I first heard of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project in an e-learning Africa conference in Nairobi Kenya (end of May 2007). At the time, the project representative seem to suggest, in his captivating presentation, that the laptops would be available only to (through) governments of developing nations. I was among those individuals who thought they had the opportunity of returning home with a beautiful present for the children. We were wrong, none was on offer (going to be offered) to the public.
I am glad to learn through an article on the BBC website that the laptops will now be available to the public. What still puzzles me is that it is, so far, available for purchase by US residents (only)! I am still working out the rationale.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
The "Special One"
I am a soccer fan and I have no apologies for it. I do not only love to watch the skills, talent in display but also the style. Above all I learn lots of lessons from a soccer game. On several occasions I have used the analogy of a soccer game to help me in teaching.
Last week, on Thursday 20 September 2007, I woke up early morning to the news that Mr. Jose Mario dos Santos Felix Mourinho the (former) Chelsea FC Manager had quit the club. It came out of the blue, not only for me but for several other commentators. Again I thought I would be the only one to miss him but several have confessed similarly.
When I got the news, I quickly thought of the legacy he left at Chelsea FC. I scribbled something for the press but it is not out and probably will not - the news is getting stale. This blog should surely publish it:
TEN REASONS WHY I THINK JOSE MOURINHO IS ‘THE SPECIAL ONE’
I woke up to the news early Thursday 20 September 2007 morning that Jose Mourinho had quit Chelsea FC as manager. Thanks to BBC Radio service. I could not help but think about his legacy. He surely will never, by any measure, be described as the worst manager the English Premiership (or Soccer) has seen. Take it or leave it; believe it or not (hide your head in the sand); love him or hate him, I think Jose Mourinho (JM) has a legacy and is an inspiration. I volunteer highlights of only ten reasons why.
o JM is a risk taker. JM took decisions out of the ordinary. I guess he did this because of his understanding of the risk-reward ratio. Where there is a big risk, there is a big reward if the transaction succeeds. He was not shy to make two or three changes at once half way a match or even deploying a defender as striker. On some occasions it paid and on others it did not – that is life (better try and fail than fail to try).
o Winning spirit – JM hated to lose and this motivated him to aim higher and higher and also to believe in himself. This in turn motivated and spurred the players match after match.
o JM’s troubles with the club owners started sometime back but despite all those troubles, he stuck in there and continued to do what he knew best. Thanks to his resilience. The spirit of resilience also rubbed on the players and eventually club. Many will recall how Chelsea performed against odds in the previous season when injuries dictated to the extent that a third choice goalkeeper and a make-shift defence had to play against an attack-minded Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Despite these troubles, Chelsea progressed in the UEFA Champions League (semi finals), won the FA cup and finished second in the English Premier League. Resilience in character.
o Motivation. I love the moments JM teased the press with the possibility of winning four trophies in a season. I do not believe that any team can do it in this era. The gullible press unfortunately took that as a bench mark to judge JM’s performance. I see a different side of it, as summarised in this West African saying: ‘when you aim at the moon, you will surely come down with a few stars’. Think Big and make the squad think likewise and you will pick at least one trophy a season. It worked for JM – he motivated/led the players to aim high.
o JM ‘introduced’ a new style of soccer which was, to some degree, shared by Mr. Rafael Benitez. He studied and recorded game details; created a defensive mindset even in attack-minded players and in the process he used the players effectively – the focus was three points (a win) in every match and a win (3 points) needed just one extra goal. Period. He was comfortable with a 1-0 win even when he would possibly have spurred his boys to score more. It is a fact that in a game of points one should aim at attaining the highest number of points and in a game of knock-outs, one aims at a win. This is only logical and I think it is a principle in life but critics soon described the style as ‘boring’. No wonder they criticized Chelsea and Liverpool on their style of play. I guess the critics were not happy because the style had ‘robbed’ off trophies from the usual suspects. Liverpool soon took the UEFA Champions League trophy and Chelsea took a few local ones. It paid and proved that the style works. A paradigm shift? Before he left, JM had promised a different style and we had started seeing it unfold in the form of accurate one touch passes, back heels, dribbles, etc but alas, he is out before delivering his promise. If he stayed maybe his critics would drop the word 'boring' and pick on I don't know what.
