Africa

Comment

Comment by Wali Mutazammil on May 16, 2010 at 2:24pm

Thank you for your compassionate support and request ....!!! I have just finished reading your inspiring message and have heard you. I am going out for a meeting and will revert back to your shortly. Take care and be well.

Warm regards,
Wali
personal email: mutazammil@hotmail.com

Comment by René L. Huigens on November 11, 2009 at 5:51am

Hi people, I am recently a member of ALIA and much interested in developments in Africa. I am a co-founder and the coordinator of a small (Dutch) NGO 'Lusulu Foundation', aiming for Education Development in Zimbabwe. We have been assisting the Lusulu community in building schools (Primary and High), accomodation for teachers and for girls, irrigation project etc. And also capacity building and culture exchange. We are struggling with some dilemma's that I would like to share with you.
The dilemma of structural aid vs. emergency aid. Over the last year the situation in Zimbabwe was so bad, that we had to shift from building to buying food and medicine to keep the school population alive. But now it is hard to turn back towards the structural program.
A side effect of the downfall of Zimbabwe was that the community more and more depended on us. Motivation of the people of Lusulu is deminishing, there was a saying growing 'Lusulu Foundation can do it'. We started an effort to lay back ownership of the project in their hands. I was very much encouraged by an astonishing wonderful meeting with Lorraine Wumuya from Kufunda Village in Harare (founded by Marianne Knuth) early September. The next week we (my wife and me) facilitated a dialogue meeting with the leaders and teachers in Lusulu. On 'ownership'. The outcome was their actionplan on improvement of leadership and communication. First reports from there are saying they are getting back on track of motivating parents to participate in building activities.
My doubt is 'did we make a mistake to step into emergency aid, it made them more dependend'. But 'there was no food, so how could they work'. I have always turned the saying: 'Those who don't work, cann't eat', into 'Those who don't have food, cann't work'.
An other dilemma is the question about grassroot development vs change of the Educational System. We can assist the Lusulu Community with building and we are now in the process of turning more and more into capacity building, breading qualified teachers for that very rural and outback village of Lusulu.
But education in Zimbabwe is 'laying on its back'. There is hardly nothging left. Many teachers flew away to SA, UK other countries, very understanable. There is a very poor Governing system, an eroded exam-board. The traditional school system is academic, theory and teacher oriented, reproductive, creativity killing.
Is it not right NOW the time to build up a new eduaction system, student and oriented, competence based, participatory, diferentiated etc. I am trying to approach David Coltart (Minister of Education), Unicef and others to consider this shift. But they seem too busy to revive the old system. And indeed there are so many kids now in classrooms asking for education, the solution is easily to 'do what you always did'. And sure there is no money as Coltart is replying.
Pleas share your ideas with me, encourage me. I look forward to your comments. Thanks, René

Comment by Ron Sidiki Salahu-Din on July 18, 2009 at 12:54pm

You just keep me motivated, thanks for reminding about joining the Africa Group.

Comment by felix on June 26, 2009 at 4:47pm

Thanks alot sir, where do we start from, i have completed my leadership studies from the International Institute for Global Leadership, Asheville NC USA. I have really learnt alot from that great institute, which has really change my thinking and my leadership skills. thanks

Comment by Wali Mutazammil on June 26, 2009 at 2:03pm

I thank you for join Africa Group! Bikundo is my friend and becoming an authentic leader outside of Kenya. Collectively, we can make a difference that is the difference. I welcome your feedback and comments on the blog regarding Glenda Eoyang at ALIA Summer Program 2009. I look forward to exchanges and opportunities to learn and grow. Wali.

Comment by felix on June 26, 2009 at 3:24am

I think we can make a difference in this group.Am happy to join, thanks to Bikundo, you are a good friend.

Comment by Nico Koenig on June 25, 2009 at 8:36pm

Hello Hello

Canada is shifting its aid from Africa to Latin America - interesting debate held in Toronto last month with Stephen Lewis and Damisa Moyo.
http://www.munkdebates.com/debates/

Comment by John Wylie on June 23, 2009 at 11:26am

Just a quick hello to members of the Africa group. I was invited to join ALIA by my friend Bikundo Onyari and I look forward to getting involved and hope that I can assist in some way
John

Comment by Louise van Rhyn on April 30, 2009 at 2:02am

Dear all
Welcome to the Africa group - I have been a bit snowed under as we are in the midst of launching a project to engage the South African nation in a conversation about South Africa.

In South Africa, we are grappling with 5 major issues:
* Health (particularly HIV/AIDS)
* Education
* Safety
* Poverty
* Nationbuilding

We are at a crossroads and need to "Take action now!". I personally feel called to show leadership and to create a mechanism for collaboration between 1000s of individuals and groups who want to make a difference but are often working against each other rather than in alingment

I would be keen to hear from anybody else who has been involved with large scale citizen engagement campaigns.

Love, Louise

Comment by Louise van Rhyn on April 30, 2009 at 1:56am

This is a test - to see whether we can get the group to work as intended!