Babies are Africa's malaria warriors

Friday November 28, 2008
Babies are Africa's malaria warriors
By Andrew Quinn

KILIFI, Kenya (Reuters) - For a footsoldier on the cutting-edge of a global public health experiment, Michael Kenyali was looking a little wobbly.The bright eyed two-year-old, stumbling towards his mother and wailing to be fed, is part of an army of babies enlisted to test a new vaccine researchers hope will help drive back malaria, one of Africa's biggest killers.

"My firstborn used to have problems with malaria. He would go into seizures," said Michael's mother Mariam, sitting outside her small, neat homestead near the Kenyan coastal town of Kilifi as her other children, aged 11, 6, and 4, looked on.

"The baby was the same before he went into the study," she said, smoothing Michael's forehead. "But since he got into the vaccine study, he hasn't had any problems."

It's still to early to tell if Michael's good health has anything to do with the "RTS,S" malaria vaccine, which will be rolled out early next year in the largest clinical trial ever undertaken in Africa.

Michael, who participated in one of the preliminary studies, received either the malaria vaccine or a similar dose of rabies vaccine, a "placebo" designed to benefit participants even if they were not in the malaria group.

Researchers hope results from the coming trial, involving 16,000 children in seven African countries and funded by groups supported by the Gates Foundation among others, will mirror data from a 2004 study in Mozambique.

That study of more than 2,000 children showed the vaccine reduced all cases of clinical malaria by 35 percent and the worst cases of the disease by almost 50 percent.

Because babies are the chief victims of malaria, they must also be the among the test subjects for any new vaccine. For RTS,S, this means recruiting thousands of mothers across Africa who are willing to volunteer their children for the next phase of the study.

"The rights and ethics issues are very important," said Dr. Omar Juma, field coordinator for RTS,S studies at the Bagamoyo District Hospital north of Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam.

"There is a tradition of wariness in the community on any foreign issue. They don't want to be guinea pigs. They are very aware of safety issues."

WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

Earlier RTS,S trials around Bagamoyo have given recruiters a sense of what works -- and what doesn't -- in the rural communities where they are seeking volunteers.

"If you want to talk about vaccine, first you have to talk about the disease," Juma said. "What people want to hear is: are you going to care for the kids?"

Fatima Stilihari, 30, is a mother of five and member of the Community Advisory Board for Ifakara charged with overseeing the links between the medical researchers and the community.

"It's advantageous for the community because the kids get treated quickly when they are sick. They get drugs which are not always available at the government hospitals. You get free transportation when the child needs to go to the hospital."

Stilihari said some mothers were unsettled by the issue of drawing blood, sensitive in a culture where blood is regarded as precious. But most came round when they heard of the improved health care their babies would receive in the study.

"Many women around here are jealous if they are not in the study," she said. "So far, everything is going well. We are getting good services."

Mwaganza Mrisho, 34, decided to volunteer her youngest son Chuma for the vaccine study after an older child got sick with malaria despite the family using insecticide-treated bed nets.

"We were still getting sick," Mrisho said, sitting in a small thatched lean-to that served as a local snack bar offering rice, beans and steamed porridge.

"I hoped that if my child got the vaccine, then he wouldn't fall sick. Sometimes he gets a fever, or a cough, like all kids, and then I call Bagamoyo. A car always comes to pick him up to see the paediatrician."

Chuma so far has not come down with malaria, and Mrisho said it seemed all the local children who were enrolled in the preliminary study were doing well: "I'm definitely encouraging other mothers to take part."

Copyright © 2008 Reuters
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A Mother’s Letter to Her Children

By Anne Hines
Contributor

The following letter was sent by Carol Wahl to her children after she was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. Let it be an inspiration to us all. Carol is truly one of our heroes.“What I am Thankful For”
I wanted to tell you something about what I am thankful for.

Yesterday Ron asked me to go to lunch. He picked me up and took me to George`s in La Jolla. We had to wait about 45 min before getting seated. We walked around the shops. I have made up some business cards to have in my purse that say, "Excuse me but I have a speech problem, please be patient with me. Thank you."

While browsing around a store one very young sales girl came to me and asked if she could help. I gave her my card, and then she started to ask questions not caring if she could understand me or not. Come to find out her Father has ALS, she knew all about Motor Neuron Diseases, we spend almost the whole 45 min, connecting. I went to buy some sunglasses and she said NO, keep them and just keep being the nice person you are.

We went on to lunch and got a great seat overlooking the ocean, watching the Cove, seals, people sailboats, etc. I ordered Mahi Mahi with Mango sauce and Fennel mashed potatoes. I have a heightened sense of taste, smell, touch, hearing now, so when I eat, the food tastes so much better. I cleaned my plate, I even asked Ron if anyone would notice if I licked my plate. It was delicious.

