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Distance Learning In Africa
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The average income in Mozambique is 250 dollars annually. The scourge of HIV/AIDS and frequent droughts and crop failures have made life there very difficult. But as Reed Galin reports, new technology is offering new options to those who struggle to survive. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Maputo, Mozambique)
The digital age is a distant dream in Mozambique, but a satellite dish at a new learning center in the capital city
stands as a symbol of hope.”
Nodumo Dhlamini, Africa University: “It means the student who is not
free to leave their job and go to Zimbabwe to attend to university
there, they can do the courses while they’re at home.”
A distance-learning center at the United Methodist Church’s regional
office in Maputo will allow students to take courses taught 500 miles
away at Africa University in Zimbabwe.
Eduardo Namburete, Director, Africa University Satellite Campus: “There
are a lot of people who want to go to school and they cannot afford.”
The United Methodist Church is also teaching sewing skills to local
women.
The Rev. Elias Massicame, United Methodist Pastor: “We have lot of
clothes which are import from abroad. And when they come here and been sell,
they’re very expensive.“
Ficilidade Gacob, Instructor: “After the training course, the person go
back to the church and she will be helping herself, her family and also
helping the community.”
Religious leaders see education as a key to breaking Mozambique’s cycle
of poverty.
Bishop Joao Machado, United Methodist Bishop: “We know that they have a
high school, they have farmer school, they have a hospital. But we would
like to see a university one day.”
And in a country where the minimum wage is 50 dollars a month, many look
to innovative steps like these to change the future.
Azarias Baloi, Job Seeker: “I’m not discouraged because I’m not the only
one who is not working. There are many people who are busy looking for a
job, but we will fight until the last minute. We cannot lose hope.”
TAG:
The United Nations Human Development Report published in 2005 ranked Mozambique 168th out of the 177 countries listed.
For more information about distance learning
programs for Africa, contact the
United Methodist Global Education Fund at 615-340-7398.