A SPECIALIST Ross-shire teacher is trading the comforts of a relaxed summer holiday for the challenges of an African country with strong links to Scotland.
Roger Bamfield, (49) a Dingwall-based advisory teacher with Highland Council's Autism Outreach Education Service, will be leaving Edinburgh on Friday June 29 to help improve education in the African country of Malawi.
He will live and work in a rural community without any running water or electricity and will work with staff handling classes with over 100 pupils and minimal resources. Roger, right, is going with teachers from around Scotland as part of the Global Teachers Programme (GTP), run by international agency Link Community Development (LCD). The programme provides Scottish teachers and headteachers with a challenging, rewarding and motivating professional and personal development experience.
The programme lasts 15 months and is centred around Roger's five-week placement in LCD's school improvement project in Malawi. LCD provides training and support before, during and after the placement in Malawi. The GTP and the Scotland-Malawi School Improvement Project is supported by the Scottish Executive Education Department.
Admitted Roger, "I usually spend the summer holiday taking things easy but I wanted to do something worthwhile this year. When I was offered the opportunity to take part in LCD's brilliant Global Teachers Programme living in and working with a Malawian community I had to take it up. It is a chance to give and also learn so much, both in Malawi and on my return to Scotland."
He is currently looking to raise £2,000 towards the cost of his placement in Malawi. Following the placement Roger plans to work in Highland to help raise awareness amongst children (including those with autism) of global development issues in Malawi. He hopes to help children form links so they can learn about each others' lives. Global citizenship is one of the key current developments in Scottish education. LCD is a charity which works to improve the quality of education in Africa and raise awareness of development issues in the Scotland. LCD believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and their education development projects in Africa are run in partnership with the local departments of education.
People can find out more and support online at http://www.justgiving.com/highlandglobalteacher
To support Link Community Development in Scotland please phone 0131 343 6407 or email: scotland@lcd.org.uk. For more information about Link Community Development visit http://www.lcd.org.uk
Thursday, 3 May 2007
Group spearheads help for Malawians
Mphatso "Terry" Namwali has a message for the people of his native Malawi.
"We're still here. We still think about you, and God is over us all."
He and others of the First Presbyterian Church Malawi Association, South Bend, deliver that message by spearheading local efforts to help build and operate schools in Chibanzi, Malawi.
All the while, they try to help one another build successful new lives in this country. The group addresses issues such as housing, immigration and education.
Estimates are that 800 to 1,000 people from Malawi have settled in Michiana, says Phyllis Wezeman, director of Christian nurture for First Presbyterian. Many came to attend schools of higher learning and were followed by family and friends.
With about 50 Malawians currently members of First Presbyterian, the church is believed to be home to the largest Malawian contingent of any Presbyterian Church (USA) in the country, she says.
Namwali came to this country 19 years ago to attend Wooster College in Ohio, having been a national soccer star in Malawi. He settled in South Bend five years later, after visiting Michiana and liking what he saw.
The first person to attend First Presbyterian from Malawi, which is a heavily Presbyterian nation in southeastern Africa, he continued his family's tradition of being deeply involved with church.
"Church was like our second home," he says. He has served in a variety of positions at First Presbyterian, including as head of the Malawi association for a while and now as a deacon. He and his wife, Stella, hope their three children also learn the importance of contributing to society.
But life in the United States is not the association's only concern.
Malawi is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, according to the CIA Factbook. HIV/AIDS has taken a heavy toll.
The FPC Malawi Association, which includes members of First Presbyterian who are not Malawians, looked into how best to help the country.
"We were looking for something we could do for people back home -- knowing what's going on," explains Mercy Nyirenda, who came to the United States in 1999. "We have so many orphans because of the AIDS epidemic that is claiming young people who are leaving behind children with nobody to take care of them.
"We thought, 'Why can't we come up with something?'"
They found the greatest need was in the central region of the long, narrow nation that is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania. Chibanzi, a rural community without electricity or running water, became their focus.
The "Have a Heart for Chibanzi's Children" fundraiser is a great way to help, Nyirenda thinks.
"It means a lot because I know that they are needy. When you look at the money, the dollar against the Malawian currency, which is called kwacha, it may be nothing here but it is something there.
"A little will make a big difference," she says.
South Bend's support primarily has come in the form of money donated by individuals and churches, Wezeman says. Members of the Chibanzi Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in the Nkhoma Synod contribute the labor, even molding the bricks used to build two schools.
"This is not something that either of us could do on our own," Wezeman says. "This is a very cooperative effort."
First Presbyterian raised $13,000 in 2004 to build a four-room day nursery for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Most of the youngsters are orphans left in the care of siblings or elderly grandparents, Wezeman says.
