Kayvahn's Juba Journey

This project has been in the making for months and months, with much excitement (and nervousness too?) building up. From May 31 to July 31, 2010 I will be in Juba, Southern Sudan teaching at the University of Juba College of Medicine alongside 3 other medical students from the states. It is now our turn to enter this next phase! And for sure a big thank you to all who helped from AMC, HMS, MGH, and back home!

(Feel free to email me at Kayvahn @ gmail. com , although with a bits/second internet connection in Juba I cannot promise quick response!)

Jun 30

This is possibly the longest time that I have not been on craigslist….

We are at about the halfway point with our leg of this project…tommorow will be my 18th lecture or so…giving lectures seems great, you cover a lot of material and can emphasize what you think is and is not important…but when I am in lectures for my classes in New York, I truthfully absorb maybe 10-15% of what they say…because i am well aware of how little learning happens in lectures, i have been thinking about my own actions as a lecturer here in Juba…is it hypocritical to give lectures?

no. the vibe is much different here…there are no wifi distractions in class, and almost every student here sits at attention and listens to every word you say…there are not enough books and no multimillion dollar library to self study in…lectures are much more highly valued, so it is really a great thing to provide lectures…plus, as of now, we are providing their only instruction…

Jun 9

the classroom is not quite big enough to fit all the students in it, not to mention a shortage of stools (although they are being made here as we speak)…there are 2 classrooms for the med students, one of them (pictured) is not in use for lectures (again, no stools).

but i find something very interesting…education is inexpensive to provide…it just costs transportation/food/lodging/baggage fees…these fees, in the bigger picture, are really nothing if you think about it…and in the end, the students recieve such a gift of knowledge that does not go away…its sustainable, it stays with them…i have faith in our program and hope that it works well so we can continue this work…

Jun 5

This building is where the medical students have lectures, their usual study location, and where the histology lab practicals will be held. We met a large number of students today and have many great conversations with them…The students are extremely hungry for knowledge but unfortunately have a lack of teaching faculty here in Juba. Despite this hurdle, the students conduct self study periods and are very much driven to become physicians. We begin classes with the students on Monday morning. The students are excited, and we are all excited to spend until the end of July working with this amazingly bright students.

Jun 1

It is interesting that we searched Far and Wide and Albany NY for the HP121 printer cartridge we need for our printer in Juba. But what do ya know, we find it at the Nakumat Supermarket in Nairobi…

May 29

It’s like a luggage store!

Hopefully we get our overweight bag fees waived for tommorows flight. If anyone knows the VP at Emerites Airways let me know!!

Here we go, on the road. Bags on lap

May 22

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

It is what it is…a short track I made in my free time after an inspiring discussion about some Sudan things. yea!

Boston to Albany with a microscope on my lap. Donated Microscopes, gloves, masks, books, books, and books. So many books in the trunk that the Volvo turned into a Scraper!

May 7

This is nothing! You should see the other arm!!

yellow fever, rabies, H1N1, seasonal flu, typhoid, and polio. also, carrying oral anti-malarials and broad spectrum antibiotics.