SOON: Celebrating the second anniversary of Africa Educates Her Campaign (sdgs 4;5;13)

 We continue to visit rural communities and vulnerable people to deliver our non-formal training that cover and promote the SDGs.

Translation:

Hello, we are Joana and Fernanda, we are 12 years old. We haven't started menstruating yet, but when we start menstruating, we're going to use these reusable pads to protect the environment.

Theme: Advancing climate justice

 

 

On this day we did a great job in the municipality of Viana in Luanda, Angola.

The main objective was to:

1. Gathering information about participation of vulnerable groups in climate discussion and decision-making;

2. Documenting the access of vulnerable communities to environmental justice;

3. Helping affected communities find relevant environmental information and counter misinformation;

 

 

Reusable menstrual pads

Girls for the first time got to know washable - reusable menstrual pads and learned about green and sustainable menstruation.

 

As we are about to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Africa Educates Her Campaign since the emergence of the covid-19 pandemic, other more recent works are in production, not yet published i the platforms.

 

Access the video here (a piece of the program):

https://youtu.be/LEcJH8OOCnA

 

 

 

 

Our smartphones are hurting the environment

 

 

Smartphones generate more greenhouse gases than any other consumer electronic devices. These girls come from very vulnerable families. They have never had contact with a digital phone. On this day they learned about the negative impact smartphones have on the environment.

 

 

 

The Effects of Cutting Down Trees on the Ecosystem

 

Angolan household continue to cut down trees near their homes.

 

 

Luanda, Angola





Now let's look back on how we celebrated our 1st anniversary last year

Changing the lives of rural girls for the better

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,

Exactly one year ago a the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women's Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) officially launched its #Africa Educates Her Campaign on 11th September 2020.  It is a campaign to bring awareness around issues that hinder girls and women from accessing education during the COVID 19 pandemic as well as a rallying call for AU Member States, educators, civil society organisations and youth to take positive action that ensures girls return back to school.

Yesterday 20th September 2021, we traveled to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Africa Educates Her Campaign with girls in rural areas!

Our party went very well, all the girls celebrate this special date with great vigor, dancing, playing and singing. Many girls in rural areas dream of being computer engineers, math teachers and also want to be empowered in the field of science and technology (STEM).

My name is Teresa, I am 14 years old and I want to be a computer engineer. 

It should be remembered that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted education across the world and Africa has not been spared. By the 6th of April 2020, 53 African Union Member States had shut down all institutions of learning as a measure to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, affecting an estimated 250 million students across the continent.



Over 133 million of these students are girls and women, and more than 10 million of them risk not returning to school if we do not take action that guarantees their return.

The other good news that happened on this festive date, the  AU/CIEFFA selected a theme song for the campaign with the title: “I am an African girl”, written by Afrie, a young artist from Uganda. The song was o officially released to the world.


The video is out and the message is clear. Empowering girls is empowering Africa. Educate girls!

Music is an universal language that can be used as a vehicle to transport developmental messages, including the promotion of girls education.


Educating Ladies, key to achieving SDGs. 



As the effort to achieve equality for all women and girls continues, we launched our campaigns to instruct ladies to live a sustainable lifestyle towards climate action, gender equality, nourished and healthy food and social justice for all. Educating girls is an investment that breeds sure socio-economic results. 

Our everyday motto is "If a poor girl cannot come to the education, then education must go to her.''


Many children took a long walk to reach us and learn something from us. Most of these children have never attended a school, others have been facing big challenges in their student journeys due to extreme poverty and some have never returned since the emergence of covid-19 in Angola in March 2020.

Children are sharing their academic experiences



Special song from Marcia


Hello, my name is Marcia, since we are experiencing difficult moments in this pandemic, I will sing a song that has always comforted me.

Jesus died on the cross for me
Jesus died on the cross for me
he was falling and getting up, 
broken he was, 
abandoned by death
even so, he still said Father forgive them 
because they don't know what they do

 Click here to watch the entire season 



 








Let's remember how the first and last editions were in Angola led by Sofonie Dala


Successful conclusion of the first phase of Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola 2020



let's clap our hands for these guys. They shared with us their coronavirus stories and how negatively it has affected their studies.

