First comes love, then a committee

Hello everyone, less exotic but nonetheless interesting things to report this round. Since last "Maternity Monday" we have continued to work in the office, and design the protocol for the St. Stephen's laboratory. Last night, Jamie - a fellow microbiologist/biochemist from UVic popped by on her way to Rwanda where she is going to be teaching at a rural school. Her blog, www.athousandhills.blogspot.com, will be linked to from this site. We are taking her out to dinner tonight before she leaves early tomorrow.

Yesterday we were invited to a young couple's wedding committee, and I think it's a good idea to let you in on this aspect of Ugandan culture. Weddings here are extravagent- there are no drive-thru chapels! This requires money, and usually must be raised. The couple will gather together all their friends for a series of committee meetings where guests are encouraged to offer input on the upcoming wedding. The other, and most important facet of these meetings is fundraising. Guests are given a stake in making the occasion a success, and pledges are openly solicited. One man donated money, another ensured the groom's wardrobe, yet another his haircut. Another donated the venue for free, to loud applause. This committee will meet roughly 8-10 times before the date, each catered (and well watered too!). There are fines for those that show up late. Seriously. We, being mzungos were of course asked to speak, and offer our thoughts on the wedding. You can imagine how much was said!

Today was another "Maternity Monday", and things were as spectacular as before. We are getting better at listening to the foetal heart through the scope. Sadly, about 80% of spontaneous abortions are caused by malaria complicating pregnancy. The disease is a massive scourge, with a large percentage of hospital beds occupied by its sufferers. We also learned about hydronephrosis- where the baby is pressing against one or both of the ureters.

The pictures are of Chelsea this morning, the wedding committee, and a pregnant cat whom I have been feeding bread and scambled eggs to her delight.

Finally, a big African shout-out to Mrs. Mccullough for her birthday, I know she is an avid reader of the posts.