What’s the fuss about Kony?

The world is divided on many issues. But every once in a while, people from around the world unite with one voice and fight for a common cause that transcends every race, religion or political affiliation – not for the purpose of seeking political gain but for the sake of just doing the right thing. Kony 2012 is one of such causes. 

It is no wonder that the recent video posted by the Invisible Children on the internet about Joseph Kony – a Ugandan warlord and rebel leader of the Lord’s Resistance army (LRA) – became instantly viral with over 50 million views in just over two weeks. This video exposes inhumane acts of ongoing child abduction, recruiting child soldiers and child sex trafficking by Kony who is already wanted by the International Criminal Court. Over 30,000 children have gone missing in the past 26 years in Uganda and other surrounding Central African countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the LRA operate and terrorize the local inhabitants. Kony is said to be a former altar boy and believes that his role is to cleanse his people.

In response to these atrocious crimes against humanity, Barack Obama, the president of the United States of America deployed 100 troops to Uganda in October 2011. Their mission is to work in concert with Ugandan forces and other African militia to help them track and capture Joseph Kony with their sophisticated military devices and savoir-faire in the field.

Some critics argue that Kony 2012 is just another hype built around everyday issues faced by many African countries that have never spurred any serious action, promulgated by the wrong mediators to the wrong audience and maybe for the wrong reasons. They feel that the appropriate response should constitute of efforts geared towards empowering the African people to solve their own problems. Furthermore, there are other more urgent matters that deserve more attention – like the civil unrest and killings in Syria.

On the other hand, supporters of Kony 2012 may argue that this matter has been ongoing for decades and the civil war-torn Ugandan government has been incapable of handling it till date. This therefore calls for a radical intervention from more capable foreign empathizers.  More so, because children are involved. If ignored, the Central African child population may be decimated in the long run. And who knows how further widespread the LRA’s dominion could go? We could be looking at a replica of the Rwandan genocide taking the form of child annihilation in Uganda!

However, irrespective of your stance, the world is in unanimous agreement that acts like Joseph Kony’s must be stopped. In this light, the Invisible Children are bent on making him the most popular man on the planet (probably more popular than Osama Bin Laden) and raising funds in a bid to help facilitate his capture. To this effect, they are planning a huge publicity venture on April 20^th 2012. Other nations around the world in Europe and Asia have already joined this campaign and are perpetrating the message that Kony must be stopped in 2012, hence the slogan “Kony 2012”. Individuals have contributed by spreading the viral video and Kony’s image and story through social media like Facebook and Twitter.

At the Guardian Network Africa, we are acting locally. We are helping and empowering vulnerable African children by providing knowledge and useful skills that will help them escape victimization by similar circumstances in future. Click here to find out how we do this and how you can change an underprivileged child’s life forever.

Tick tok, in September blows

The last 12 months has been a memorable one for the Guardian Network Africa (GNAfrica). As we have grown as an organisation, seeing the impact of our charity and on the lives of the children we support has been phenomenal. Through the network children like Sabina, George and Limunga have been able to go back to school, learn, make friends, develop their knowledge and social skills and live their lives like young kids should.

The impact of our support not only helps these kids to go back to school, but drives their performance as well. Knowing they have a benefactor who cares enough to support them, who cares about their future, wants to see their report cards and see them progress, is a strong incentive for them to do well. This bond between benefactor and beneficiary is poignant, long-term and vital to the longevity of the Guardian Network Africa.

As 2012 approaches more remains to be done. Cameroon has an adult literacy rate of 67.9% with children, particularly young girls in challenging financial circumstances slipping through the cracks. Cameroon can only grow when young people are given the tools to make a difference, and being part of GNAfrica has given us the opportunity to drive this change.

If you share our vision for a Cameroon that is economically, culturally and socially vibrant help GNAfrica make a difference. There are many ways you can help. We are looking for looking for partners in Cameroon, who can help identify children who need our support, and help drive our processes on the ground.  Alternatively you can play a crucial role by sponsoring a child or a specific project; for example a camcorder which can be used to develop videos for our social media campaigns. Get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Once again September brings with it the promise of a new school year… Which kid could YOU help today?