There is no doubt that their useful feedback will contribute for the betterment of society. 

Times like these – lockdown through a child’s eyes

Missing friends, school and teachers, can't go out without face masks, will repeat the academic year but enjoying spending more time with family; lockdown for children across the region has had both upsides and downsides.

Over 90% of the world’s children and students have missed out on school because of coronavirus. Children everywhere have had their lives turned upside down. Right now, their future hangs in the balance.

We spoke to children in Angola to hear how they were feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it was impacting their lives and their education.

 1. Webisode 1. Interview with Augusta. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/africa-educates-her-campaign-with.html





6. Webisode 6. Successful conclusion of the first phase. Interview with Patricio. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/covid-19-we-are-celebrating-completion.html

Official launch of phase 2. Interview with teacher Eulalia. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/we-are-pleased-to-announce-official.html


Phase 2


As prepared for delivery

Good evening, everyone, and thank you for always being here with us!



Loide Paulino is an Angolan university student and gospel singer.

Today we don't have interviews, we have a musical concert. These songs go out to all the people who were impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet our singer Loide with the song '' Don't let your faith fail away.'' 



COVID -19 has affected over 133 million female learners across the continent and through this campaign we seek to highlight the experiences of learners at primary, secondary and tertiary education levels during the COVID 19 related school lockdown.

We spoke to students and teachers in Angola. Over twenty girls and young ladies were interviewed. 

We also count with the participation of some boys, the gospel singer Loide Paulino and two musical groups. Moreover, we had the privilege to distribute some school and bio-safety materials to girls in need.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet our musical group with the song '' Together we'll beat Covid-19.''


The real measure of success lies in what this campaign will enable schools to create the necessary conditions to protect student's life during the time of Covid-19 pandemic and also  develop solutions to minimize the damage already caused by the pandemic and combining efforts to mitigate the current situation; which is by far the worst crisis of the 21st century.


We're Done With the Project. Now it's Time to Celebrate!

A total of 30 episodes were produced, and launched between August - October with a series of 25 internet broadcast webisodes.

Thousands of students from the university education and transition classes of the I and II cycles of secondary education returned to classes last Monday (05), throughout the country. Unfortunately, ninety-seven teachers from Luanda, who underwent the molecular biology test (RT-PCR), last week, tested positive for Covid-19.
So far, Angola’s Covid-19 figures show 6,031 positive cases, 212 deaths, 2,685 recoveries and 3,134 active patients.

Thanks largely to many of you here! We are not saying good bye, we will come back soon with new webisodes.

Meet our participants! 




The latest Campaign "Still left behind: Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls" 2021

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you here tonight to celebrate the successful completion of this beautiful campaign - "Still left behind: Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls" ending today.


Let's start our program with a hot dance.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet our dancers Nicha, Catia and Engracia!

[These teenagers are students of the second level]

Campaign report

It was a fantastic short edition of only 5 series but with a great social impact. Our campaign aims to identify illiterate and girls with disabilities in such a way that it supports building an inclusive society for all.

During this journey, we witnessed chilling stories of girls with serious health and social problems. Some of them are orphans living in extreme poverty and have more than one type of disability, be it learning or physical, including some of them are homeless people.

30% of the girls and women interviewed never had the opportunity to attend school. In the other 70%, the majority stayed in school for less than two years and did not finish pre-class, they dropped out due to learning disabilities and health problems. Only one girl managed to enter high school but dropped out because of the extreme poverty that hit her after her father's death.

Up to 20% of women globally live with a disability. Girls and women of all ages with any form of disability are generally among the most vulnerable and marginalized of society. Moreover, women and girls with disabilities are 2-3 times more likely to be victims of physical and sexual abuse than women without disabilities. In addition “the global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 per cent, and 1 per cent for women with disabilities, according to a 1998 UNDP study” (UN DPI fact sheet).

Having a nice weekend class with children

Unfortunately, some pre-schools in Angola are open air and classes may take place under a tree, so when the weather is bad, classes are cancelled. This is the result of civil war that destroyed and looted many schools.


