To develop Africa, go Build Africa

Africa is the world's second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² (11.7 million sq mi) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area. With 1.0 billion people (as of 2009, see table) in 61 territories, it accounts for about 14.72% of the world's human population.

There is almost nothing to celebrate about Africa despite being the largest continent, with numerous natural resources, there is massive suffering due to poverty, diseases, political imbalances, population pressure, name it.

A child dies every three seconds from AIDS and extreme poverty, often before their fifth birthday, more than one billion people do not have access to clean water. (global), every year six million children die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday. (sources: UNICEF, WHO), more than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea. (World Health Org.), more than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day, 300 million are children. (global stats: UNAIDS), of these 300 million children, only eight percent are victims of famine or other emergency situations. More than 90 percent are suffering long-term malnourishment and micro-nutrient deficiency.

Overseeing all these challenges Build Africa, an international non government organization based in UK in full gear is routing her ground in Africa to address some of the challenges faced in African countries. By the time you are done with reading this article you will have a choice, a choice to either build Africa through Build Africa or fail Africa through Build Africa.

Africa is composed of 57 countries with 70% of African population being youths (40 and below) and life expectancy at maximum of 50 years of age.

Although her vision is to cover all African countries, at this point Build Africa has found grounds in only two African countries, Kenya and Uganda therefore her mission is as of now focusing East Africa. There are five countries in East Africa; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Build Africa’s mission unfortunately can not cover all the needs in the continent; she has a limited approach; youths and Income generation.

“To help young people in vulnerable communities of East Africa escape poverty through increased education and income opportunities” is her mission. Her vision is to see that every young person in Africa has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and make a difference.

Build Africa is incredibly executing her services in these two countries in the fields of Education and Income generation with components of HIV/AIDS sensitization and Gender issues embedded.

“Poverty reflects in this country but nothing has been done much, 100% of the schools we support previously did not have a single permanent structure, they either studied under the tree or in grass thatched structures. No chairs, the pupils sit on the dusty floors.” says Senkasi Henry, the Deputy Country Director of Build Africa Uganda office.

Infrastructural developments in schools such as building class rooms, pit latrines, furniture and stationery as well as Skills and knowledge impact such as providing trainings and coaching to teachers, school management committees and Head Teachers, Community empowerment and promotion of school development plans.
Income generation are mainly community based, savings and loaning schemes. Success stories have been ripped here; communities engaged in these schemes now operate businesses and make profits that enable them educate their children and provide the basic needs to their families.

“Another element is that we have been able to trap HIV/AIDS infected children to schools who had lost hope due to stigma and they are doing well.” he says.

I am so touched and attached to this Organization because I want to see change in Africa my continent. I am the Programmee Officer – Communications for the growing and passionate Organization.

Calling for collaboration, volunteers, donations and funding from individuals, organizations, donor agencies to support Build Africa build Africa. Together we can do more.

Become Build Africa Uganda Facebook Fan today: http://www.facebook.com/BuildAfrica?ref=ts

Log onto Build Africa Website: http://www.build-africa.org