A GROUP of Glasgow secondary school pupils set off on a mercy mission to Malawi this week.
The 25 young people from Holyrood Secondary have raised a staggering £70,000 to fund the trip through a wide range of activities involving virtually every pupil in the school.
They were waved on their way by Glasgow Lord Provost Bob Winter who met them in the City Chambers to wish them a safe journey.
The group is travelling to the Zingwangwa district where fellow pupils last year helped build three new classrooms, one of them for pupils with special needs at the Catholic Institute Primary.
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This time the teenagers will work with the local communities at their partner schools, which also include Zingwangwa Primary and the Stella Maris Girls' Secondary School.
They will build a two-classroom block for pupils with special needs and renovate a classroom block which will involve fitting a new floor, new doors and windows.
Mr Winter said: "It is tremendous our young people are prepared to raise such significant sums of money and give up their summer holidays to help children from one of the poorest countries in the world.
"I have been told it is humbling to go out there and experience the extreme poverty and hardship the Malawians endure.
"I have also been told that the pride and joyful demeanour of the Malawian people who receive aid is a privilege to witness and life-changing for everyone who encounters them. I am delighted to welcome our young people to the City Chambers and look forward to hearing about their fundraising efforts and their forthcoming trip."
Glasgow has developed strong links with Malawi regularly sending out humanitarian teams to help improve the health and structure of the country as well as shipping out regular medical supplied and IT equipment.
Last year, the council's Lord Provost and International Office co-ordinated the building of an orthotics and prosthetics workshop and clinic in Malawi in partnership with former Evening Times Scotswoman of the year and meningitis survivor Olivia Giles.
Staff accompanying the pupils will include Holyrood head teacher Tom McDonald and Tony Begley, depute head teacher.
Mr McDonald said: "I am extremely proud of our pupils who have managed to raise more than £140,000 for Malawi thanks to the support and generosity of the people of the South Side."
The youngsters who travelled from the school to Malawi last year also managed to raise £70,000.
Holyrood is working in association with the charity Mary's Meals which provides lunches for thousands of pupils attending schools in the country
For many of the children, a porridge type dish is the only food they will get that day.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Mutharika unveils new-look Malawi cabinet
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika on Wednesday unveiled his new 22 member cabinet with finance minister Goodall Gondwe reshuffled to the local government portfolio.
Mutharika, sworn in for a second term last month, retained just eight former ministers who were all shifted to other posts in the cabinet headed by himself and deputy Joyce Banda.
The 75-year-old appointed auditor Ken Kandodo, a grand-nephew of late dictator Kamuzu Banda, as the new finance minister over Gondwe who oversaw the growth of the agriculture-driven economy over the past five years.
Gondwe is a former director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is credited for turning around the economic fortunes of the impoverished southern African country.
The president gave himself the portfolio of agriculture, which he held during his first term in office. He is also the commander-in-chief of the 10,000-strong army and the police, which has 7,000 officers.
Mutharika's brother Peter, a constitutional expert, was named justice and constitutional affairs minister.
"I want an efficient cabinet that delivers," Mutharika said last month.
He dropped several of his close aides who had joined him in a minority government shortly after he ditched the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) of ex-president Bakili Muluzi, after winning the 2004 vote.
Mutharika, sworn in for a second term last month, retained just eight former ministers who were all shifted to other posts in the cabinet headed by himself and deputy Joyce Banda.
The 75-year-old appointed auditor Ken Kandodo, a grand-nephew of late dictator Kamuzu Banda, as the new finance minister over Gondwe who oversaw the growth of the agriculture-driven economy over the past five years.
Gondwe is a former director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is credited for turning around the economic fortunes of the impoverished southern African country.
The president gave himself the portfolio of agriculture, which he held during his first term in office. He is also the commander-in-chief of the 10,000-strong army and the police, which has 7,000 officers.
Mutharika's brother Peter, a constitutional expert, was named justice and constitutional affairs minister.
"I want an efficient cabinet that delivers," Mutharika said last month.
He dropped several of his close aides who had joined him in a minority government shortly after he ditched the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) of ex-president Bakili Muluzi, after winning the 2004 vote.
