3 weeks and counting

Dear friends,
I'm keeping this blog as a way to keep everyone informed about my whereabouts, plans, experiences, etc while traveling through northern Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo this summer. I hope I can give you all a small picture of what life is like for the people who live in the places I travel.
Now, I need your help. I need to raise a couple thousand dollars in the next three weeks. This money will help me to travel to Gulu and Pajule,and Fort Portal, Uganda, where I'll be working with the Dwan Madiki Partnership, CAOVCEI, and Dr. Ashis Brahma to empower local people to take the health of their communities into their own hands. Our goal is to educate community health workers, who will be able to care for many of the health needs of their people without the help of a doctor.
Another primary goal is to create a documentary film (or 2 or 3) that tells the stories of people living under poverty and violence, and to examine the root causes of these oppressive forces.
I will be shooting as much footage as possible wherever I go, thanks to a generous donation from Kevin Sites of professional cameras. I still need money to get me to eastern DR Congo however, where I will document the stories of the people there who struggle under the smog of constant killing, rape, slavery, and plunder of their natural resources.
Please use the button here to donate. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated and put to good use for equipment, travel, food, and a rabies shot, which I've been told I should not go without after all. And then I'll be able to play with small furry creatures to my heart's content (thanks Dr. Southern). Thank you, and please stay in touch!
Do not hesitate to email me with any questions, comments, ideas, criticisms or encouragements you might have!
Peace, Nathan