Dr. Deke

Growing up loving soccer, basketball was farthest from his mind when Dikembe Mutombo came to the US in 1987 on an academic scholarship to attend Georgetown University. As a premed major, he wanted to return to the Congo as a doctor.

The 7'2" Mutombo was invited by Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson to try out for the team, and under his guidance made him what he is today, giving him maturity and education, the tools to succeed. Mutombo respects Coach Thompson so much that he doesn't call him coach, he calls him "Pop".

In his three years of college ball, Mutombo was Big East player of the year averaging 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks in his senior year. Georgetown was then ranked No.1 and reached the Final Eight twice with him around.

Fluent in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and five African dialects, Mutombo graduated with degrees in linguistics and diplomacy. College basketball change his plans of becoming a doctor.

But this did not stop him from helping his people. Fulfilling his life-long dream and donating $15 million to the project, Mutombo will open on September 2 of this year a 300-bed hospital named after his mother, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center, providing health care to the people of Kinshasha, capital of the Democratic republic of Congo where he was born.

The $29 million hospital will have a pediatric wing, operating suites and a women's center. This would be a big boost to the Congo's health care services as malaria, HIV/AIDS, cholera, measles and TB in epidemic proportions, continue to affect millions of adults and children. You would be lucky to reach 50 years old if you live there as the life expectancy for men is 42 years and 47 years for women.

Not becoming a doctor has not hindered Mutombo in caring for the needy. He is now satisfied assisting on the medical front. He has a goal of getting 100,000 people commit $10 a month on his website to support the hospital and research center.

"I'm still a doctor, serving the people." Dr. Deke said.

* * *

LAUGH LINES... Enjoy this conversation between two Chinese...

Caller : Hello, can I speak to Annie Wan?

Operator : Yes, you can speak to me.

Caller : No, I want to speak to Annie Wan! Operator : You are talking to someone! Who is this?

Caller : I am Sum Wan and I need to talk to Annie Wan. It's urgent!

Operator : I know you are someone and you want to talk to anyone, but what is this urgent matter about?

Caller : Well, just tell my sister Annie Wan that our brother Noe Wan was involved in an accident and that Noe Wan got injured and now Noe Wan is being sent to the hospital. Right now,

Avery Wan is on his way to the hospital.

Operator : Look, if no one was injured and no one was sent to the hospital from the accident, that isn't an urgent matter! You may find this hilarious but I have no time for this!

Caller : You are so rude! Who are you?

Operator : I am Saw Lee.

Caller : Yes! You should be sorry! Now, give me your name!

email at [email protected]