The 'ugly' flying blacks

RIVER BLINDNESS

I have most recently been struck by another grim reality where you can be made permanently blind, yes, physically I mean, by a particular insect called river black flies.

Strangely, though, these black flies do not live among us or the society with decent standard of life. Instead, these Onchocerciacis parasites appear along the levee of swiftly flowing rivers inflicting their horrific infection to the detriment of the already poor and underdeveloped peoples in Central and West Africa. It is thus named 'river blindness'.

As with other mosquitos, these swarms of flies do bite human. The difference is they aren't exactly after your blood. If you get bitten, they form colonies and live under your skins throughout your body for up to 18 years. They would then grow into worms and when they die cause grotesque inflammation, intense itching (to the point of 'unbearable'), agonising pain, and finally lost of sight since the worms' attack lead to a strong immune system that can destroy nearby tissue such as your eyes.

It was reported that about 18 million people are currently infected with this parasite and approximately 300,000 have been permanently blinded. To make matters worse this blindness cannot be reversed.

One good thing amid all these bad things is that such needless suffering is easily avoidable with an effective defence in the form of Mectizan tablets. When taken by adult or children, it can provide complete protection from this deadly infection for a whole year.

The thing is that there needs to be constant huge operations covering health workers reaching the affected areas hashing out the details of this medication, wide distribution of Mectizan to the remote communities as well as educating and training of the farmers and villagers in this unfortunate continent.

One second good thing these days is that for every single gold coin we share with these vulnerable people, the Australian government will match it by THREE dollars (making your $1 to be $4) towards this approved project through the Matching Grant Fund. A recommended AUD38 on our part (to be turned fourfold into $152) by CBM (Christian Blind Mission) Australia will go quite as far as ensuring 461 villagers receive enough tablets for bulwark against fatality right under their nose on a day-to-day basis. (Emil Jayaputra - 07 May 09)

Struggle & hardship make strength: Edward Kennedy

From struggle & hardship, we learn to gain strength. Strength that wheezes out from a pressurised cooker pot with hissing sound being at the edge of overflowing - much to the fortification of the herbs inside for this wavering flesh of ours. / EJ

The 2009 No.1 TIME 100 

Edward Kennedy

By Arnold Schwarzenegger

How do I describe Uncle Teddy? Everyone knows him as the Lion of the Senate, a liberal icon, a warrior for the less fortunate, a fierce advocate for health-care reform, a champion of social justice here and abroad and now even a Knight of the British Empire. But I know him as the rock of his family: a loving husband, father, brother and uncle. He's a man of great faith and character.

His personal story demonstrates that strength is built through struggle and hardship, and he shares that strength with tremendous compassion and empathy. Channeling his own experiences with tragedy and loss, he has personally touched the lives of countless others who have had to confront their own challenges.

Teddy, 77, is a heroic figure not just in the Democratic Party but in American politics in general. That's because he overflows with energy and passion, and he devotes that intense caring to serving people in need and fighting on behalf of their causes. While he and I do not agree on every political issue, I have always admired his ability to work across the political aisle on matters such as immigration, health care, civil rights, education and the environment.

His expertise in politics is extraordinary. I have personally benefited from his experience and advice, as I know countless others have. As a Senator, Teddy has a clear gift for communicating with people and showing true leadership. Through his actions, he proves that public service isn't a hobby or even an occupation, but a way of life.

The new Administration is bringing health care back to the forefront of the domestic agenda, and there is one man I know who will push tirelessly to make quality health care accessible and affordable for all Americans. With Senator Kennedy leading the charge, nothing will stand in the way.

Schwarzenegger is the Republican governor of California and is married to Maria Shriver, the Senator's niece

Fast Fact: In a recent survey by the Hill newspaper, Kennedy's GOP colleagues ranked him No. 1 among Democrats for bipartisanship