Globally, 263 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 are out of school, 61 million of which are of primary school age (6-11 years) *. More than half of the total figure live in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Girls with disabilities experience attacks and exploitation at much higher rates than other children. Both disability inclusion and gender equality are key factors in achieving including education as both gender and disability are significant factors of exclusion.



22% of the world’s poorest people have a disability. Women and girls with disabilities often face triple discrimination; being female, having a disability and being among the poorest of the poor. Women with disabilities face additional barriers to achieving their sexual and reproductive health rights.


Time to Sing - Faith and Hope

A moving tribute to our amazing gospel singer Filismina. She has been singing for us in many of our programs!



Meet our participants!

“We think the outside world does not really understand what the real difficulty is for women with a disability. This extremely vulnerable group continue to face exclusion from education and risks such as sexual violence - perhaps because they are seen as ‘helpless, asexual, and powerless’.
Therefore, we repeat again and again, for women with disability is really hard to live, so please include them.”

The heroines are here


Tonight, we are presenting a conclusion. If you would like to know more, please click on these links to watch the real and shocking stories of these girls and explore anything that catches your attention.


By addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in low and middle income countries, we not only achieve the human rights of persons with disabilities, but everyone benefits from their contribution.
This is why inclusion, across all development sectors, is important. Empowering persons with disabilities, including women and girls so they can receive a worthwhile education, access health and rehabilitation services, gain a livelihood and participate fully in society, is essential to ending the cycle of poverty and disability.


We sincerely hope that you will find more people to sponsor girls' education today. Your generosity and your gift will help children, adults, and families rise above adversity and thrive. No matter the amount, your donation makes a difference.

Have a great day!

Thank you very much.


Sofonie Dala at AU/CIEFFA 3rd Youth Capacity Building Workshop on Girls'Education in Africa. Accra, Ghana 2019. 

Full program: First edition + second phase


Comments


Let's remember how the first and last editions was in Angola led by Sofonie Dala


 Successful conclusion of the first phase of Africa Educates Her Campaign - Angola 2020



let's clap our hands for these guys. They shared with us their coronavirus stories and how negatively it has affected their studies.

There is no doubt that their useful feedback will contribute for the betterment of society. 

Times like these – lockdown through a child’s eyes

Missing friends, school and teachers, can't go out without face masks, will repeat the academic year but enjoying spending more time with family; lockdown for children across the region has had both upsides and downsides.

Over 90% of the world’s children and students have missed out on school because of coronavirus. Children everywhere have had their lives turned upside down. Right now, their future hangs in the balance.

We spoke to children in Angola to hear how they were feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it was impacting their lives and their education.

 1. Webisode 1. Interview with Augusta. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/africa-educates-her-campaign-with.html





6. Webisode 6. Successful conclusion of the first phase. Interview with Patricio. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/covid-19-we-are-celebrating-completion.html

Official launch of phase 2. Interview with teacher Eulalia. https://she-leads.blogspot.com/2020/09/we-are-pleased-to-announce-official.html


Phase 2


As prepared for delivery

Good evening, everyone, and thank you for always being here with us!



Loide Paulino is an Angolan university student and gospel singer.

Today we don't have interviews, we have a musical concert. These songs go out to all the people who were impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet our singer Loide with the song '' Don't let your faith fail away.'' 



COVID -19 has affected over 133 million female learners across the continent and through this campaign we seek to highlight the experiences of learners at primary, secondary and tertiary education levels during the COVID 19 related school lockdown.

We spoke to students and teachers in Angola. Over twenty girls and young ladies were interviewed. 

We also count with the participation of some boys, the gospel singer Loide Paulino and two musical groups. Moreover, we had the privilege to distribute some school and bio-safety materials to girls in need.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet our musical group with the song '' Together we'll beat Covid-19.''


The real measure of success lies in what this campaign will enable schools to create the necessary conditions to protect student's life during the time of Covid-19 pandemic and also  develop solutions to minimize the damage already caused by the pandemic and combining efforts to mitigate the current situation; which is by far the worst crisis of the 21st century.