o Independence of opinion and speaking out of his gut feelings. This factor could have contributed to his exit. JM did not fear to express his opinion on anything (for or against). I will not be surprised if one of the causes of his exit is not related to his opinion on signings and the Club owner’s interference with his work. I still do not believe that JM chose to sign (and play) Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and I do not think he kept his opinion secret about it. It is rumoured that these players were personal preferences of the club owner (or is it his family members). JM would not last in such an environment.
o Being Ugandan (African), I could not miss this one. JM, through some means, got African players onto the first 11 selection sheet. He developed and brought to light the beauty of African talents in Essien, Kalou, Drogba, Obi and Geremi. I pray the next manager keeps them on and also that they collectively stick with Chelsea (Geremi is gone to do wonders elsewhere – it is already obvious).
o The English image of the team. Not so much because I am an England supporter but more because I am a strong proponent of the notion that clubs in the National Leagues should have a good number of the citizen of that country in their squads, actually on the first 11 selection sheet. JM maintained Terry, Lampard, Bridge, A. Cole, J. Cole, Wright-Phillips on his first 11, I believe, partly in respect of the country (England).
o He subtly introduced the 60/30 principle. We have all heard of the 90/10 and the 80/20 principles elsewhere but JM invented the 60/30 principle in soccer. Many soccer analysts unfortunately missed it! This is a simple rotational strategy – change players 30 minutes to the end of the game (60minutes into the game). This does one or all of three things: the first is to give every first team member an opportunity to play; secondly to bring in a player/players who can change the direction of a match and thirdly to strategically rest a player for the next game. Barring injuries, most managers make changes ten minutes to the end of the match with the hope of changing the direction of the game but unless it is a defender introduced, the fresh player rarely makes significant match-changing impact.
o JM, with ease, created (conquered?), occupied and maintained space for himself in many people’s minds – both as friend or foe in equal measure. Every football fan, every sports analyst on TV, Radio, Newspaper thought about or mentioned JM’s name almost once every week either in praise or otherwise. In fact he created / made jobs easier for many football analysts. One of the Sports Columnist for the "New Vision" newspaper in Uganda, Mr. Aldrine Nsubuga Sr. (an ardent critic of Mourinho/Chelsea and Wenger/Arsenal – my perception) once surprisingly described him as “a stranger who came to become a landlord in a foreign land at nobody’s invitation” and as “a man who has come to challenge the established order in Europe”. I couldn’t agree more. He did exactly that.
Hate him, love him, JM made his mark and I believe that his departure from Stamford Bridge is a big relief to many managers in the English Premiership, at least for the time his destination is not defined. He has been a big pain to them. Unfortunately, all the above attributes, either singly or collectively, seem to have attracted hatred for Chelsea FC and members of the Chelsea squad among many sports analysts, football governing bodies and even some match officials. Who is not hated by somebody anyway, sometimes even for no genuine reason?
Photos from ESPN Soccernet
Last week, on Thursday 20 September 2007, I woke up early morning to the news that Mr. Jose Mario dos Santos Felix Mourinho the (former) Chelsea FC Manager had quit the club. It came out of the blue, not only for me but for several other commentators. Again I thought I would be the only one to miss him but several have confessed similarly.
When I got the news, I quickly thought of the legacy he left at Chelsea FC. I scribbled something for the press but it is not out and probably will not - the news is getting stale. This blog should surely publish it:
TEN REASONS WHY I THINK JOSE MOURINHO IS ‘THE SPECIAL ONE’
I woke up to the news early Thursday 20 September 2007 morning that Jose Mourinho had quit Chelsea FC as manager. Thanks to BBC Radio service. I could not help but think about his legacy. He surely will never, by any measure, be described as the worst manager the English Premiership (or Soccer) has seen. Take it or leave it; believe it or not (hide your head in the sand); love him or hate him, I think Jose Mourinho (JM) has a legacy and is an inspiration. I volunteer highlights of only ten reasons why.