Did someone say progress?

Education in Africa is moving in the right direction. In July 7^th delegates from seven African countries including Ethiopia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal and Tanzania, met in Kigali, Rwanda to discuss implementing the UNESCO-sponsored Basic Education for Africa program.

One of the topics on the agenda was the progress made in Rwanda with the Nine Year Basic education programme  (9YBE) , launched in 2009.  9YBE was established to provide nine years of education to all Rwandan children, free of charge. Since its launch, school enrolment has increased by 30% to 80%, while the country’s illiteracy rate has decreased. Narcisse Musabeyezu, Inspector of General Education believes the programme will help Rwandans become ‘competent, skilled and knowledgeable’ and hopes the programme will be extended to twelve years.

The Nine Year Basic Education Programme is part of the Basic Education for Africa programme (BEAP), which aims to support a holistic and comprehensive reform of basic education in Africa. In a world evolving faster than ever before, the need for education has never been more urgent. Progress is being made, but there is a lot of work to be done . Africa has the lowest rate of literacy in the world; in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger for example, less than 30% of the population are literate and many African countries have literacy rates below 50%.

The Guardian Network Africa is committed to making education more than an entitlement for the privileged. Every child needs a solid foundation; and family, core values and good education form the very cornerstone of this foundation. We aspire to give more children access to basic and secondary education and need your support to make this a reality. If you would like to help, please get in touch via the Guardian Network Website.

Sources:

50 things you didn’t know about Africa http://bit.ly/cluq0t

UNESCO: Adult and Youth literacy, September 2010 http://bit.ly/r4dY2W

The Basic Education Africa programme: http://bit.ly/otMeFN

Countries meet to discuss Education reforms: http://bit.ly/nW2z01

Social Media – a growing force of nature

January and February were months of fervent turmoil in the North of Africa. As riots in Iran, Egypt and Libya grew, social media proved to be a fervent channel for people’s visions for change. Egyptian protesters were able to use social media to communicate with their friends and spread their message across networks. Protest organizers where able to tweet new venues and times for the next protests and relocate supporters within minutes. Citizens, those on the ground were able to share their stories, pictures and videos with the rest of the world. It gave resourceful individuals, citizens, reporters a medium to communicate instantly.

After these successful campaigns it was interesting to note the reaction of many other Africans who turned to Facebook and Twitter to communicate their personal views of their country and what we could be done to make things better. While this raises some very different opinions, it also made me wonder what other messages could benefit from the use of Social Media. Political campaigns can be passionate but can also be hazy… people from different backgrounds  share different views, and support different ‘calls to action’ which can be challenging to decipher  … what about social issues based on  good causes, with clear ‘call to action’  and predictable results, for instance campaigns relating to non for profit organizations?

In the nonprofit world, more organizations are turning to Social media as a route to turn ‘supporters’ into ‘Activists’. Many use social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to raise awareness on current events and encourage offline activity to great results. All it takes it a little time, some hard work and fans who are willing to help make a difference!

At the Guardian Network we are starting to take an active stance in social media by blogging about what’s going in the world, and committing to keeping our supporters involved in what we do. Our motivation remains the children in Cameroon who with the right good education, could potentially become the next doctor, pilot, scientist, philanthropist in neighborhood you grew up in.

To all our current supporters, we thank you for your enthusiasm as we ask that you become ambassadors of our organization. All it takes is following us on Facebook and Twitter, posting links to our blogs on your profile pages, adding your comments on our page, and telling your friends about us.

A few weeks ago Facebook and Twitter proved they could drive national revolutions… With your support, just think what it could do for the children we aim to support at the Guardian Network.

African Children’s Choir perform to raise funds.

Today I came across this fascinating story by Angella Wollen in the Sun News, which I thought I must share with you.

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In February 2011, Thirteen Ugandan children started their travel though the Southeast states of the U.S in the quest of raising the support they need for their education.

