http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2011/11/28/global-hiv-fund-running-out-of-money
Global HIV fund running out of money
28 November 2011
They said this is expected to have a severe impact on Southern African HIV programmes for treatment and prevention.
The groups, which include South Africa's Budget Expenditure Monitoring Forum, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and Doctors Without Borders, met in Braamfontein to highlight the problem.
Doctors Without Borders described the announcement by the board of the Global Fund as "shocking".
The Global Fund's money woes left it with no choice but to cancel its round 11 of new grants allocated to various programmes in a number of countries.
This held the risk of running back the clock on the gains made in the fight against HIV.
The board had said the financial problems were mostly because of donors scaling down on commitments and not releasing funds promised to the fund.
A panel comprising representatives from South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi and Zimbabwe shared their countries' plight in the light of the round eleven grants cancellation.
"It is going to be a disaster if the programmes are not supported," said Safari Mbewe of Malawi.
Sikhulu Matsengwa of Swaziland said the people were worried about the effects if they should run out of anti-retrovirals.
TAC's Nokhwezi Hoboyi called on the South African government to take leadership in urging international donors not to pull out of the Global Fund.
She said the country stood to carry the burden of a number of neighbouring country's citizens who would flock to local public hospitals for treatment.
Hoboyi said the TAC had been hosting demonstrations outside the embassies of various countries in South Africa to urge them to keep their commitments to the Global Fund.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
A Whole Year...
that I've been in Swaziland!
As I always feel about time, in some ways it feels a lot shorter, and in some ways like I've been here forever, i.e. it's crazy to think back on a time I wouldn't have been able to place Swaziland on a map (really) or even know that it was a country (did you?).
So here in no particular order are a list of some of my most memorable memories from year one--
My first glass of tap water in Africa
Yes, you can really drink the water here!
My first hike in Swaziland
I tried to blame it on the altitude (~1800m), but let's be honest--I was out of shape and hadn't gone for a hike in quite a few years
The Reed Dance
An interesting cultural show that would surely put Swaziland on the map for more people if word spreads
Beach Trips
Nothing like winter starting back up back in the US, and having warmer temps and sunny beaches a few hours drive away, that being said...
Africa really does get cold--at least this part of it!
Check out this article, for a nice summary: http://www.economist.com/node/18986001?story_id=18986001&fsrc=rss. Wintertime in Southern Africa is no joke.
County Fair, Swazi-Style
Complete with bumper cars, water games, spin rides and cotton candy. Even the equivalent of WWF (wrestling) was on display in a boxing ring. Definitely unexpected.
My First Car
Who knew I'd buy my first car in Swaziland? Or ever for that matter?? So far the Honda CRV has been good to me, knock on wood and schedule the 10K service check-up!
Soweto-Run & Theft of 2010
It was very thrilling to run through the streets of Soweto, but not so much to wander the parking lots post-race searching for a car (although not mine thankfully) that would never be found (RIP Camera #1, favorite t-shirts and flipflops)
Thanksgiving Swazi-Style
I was pretty sad to be away from home for my favorite holiday (focused on eating, no gift obligation, what's not to love??), but a strong showing of 60+ expats brought the holiday spirit, not to mention 4 turkeys and plenty more sides :)
Mozambique, Mozambique, Mozambique
As one of my coworkers would say: "My favorite part of Swaziland is Maputo." I wouldn't go that far, but when in need of city/nightlife, seafood, or a sunny beach, Mozambique rarely disappoints (aside from the corrupt cops)
Visits from Parents, Siblings, and Friends
Whether driving my parents over Mozambique's sand dunes (perhaps I misjudged my audience a bit?), encountering lions in Kruger with my brother and his wife, or celebrating Swaziland's biggest (and only) three-day music festival with my college friend, Alli, and her boyfriend, I was so grateful to have people make the long journey to come see me and enjoy the sights of Southern Africa.
Winning the Dream Fund
Hours upon hours and more than a few late nights in the office hung in the balance, not to mention my stay in Swaziland. Spirits were high and champagne was flowing when we found out we'd won 8.8 million Euros for new HIV-related interventions. Then, of course, the real hard work began...