o JM is a risk taker. JM took decisions out of the ordinary. I guess he did this because of his understanding of the risk-reward ratio. Where there is a big risk, there is a big reward if the transaction succeeds. He was not shy to make two or three changes at once half way a match or even deploying a defender as striker. On some occasions it paid and on others it did not – that is life (better try and fail than fail to try).
o Winning spirit – JM hated to lose and this motivated him to aim higher and higher and also to believe in himself. This in turn motivated and spurred the players match after match.
o JM’s troubles with the club owners started sometime back but despite all those troubles, he stuck in there and continued to do what he knew best. Thanks to his resilience. The spirit of resilience also rubbed on the players and eventually club. Many will recall how Chelsea performed against odds in the previous season when injuries dictated to the extent that a third choice goalkeeper and a make-shift defence had to play against an attack-minded Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Despite these troubles, Chelsea progressed in the UEFA Champions League (semi finals), won the FA cup and finished second in the English Premier League. Resilience in character.
o Motivation. I love the moments JM teased the press with the possibility of winning four trophies in a season. I do not believe that any team can do it in this era. The gullible press unfortunately took that as a bench mark to judge JM’s performance. I see a different side of it, as summarised in this West African saying: ‘when you aim at the moon, you will surely come down with a few stars’. Think Big and make the squad think likewise and you will pick at least one trophy a season. It worked for JM – he motivated/led the players to aim high.
o JM ‘introduced’ a new style of soccer which was, to some degree, shared by Mr. Rafael Benitez. He studied and recorded game details; created a defensive mindset even in attack-minded players and in the process he used the players effectively – the focus was three points (a win) in every match and a win (3 points) needed just one extra goal. Period. He was comfortable with a 1-0 win even when he would possibly have spurred his boys to score more. It is a fact that in a game of points one should aim at attaining the highest number of points and in a game of knock-outs, one aims at a win. This is only logical and I think it is a principle in life but critics soon described the style as ‘boring’. No wonder they criticized Chelsea and Liverpool on their style of play. I guess the critics were not happy because the style had ‘robbed’ off trophies from the usual suspects. Liverpool soon took the UEFA Champions League trophy and Chelsea took a few local ones. It paid and proved that the style works. A paradigm shift? Before he left, JM had promised a different style and we had started seeing it unfold in the form of accurate one touch passes, back heels, dribbles, etc but alas, he is out before delivering his promise. If he stayed maybe his critics would drop the word 'boring' and pick on I don't know what.
o Independence of opinion and speaking out of his gut feelings. This factor could have contributed to his exit. JM did not fear to express his opinion on anything (for or against). I will not be surprised if one of the causes of his exit is not related to his opinion on signings and the Club owner’s interference with his work. I still do not believe that JM chose to sign (and play) Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and I do not think he kept his opinion secret about it. It is rumoured that these players were personal preferences of the club owner (or is it his family members). JM would not last in such an environment.
o Being Ugandan (African), I could not miss this one. JM, through some means, got African players onto the first 11 selection sheet. He developed and brought to light the beauty of African talents in Essien, Kalou, Drogba, Obi and Geremi. I pray the next manager keeps them on and also that they collectively stick with Chelsea (Geremi is gone to do wonders elsewhere – it is already obvious).
o The English image of the team. Not so much because I am an England supporter but more because I am a strong proponent of the notion that clubs in the National Leagues should have a good number of the citizen of that country in their squads, actually on the first 11 selection sheet. JM maintained Terry, Lampard, Bridge, A. Cole, J. Cole, Wright-Phillips on his first 11, I believe, partly in respect of the country (England).
o He subtly introduced the 60/30 principle. We have all heard of the 90/10 and the 80/20 principles elsewhere but JM invented the 60/30 principle in soccer. Many soccer analysts unfortunately missed it! This is a simple rotational strategy – change players 30 minutes to the end of the game (60minutes into the game). This does one or all of three things: the first is to give every first team member an opportunity to play; secondly to bring in a player/players who can change the direction of a match and thirdly to strategically rest a player for the next game. Barring injuries, most managers make changes ten minutes to the end of the match with the hope of changing the direction of the game but unless it is a defender introduced, the fresh player rarely makes significant match-changing impact.