Malawi joins other African countries on telecenter projects
Malawi has joined a group of countries in Africa embarking on countrywide telecenter projects to open up rural areas to regional and international communications.
Malawi joins Zambia, Kenya, and Rwanda in setting up telecenters around the country. The Malawian Regulatory Communications Authority (Macra) acting director general Mike Kuntiya said the objective of the telecenters is to enable rural communities to access communication facilities.
[ Keep up on the day's tech news headlines with InfoWorld's Today's Headlines: Wrap Up newsletter and InfoWorld Daily podcast.. ]
In Zambia, Malawi and Kenya, the telecenters will foster the development of e-health, e-learning and e-commerce.
Macra said it is ready to pay ISPs any amount they require for them to provide services to rural areas for telecenters.
Remote hospitals in Africa have not been attractive to doctors and nurses because opportunities for carrier development are limited. The business community has also not been investing in rural areas because of their distance to the market and lack of market information.
But with online courses and e-commerce now available, remote hospitals may be more attractive to doctors and nurses and it is hoped that the business community will invest in rural areas, which can now access market information and sell products online.
The centers will have Internet, fax machines, telephones and photocopiers.
The Zambian government has already announced that more doctors and other medical staff are now willing to be deployed in remote rural areas.
"Doctors are even shunning coming back to the capital city to do their post graduate courses," Velepi Mtonga, health permanent secretary, told a parliamentary committee on health last week.
The African region still lags behind in information and communication technology (ICT) especially in rural areas where the majority of the people do not how to use a computer. The telecenters will also provide computer lessons to people who do not know how to use a computer.
The Malawi government wants to provide ICT services to all people in rural areas by 2012 while the Zambian government wants to connect the whole country to ICT facilities by 2030.
Poor telecommunication infrastructure is blamed for the slow growth of ICT in many African countries. The major contribution to the health sector will be the ability to deliver health services to remote rural areas through online consultation.
With computer and online connectivity, a doctor can take a photo, scan it and send it to a doctor in a referral hospital for expert opinion. The Zambian government, through the communications Authority of Zambia, the country's telecom sector regulator, has already started distributing funds amounting to nearly $4 million for rural telecom infrastructure development.
Malawi joins Zambia, Kenya, and Rwanda in setting up telecenters around the country. The Malawian Regulatory Communications Authority (Macra) acting director general Mike Kuntiya said the objective of the telecenters is to enable rural communities to access communication facilities.
[ Keep up on the day's tech news headlines with InfoWorld's Today's Headlines: Wrap Up newsletter and InfoWorld Daily podcast.. ]
In Zambia, Malawi and Kenya, the telecenters will foster the development of e-health, e-learning and e-commerce.
Macra said it is ready to pay ISPs any amount they require for them to provide services to rural areas for telecenters.
Remote hospitals in Africa have not been attractive to doctors and nurses because opportunities for carrier development are limited. The business community has also not been investing in rural areas because of their distance to the market and lack of market information.
But with online courses and e-commerce now available, remote hospitals may be more attractive to doctors and nurses and it is hoped that the business community will invest in rural areas, which can now access market information and sell products online.
The centers will have Internet, fax machines, telephones and photocopiers.
The Zambian government has already announced that more doctors and other medical staff are now willing to be deployed in remote rural areas.
"Doctors are even shunning coming back to the capital city to do their post graduate courses," Velepi Mtonga, health permanent secretary, told a parliamentary committee on health last week.
The African region still lags behind in information and communication technology (ICT) especially in rural areas where the majority of the people do not how to use a computer. The telecenters will also provide computer lessons to people who do not know how to use a computer.
The Malawi government wants to provide ICT services to all people in rural areas by 2012 while the Zambian government wants to connect the whole country to ICT facilities by 2030.
Poor telecommunication infrastructure is blamed for the slow growth of ICT in many African countries. The major contribution to the health sector will be the ability to deliver health services to remote rural areas through online consultation.
With computer and online connectivity, a doctor can take a photo, scan it and send it to a doctor in a referral hospital for expert opinion. The Zambian government, through the communications Authority of Zambia, the country's telecom sector regulator, has already started distributing funds amounting to nearly $4 million for rural telecom infrastructure development.