Climbing Kilimanjaro
The summit night hike was hands down the hardest thing I've ever done. As one man encountered coming down the mountain said of his experience as we were on our way up (and I soon after heartily agreed): "In one word, the experience was good. In two words, not good." Zanzibar, however, was fabulous all around!
My First Full-time Job in 4 Years
As crazy as that sounds, April marked my first full-time employment since I left St. Martin's Press in NYC in July 2007. It certainly feels good to have a regular paycheck and a 401K again.
My First House
Again, who'd have thought my first move into a full-fledged house would be in Swaziland (as Cville 354 doesn't quite count). And have 2 dogs. Again, not me. But if you come for a visit and see how beautiful it is, you'd understand. The dogs are pretty cute too.
Big Parties
The house is ideal for some great gatherings, complete with a bouncy castle in some energetic cases. We just hosted one last weekend--King Sobhuza's Booza (3rd Annual apparently) and Sibebe Survivor Afterparty (for a big charity hike). Lots of fun was hadand no injuries, which was amazing given some of the intense competition--Exhibit A for the Three Legged Relay Race:
Good Friends
Expat life is a mixed bag, bringing amazing, interesting, thoughtful people into my life, but also taking them away back to the US or elsewhere far too soon. Still, we've had great times and will meet again somewhere in the world I'm sure!
And what to do to celebrate a year here? Not on purpose really, but it just works out (which is perhaps one of my favorite things about expat life here--it's rarely boring or predictable), there's a half-marathon in Kruger National Park, and someone had extra entries and accommodation for Saturday, so I will be celebrating by running amongst the lions :)
http://www.runnersguide.co.za/RacesInSa/Details.aspx?RaceNo=1500017642
http://www.runsa.co.za/clubs/krugerparkmc/
Wonder what this next year in Swaziland will bring....
As I always feel about time, in some ways it feels a lot shorter, and in some ways like I've been here forever, i.e. it's crazy to think back on a time I wouldn't have been able to place Swaziland on a map (really) or even know that it was a country (did you?).
So here in no particular order are a list of some of my most memorable memories from year one--
My first glass of tap water in Africa
Yes, you can really drink the water here!
My first hike in Swaziland
I tried to blame it on the altitude (~1800m), but let's be honest--I was out of shape and hadn't gone for a hike in quite a few years
The Reed Dance
An interesting cultural show that would surely put Swaziland on the map for more people if word spreads
Beach Trips
Nothing like winter starting back up back in the US, and having warmer temps and sunny beaches a few hours drive away, that being said...
Africa really does get cold--at least this part of it!
Check out this article, for a nice summary: http://www.economist.com/node/18986001?story_id=18986001&fsrc=rss. Wintertime in Southern Africa is no joke.
County Fair, Swazi-Style
Complete with bumper cars, water games, spin rides and cotton candy. Even the equivalent of WWF (wrestling) was on display in a boxing ring. Definitely unexpected.
My First Car
Who knew I'd buy my first car in Swaziland? Or ever for that matter?? So far the Honda CRV has been good to me, knock on wood and schedule the 10K service check-up!
Soweto-Run & Theft of 2010
It was very thrilling to run through the streets of Soweto, but not so much to wander the parking lots post-race searching for a car (although not mine thankfully) that would never be found (RIP Camera #1, favorite t-shirts and flipflops)
Thanksgiving Swazi-Style
I was pretty sad to be away from home for my favorite holiday (focused on eating, no gift obligation, what's not to love??), but a strong showing of 60+ expats brought the holiday spirit, not to mention 4 turkeys and plenty more sides :)
Mozambique, Mozambique, Mozambique
As one of my coworkers would say: "My favorite part of Swaziland is Maputo." I wouldn't go that far, but when in need of city/nightlife, seafood, or a sunny beach, Mozambique rarely disappoints (aside from the corrupt cops)
Visits from Parents, Siblings, and Friends
Whether driving my parents over Mozambique's sand dunes (perhaps I misjudged my audience a bit?), encountering lions in Kruger with my brother and his wife, or celebrating Swaziland's biggest (and only) three-day music festival with my college friend, Alli, and her boyfriend, I was so grateful to have people make the long journey to come see me and enjoy the sights of Southern Africa.