The children, ages 7 to 11, are part of the African Children’s Choir. Scheduled to perform about three to four times a week,  their concert will feature African dance and songs sung in the native language of Luganda, as well as familiar favorites like “He’s Got the Whole World” and “Highway to Heaven.”

The African Children’s Choir has been in existence since 1984 with the goal of providing education to African children. Since its existence the choir has helped thousands of African children.

The children chosen for the choir are some of the neediest in their country. They are given five months of training by the organization before coming to the U.S. for a year.

“The goal is to find the most vulnerable and needy children to be ambassadors for their country,” said Kari Penrod, tour leader for the choir who has been with the organization for two years.

Kari’s first experience with Uganda was through a study abroad program. After she returned home, she a concert, fell in love with it, and signed up to become a leader two weeks after she graduated…

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When I read this story, I thought this was an inspirational story about brave children in pursuit of a dream, and the people gracious enough to help them reach that dream. If this story appeals to you, please get in touch with the Guardian Network to find out what we do, and see how you can get involved… better yet click on the following ‘link’ right now. We might be a small charity but we’ve got a big heart, and just the same level of passion for our kids!

If you would like to find out when the choir will be in your area, please visit their website africanchildrenschoir.com.

Source: The Sun News

Isn’t it time we start planning ahead…. ?

Africa is the only continent to have become poorer in the past 25 years.  

With each economic year, Africa grows more dependent on international support for food, investment and education; a risky position that would eventually prove to be our detriment. Our delicate position is clearly reflected in a recent report by the United Nations, which stated that the orgnisations global drive to get every child into primary education is being knocked off course by the global financial crisis.

In the annual report on its ‘Education For All initiative’  UNESCO warned that much of the progress of the past decade could be undone as education budgets everywhere – particularly in sub-­Saharan Africa – get cut back as the flow of aid from rich countries dwindles. There are currently 72 million children in the world with no access to education, whilst in sub Saharan African countries 50% of  young adults have fewer than four years of education.

Looking to external sources for funding and charity is not sustainable in the long term. The recent global economic crisis is a reflection of this; once more developed countries got hit by financial hardship, support for developing countries plunged. Do we really want to continue to place the future of our countries and the lives of our brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, in someone else hands?

It is up to us to develop the resources we have in order to safe guard the future of our home countries. One of these resources – indeed one of the most important – are its people and we can capitalize on this by providing them the opportunity to access the knowledge and the tools required to instigate change.

For Africa’s children, education is perhaps their strongest barrier against poverty. Educated children are likely to be more productive when they grow up, get better paid in the workplace, become able to lead and inspire others. Girls are likely to marry later, in more favorable terms and have healthier children.

Help a child receive education today, and help shape Africa ’s economic future. Visit the Guardian network website today to find out how.

Sources:

http://www.unicef.org/mdg/poverty.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jan/20/education-for-all-unesco-warning

Can we count on you this 2011?

2010 has been a year of extraordinary tales; from the unpredictable drama of the U.K elections, the passing the U.S. bill, ashes from Finland, the chaotic Wiki leaks, to the phenomenal rescue of the miners in Chile, the first World Cup in South Africa and another round of the X factor!

As we look back at the phenomenal events of the year 2010, now’s a time to contemplate on the past year, it’s impact on our personal lives, and create that ‘to do list’ for 2010 – the so called ‘New Year Resolutions’. Each year as many of us craft insightful resolutions the decision to help others often crops up, with many deciding to donate, volunteer or promote the charity of their choices before the years end.

However as reality creeps up alongside our daily duties – getting to work on time, paying those quarterly bills, getting dinner on the table – this well conjured list gets stored away with private promises to ‘take action in our spare time’ – spare time which never seems to surface. Before we know it, we’ll making a similar list in January 2012, with the very same resolutions.

This 2011, if one of your resolutions is to do something for the benefit of others, this is your call to action. There will never be a convinient time to sit and plan, and whilst we wait, the lives of those who need our help comes to a halt as they lack the support they need to drive change. Habit can be tough cookie, but please remember that whilst the impact of ‘doing nothing’ seems insignificant to you,the truth is your action or inaction has real life consequences for those you do – or do not – help.

