Last Week In Rural Africa

It’s the beginning of a new week and as part of our tradition, Rural Reporters collates a weekly report on development in rural Africa and its environs. The reports include are some of our top picks of recent must-read research, interviews, reports, blogs and in-depth articles to help you keep on top of global crises.

Here are top updates from the previous week.

 

Thousands of children exploited in Senegal – HRW

Tens of thousands of children in Senegal are being exploited by Koranic teachers who force them to beg in the streets, Human Rights Watch said on Monday, blaming the government for failing to implement a law on forced begging.

Senegal passed a law in 2005 aimed at stopping the trafficking of children and their exploitation in thousands of Koranic schools. Only a dozen teachers have since been prosecuted.

Making Girls’ Education Highest Return Investment

Despite the saying that educating a woman means educating the nation, which plays part in improving health, social and economic outcomes, it has been proven that the poorest girls living in rural areas are still the most in need of education.

According to Rebecca Winthrop, a Senior Fellow and Director, Centre for Universal Education in the Brookings Institution and Eileen McGivney Research Analyst in the same Institution, on in developing countries, 87 per cent of girls enroll in primary school, but only 39 per cent finish lower secondary.

Meet the Man Whose Tablet Invention Could Save Millions of Lives in Rural Africa

While HIV/AIDS is generally known to be the biggest killer in Africa, you might be surprised to learn cardiovascular disease (CVD) is second on that list, and for adults over 30 years old, it is the most common cause of death in the continent. The lack of cardiologists in impoverished rural areas means CVD’s impact is greater than it needs to be.

But 27-year-old Marc Arthur Zang from Cameroon is hoping to change all that with his the CardioPad, a cost-effective tablet that can monitor heart activity and wirelessly send the information to cardiologists elsewhere, so they can remotely prescribe medication and lifestyle changes to patients.

Rural Electrification: 500 Kenyan Schools Connect To Grid

In Kenya, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has connected 500 public primary schools in Siaya county to the national electricity grid as part of achieving the government’s vision of electrifying all primary schools by 2030.

REA chief manager Ephantus Kamweru said that the authority will commission the $4 million project in Akom Primary School, Rarieda, on Saturday, the Star reported on Monday.

Charity Campaigns to Bring Internet to Rural Africa Cause Disruptions

The goods news is that internet access can provide the skill and information transfers required. Of All the things that wealthy societies can do for rural sub-Saharan African communities, providing internet connectivity and appropriate devices is probably the most promising. As the poorer communities cannot cover the costs for lack of employment opportunities, innovative minds will need to devise viable long-term initiatives. Such commercial mindedness is essential for economic development across rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Just as focusing on the “low-hanging fruit” is a popular business expression, various forms of talent searches are likely to feature prominently as the internet reaches remote African communities.

We Have Been Abandoned, Abuja Villagers Cry Out

 

Residents of Kwalita community in Gwagwalada Area Council have cried out that the Federal Government through the FCT Administration has abandoned them as it has refused to provide them social amenities that will ease their suffering.

The villagers made their situation known during the donation of about 200 units of water filters to the community by a private company, Green World Matters.

 

Busayo Sotunde is a prolific writer with special focus on Business, Entrepreneurship, Reproductive Health and other development issues in Africa. Her articles have been published by different outlets including Investing Port and Ventures-Africa.com. She has a penchant for reading and sustainable development. Follow Busayo on Twitter @BusayomiSotunde
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