Winning the Dream Fund
Hours upon hours and more than a few late nights in the office hung in the balance, not to mention my stay in Swaziland. Spirits were high and champagne was flowing when we found out we'd won 8.8 million Euros for new HIV-related interventions. Then, of course, the real hard work began...
Climbing Kilimanjaro
The summit night hike was hands down the hardest thing I've ever done. As one man encountered coming down the mountain said of his experience as we were on our way up (and I soon after heartily agreed): "In one word, the experience was good. In two words, not good." Zanzibar, however, was fabulous all around!
My First Full-time Job in 4 Years
As crazy as that sounds, April marked my first full-time employment since I left St. Martin's Press in NYC in July 2007. It certainly feels good to have a regular paycheck and a 401K again.
My First House
Again, who'd have thought my first move into a full-fledged house would be in Swaziland (as Cville 354 doesn't quite count). And have 2 dogs. Again, not me. But if you come for a visit and see how beautiful it is, you'd understand. The dogs are pretty cute too.
Big Parties
The house is ideal for some great gatherings, complete with a bouncy castle in some energetic cases. We just hosted one last weekend--King Sobhuza's Booza (3rd Annual apparently) and Sibebe Survivor Afterparty (for a big charity hike). Lots of fun was hadand no injuries, which was amazing given some of the intense competition--Exhibit A for the Three Legged Relay Race:
Good Friends
Expat life is a mixed bag, bringing amazing, interesting, thoughtful people into my life, but also taking them away back to the US or elsewhere far too soon. Still, we've had great times and will meet again somewhere in the world I'm sure!
And what to do to celebrate a year here? Not on purpose really, but it just works out (which is perhaps one of my favorite things about expat life here--it's rarely boring or predictable), there's a half-marathon in Kruger National Park, and someone had extra entries and accommodation for Saturday, so I will be celebrating by running amongst the lions :)
http://www.runnersguide.co.za/RacesInSa/Details.aspx?RaceNo=1500017642
http://www.runsa.co.za/clubs/krugerparkmc/
Wonder what this next year in Swaziland will bring....
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Leaving Rainy Mbabane in Search of Sun & Seafood
I know I won't get much sympathy from all of you freezing through Stateside/East Coast winter, but boy, can it rain here. That image you may have of a hot, dry, dusty Africa is most certainly not the place I currently reside. So to escape the fog, mist, drizzle and rain, and to celebrate a few birthdays, a group of us headed for the eastern border and descended upon Maputo (my 6th trip there in as many months!). As usual, Maputo did not disappoint, and the weekend was filled with plenty of seafood and beach time. And of course some mayhem, because crossing out of calm Swaziland immediately makes me brace myself--for fun but also for cops, corruption, and the chaos that comes with a big city (I remember those days, I think...).
This weekend, the main mayhem was not in the form of cops (luckily), but rather as a result of a journey to the beach, which consisted of a muddy (extreme understatement) road, and a inefficient ferry (again, there are no words). Only one of the two cars in our beach-bound caravan--both SUVs mind you--made it to the ferry port on the treacherous road. The drive was only about 15 km out of Maputo, but it got very rugged very quickly, as we traveled through grassy marshes on dirt roads that turned to thick, soggy swamps in places. I was in a massive Land Rover, but an old beat-up truck traveling behind us with 8 people weighing down the bed looked like it would never make it. It did, but our second car did not make it after the new ruts the truck created. So we clambered out of the cars and started pushing with all of our might, slipping at sliding in the deep glop. The car tires spun, mud flew, we were all covered, but finally the car lunged back out of the sinkhole. That car turned around and went back via the tarred highway, while ours carried on. We were to meet at the ferry port...where the adventure continued.
Our car was in line to get on the second ferry, which floated about 1 kilometer across a narrow channel, but took 30 minutes to load pushy cars and people and then depart and dock. Just as we were about to be the sixth and last car, a pickup truck hurdled by us. And that was it--time to wait for the next one. We got on the 3rd ferry, and our friends' car pulled us 5 minutes later. So we waited for the 4th ferry to bring just the people across (the car line was monstrous by then), and all 8 of us piled into the Land Rover and sped off towards the beach. It was now 1:30pm, despite having left Maputo at 10:30, oy. We placed our lunch orders, and walked over the dunes to a beautiful white sand beach and spent a few glorious hours lounging (best beach nap ever) and swimming in the warm waters. Then we headed back to the open-air restaurant for a delicious seafood lunch of prawns and calamari.