This year, break the cycle by committing to do good and taking the steps TO do good, free time or not. Guardian Network Africa has the infrastructure in place to make your support hassle free, and with your help one very lucky child would get the opportunity to learn, play and enjoy the many benefits of longterm education.

Please visit the Guardian Network Africa website to find out more and support a child today. It only takes a few minutes … and one, resolute, click.

Charity and Social Enterprise, a marriage made in heaven

‘Is good, does good’ is the slogan of U.S based ‘Two Degrees’, a one-for-one food company that donates a nutrition pack to a hungry child for each product they sell. They’re not the only ones applying this business model; growing awareness of the many issues facing a world made smaller by technology means more entrepreneurs are starting appreciate the need to do good.

For many years ‘traditional’ charities have offered support, however many focus on the immediate issues without addressing the root of the problem – education, skills, and commercial stimulation. While the recipients of this approach appreciate the support, the need for self achievement and taking pride in ‘doing it for themselves’ has resulted in a growing level of discontent for ‘hand me downs’…

This inspired the birth of social entrepreneurship, which involves doing good not just for the short term, but investing in enabling the people you support stand on their feet in the long term. Two Degrees does this by establishing its manufacturing in Malawi which means more jobs, more disposable and better skills for the local community.

This approach relates to the Guardian Network Africa, a charity with the vision and goal of a Social Enterprise. We are passionate about offering children choice, with the opportunity to go to school where they can access the education they need in order to be better positioned for the opportunities – and challenges – of tomorrow. Every child deserves education, and countries like Cameroon needs educated children today who can create future opportunities for a more sustainable social and economic ecosystem.

Imagine a world where each and every country was self sustainable. That’s the cause we’re fighting, and we hope you’ want to be a part of it.

Please visit the Guardian Network Africa today to find out more about our cause.

Sandrine

Crème de la crème supports The Guardian Network Africa

Harrogate based business and social networking for women is supporting The Guardian Network Africa by hosting a jewellery sale for its members at their forthcoming meeting at the Yorkshire Hotel on Wednesday November 10^th.

Alongside some serious business networking and fun socializing, crème do la crème is committed to making a difference for woman in their business and personal life and to support worthy charitable causes.

We are delighted that crème de la crème have agreed to support The Guardian Network Africa in our mission to sponsor the education of underprivileged children in Africa. A big thanks to Sarah Sanpher of creme de la creme  for organising this for us.

At the meeting members will be able to purchase some beautiful hand made jewellery that has been donated by a kind supporter. Items include pieces made from hand blown Murano glass, ethnic jewellery from South Africa, fantastic costume jewellery for dressing up and for giving away as Christmas presents. There are lots of pearl, crystal and semi precious jewellery pieces with jade, topaz and lapis stones. All are less than half their normal prices and for orders over £35.00 a FREE pearl cluster ring is being given away- (subject to stock).

To see a preview of the stock click here.

To find out more about crème de la crème click here

Seven great real life stories of success and hope

We wanted to share with you, the stories of seven children whose lives have been changed by the kind support of seven people who wanted to make a difference to a child in need. Each is story of the real success that child sponsorship can bring in changing the lives of underprivileged children in Africa. To learn more and to sponsor a child in Africa visit our website. It costs from as little as £6.50 per month to change a life forever.

Motale Blaise

Motale Blaise- came top of his class!

Motale Blaise was a little 10 year old intelligent boy who was at his final year in primary school when we found him. Blaise lost his father and his mother is unemployed and could not afford to register him for the final year exam which meant that he was at risk of not sitting for the exam and going on to secondary school.

Thankfully, we found Motale a sponsor and he emerged as the best pupil in his Common Entrance exam centre. Motale now has the ambition of becoming an engineer and with the continuous help from his sponsor, he is pursuing his dream.

