Public Health Wednesdays (PHW) Health Month Observances: Sugar & Skin

National Healthy Skin Month- In the U.S.

Be proactive towards your health not reactive. 

See you next PHW

Cassava Tuesdays: The Curious Case of The Republic of Botswana

President Ian Khama (He is living next year)

Map of Botswana

Capital: Gaborone
Languages Spoken: English, Tswana
Religion: Majority Christian
Prime Minister: Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi

Bostwana Currency: Pula

“Bostwana is one of the 32 African countries that Baobab Trees call home. They can live for up to 5,000 years, reach up to 30 metres high and their trunks can hold up to 120,000 litres of water”

— Water & Cassava

Baobab Tree

Botswana Map and Flag colors

Botswana is home to 2.25 million people and is considered one of the safest countries in Africa with a stable democracy. It continues to rate low in global corruption scales. Botswana is a active member of the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, Southern African Development Community (SADC), World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Baobab Fruit

“Botswana has a huge Metal Rock subculture. ”

— Water & Cassava : The more you know

There is something about Botswana that is just, yadi.. yadah. What is Yadi Yadah? I will let Seinfield & Co explain

“In 2013, Botswana started actively building on a National Brand Identity .........”

— Water & Cassava

BRANDING & BOTSWANA

ASSET #1: ATTRACTIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH & INVESTMENT

Botswana in 2013 started actively building on a national identity. The goal was to position itself as an economic force to be reckoned with, among neighboring giants such as Angola and South Africa. This brings us to asset #2.....

ASSET #2: TREAT YOUR POWERFUL NEIGHBOR WITH TLC  

Our friends in Botswana realize, when your neighbor is a middle power state that wheels regional and global diplomacy, you will need to be a very dear friend. As luck would have it, they both are home to the Tswana population. This mutual background and “power” allows South Africa to enjoy very lenient policies with Botswana:

    *No foreign exchange controls

    * Double Tax Avoidance agreement

ASSET #3: TOURISM SECTOR

Botswana's tourism sector continues to thrive amidst the country's stringent conservation policies and its growing elephant population. Our reporter Njanji Chauke and cameraman Sicelo Hlanula went on a river Safari at the Chobe National Park - home to Africa's largest elephant population For more news, visit: http://www.sabc.co.za/news

ASSET #4: REGIONAL PLAY- THE SPECIAL CASE OF CHOPPIES

Botswana's biggest supermarket is set to receive a boost. Choppies wants to widen its presence on the continent -- and increase the number of its stores to 250. It's eyeing southern and East Africa as potential markets. CGTN's Maria Galang has more.

....SOMETHING IS MISSING... 

Botswana looks great on paper but something just does not add up....

IMPROVEMENT #1: LEAVE THE DIAMONDS ALONE

Our theme for this section, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and that guy

suggestions: AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

IMPROVEMENT #2: MAY YOUR CURSE BE YOUR BLESSING

“The World Bank approved a $145.5 million loan to the Republic of Botswana for the Emergency Water Security and Efficiency Project. This will help Botswana cope with increased water stress, arising from a number of factors including chronic drought”

— World Bank, March 1 2017

“Adolescents and young adults constitute a large population that has been largely neglected and left behind by the national HIV response. HIV and AIDS services targeting adolescents and young adults are inadequate and often perceived by the beneficiaries as “unfriendly”. HIV testing and counselling uptake among adolescents has remained unacceptably slow;”

— UNAIDS

SUGGESTION: OPEN THE HEALTH SECTOR & EDUCATION FOR INVESTMENT

IMPROVEMENT #3: GO GREEN!!

Why can't the country send all the coal elsewhere?? Oh I will guess here, China!!! Though this blogger stays in Asia and could really appreciate cleaner air....Tswana people send away!!! In return, invest in solar panels. 

IMPROVEMENT #4: AIR BOTSWANA NEEDS HELP

As we have discussed earlier, the proper branding of a country needs a respected airline. The airline must be safe, attractive and must go to two locations first: Your neighbors and your business partners.  The airline needs a major makeover including getting out of the red fiscally. 

WE FOUND THE MISSING PIECE... 

Read this article below to understand just why it seems forced, like this piece I wrote

This snapshot of Botswana is frustrating because it is a country with so much opportunity. We brought up Botswana to show that a country can “ideally” look one way in theory (positively) but without a cohesive message it is just as bad as the other country. This circumstance is not unique to Botswana as majority of African countries underestimate the importance of Branding and Soft power.

Branding is not advertising, it is an ongoing process and government must be front and center of the brand. Citizens, Business Community, Non-profit organizations must all be part of the branding process. The committee must have a shared understanding of just what the country’s makeup is about be it culture, religion, tradition, location, nature, history (good and terrible). The brand of the country must speak to all the citizens and be fluent in all the positive elements that make up the entire nation.