Totally relaxed, we headed back to the ferry port, where we proceeded to wait for 3, count 'em, THREE hours. Oh my. There were laughs to be had, as it was just all so absurd. As the time passed and we had said at 6, "no--NO--by 8pm we will definitely be back on the other side. Nope, 9pm it was. This also included one point where the ferry just decided to dock at a different location, sending all the cars in line (about 15 or so) scattering and screeching out of their arrangement and towards the new location and front of the line. Yep, we were last. And you know what we did about it? Nothing. There's nothing you really can do. Just get mad, but that doesn't help. I could tell everyone in the car had been traveling/in Africa for a while because they handled it quite calmly. Let's just a typical New Yorker may have had a head-spinning session to rival the scene in Exorcist. In any case, we made it back to the other side safely and then drove back through the chaos of Saturday night/every night traffic and bustle of the outskirts of Maputo.
We showered back at the hostel and headed out for some late night pizza at a classy bar, Mundo's, which was still open (amazing--this would never happen in Mbabane!), then went out for some dancing to celebrate the second birthday of the weekend. On Sunday it was time for our third and final round of seafood binging with a massive feast at the fish market--clams, prawns, calamari, and 2 fish weighing 3 kilos each! Yum. Not one to waste any of the perks of Maputo, I also picked up some coffee and bagels from Cafe Sol, and a nice gelato, before surrendering to the drive back to Swaziland. And yes, it's been raining ever since I got back. Here's to the next trip to Moz!
This weekend, the main mayhem was not in the form of cops (luckily), but rather as a result of a journey to the beach, which consisted of a muddy (extreme understatement) road, and a inefficient ferry (again, there are no words). Only one of the two cars in our beach-bound caravan--both SUVs mind you--made it to the ferry port on the treacherous road. The drive was only about 15 km out of Maputo, but it got very rugged very quickly, as we traveled through grassy marshes on dirt roads that turned to thick, soggy swamps in places. I was in a massive Land Rover, but an old beat-up truck traveling behind us with 8 people weighing down the bed looked like it would never make it. It did, but our second car did not make it after the new ruts the truck created. So we clambered out of the cars and started pushing with all of our might, slipping at sliding in the deep glop. The car tires spun, mud flew, we were all covered, but finally the car lunged back out of the sinkhole. That car turned around and went back via the tarred highway, while ours carried on. We were to meet at the ferry port...where the adventure continued.
Our car was in line to get on the second ferry, which floated about 1 kilometer across a narrow channel, but took 30 minutes to load pushy cars and people and then depart and dock. Just as we were about to be the sixth and last car, a pickup truck hurdled by us. And that was it--time to wait for the next one. We got on the 3rd ferry, and our friends' car pulled us 5 minutes later. So we waited for the 4th ferry to bring just the people across (the car line was monstrous by then), and all 8 of us piled into the Land Rover and sped off towards the beach. It was now 1:30pm, despite having left Maputo at 10:30, oy. We placed our lunch orders, and walked over the dunes to a beautiful white sand beach and spent a few glorious hours lounging (best beach nap ever) and swimming in the warm waters. Then we headed back to the open-air restaurant for a delicious seafood lunch of prawns and calamari.
Totally relaxed, we headed back to the ferry port, where we proceeded to wait for 3, count 'em, THREE hours. Oh my. There were laughs to be had, as it was just all so absurd. As the time passed and we had said at 6, "no--NO--by 8pm we will definitely be back on the other side. Nope, 9pm it was. This also included one point where the ferry just decided to dock at a different location, sending all the cars in line (about 15 or so) scattering and screeching out of their arrangement and towards the new location and front of the line. Yep, we were last. And you know what we did about it? Nothing. There's nothing you really can do. Just get mad, but that doesn't help. I could tell everyone in the car had been traveling/in Africa for a while because they handled it quite calmly. Let's just a typical New Yorker may have had a head-spinning session to rival the scene in Exorcist. In any case, we made it back to the other side safely and then drove back through the chaos of Saturday night/every night traffic and bustle of the outskirts of Maputo.
