"Google?"

Can you remember the last time you googled something? (Not to frighten anyone, but us, doctors, google stuff... a lot). What about the first time? Ever? I certainly can't remember. For what seems like forever, the internet and search engines have enabled me to find information, and since my move to NYC, not get lost (at least as much as I would otherwise). Most of us could not fathom a world without computers; it is an integral part of out everyday lives. And yet, despite this, it is not something I can readily teach... at least not based on my experiences here.

Farzana is one of our interviewers/basic translators. She is an absolutely lovely, somewhat reserved 18 year old currently taking a year off of school. Given that she is related to the family I am staying with, she was enlisted to help with the development of the NGO and for now, the family planning project. She has completed (I think) ~11 years of schooling and has NEVER used a computer. One of my first tasks was to teach her Excel, so that she could help us enter our data (and better understand exactly what it is we are doing). She picked it up quickly given that she had never seen Excel/basic computer programming before... nor had she ever used a mouse (a laptop mouse, no less). While we were in Dhaka (with Wifi), I took the liberty of introducing her to Google-- an instrumental component of my life. Have you ever tried to explain Google to someone who hasn't seen it before? Now add in a fairly significant language barrier. We muddled through, though I don't think she was as excited about its existence as I was. However, she did make her way to YouTube which got slightly better reviews.

(Aside: once Jasim's (my Bangladeshi host's) NGO, Ongkur, is really up and running,there is a plan to introduce computer training in the schools, potentially allowing students to get more competitive jobs in Dhaka).

Lastly, my pic of the day, courtesy of the government run TB hospital in Dhaka.

If spewing blood doesn't scare you enough into taking your TB meds, not sure what will. This was the featured mural in one of the waiting rooms.