Until next Cassava Tuesday
 

Muldays-Mondays : The Mythical Water Reptilians of Egypt and Korea

Over a month ago, we looked at the Mer-Ladies of Asia & Africa. We discussed the importance of Folk & Mythology and why such stories are important. Would you like to understand the importance of the uninterrupted imagination? Visit our Mul-Mondays entry on the Merladies of Asia and Africa. 

“Water is an intrinsic part of most spiritual beliefs...its spiritual and healing properties are seen in rites and rituals; and its representations are as numerous as they are diverse. These different.....[cultural aspects of water reflect the vast array of civilizations that have made water the central element in their practices]. ”

— UNESCO Water and World Views

So often African and Asian Folklore and Mythology gets lost in narratives and popular culture. 

SOBEK, "CROCODILE EGYPTIAN GOD"

Sobek offspring of Neith, Set and Khnum. Yes, all three siblings created him!! The Egyptian Gods have nothing on the ancient Mesopotamian Gods and their constant lack of sexual boundaries. He was worshipped and respected as the creator of the Nile. He was the God of Birth, Rebirth, and fertility.

He is depicted as a crocodile or a crocodile headed man. He was a complicated God, because based on the time-period and region of Egypt, he was either respected or feared. He also appears in the Book of the Dead, anytime you guest star in that book, well you are not remembered for love. Speaking of love, Sobek was also viewed as a protective God and he was respected in the underworld as he protected the dead from Set's wrath. Sobek was not know for his patience, something he shares with his friend in Korea.

“Sobek in crocodile form laid eggs on the Nile banks, thus starting creation as we know it....”

— Egyptian Mythology from a long time ago

“Depending on who is telling the story, Sobek and the Egyptian God Amen are the same people. Oh you didn’t know Amen was a God?”

— Water & Cassava

Temple of Sobek

Sobek

IMUGI, IMOOGI 이무기

이무기 are very old serpants that come from Korean Folklore and Mythology. In the development and growth of dragons, 이무기 is the first stage and dragon is the last stage. 이무기 stay under cold water for 1,000,000 years in order to become a dragon. They also do not breath fire but create storms from their roars. The sight of  이무기 means good luck. 

WORLD KINDNESS DAY......

On behalf of everyone here, Happy World Kindness Day! Depending on your location this is a week event.

See you next Mulday

Water & Cassava- Out of the Office November 6th - November 12th

World Culture Open Calling all passionate visionaries around the world with a zest for positive impact and the greater good! Join us at a 3-day creative retreat in Cheongju, South Korea, that brings together​ ​500+ dreamers, practitioners and changemakers from around the world​ ​for an inspiring exchange of ideas and a celebration of being #BetterTogether!

Make sure to follow and like us on our Social Media Channels.

See you next week!

Public Health Wednesday(PHW)- The Bubonic Plague visits Madagascar

WHAT EXACTLY IS BUBO??

“Bubo comes from the lymph node becoming inflamed, tense and painful. ”

— Water & Cassava

CDC: PLAGUE 101

https://www.cdc.gov/plague/

https://www.cdc.gov/plague/

THE MORE YOU KNOW.... 

    THE WHO & FUNDING FOR THE PLAGUE

http://www.who.int/emergencies/en/

http://www.who.int/emergencies/en/

Madagascar is trying to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious plague. At least 30 people have died in the past two months, and almost 200 suspected cases have been reported. The government has banned public gatherings in the capital, in an attempt to stop the disease from spreading.

These are the expected countries most vulnerable to the plague. 

CHINA'S MEDICAL DIPLOMACY

Four Chinese medical experts have arrived in the African nation of Madagascar to help it fight a plague. Hundreds have been infected since the outbreak began in early August. At least 120 people have died. A more dangerous form of the bubonic plague, the disease is rare, contagious and often spread by coughing.The Chinese experts will provide medical training to health workers there.

FATHER TRADITION, YOU ARE KILLING YOUR CHILDREN

“Famadihana: In Madagascar people dig up the bodies of their ancestors and dance with them. Depending on the family, this ritual takes place every 5-7 years. ”

— Water & Cassava

The act of Famadihana is also contributing to the rapid spread of the plague. Please visit this link to understand, why this ritual is so special to our Malagasy friends. This video includes dancing with a corpse. 

“The outbreak is never the issue. It is the rituals and culture of the people that make it worse.”

— Operator of Water & Cassava (Last life worked in the applied health sector for 10 years)

   THROWBACK TO 1600'S EUROPE

This is a doctor and his anti bubonic plague suit. Some treatments this particular doctor offered patients: Putting frogs and leeches to the bubo, can you imagine just how healing that would feel?

This was another remedy to help infected patients, Bloodletting

Would you like to take a course on learning about the Plague and the realities that first responders face

See you next PHW