Now if I did not have this Motor Neuron disease I may not have experienced the caring and compassion from Tammy the young sales girl. Or from Francis the caring waitress who spent extra time with me going over the menu choices. Or seeing, smelling experiencing the ocean the way I did. Or having the most delicious meal, plus a taste sensation of a Snicker Doodle Sundae - an unbelievable taste treat.

I see things differently now. I have no negative feelings in me at all. I don`t think of the past, or the future, I only think and feel what is happening at the moment. I have such inner peace, joy, and happiness in me I can not explain it.

So, I just want you all to know since I can not talk very well, I am experiencing MORE, and I am thankful for it. Don`t feel sad for me, feel GLAD for me. Most people do not get this opportunity to feel this way. God Bless you all for caring so much, I am happy and thankful for this Motor Neuron Disease, it has enlightened me so much and brought people into my life who are truly wonderful. It has brought people back into my life that I have not seen or heard from in years. It has shown me that human beings can be such caring, supportive, wonderful creatures.

Now today I am off to the Casino with the girls from my Park. I can`t wait to see and experience the new sensations I will have today. Lately, each new day is like Christmas morning to me. HOW GRAND LIFE IS! Written by Carol Wahl – 10/24/08

ABOUT CAROL WAHL: Carol lived in Rosarito for many years with her late husband Tony, serving the community by working with the local non-profit groups, including Cruz Roja Voluntarios. Carol is best known for her participation in many Rosarito Theatre Guild Productions and as a member of the Rosarito Diamond Chorale. She produced, directed and starred in ‘Always’ Patsy Cline, playing to standing room only crowds at the Olde Vic Theatre. Most recently she has been a part of the Senior Theatre Actors Repertory-Star San Diego and was 1st runner up in the Ms. Senior California Pageant. She now resides in Chula Vista.
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What a 4-Year-Old Can Teach You About Managing Your Boss

What a 4-Year-Old Can Teach You About Managing Your Boss
By J.T. O'Donnell, author of "CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career"


I had a revelation last week: My 4-year-old daughter is gifted at managing up.

Does she work? No -- but as I see it, right now, I'm the boss and she's an employee in our family firm. And I've noticed that she's become quite adept at getting what she wants from upper management. Please know, I'm no pushover. I stand my ground on the important issues like "No popsicles for breakfast" and "Socks are not optional when it's 2 degrees outside." But on the fuzzier stuff, I must concede that she's mastered the art of persuasion.

So, it occurred to me that we could all learn from her expertise. Consider these three techniques as performed by my pint-sized employee:

1. Learn how to say "no" disarmingly
When my daughter doesn't want to do something, she stares deeply in my eyes and with an "I'm so sorry to disappoint you" smile and calmly says, "No thank you." It throws me off every time.

First, the thank-you is so polite, who can criticize that? Second, her body language and facial expressions are soft and nonconfrontational. It's hard to respond negatively to someone who is displaying no anger or tension of their own.

Translation: Employees who learn to engage in conflict without confrontation are appreciated for their calm communications skills by management.

2. When you want something, be a sweet but squeaky wheel
Once my daughter has decided she wants something, here's what she does: First, she asks for your time and tells you it's serious. She sits right down and holds your attention with her eyes. Then, she explains in detail what she wants and why it is so important that she have it. She is energetic and passionate in her description.

If she doesn't get it, she asks why. And if she doesn't like the answer, she says no more and walks away.

But that's not the end of it.

Shortly thereafter, she returns, having thoughtfully pondered my denial and ready to further explain additional reasons for me to change my mind, as well as reasons why my own argument doesn't hold water. Additionally, if I say "no" yet again, she solemnly walks away, waits awhile, and then comes back again and asks for the same thing in a slightly different way, hoping her willingness to compromise will pay off.

At this point, she watches me intently for signs that I am going to either A) cave in and let her win, or B) start to raise my voice and get angry. If it's the latter, she immediately calls it quits -- for the day.

She knows just how far to rock the boat and has no problem waiting for a better time to try again. She doesn't hold a grudge, she stays happy and upbeat, as if nothing has happened. In her mind, it's a minor setback, as opposed to a crushing loss.

This approach always makes me want to be able to say "yes" to her next request because I'm so impressed that she accepted the "no" without making a scene.

Translation: Employees who patiently promote their cause and can accept an unfavorable decision gracefully are respected and valued by management.

3. Use unexpected recognition as a way to score points
My daughter doesn't butter me up. She doesn't gush with compliments in an effort to get what she wants. But every so often, quite randomly, she will say or do something that makes me feel fabulous.