Malawi new cabinet as from 15th June, 2009
President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi has a new cabinet.
1. President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
2. Vice President Joyce Banda (Mrs)
3. Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
4. Agriculture and Food Security (Deputy) Magret Roka-Mauwa(Ms.)
5. Finance Mr. Ken Kandodo
6. Finance (Deputy) Mr. Fraser Nkhoma Nihora
7. Foreign Affairs Dr. Eta Elizabeth Banda
8. Foreign Affairs (Deputy) Augustine Mtendere
9. Education Dr George Chaponda
10. Higher education, Science and Technology (Deputy) Otilia Moyo-Jere (Ms)
11. Primary Education (Deputy) Victor Sajeni
12. Development Planning and Cooperation Abi Marambika Shawa
13. Development Planning and Cooperation (Deputy) Daniel Liwimbi
14. Transport and Works Khumbo Kachali
15. Transport and Works (Deputy) Lazaro Kasaila
16. Justice Dr. Peter Mutharika
17. Irrigation Ritchie Bizwick Muyewa
18. Irrigation (Deputy) Gringer Musolira Banda
19. Local Government Goodall Gondwe
20. Local Government (Deputy) MacJones Mandala Shawa
21. Industry and Trade Eunice Kazembe (Ms)
22. Industry and Trade (Deputy) Steven Stanford Kamwendo
23. Lands and Housing and Urban development Dr. Peter Mwanza
24. Lands and Housing (Deputy) Tarsiziu Tony Gowelo
25. Gender, Children and Community Development Patricia Kaliati (Ms)
26. Gender, Children and Community Development (Deputy) Catherine Gotani Hara (Ms)
27. Tourism, Wildife Anna Kachikho (Ms)
28. Tourism (Deputy) Shadreck Jonasi
29. Labour Yunus Mussa
30. Labour (Deputy) John Bande
31. Health Moses Chirambo
32. Health (Deputy) Teresa Mwale (Ms)
33. Youth and Sports Lucius Kanyumba
34. Youth (Deputy) Billy Kaunda
35. Health Prof. Moses Chirambo
36. Health (Deputy) Gloria Mwale (Ms)
37. Home Affairs Aaron Sangala
38. Home Affairs (Deputy) Annie Lemani (Ms)
39. National Defence Sidik Mia
40. Information and Civil Education Lenford Mwanza
41. Information and Civil Education (Deputy) Kingsley Namakhwa
42. Natural Resources and Energy Grey Malunga
43. Natural Resources and Energy (Deputy) Ephraim Chiume
44. Disabilities and Aged Bessie Reen Kachere (Ms)
45. Disabilities and Aged (Deputy) Felton Mulli
1. President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
2. Vice President Joyce Banda (Mrs)
3. Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
4. Agriculture and Food Security (Deputy) Magret Roka-Mauwa(Ms.)
5. Finance Mr. Ken Kandodo
6. Finance (Deputy) Mr. Fraser Nkhoma Nihora
7. Foreign Affairs Dr. Eta Elizabeth Banda
8. Foreign Affairs (Deputy) Augustine Mtendere
9. Education Dr George Chaponda
10. Higher education, Science and Technology (Deputy) Otilia Moyo-Jere (Ms)
11. Primary Education (Deputy) Victor Sajeni
12. Development Planning and Cooperation Abi Marambika Shawa
13. Development Planning and Cooperation (Deputy) Daniel Liwimbi
14. Transport and Works Khumbo Kachali
15. Transport and Works (Deputy) Lazaro Kasaila
16. Justice Dr. Peter Mutharika
17. Irrigation Ritchie Bizwick Muyewa
18. Irrigation (Deputy) Gringer Musolira Banda
19. Local Government Goodall Gondwe
20. Local Government (Deputy) MacJones Mandala Shawa
21. Industry and Trade Eunice Kazembe (Ms)
22. Industry and Trade (Deputy) Steven Stanford Kamwendo
23. Lands and Housing and Urban development Dr. Peter Mwanza
24. Lands and Housing (Deputy) Tarsiziu Tony Gowelo
25. Gender, Children and Community Development Patricia Kaliati (Ms)
26. Gender, Children and Community Development (Deputy) Catherine Gotani Hara (Ms)
27. Tourism, Wildife Anna Kachikho (Ms)
28. Tourism (Deputy) Shadreck Jonasi
29. Labour Yunus Mussa
30. Labour (Deputy) John Bande
31. Health Moses Chirambo
32. Health (Deputy) Teresa Mwale (Ms)
33. Youth and Sports Lucius Kanyumba
34. Youth (Deputy) Billy Kaunda
35. Health Prof. Moses Chirambo
36. Health (Deputy) Gloria Mwale (Ms)
37. Home Affairs Aaron Sangala
38. Home Affairs (Deputy) Annie Lemani (Ms)
39. National Defence Sidik Mia
40. Information and Civil Education Lenford Mwanza
41. Information and Civil Education (Deputy) Kingsley Namakhwa
42. Natural Resources and Energy Grey Malunga
43. Natural Resources and Energy (Deputy) Ephraim Chiume
44. Disabilities and Aged Bessie Reen Kachere (Ms)
45. Disabilities and Aged (Deputy) Felton Mulli
Malawi appoints new finmin in surprise move
Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika named Ken Kandodo on on Wednesday as finance minister, replacing Goodall Gondwe, the president's office said.