Sabina Bih Mongo

Sabina Mongo now has new "guardian"

Sabina’s father died when she was just fours years old in 2008, leaving her to be looked after by her mother who struggles to make any kind of income by being a peasant farmer and petty trader. Their living conditions are desperate.

Sabina did not go to school but helped her mother by selling food on the streets. Her mother and Sabina desperately want her to go to school like the other children in her community and she knows that eventually Sabina will need to support the family in her later life.

The Guardian Network Africa found Sabina a sponsor – a little girl called Mika who is not much older than Sabina- who had forgone recieving her birthday presents to help Sabina. Now Sabina is enrolled in school and can look forward to a brighter future.

Nadesh Kudi Kakon

Nadesh - back at school and rebuilding her life

Nadesh is a very intelligent orphan who always tops her class. Despite her brilliant results, she had to repeat year 5 in primary school because her care-taker (aunt) could not afford the extra cost of about £20 to register her for the First School Leaving exam.

Only last year, Nadesh’s aunt died and with no one else to sponsor her, Nadesh was forced to drop out of school one month to the end of term.  She went to live with her uncle in Wotutu village and joined the struggle for survival with ten of her other cousins under his care.

With the help of her teachers, our Child Support Manager, Orock, found her just two weeks before her end of year exam living under deplorable conditions, and got her back to school by finding her a sponsor. She was able to move on to the next class where she would pass her Common entrance with flying colurs. Nadesh is now in secondary school.

Mdajong George Mukwe

George -given a second chance by The Guardian Network Africa

At the tender age of eleven, George lost both his parents and had to go live with his uncle in Douala. However, George was not sent to school to complete his primary education and was ill-treated by his uncle. He ran away and went to live with his aunt who works as a housemaid in Limbe. But because she could not look after him with her meager wage, George found a job as a house help in exchange for food and shelter.

George has two younger siblings residing with other relatives in their village, whom he is directly responsible for, but cannot do much to help them under his circumstances.

We felt that George’s childhood was stolen and wanted to give him the chance he had unfairly missed to better his future. We found George a sponsor and a mentor, and now George is looking to start as an apprentice electrician, while still maintaining his house help job that provides him food and shelter.

Lois -Tracy Ngemba Tambe

Lois Tracy Ambe can now go to school

Lois-Tracy lost her dad when she was just one year old and her young widow mum, Felicitas, became a victim of a common cultural malpractice of suffering ill treatment from her family in law.

Felicitas  was kicked out of her house, all their property  seized and she was left alone with just a bed, a single room, no job, no husband and a baby to cater to.

For three years after her father’s  death, Lois-Tracy and her mum lived  hand to mouth trying to make ends meet but with very little success. Having had very little education herself, her mum has been unable to find work and is relying on help from other family members and good samaritans for food and basic needs.

Now Lois Tracy life has changed for the better and through the generous support of a sponsor she is now back at school, eagerly getting on with her primary school studies and looking to a brighter future.

Faithgreat Tendor

Faithgreat - Our most recent success story

Faithgreat Tendor is a smart and intelligent kid, but lacked the financial resources to support his education. His father abandoned him and his mother who is just 18 years of age. Both mother and grand mother find it very difficult to provide the basic needs of the child, talk less of education and medication.

Despite getting brilliant results and great praise from his teachers, Fathgreat Tendor stopped going to school when he was in nursery but thanks to a kind sponsor, Elvis Tabi Nimba, Faithgreat will once again be given the chance of going to school and living up to the great expectations that his school have of him.

Limunga Magdalene Mwambo

Limunga - reunited at school with her new classmates

Limunga is a 15 year old orphan who was raised by her grandmum. Being  only one of nine children she was forced to drop out of school as her grandmum could no longer afford to send her to school. She had become too weak to cultivate and sell crops in the market – their only source of income.

But now, with the help of one of our sponsors, Limunga was able  her primary education and is now enrolled into a technical secondary school in Limbe which will give her more chances of integrating into the community when she graduates.

A big thank you to our supporters-

Changing children’s lives – one at a time

Read the stories of Yuh and  Akoakwe now and become part of another success story.