One day, when I was especially frustrated and feeling overwhelmed by all that I had to do, she looked at me with a compassionate face and simply said, "It must be tough to be a mommy."

Ironically, it's technically not even a compliment. She didn't have to lie and say she thought I was a great mommy. I wouldn't expect her to. I'm the rule enforcer -- who likes that? But, she acknowledged the difficulty of my role and that recognition felt wonderful. So much so, that I canceled an appointment and took her out for ice cream.

Translation: Employees who convey their respect and appreciation for the level of responsibility and efforts of management are seen as good team players.

These are just a few of the ways that my 4-year-old manages her boss. Why not try them? With a little practice, you could be managing up with the finesse of a pre-schooler while reaping the rewards bestowed to wise employees.

JT O'Donnell is a nationally syndicated workplace columnist and author of the book "Careerealism: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career."

Copyright 2008 J.T. O'Donnell. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without prior written authority.
Story Filed Thursday, November 20, 2008 - 5:56 PM
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Veggie drinkers tend less toward crime

Veggie drinkers tend less toward crime

POST REPORT

KATHMANDU, Nov 16 - There is bad news for drinkers. If a study carried out by the police is to be believed, people who drink often and are non-vegetarians are more likely to engage in criminal activities compared to their more sober, vegetarian counterparts.The survey of 3,924 people arrested on various charges revealed that 3,214 were habituated to drinking alcohol. This means only 18 percent of them stayed away from alcohol. Likewise, out of 3,420 people, only 504 were vegetarians.

According to police, alcohol consumption is a major contributor to crimes in the Valley. It may be recalled that the government is in line to regulate the present

no-controls sale of alcohol in the market.

At the same time, Kathmandu Valley has become a hotbed of criminal activities like kidnapping, armed robbery, bank fraud and theft. If police records are anything to go by, nearly half of all the crimes in the country take place in the capital.

In the last three years, 11,625 criminal cases were reported nationwide while 4,821 cases were registered in the Valley (41.47 percent of the total) alone.

Rapid growth in population along with unorganised settlements as well as increased financial activities in the capital are responsible for the steep rise in crime rate, said Senior Superintendent of Police Upendra Aryal, outgoing chief of Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD). SSP Aryal was speaking at a programme organized to bid him and SP Devendra Subedi farewell.

Notably, kidnapping is rampant in the Valley. During the last fiscal year, 60 cases of kidnapping were reported here while only 99 such cases were registered outside the Valley. Homicides, armed robberies, counterfeiting, public offences and bank frauds are also flourishing in the Valley.

However, MPCD's effective policing has helped decrease organised crime in the Valley in the last 19 months, claims SSP Aryal. "With the help of a dedicated police team, MPCD has been successful in controlling the number of major crimes," he said.

"The present crime rate won't go down drastically unless strong measures are taken to fight criminal activities," said Superintendent of Police Devendra Subedi.

Interestingly, during the last three months -- after the government started regulating nightlife and improved policing --- the crime rate has decreased slightly. Police have recorded 300 crimes like homicide, armed robbery, theft and rape during the period. In the previous three months, 354 crimes were reported.

Posted on: 2008-11-16 18:16:10 (Server Time)
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Robber foiled by vigilant staff

The Cyprus Weekly Newspaper



Viewing News dated :14/11/2008 12:15:57



Robber foiled by vigilant staff


Attempted robberies foiled by vigilant staff

A discouraged robber was forced to flee the scene of crime yesterday morning when faced with an impenetrable security door.Police Spokesman Andreas Angeligis said the incident took place at around 10pm when the suspect was trying to gain entrance to a department store in Limassol.

An employee who was in the shop at the time noticed the hooded suspect and promptly called the police.

The suspect struggled tying to open the door for some time, but after realising it was a futile task, fled the scene on foot.

Police are currently looking for the suspect who is reported to be of large build, around 1.75m, and was at the time dressed in jeans and a dark coloured top.

Elsewhere on the island another attempted robbery was foiled when employees of a Laiki Bank in Paphos notified the police of two men acting suspiciously outside the premises.

According to Paphos Deputy Police Chief Nikos Sophocleous two men were spotted outside the entrance of the bank at 9 am wearing motorbike helmets, dark clothes and gloves while acting in a suspicious manner.

The bank employees noticed the suspects and were about to raise the alarm when the two men fled the scene in a hurry, leaving behind a bag they were carrying.

Paphos Police speculated that the suspects intended to rob customers of the bank as they departed the building.

The bag that was left at the scene was taken in as evidence and the Police have confirmed that both suspects were Greek Cypriots.
Copyright (C) 2008 Cyprus Weekly
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