Kandodo had been head of Malawi's national food reserve agency.
A former Africa head at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gondwe was appointed in 2004 and presided over near-double digit annual growth as the southern African nation opened up to international investment.
Analysts said the replacement of Gondwe was a surprise.
'Gondwe did such a commendable job in the last five years under trying circumstances, and we need an explanation why he is being removed,' Rafiq Hajat, executive director of local think tank the Institute for Policy Interaction, said.
'We also need a good reason why Ken Kandodo qualifies for this job now when we have to continue the economic path we have taken in the last five years.'
Kandodo, an economist and businessman, who was serving as the chairman of the food reserve agency, is the nephew of the country's first president, Kamuzu Banda.
Malawi is expected to be one of the world's fastest growing economies in 2009, with forecasts of 7 percent expansion this year despite the impact of a global recession.
Gondwe was appointed minister of local government.
'Whatever economic achievements made when I was finance minister was done with the able leadership of the president ... I plan to serve the president well in my new duties,' he told Reuters.
Policymakers attribute the strong projections for this year to a bumper maize crop and the start of uranium production at a new mine.
Despite the strong growth of recent years, annual gross domestic product is still only just over $300 per capita and AIDS has orphaned about one million children.
The government
has long been trying to diversify the economy out of its mainstay, tobacco, which accounts for more than 70 percent of exports and 15 percent of total output, and into other products such as sugar and rice.
The president's office said Wa Mutharika would serve as agriculture and food security minister.
Kandodo had been head of Malawi's national food reserve agency.
A former Africa head at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gondwe was appointed in 2004 and presided over near-double digit annual growth as the southern African nation opened up to international investment.
Analysts said the replacement of Gondwe was a surprise.
'Gondwe did such a commendable job in the last five years under trying circumstances, and we need an explanation why he is being removed,' Rafiq Hajat, executive director of local think tank the Institute for Policy Interaction, said.
'We also need a good reason why Ken Kandodo qualifies for this job now when we have to continue the economic path we have taken in the last five years.'
Kandodo, an economist and businessman, who was serving as the chairman of the food reserve agency, is the nephew of the country's first president, Kamuzu Banda.
Malawi is expected to be one of the world's fastest growing economies in 2009, with forecasts of 7 percent expansion this year despite the impact of a global recession.
Gondwe was appointed minister of local government.
'Whatever economic achievements made when I was finance minister was done with the able leadership of the president ... I plan to serve the president well in my new duties,' he told Reuters.
Policymakers attribute the strong projections for this year to a bumper maize crop and the start of uranium production at a new mine.
Despite the strong growth of recent years, annual gross domestic product is still only just over $300 per capita and AIDS has orphaned about one million children.
The government
has long been trying to diversify the economy out of its mainstay, tobacco, which accounts for more than 70 percent of exports and 15 percent of total output, and into other products such as sugar and rice.
The president's office said Wa Mutharika would serve as agriculture and food security minister.