o JM, with ease, created (conquered?), occupied and maintained space for himself in many people’s minds – both as friend or foe in equal measure. Every football fan, every sports analyst on TV, Radio, Newspaper thought about or mentioned JM’s name almost once every week either in praise or otherwise. In fact he created / made jobs easier for many football analysts. One of the Sports Columnist for the "New Vision" newspaper in Uganda, Mr. Aldrine Nsubuga Sr. (an ardent critic of Mourinho/Chelsea and Wenger/Arsenal – my perception) once surprisingly described him as “a stranger who came to become a landlord in a foreign land at nobody’s invitation” and as “a man who has come to challenge the established order in Europe”. I couldn’t agree more. He did exactly that.
Hate him, love him, JM made his mark and I believe that his departure from Stamford Bridge is a big relief to many managers in the English Premiership, at least for the time his destination is not defined. He has been a big pain to them. Unfortunately, all the above attributes, either singly or collectively, seem to have attracted hatred for Chelsea FC and members of the Chelsea squad among many sports analysts, football governing bodies and even some match officials. Who is not hated by somebody anyway, sometimes even for no genuine reason?
Photos from ESPN Soccernet
Lango Community Thanksgiving Service, Kampala 8 Sept 2007
Theme: "....in all things, give thanks...."
Church, community and political leaders prepare to cut the cake as one of the activities during the thanksgiving interdenominational service.
"....how good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity"
"....and they met .... and shared bread"
Church, community and political leaders prepare to cut the cake as one of the activities during the thanksgiving interdenominational service.
"....how good and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity"
"....and they met .... and shared bread"
Monday, September 10, 2007
Successful World Rabies day activities
On 8 September 2007, I was part of a team (veterinarians, students, local community) that commemorated the World Rabies day by carrying out a free mass vaccination of dogs and cats against Rabies. In addition, we dewormed the animals and provided advice to the animal owners mainly on issues related to Rabies control.
In my personal assessment the day was a big success despite its humble nature. We have successfully tested a model that can now be scaled up across the nation.
What is the model? This initiative harnessed resources from the central government (the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries), the local government (Kampala City Council), veterinarians (members of Uganda Veterinary Association and Uganda Small Animal Practitioners Association working either as private or public veterinarians), the Uganda Society for Protection and Care of Animals(USPCA), Makerere University (4th and 5th year veterinary students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) and the local community. Each of the collaborators provided what was within their means in the circumstances. With good prior planning and mobilisation, this model could have a huge impact countrywide in just one day. I do pledge my efforts towards achieving this (even for many other community outreach initiatives).
The numbers of animals vaccinated is being compiled and once I have it, I will update this portion of the post.
Many things went well. I was excited to note the close relationship people had with their animals. The majority of the animals were in good body condition. The only thin animal I saw was a bitch alleged (by the 23-year-old man who brought it) to be 18 years old. When I enquired how he estimated the dog's age, he said he is told it is as old as one of his little brothers. Although it was thin, it did not appear as weak as I expected a thin 18-year-old dog to be. The question of euthanasia could not therefore arise especially because of the dog's strength and the bond between the dog and the owner. The dog was dewormed and my colleagues advised the owner on how to feed the geriatric.
I should get back and complete this story sometime soon. Watch this space.
In my personal assessment the day was a big success despite its humble nature. We have successfully tested a model that can now be scaled up across the nation.
What is the model? This initiative harnessed resources from the central government (the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries), the local government (Kampala City Council), veterinarians (members of Uganda Veterinary Association and Uganda Small Animal Practitioners Association working either as private or public veterinarians), the Uganda Society for Protection and Care of Animals(USPCA), Makerere University (4th and 5th year veterinary students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) and the local community. Each of the collaborators provided what was within their means in the circumstances. With good prior planning and mobilisation, this model could have a huge impact countrywide in just one day. I do pledge my efforts towards achieving this (even for many other community outreach initiatives).
