Archive for April, 2007

Ablodé

Friday, April 27th, 2007

Ablodé to our Togolese friends! Even though this is still more a rallying cry than a victory chant. Forty eight years ago Togo became an independent nation, relived from the yoke of French colonialism, only to become, after a few years, the playground of one of Africa’s original dictators, Etienne Gnassingé Eyadema. Ablodé – freedom […]

Africa Malaria Day

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Today is Africa Malaria Day. Malaria is an ancient global killer, and in Africa, more than 3,000 children die each day from malaria (Red Cross). In order to raise awareness about Malaria, and what to do about it, the WHO’s Roll Back Malaria initiative issued a statement that expresses hope that global collaboration can finally […]

Shirley Burwell, 1938 – 2007

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Today was the funeral of my co-worker Shirley, or as West Durham Baptist Church called it, her Homegoing Celebration. The church was full, and the mood was somber, but not depressed. Shirley had touched many people with kindness and generosity, and many of the people who came to bid farewell to her were grateful for […]

Durham Earth Day Celebration

Sunday, April 22nd, 2007

Yesterday was the Durham Earth Day Celebration and it was a gorgeous, sunny and very busy day. We had a Piedmont Biofiuels/BullCity Biodiesel booth at the event and Chris brought his brand-new, jet-black 2006 Jetta TDI over for show-and-tell. Interest in biodiesel and alternative fuels in general was really strong, and our volunteers Jeff, Gary, […]

Kpatcha’s new ride

Thursday, April 19th, 2007

Togo is not a poor country. But sadly, few citizens of the small, West African nation share in whatever wealth this country produces. This is documented by the pathetic $1,600 per-capita GDP – a bit less than Haiti ($1,800) and a bit more than Afghanistan ($1,500) (sources: Wikipedia and CIA). Nothing illustrates better the wealth […]

Busy, weird week

Wednesday, April 18th, 2007

Between the news of the horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech (we’re all Hokies this week!), a slightly hectic, double trip to the beach and another offer on a new house, we’ve had a busy, weird time lately. Last week the kids were off from school, so on Thursday we drove to Atlantic Beach, to join […]

The worst …

Monday, April 16th, 2007

… computer product (according to PC World). AOL mailed a billion of these annoying CDs to people, and I think I received most of them.

Road Tax

Wednesday, April 11th, 2007

Coming up for air a bit … we have some big projects going on, like getting our house ready to put on the market (to sell it) and looking for a new place to live. We’re planning to stay here in Durham, we just need a third bedroom, and a change in scenery. Anyway – […]