Water shortage hits Malawi's commercial city
Malawi's commercial city of Blantyre has been hit by water shortage. This has not only affected households and industrial productions but also some schools had to be closed before lunch on Monday due to water scarcity. Several townships and areas in Blantyre have gone without water for about three weeks.
Women fetching dirty water
A resident of one of the townships in Blantyre, Mwai Chipondamthengo was quoted by the country’s local papers as saying that three weeks had elapsed since his area started experiencing water shortage.
Some residents have criticised Blantyre Water Board of its failure to properly supply water and accused it of only concentrating on bills.
However in its Press release Tuesday, Blantyre Water Board apologised to its valued customers for the interruption of water supply which they said started Monday.
The Board attributed the problem to the lowering of water levels in Malawi’s biggest river Shire from which they draw water.
This interruption was caused by the lowering of the Shire levels. The lowered levels came as an emergency and was beyond our control,” said the Malawi government in its statement.
The water firm further said that its board was only made aware of the problem on Monday.
“After further investigation we were informed that out counter-parts Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) had lowered levels in order to repair their intake screens.”
Blantyre Water Board said they were currently doing all they can to restore water supply. “We are asking all customers to continue bearing with us during this time and sincerely apologise for the grave inconvenience this is causing,” said the statement.
This is not the first time the commercial city has been affected by water shortage.
Recently the city also went without water for almost a week after Escom also reduced the water levels where Blantyre Water Board also draws its water.
Women fetching dirty water
A resident of one of the townships in Blantyre, Mwai Chipondamthengo was quoted by the country’s local papers as saying that three weeks had elapsed since his area started experiencing water shortage.
Some residents have criticised Blantyre Water Board of its failure to properly supply water and accused it of only concentrating on bills.
However in its Press release Tuesday, Blantyre Water Board apologised to its valued customers for the interruption of water supply which they said started Monday.
The Board attributed the problem to the lowering of water levels in Malawi’s biggest river Shire from which they draw water.
This interruption was caused by the lowering of the Shire levels. The lowered levels came as an emergency and was beyond our control,” said the Malawi government in its statement.
The water firm further said that its board was only made aware of the problem on Monday.
“After further investigation we were informed that out counter-parts Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) had lowered levels in order to repair their intake screens.”
Blantyre Water Board said they were currently doing all they can to restore water supply. “We are asking all customers to continue bearing with us during this time and sincerely apologise for the grave inconvenience this is causing,” said the statement.
This is not the first time the commercial city has been affected by water shortage.
Recently the city also went without water for almost a week after Escom also reduced the water levels where Blantyre Water Board also draws its water.
Hunger strike at immigrant centre Yarl's Wood
There have been calls to stop detaining children at the site
Twenty people have been on hunger strike for two days at an immigration centre in Bedfordshire in protest at the standard of medical care.
Detainee Melchior Singo, 39, of Malawi, said people in the family unit at Yarl's Wood stopped eating on Monday.
They are angry about "sub-standard" healthcare, and are also opposing the detention of children at the site.
A UK Borders Agency (UKBA) spokeswoman said detainees had access to snack bars and the situation was "under control".
She insisted that medical facilities were as good as in the NHS.
Mr Singo said his nine-year-old daughter Olger was referred to an orthodontist before they were held at the centre, but has since been denied further treatment.
He said: "Medical attention is not given as a priority.
"We've got medical healthcare but we don't get the right care that we need.
"If you fall ill after lunch you can't see the nurse, even if it's urgent, until the following day."
The detainees are also protesting at children being held at the centre.
Following a visit to Yarl's Wood in April, Children's Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green called for an end to the detention of children before deportation.
'Children's snacks'
He said nearly 2,000 children were locked up in the UK each year solely for administrative reasons, and that the length of time they were being held was on the increase.
Yarl's Wood has 121 family beds, along with 284 single female beds, and a healthcare centre on site with a small in-patient ward, according to the UKBA.
A spokeswoman said: "A small number of detainees at Yarl's Wood have refused meals since lunchtime Monday.
"Some are accessing snacks through the night cafe and children are obtaining additional snacks in classrooms in the day.
"The situation is under control and we are discussing with detainees their concerns.