Another $13,500 raised in 2005 went to begin construction of a primary school for children in kindergarten, first and second grades. For some, especially the girls, the second grade may be the highest level of schooling they'll finish.
But this year's "Have a Heart for Chibanzi's Children" really raised the bar. Seeking at least $300,000 in donations, it aims to add a kitchen (basically a room with space for a wood fire, Wezeman says) and a bathroom (not of the flushing variety, she adds). The fundraiser will fund continued construction of the primary school as well.
Meeting the educational and nutritional needs of 300 children at the nursery school/ orphan center and the primary school also is targeted, Wezeman says. Funds will go to food for breakfast, a snack and lunch Monday through Friday, uniforms at the primary school, workbooks, school supplies, and salaries for teachers, cooks and administrators.
Donations also will help dig wells and buy bicycles, she says. She notes that, rather than helping to meet needs in a variety of places, the Malawi Association will work toward bringing stability and self-sustainability to this one region.
Wezeman, accompanied by several other church members mostly paying their own way, went to Malawi in 2005 and 2006. She taught classes for the synod there, including instructing HIV/AIDS workers on creative approaches to educating people about the disease.
She and another small group plan to head to Malawi this summer, again to teach classes and/or help at Chibanzi.
She describes Malawi as the fourth poorest country in the world but with some of the richest people spiritually on earth.
"Their lives are rooted in the Bible, study and prayer and a commitment to putting God first in their life."
"We're still here. We still think about you, and God is over us all."
He and others of the First Presbyterian Church Malawi Association, South Bend, deliver that message by spearheading local efforts to help build and operate schools in Chibanzi, Malawi.
All the while, they try to help one another build successful new lives in this country. The group addresses issues such as housing, immigration and education.
Estimates are that 800 to 1,000 people from Malawi have settled in Michiana, says Phyllis Wezeman, director of Christian nurture for First Presbyterian. Many came to attend schools of higher learning and were followed by family and friends.
With about 50 Malawians currently members of First Presbyterian, the church is believed to be home to the largest Malawian contingent of any Presbyterian Church (USA) in the country, she says.
Namwali came to this country 19 years ago to attend Wooster College in Ohio, having been a national soccer star in Malawi. He settled in South Bend five years later, after visiting Michiana and liking what he saw.
The first person to attend First Presbyterian from Malawi, which is a heavily Presbyterian nation in southeastern Africa, he continued his family's tradition of being deeply involved with church.
"Church was like our second home," he says. He has served in a variety of positions at First Presbyterian, including as head of the Malawi association for a while and now as a deacon. He and his wife, Stella, hope their three children also learn the importance of contributing to society.
But life in the United States is not the association's only concern.
Malawi is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world, according to the CIA Factbook. HIV/AIDS has taken a heavy toll.
The FPC Malawi Association, which includes members of First Presbyterian who are not Malawians, looked into how best to help the country.
"We were looking for something we could do for people back home -- knowing what's going on," explains Mercy Nyirenda, who came to the United States in 1999. "We have so many orphans because of the AIDS epidemic that is claiming young people who are leaving behind children with nobody to take care of them.
"We thought, 'Why can't we come up with something?'"
They found the greatest need was in the central region of the long, narrow nation that is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania. Chibanzi, a rural community without electricity or running water, became their focus.
The "Have a Heart for Chibanzi's Children" fundraiser is a great way to help, Nyirenda thinks.
"It means a lot because I know that they are needy. When you look at the money, the dollar against the Malawian currency, which is called kwacha, it may be nothing here but it is something there.
"A little will make a big difference," she says.
South Bend's support primarily has come in the form of money donated by individuals and churches, Wezeman says. Members of the Chibanzi Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in the Nkhoma Synod contribute the labor, even molding the bricks used to build two schools.
"This is not something that either of us could do on our own," Wezeman says. "This is a very cooperative effort."
First Presbyterian raised $13,000 in 2004 to build a four-room day nursery for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Most of the youngsters are orphans left in the care of siblings or elderly grandparents, Wezeman says.
Another $13,500 raised in 2005 went to begin construction of a primary school for children in kindergarten, first and second grades. For some, especially the girls, the second grade may be the highest level of schooling they'll finish.
But this year's "Have a Heart for Chibanzi's Children" really raised the bar. Seeking at least $300,000 in donations, it aims to add a kitchen (basically a room with space for a wood fire, Wezeman says) and a bathroom (not of the flushing variety, she adds). The fundraiser will fund continued construction of the primary school as well.
Meeting the educational and nutritional needs of 300 children at the nursery school/ orphan center and the primary school also is targeted, Wezeman says. Funds will go to food for breakfast, a snack and lunch Monday through Friday, uniforms at the primary school, workbooks, school supplies, and salaries for teachers, cooks and administrators.
