Burundi Countryside

This is how I remember Burundi. I'll let you know if much has changed. Here's a link to a website with more pictures of the people and place of Burundi. In epidemiology, we're studying how people, place, and time all contribute to the etiology of disease. Throw globalization into the mix, and it even gets more interesting. I would highly recommend the biography about Paul Farmer, a public health doc, called "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder that further develops these ideas.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

Today my wonderful, amazing son, Josiah, turns 24! He's in New Jersey/New York to be best man in his friend, Ben's wedding. Over the years many people have been an influence in his life...his two music teachers, Mrs. Davies taught him piano at six, Dan P.C. taught him his beloved guitar in jr. high...his friend since they were both four, Tyler...his Aunt Laurie who shares his passion for stories and writing...Grandpa and Grandma who provided a place for us to live...Casey, Shaggy, Gabrielle, and all the other dear family and friends. Happy Birthday, Sonshine! "Remember to love"...your ma.

I have a little taste of Burundi in Oregon. I'm teaching English to an African refugee woman, Estela. She is 34 and was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania because of Burundi's first civil war. She and her husband, Jacob, tried to return to Burundi in the early '90's, but had to flee back to Tanzania during Burundi's second civil war. I love Estela's joy and eagerness to learn. I can relate! Each member of her family is unique and lovely...Jacob, Jane, Oliva, Ginean, Ciza, Imani, Nuru, and Peter. I took my parents to meet the family today. The Kaburas were amazed that "imuzungus" (white people) knew so much Kirundi, the national language in Burundi.

Ouch!

So...I went to the travel clinic today to get my shots: Meningococcal, Typhoid, Polio booster, with Hepatitis B on Friday. My Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, and Tetanus are up to date. Whew! I'll fill my prescriptions for malaria meds and cipro (for those nasty intestinal bugs). I am so privileged to have access to these drugs.

Burundi is a country the size of Rhode Island and located in sub-Saharan Africa. It gained independence from Belgium in 1962 only to go through several civil wars. Currently, it is experiencing a time of peace and rebuilding its infrastructure, including its departments of health. The current health threats of most significance are HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Of these three, malaria is the leading cause of death for children in developing countries. An estimated 700,000 – 2.7 million persons die of malaria around the world each year with 75% of them being children. (CDC – Malaria Facts) In Burundi in 2000, there were 48,098 cases of malaria per 100,000 people. From the period of 1999-2004, the percent of children under five with an untreated bed net was 3%, those with an insecticide treated net (ITN) were 1%, and those with a malarial fever receiving medication were 31%. (UNICEF)

Back home again!

I was born in Burundi in 1962, the year of independence! I'm about ready to be independent myself...to practice public health back in my birthplace after two years of graduate work. Life comes full circle. Come join me.