The numbers of animals vaccinated is being compiled and once I have it, I will update this portion of the post.
Many things went well. I was excited to note the close relationship people had with their animals. The majority of the animals were in good body condition. The only thin animal I saw was a bitch alleged (by the 23-year-old man who brought it) to be 18 years old. When I enquired how he estimated the dog's age, he said he is told it is as old as one of his little brothers. Although it was thin, it did not appear as weak as I expected a thin 18-year-old dog to be. The question of euthanasia could not therefore arise especially because of the dog's strength and the bond between the dog and the owner. The dog was dewormed and my colleagues advised the owner on how to feed the geriatric.
I should get back and complete this story sometime soon. Watch this space.
Friday, September 7, 2007
World Rabies Day 8 September 2007
Saturday 8 September 2007 is World Rabies day. Worldwide, veterinarians will do something to commemorate the day. One of the things we, veterinarians, should put significant efforts in is to educate the public about the disease. It is preventable, it kills (at some stage of the disease, its effects cannot be reversed - ends in fatality), it affects both man and animals (warm-blooded animals). The least recognised public health role of the veterinarians should therefore stand out prominently.
I share with you (below) an excerpt of a press release from Uganda Veterinary Association:
"Rabies is a preventable viral disease of warm-blooded animals often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The Rabies virus infects the central nervous system causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. It is reported that 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year – a rate of one person every ten minutes!
The Uganda Veterinary Association, in collaboration with the Uganda Society for Protection and Care of Animals (USPCA); the Uganda Small Animal Practitioners Association (USAPA); the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF); the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Kampala City Council (KCC) will commemorate the World Rabies day by carrying out community outreach in Rubaga Division.
The major activities will be:
1. Vaccination of dogs and cats against Rabies.
2. Creation of awareness of the dangers and need to control Rabies in the
community.
3. Treatment of dogs and cats against endoparasites (worms).
4. Treatment of dogs and cats against ectoparasites (ticks, mange, fleas)."
As many vets as possible together with some vet students will engage in this community activity. Some cars in Kampala are already carrying the stickers announcing the World Rabies day. I have and will be part of the plan and execution of the programme. I am looking forward to it. I will be more than glad to write a bit about our experiences.
May God open the ears / eyes of the public so that they take heed of the call to prevent this killer disease, Rabies.
I have two other events running on Saturday 8 September 2007: The ethnic community I belong to will be giving thanks to God for His goodness in an interdenominational service, and the Ugandan national football (soccer) team play the Niger team. Uganda must win with a 'big' margin to have hopes of qualifying for the Africa Nations cup in Ghana 2008.
My day's plan: Participate in the community outreach programme then join others in thanking God and thereafter watch the Uganda Cranes 'do their thing' against Niger. I believe that all will be well.
I share with you (below) an excerpt of a press release from Uganda Veterinary Association:
"Rabies is a preventable viral disease of warm-blooded animals often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. The Rabies virus infects the central nervous system causing encephalopathy and ultimately death. It is reported that 55,000 people, mostly in Africa and Asia, die from rabies every year – a rate of one person every ten minutes!
The Uganda Veterinary Association, in collaboration with the Uganda Society for Protection and Care of Animals (USPCA); the Uganda Small Animal Practitioners Association (USAPA); the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF); the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Kampala City Council (KCC) will commemorate the World Rabies day by carrying out community outreach in Rubaga Division.
The major activities will be:
1. Vaccination of dogs and cats against Rabies.
2. Creation of awareness of the dangers and need to control Rabies in the
community.
3. Treatment of dogs and cats against endoparasites (worms).
4. Treatment of dogs and cats against ectoparasites (ticks, mange, fleas)."
As many vets as possible together with some vet students will engage in this community activity. Some cars in Kampala are already carrying the stickers announcing the World Rabies day. I have and will be part of the plan and execution of the programme. I am looking forward to it. I will be more than glad to write a bit about our experiences.
May God open the ears / eyes of the public so that they take heed of the call to prevent this killer disease, Rabies.