Donations also will help dig wells and buy bicycles, she says. She notes that, rather than helping to meet needs in a variety of places, the Malawi Association will work toward bringing stability and self-sustainability to this one region.
Wezeman, accompanied by several other church members mostly paying their own way, went to Malawi in 2005 and 2006. She taught classes for the synod there, including instructing HIV/AIDS workers on creative approaches to educating people about the disease.
She and another small group plan to head to Malawi this summer, again to teach classes and/or help at Chibanzi.
She describes Malawi as the fourth poorest country in the world but with some of the richest people spiritually on earth.
"Their lives are rooted in the Bible, study and prayer and a commitment to putting God first in their life."
Buyers rap hike in cotton rates – trade standstill
Government ruled, last week, that the minimum price of cotton should not be less than K40 per kilogram, which is a considerable rise from last year’s price of K30.
The cotton buyers, however, are not accepting this price without a fight. Protesting this hike in price cotton consumers ceased all purchases from the farmers.
Justifying their side, the buyers are saying that the price is a little high since they also have to pay taxes.
Government has advised the farmers not to sell their produce at lower rates, bringing all trading to a standstill.
Meanwhile, cotton growers are hoping that the three sides reach a mutually beneficial compromise soon, so as to restore smooth dealings.
Administration said that it was aware of the current situation and is working out the possibilities.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Patrick Kabambe, told the media, “We are meeting within this week. I hear they (buyers) met yesterday. We need to hear why they have decided to stop buying cotton. There is no way we can reduce the price really. The prices were agreed by Cabinet; the issue may have to go back to Cabinet.”
The cotton buyers, however, are not accepting this price without a fight. Protesting this hike in price cotton consumers ceased all purchases from the farmers.
Justifying their side, the buyers are saying that the price is a little high since they also have to pay taxes.
Government has advised the farmers not to sell their produce at lower rates, bringing all trading to a standstill.
Meanwhile, cotton growers are hoping that the three sides reach a mutually beneficial compromise soon, so as to restore smooth dealings.
Administration said that it was aware of the current situation and is working out the possibilities.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Patrick Kabambe, told the media, “We are meeting within this week. I hear they (buyers) met yesterday. We need to hear why they have decided to stop buying cotton. There is no way we can reduce the price really. The prices were agreed by Cabinet; the issue may have to go back to Cabinet.”
Who Says We're In No Rush?
You might think the pace of life in Toronto is hectic but we don’t even make the list when it comes to being the fastest rodents in the rat race.
According to a study of walking speeds in 32 world cities, Singaporeans covered 60 feet in a blistering 10.55 seconds while it took residents of New York a full 12 seconds. They may be the city that never sleeps, but they do so at relatively leisurely pace.
The only Canadian city to make the list was Ottawa, where the civil servants of our sleepy capital covered the distance in 13.72 seconds, good for 20th place in the rankings. The tortoises of the group were the people of Blantyre, Malawi who plodded along at about a foot per second, covering the distance in 31.60 seconds.
Of course anyone who has ever gotten off the southbound Yonge subway at the King station at 8:55 a.m. or been in the way of the Go Train crowd at Union could tell you that people in this city are a blur — and they do it without even looking up.
Though our evidence may be anecdotal, we're not the only ones in a hurry. Compared to a 1994 survey, the researchers discovered people were now walking 10 per cent faster.
"We just have this feeling that we should be producing and active all of the time," Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire told Reuters. "That is fuelled by the email, text, mobile phone culture. But there has to be an upper limit, because if this trend continues, we will arriving places before we have set off." Tell that to the next BlackBerry-wielding commuter who charges past you when the subway doors open.
According to a study of walking speeds in 32 world cities, Singaporeans covered 60 feet in a blistering 10.55 seconds while it took residents of New York a full 12 seconds. They may be the city that never sleeps, but they do so at relatively leisurely pace.
The only Canadian city to make the list was Ottawa, where the civil servants of our sleepy capital covered the distance in 13.72 seconds, good for 20th place in the rankings. The tortoises of the group were the people of Blantyre, Malawi who plodded along at about a foot per second, covering the distance in 31.60 seconds.
Of course anyone who has ever gotten off the southbound Yonge subway at the King station at 8:55 a.m. or been in the way of the Go Train crowd at Union could tell you that people in this city are a blur — and they do it without even looking up.
Though our evidence may be anecdotal, we're not the only ones in a hurry. Compared to a 1994 survey, the researchers discovered people were now walking 10 per cent faster.
"We just have this feeling that we should be producing and active all of the time," Richard Wiseman, a professor of psychology at the University of Hertfordshire told Reuters. "That is fuelled by the email, text, mobile phone culture. But there has to be an upper limit, because if this trend continues, we will arriving places before we have set off." Tell that to the next BlackBerry-wielding commuter who charges past you when the subway doors open.
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