Polio

On all the major news sources from Africa, polio and polio vaccinations were usually in the headings somewhere. Various parts of Africa have been working very hard to get the cases of polio controlled. Polio is an awful disease and can affect many people. A new article from AllAfrica.com says in the Katsina State Government there have been no cases of polio since January 2013. Having no cases of polio in this area is very good and exciting news.  The deputy governor was re-enforcing the fact that the vaccine for polio was safe, and they should bring their children in to receive it. Having all the children vaccinated then will help keep the virus out of the state. Keeping polio out for this long is a great accomplishment, and I hope efforts continue against the fight of polio. Full article located here. 

Tanzania

Tanzania is located on the east coast of Africa. The name is the main reason I chose to highlight this country, it caught my eye right away. Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. This country has few exportable items unlike other parts of Africa. Many other countries have minerals and agricultural systems, but these are not abundant in Tanzania. Tourism is an important part for the country, Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, is located in Tanzania and there are wildlife-rich national parts, including Serengeti. With tourism being a big part for Tanzania experts are fearing that planned highways could threaten the Serengeti game park.

Picture above is of Mount Kilimanjaro 

Fun facts about Tanzania

-Full name: United Republic of Tanzania

-Population: 45 million

-Major languages: English, Swahili

-Life expectancy: 57 years for men, and 59 years for women

Pictures from and full article located here. 

Teen Pregnancy in Uganda

In Uganda poverty is a big struggle for most of the people. One way the people of Uganda are making a source of income is by offering their teenage daughters to gain from the bride price. Herbert Matskio, a peer educator with the Reproductive Health Uganda says "They (the parents) have turned their daughters into a source of income generation." With the daughters being offered during the teenage years the result has been a rise of teenage pregnancies. The number of child mothers in the Kanungu district of Uganda is startling. To see a mother as young as 15 is not uncommon. The district of Kanugu is reported to have one of the highest teenage pregnancies rates in Uganda. Since these girls are being sold for a good bride price, they are usually sold to older men. Matskio, like stated before is a peer educator with the Reproductive Health Uganda, and his mission is to educate about the dangers of teenage pregnancy and being a young mother.

Article from New Vision goes on to discuss how HIV and AIDS are also involved in this problem. Also it explains how the RHU is working to get more aid into Uganda. I am glad there is more attention being brought to this increasing problem. As I have said in an early post as a Health Promotion major, I am very concerned about these types of problems. Teenage pregnancies is something that needs to be addressed all over the world and I am happy to see some parts really taking initiative on this issue. 

Here is the full article. 

Zambia

The country of Zambia is located in south-central Africa. Zambia is Africa's largest copper producer and is also home to the Victoria Falls, which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls is known locally as the "Smoke that Thunders" and is found along the Zambezi River. The Victoria Falls brings in growing numbers of tourists, along with the countries wildlife found in large game parks. Another reason tourists are drawn to Zambia is because of how peaceful and trouble-free it is, unlike their eight neighbors around them.

Even though Zambia has amazing natural wonders and peace, social conditions are rough. Poverty is spread all over the country. Also Zambia has the lowest life expectancy and the death rate is one of the highest in the world. The previous numbers are greatly impacted by HIV and Aids.

Facts about Zambia:

-Full name: Republic of Zambia

-Population: 13.5 million

-Capital: Lusaka

-Life expectancy: 49 years for men and 50 years for women

-Main exports: copper, minerals, tobacco 

Information and pictures found here. 

The Issue of Water

Water is an essential part of life on Earth and the demand for water is increasing. Both water and energy are primary to Africa for poverty reduction and economic transformation. Since the population is increasing constantly, the demand for usable water also increases. There is a very big challenge in front  of Africa to improve on their water security for the future. If the water is not secure in the future Africa could hurt the growth and success of the continent.

According to forecasts it says that 5% of Africa's gross domestic product is lost annually because of poor water access and sanitation. Five to 25% is lost to droughts and floods and 5% more could be lost in the future due to climate change. Also over 18% of electricity in Africa is supplied with hydropower. These numbers have a very big impact on Africa and could hurt them significantly.  

Africa and the rest of the world is dependent on water, and it is scary to think not having water available is a concern. If people do not have water available many more issues will arise. I am glad they are thinking about the future, because this is not a problem that can be ignored. Not having adequate water will not just go away. 

Pictures and information can be located here. 

Rare Blue Diamond

In a mine in South Africa has found a very rare blue diamond. Petra Diamonds at their Cullinan mine discovered the 25.5 carat stone, which is expected to bring in large proceeds. Experts estimate the rare blue diamond could be worth more than ten million dollars. Cathy Malins, a company spokeswomen, says " It's very unusual for a diamond of this quality and size to come to market." The mine where the diamond was found is northeast of Pretoria and they produce hundreds of larges stones and is known for their blue diamonds. In 2009 a 26.6 carat blue rough diamond was found in the same mine and brought in just under $10 million.

 

Mine were the diamond was found. 

Actually diamond found. Both pictures from BCC News

This article immediately caught my eye, because it was about diamonds! What girl does not like diamonds? Also this mine has been known there large proceeds in the diamond industry. Having these rare blue diamond's is bringing good attention to Africa.   

Where is Pretoria? 

Picture from Google images 

Click here to view full article on the rare blue diamond. 

A Little Bit About Madagascar

BBC News Africa  explored  the exotic island of Madagascar. It is the fourth biggest island in the world, after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo.  It is said, due to the isolation of the island most of the mammals and plants, and half of the birds exist nowhere else on earth. Tropical cyclones also occur on the island which can bring heavy rains and floods, which can leave thousands homeless, like they did in 2000 and 2004.