I have two other events running on Saturday 8 September 2007: The ethnic community I belong to will be giving thanks to God for His goodness in an interdenominational service, and the Ugandan national football (soccer) team play the Niger team. Uganda must win with a 'big' margin to have hopes of qualifying for the Africa Nations cup in Ghana 2008.
My day's plan: Participate in the community outreach programme then join others in thanking God and thereafter watch the Uganda Cranes 'do their thing' against Niger. I believe that all will be well.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Excellent service at the National Referral Hospital
While lots has been said about the not-so-good quality of service at the Uganda National Referral Hospital, Mulago, my story today is different. Save for the lack of sophisticated equipment and the little space (albeit used effectively), the Oral Surgery unit in Mulago Hospital has, by my assessment, very highly professional manpower.
I took my 5.5 year old son for dental treatment and the reception I was given was quite different than some people have described for other units. Fast forward >>>. Then came the time on the Dentist's chair. Superb service. Before anything 'physical' was done, our emotions were taken care of to the extent that my son was ready for what was to follow. I was myself very comfortable.
Come the time for the physical examination and subsequent 'minor' surgical procedure, there was an Intern Dentist and a Consultant Dentist. They discussed the case and the way forward on how to handle it. All this was done in English and in my presence. They seem to agree entirely with each other on the procedure to be carried out. The Consultant gave the Intern Doc the privilege of taking lead in their discussion and he confirmed all that the Intern proposed. Some 'sharp' Intern I suppose.
It was decided that one of the teeth had to be removed after all, the permanent one would grow and replace it at a later stage in the boy's life. My son immediately objected to losing a tooth but a thorough explanation was given to him about the benefits of removing the tooth. He consented. Needless say, some tears dropped at the time of pricking to administer the local anaesthetic.
Come the time of removing the tooth and there were two Consultants watching every step taken by the Intern. One of them reassured us further that we had all the attention we could ever need. I confirmed from the facial expression (body language) of the Consultants that the Intern did the extraction very well. It was quick and smooth. The pulp of one of the roots of the tooth was infected and discharging to the gum through a small tract (sinus).
We were reassured, advised on oral hygiene and discharged honourably. What a sweet experience! I cannot wait to take the young man back for tooth filling next week - the other two affected teeth will be saved. Thank God.
I took my 5.5 year old son for dental treatment and the reception I was given was quite different than some people have described for other units. Fast forward >>>. Then came the time on the Dentist's chair. Superb service. Before anything 'physical' was done, our emotions were taken care of to the extent that my son was ready for what was to follow. I was myself very comfortable.
Come the time for the physical examination and subsequent 'minor' surgical procedure, there was an Intern Dentist and a Consultant Dentist. They discussed the case and the way forward on how to handle it. All this was done in English and in my presence. They seem to agree entirely with each other on the procedure to be carried out. The Consultant gave the Intern Doc the privilege of taking lead in their discussion and he confirmed all that the Intern proposed. Some 'sharp' Intern I suppose.
It was decided that one of the teeth had to be removed after all, the permanent one would grow and replace it at a later stage in the boy's life. My son immediately objected to losing a tooth but a thorough explanation was given to him about the benefits of removing the tooth. He consented. Needless say, some tears dropped at the time of pricking to administer the local anaesthetic.
Come the time of removing the tooth and there were two Consultants watching every step taken by the Intern. One of them reassured us further that we had all the attention we could ever need. I confirmed from the facial expression (body language) of the Consultants that the Intern did the extraction very well. It was quick and smooth. The pulp of one of the roots of the tooth was infected and discharging to the gum through a small tract (sinus).
We were reassured, advised on oral hygiene and discharged honourably. What a sweet experience! I cannot wait to take the young man back for tooth filling next week - the other two affected teeth will be saved. Thank God.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
1000 words in one image
It is said that an image speaks volumes. What story(ies) can you build out of this photo of Marabou storks perching on a tree (or is it trees) in the Makerere University Botanical Gardens? (Photo by Dr. Liz Hoffmann).
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