"Our centres have been praised by independent monitors and our medical care is as good as on the NHS.
"There is 24-hour nursing care, doctors on call night and day and access to social workers and dentists."
Twenty people have been on hunger strike for two days at an immigration centre in Bedfordshire in protest at the standard of medical care.
Detainee Melchior Singo, 39, of Malawi, said people in the family unit at Yarl's Wood stopped eating on Monday.
They are angry about "sub-standard" healthcare, and are also opposing the detention of children at the site.
A UK Borders Agency (UKBA) spokeswoman said detainees had access to snack bars and the situation was "under control".
She insisted that medical facilities were as good as in the NHS.
Mr Singo said his nine-year-old daughter Olger was referred to an orthodontist before they were held at the centre, but has since been denied further treatment.
He said: "Medical attention is not given as a priority.
"We've got medical healthcare but we don't get the right care that we need.
"If you fall ill after lunch you can't see the nurse, even if it's urgent, until the following day."
The detainees are also protesting at children being held at the centre.
Following a visit to Yarl's Wood in April, Children's Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley-Green called for an end to the detention of children before deportation.
'Children's snacks'
He said nearly 2,000 children were locked up in the UK each year solely for administrative reasons, and that the length of time they were being held was on the increase.
Yarl's Wood has 121 family beds, along with 284 single female beds, and a healthcare centre on site with a small in-patient ward, according to the UKBA.
A spokeswoman said: "A small number of detainees at Yarl's Wood have refused meals since lunchtime Monday.
"Some are accessing snacks through the night cafe and children are obtaining additional snacks in classrooms in the day.
"The situation is under control and we are discussing with detainees their concerns.
"Our centres have been praised by independent monitors and our medical care is as good as on the NHS.
"There is 24-hour nursing care, doctors on call night and day and access to social workers and dentists."
Mark Foster strips for charity
Mark Foster stripped off to have his torso painted to promote ActionAid's first PoverTee Day.
The Olympic swimmer - whose muscly chest won him many admirers on celebrity reality show Strictly Come Dancing - posed topless while a T-shirt was painted on to him to help promote the campaign on Friday June 26.
Foster said: "It's like having a bit of a pamper session and massage, it was tickly in parts it was particularly tickly over the nipples."
He added: "The hardest thing was standing still for a couple of hours. I could move my lower body and mouth but I had to keep my upper body really still.
"I wasn't self conscious. I'm used to standing in front of thousands of people in my swimming trunks so having two women painting me was no problem."
The aim of the day is to raise awareness and money for global poverty and hunger by asking people across the UK to simply donate £2 for wearing T-shirts for the day.
All money raised will go to vital ActionAid projects such as school meals for poor children in Malawi, irrigation programmes for struggling farmers in Ethiopia or emergency food aid during droughts in Kenya.
Foster said: "I know times are tough but you'd easily spend £2 on a cup of coffee. If you give it to Action Aid instead you can give a child in Bangladesh a healthy breakfast for a month.
"It's a small amount for us but it will make a huge difference to children and families living in poverty in Africa, Asia and the Americas."
The Olympic swimmer - whose muscly chest won him many admirers on celebrity reality show Strictly Come Dancing - posed topless while a T-shirt was painted on to him to help promote the campaign on Friday June 26.
Foster said: "It's like having a bit of a pamper session and massage, it was tickly in parts it was particularly tickly over the nipples."
He added: "The hardest thing was standing still for a couple of hours. I could move my lower body and mouth but I had to keep my upper body really still.
"I wasn't self conscious. I'm used to standing in front of thousands of people in my swimming trunks so having two women painting me was no problem."
The aim of the day is to raise awareness and money for global poverty and hunger by asking people across the UK to simply donate £2 for wearing T-shirts for the day.
All money raised will go to vital ActionAid projects such as school meals for poor children in Malawi, irrigation programmes for struggling farmers in Ethiopia or emergency food aid during droughts in Kenya.
Foster said: "I know times are tough but you'd easily spend £2 on a cup of coffee. If you give it to Action Aid instead you can give a child in Bangladesh a healthy breakfast for a month.
"It's a small amount for us but it will make a huge difference to children and families living in poverty in Africa, Asia and the Americas."
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