| in is only as strong as its weakest link. And in Africa, | | | | to the lack of facilities, resources and teachers |
| where life is particularly fragile as it is, there’s | | | | needed to create the culture of long term learning. |
| no room for weak links. | | | | There are currently projects in operation in Africa to |
| Due to the lack of resources and infrastructure in | | | | increase the population levels. Developments such as |
| most African countries, the struggle for life becomes | | | | mobile libraries and basic skills instructions provide the |
| an uphill battle for the majority. If one element of the | | | | opportunity for those in need to learn to read, write |
| essential components for life breaks down (for | | | | and to care for themselves – but there simply |
| instance shelter, education, sanitation, health care, | | | | aren’t enough facilities for the entire |
| nutrition) then the other elements all suffer. | | | | continent. |
| Children | | | | Sanitation |
| The children in Africa face a multitude of problems | | | | Standard sanitation is the first step to basic hygiene. |
| which directly limit their livelihood. Disease, malnutrition, | | | | Without it, sickness and disease only transmitted |
| lack of basic education and human displacement are | | | | faster than ever before. Without sanitation, nutritional |
| but a few of the modern problems faced by millions | | | | and medical care efforts are almost in vain. |
| of African children. | | | | Diarrhoea, for instance, is a direct effect of poor |
| The familiar saying, “children are the | | | | sanitation and kills over 2 million people every year. |
| future” is truer for the children of Africa than | | | | This figure will only increase as the cycle continues |
| almost any other continent. These kids need | | | | – without sanitation, an illness such as basic as |
| assistance in obtaining the vital facilities to not only | | | | Diarrhoea cannot be successfully treated, and |
| sustain themselves, but also their own children when | | | | especially not when the figures are in the millions. |
| the time comes. | | | | Sanitation is closely linked to water supplies, irrigation |
| One of the main factors contributing to the | | | | and over all public health. Decent sewerage systems |
| everyday issues faced by children is the HIV/Aids | | | | require waste water to work efficiently, so without a |
| pandemic. The disease is creating an entire generation | | | | constant water supply elementary waste disposal |
| of orphans that cannot fend for themselves, thus | | | | cannot operate. A break down in the disposal of |
| creating an entire generation of homeless and illiterate | | | | waste can have environmental effects. Excess waste |
| children. These children have very little opportunity to | | | | can contaminate the environment and negatively |
| help themselves. | | | | affect the agriculture of the area. |
| Education | | | | Supporting the Chain |
| Of course, grass roots level education and skill | | | | Outreach for sanitation, education and the children of |
| development would be the first steps in creating a | | | | Africa are vitally important for the construction of a |
| sustainable infrastructure. At the moment, Africa | | | | sustainable Africa. But at which point of the chain |
| simply does not have the knowledge base to cater | | | | does one start? There are many projects and |
| for itself. | | | | charities already in place who strive to create |
| The illiteracy and lack of education in general is due | | | | sustainable opportunities at each link in the chain. |