According the World Bank it is estimated that 70% of Malagasy live on less than $1 per day. Agricultural land has put pressure on the island forests and have started to dwindle. The forests  are the homes to 

Madagascar's unusual wildlife and is a main component in the tourist industry.

A few interesting and random facts about Madagascar:

-Full name: Republic of Madagascar

-Population: 21.3 million

-Life expectancy: 65 years for men, 69 years for women

-Main exports: Vanilla, coffee, seafood, cloves, petroleum products, chromium, fabrics 

The ring-tailed lemurs are one of the many exotic animals found no where other than Madagascar. 

Pictures and information are from the article BBC News Africa did on Madagascar. Find full article here. 

Children in Africa

What is life like for a child in Africa? CBBC Newsround explores what it would be like to grow up in Africa and discuss what happens on a daily basis. A few highlighted points are their education, gender divide, and poverty.

Many kids in Africa want to attend school to learn to read and write, but many cannot attend due to the lack of money. School requires to pay fees that most cannot afford, along with kids are needed to help out at home. For those children who do attend school they have to walk hours to get there, and sometimes must leave very early to avoid the heat.

There is a large gender divide for African children. Often times the girls work and the boys go to school. In places where water is sparse the girls will have to walk miles to fetch water, and then the boys may go to school. If the girls get water daily they will be unable to attend school, and girls as young as 10 start collecting water for the whole family. For an example in Malawi 20% of females cannot read or write, 4% of females have secondary education and 28% girls and 50% boys have under four years of school.

Poverty is something many kids in Africa will face, especially because many of the poorest countries are in Africa. Being impoverished affects a child because they do not have enough money, food, shelter or education. The following stats shows how bad poverty can be:

-Eight out of ten people in Zambia are living below the poverty line.

-One out of every two people in southern Africa is ill because of a poor diet

-Seven out of every ten people in Malawi live in poverty

-More than three million kids in Malawi have too little to eat

 

The stats really help put into perspective how many people in Africa struggle. A kids life in Africa can be so much different than what we are used to. I hope someday kids can have equal opportunities and can become educated.  

The CBBC Newsround has an great site to explore more about a typical day for a kid in Africa, here is the link to the site. All pictures are from the site. 

Nutrition Progress

Did you know stunting affects about 165 million children across the world? Until I read an article on AllAfrica I did not realize how many children are stunted. Good news is that according to a new nutrition report from the United Nations is that progress has been made in addressing the issue of stunting. Anthony Lake the Executive Director of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says, “Stunting can kill opportunities in life for a child and kill opportunities for development of a nation. Our evidence of the progress that is being achieved shows that now is the time to accelerate it.”

Chronic under-nutrition at crucial growth periods, first two years of life, is the result of one in four children less than five years of age being stunted. There is a lot of damage done to a child’s body and brain when stunted and is irreversible. The child will have difficulty in school and work and also have a higher risk of dying from infectious diseases.

The focus on preventing stunting is the pregnancy and the first two years of life, because these are the crucial growth periods. Stunting has been proved to be reduced by improving women’s nutrition, early and exclusive breastfeeding, providing additional vitamins and minerals along with appropriate food. Eighty percent of the world’s stunted children live in 14 countries. In Ethiopia stunting went from 57% to 44% from 2000 to 2011. The reduced numbers was due to implementing a national nutrition program.

I found this article very interesting as a Health Promotions major, and being very concern for children’s nutrition all over the world. Even though stunting is a big issue and affects millions of children around the world, it was not a problem that I had considered before. I am glad there are efforts being put toward this issue and strides are being made. Nutrition is an essential part of a child’s life and it should be a big focus, especially when there are major consequences when it is ignored.  

Logo from Africa Young Voices (http://africayoungvoices.com/2013/03/unicef-provides-supplies-worth-us-145820-to-mswgca-to-support-the-decentralization-process/unicef-logo/)

Link to article here. 

African Runners in Boston Marathon

For my first blog post I would like to discuss an event that has happened in the United States that has a tie to Africa. BCC News: Africa reports on African runners that were affected by the explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Eight Kenyan runners were in the Boston Marathon and luckily none of them were injured, although two South Africans were sent to the hospital for minor injuries. Of the Eight Kenyan runners was Wesley Korir, 2012 winner of the Boston Marathon, who came in fifth this year. The explosion happened two hours after Korir finished the race and when he heard of the news he thought it was very scary. After hearing of the explosions he immediately checked on his parents-in-laws and coach who were also in town for the marathon. Even though it was a very scary event Korir says he will continue to compete in marathons, and if Boston holds it again next year he will come back. Korir made the statement to BCC News “My attitude to marathons will never change but my attitude to life may change.”

Above are pictures of Wesley Korir during the Boston Marathon. (Retrieved from ESPN: http://espn.go.com/sports/endurance/story/_/id/9166502/endurance-sports-2012-boston-marathon-winner-wesley-korir-runs-bigger-cause-kenya) 

The article from BCC News shows that the blasts during the Boston Marathon have affected people all over the world. Wesley Korir was celebrating with Kenyan’s Rita Jeptoo, who had just won the women’s race, and he stated “The joy that we had has all been taken away.” The prior quote is a heartbreaking one, because they were celebrating a great moment, one of their own winning the marathon and then it was damped by the tragedy. Korirs other statement saying his life attitude to life may be altered by this event is also very emotional. He may have a new outlook on something’s in his life due to this event. 

A link to the article here.