We're Done With the Project. Now it's Time to Celebrate!

A total of 30 episodes were produced, and launched between August - October with a series of 25 internet broadcast webisodes.

Thousands of students from the university education and transition classes of the I and II cycles of secondary education returned to classes last Monday (05), throughout the country. Unfortunately, ninety-seven teachers from Luanda, who underwent the molecular biology test (RT-PCR), last week, tested positive for Covid-19.
So far, Angola’s Covid-19 figures show 6,031 positive cases, 212 deaths, 2,685 recoveries and 3,134 active patients.

Thanks largely to many of you here! We are not saying good bye, we will come back soon with new webisodes.

Meet our participants! 




The latest Campaign "Still left behind: Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls" 2021

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you here tonight to celebrate the successful completion of this beautiful campaign - "Still left behind: Inclusive education for disabled and illiterate girls" ending today.


Let's start our program with a hot dance.
Ladies and gentlemen, meet our dancers Nicha, Catia and Engracia!

[These teenagers are students of the second level]

Campaign report

It was a fantastic short edition of only 5 series but with a great social impact. Our campaign aims to identify illiterate and girls with disabilities in such a way that it supports building an inclusive society for all.

During this journey, we witnessed chilling stories of girls with serious health and social problems. Some of them are orphans living in extreme poverty and have more than one type of disability, be it learning or physical, including some of them are homeless people.

30% of the girls and women interviewed never had the opportunity to attend school. In the other 70%, the majority stayed in school for less than two years and did not finish pre-class, they dropped out due to learning disabilities and health problems. Only one girl managed to enter high school but dropped out because of the extreme poverty that hit her after her father's death.

Up to 20% of women globally live with a disability. Girls and women of all ages with any form of disability are generally among the most vulnerable and marginalized of society. Moreover, women and girls with disabilities are 2-3 times more likely to be victims of physical and sexual abuse than women without disabilities. In addition “the global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 per cent, and 1 per cent for women with disabilities, according to a 1998 UNDP study” (UN DPI fact sheet).

Having a nice weekend class with children

Unfortunately, some pre-schools in Angola are open air and classes may take place under a tree, so when the weather is bad, classes are cancelled. This is the result of civil war that destroyed and looted many schools.


Globally, 263 million children between the ages of 6 and 17 are out of school, 61 million of which are of primary school age (6-11 years) *. More than half of the total figure live in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Girls with disabilities experience attacks and exploitation at much higher rates than other children. Both disability inclusion and gender equality are key factors in achieving including education as both gender and disability are significant factors of exclusion.



22% of the world’s poorest people have a disability. Women and girls with disabilities often face triple discrimination; being female, having a disability and being among the poorest of the poor. Women with disabilities face additional barriers to achieving their sexual and reproductive health rights.


Time to Sing - Faith and Hope

A moving tribute to our amazing gospel singer Filismina. She has been singing for us in many of our programs!



Meet our participants!

“We think the outside world does not really understand what the real difficulty is for women with a disability. This extremely vulnerable group continue to face exclusion from education and risks such as sexual violence - perhaps because they are seen as ‘helpless, asexual, and powerless’.
Therefore, we repeat again and again, for women with disability is really hard to live, so please include them.”

The heroines are here


Tonight, we are presenting a conclusion. If you would like to know more, please click on these links to watch the real and shocking stories of these girls and explore anything that catches your attention.


By addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in low and middle income countries, we not only achieve the human rights of persons with disabilities, but everyone benefits from their contribution.
This is why inclusion, across all development sectors, is important. Empowering persons with disabilities, including women and girls so they can receive a worthwhile education, access health and rehabilitation services, gain a livelihood and participate fully in society, is essential to ending the cycle of poverty and disability.


We sincerely hope that you will find more people to sponsor girls' education today. Your generosity and your gift will help children, adults, and families rise above adversity and thrive. No matter the amount, your donation makes a difference.

Have a great day!

Thank you very much.


Sofonie Dala at AU/CIEFFA 3rd Youth Capacity Building Workshop on Girls'Education in Africa. Accra, Ghana 2019. 

Full program: First edition + second phase


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Comments