six million couples in the United States that suffer from infertility. We knew there was going to be a problem long before we ever started trying, so when the time came and we decided we were ready, we figured we were forewarned and thus, ready for the battle. Two years into the battle, we decided that I would start fertility medications.  Read More »

From the When not in Africa. . . blog.

The correlation between violent conflicts and health may seem to be very obvious, but there is more to the issue than what crosses the mind. Everyone can make the simple connection that there is direct impact of conflict on being unbenefittal for the betterment of health. For example it is easy to read this article and see the obvious connection to artillery shells hitting a hospital in Mogadishu. Internal clashes and conflict creates a more difficult situation for humanitarian operations all over Africa.

Africa represents the highest rates of internal conflict and disease, especially HIV/AIDS. This disease has been used as a weapon in conflict. Many times infected soldiers are sent to the front lines to spread disease and infect the opposition, which generally turns out to be the innocent population. Populations affected by armed internal conflicts end up experiencing severe public health consequences from food insecurity, displacement, and combat. All this ends in a collapse of basic health services which are essential to the survival of the population.  Read More »

From the When not in Africa. . . blog.

The 'bright idea' of the West very often comes under scrutiny from the rest of the world. In Tanzania the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are seen as the 'hidden agenda' of the West that is impossible for African countries to achieve. Many see South Africa's ability to achieve the MDGs as an obvious reference to the Western powers' foreign policy towards 'developing states.' Is it because South Africa is most Western and developed that it has achieved so much?  Read More »