We showered back at the hostel and headed out for some late night pizza at a classy bar, Mundo's, which was still open (amazing--this would never happen in Mbabane!), then went out for some dancing to celebrate the second birthday of the weekend. On Sunday it was time for our third and final round of seafood binging with a massive feast at the fish market--clams, prawns, calamari, and 2 fish weighing 3 kilos each! Yum. Not one to waste any of the perks of Maputo, I also picked up some coffee and bagels from Cafe Sol, and a nice gelato, before surrendering to the drive back to Swaziland. And yes, it's been raining ever since I got back. Here's to the next trip to Moz!
Friday, January 21, 2011
A new little wahoo!
Congratulations to my wonderful friends, Jess and Matt, who welcomed a handsome baby boy--Joshua Michael Klinger--into the world this past week! Not every baby gets a stuffed elephant from Swaziland, so I hope he likes his gift from Aunt Lo :)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Proud Daughter
Not only did my lovely mother purchase a laptop, and also figure out how to connect to the wireless internet (at their B&B in the UK no less!). Oh no, there's more: she downloaded Skype, called me on it, and even figured out how to click to bring up her video image. Well done, MamaLo!
Here's to your technology-based New Year's resolution--you're well on your way, congrats! :)
Here's to your technology-based New Year's resolution--you're well on your way, congrats! :)
Monday, January 17, 2011
My Weekend Hike: Sibebe
This weekend I finally climbed Sibebe, the largest exposed granite dome in the world, which is a mere 10 minutes--and one very steep hike--from my house. I can't believe it has taken me this long to do it, as it is one of Swaziland bigger claims to fame (I know, I know, you've never heard of it--but now you have!). However, given the precarious weather we are having--during what is supposed to be summer but has been strangely more akin to London or Seattle with a few thunderclouds thrown in--a large granite rock is not the best place to be in inclement weather. In fact, Swaziland also holds a reputation for "one of the highest numbers of people struck by lightning per capita in the whole world," as reported on Wikitravel.
The hike made for an adrenaline rush, spectacular views, and some much needed training, as I will be hiking Kilimanjaro at this time next month! In a hilarious twist, my hiking boots which I'm quite sure I've had since 1995 (and which my parents kindly lugged to Swaziland for me) disintegrated about halfway up the climb, leaving me to hike in what more closely resembled moccasins. It was made all the more hilarious by the fact that I had just remarked on how impressive how some things last for so many years (careful what you say!). I don't recommend climbing in moccasins, but I did make it to the top not too much worse for the trouble. In any case, better to happen now than on Kili, but I definitely have some shopping to do before then!
View from the start:
Hard to show the steepness, but these should give some perspective--
View from hikers above--I'm the one lagging behind!:
A side view of the rockface we climbed:
Look ma, no shoes--well, just no soles really:
Panoramic shot from the top:
The hike made for an adrenaline rush, spectacular views, and some much needed training, as I will be hiking Kilimanjaro at this time next month! In a hilarious twist, my hiking boots which I'm quite sure I've had since 1995 (and which my parents kindly lugged to Swaziland for me) disintegrated about halfway up the climb, leaving me to hike in what more closely resembled moccasins. It was made all the more hilarious by the fact that I had just remarked on how impressive how some things last for so many years (careful what you say!). I don't recommend climbing in moccasins, but I did make it to the top not too much worse for the trouble. In any case, better to happen now than on Kili, but I definitely have some shopping to do before then!
View from the start:
Hard to show the steepness, but these should give some perspective--
View from hikers above--I'm the one lagging behind!:
A side view of the rockface we climbed:
Look ma, no shoes--well, just no soles really:
Panoramic shot from the top:
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
An interesting read...
Sometimes I step back in wonder at the fact that after my pursuit of an MBA in nonprofit management, I now find myself working at a public health organization (should I have done the health sector program instead?), and surrounded by many others working for public health organizations. The issues are numerous and fascinating, and I find that inevitably many conversations on off-hours will turn to work. One example is this article written by a friend here on a huge effort taking place in Swaziland--a project which another friend is helping to organize and run:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/01/the-kindest-cut/8338/
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/01/the-kindest-cut/8338/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
