ANGOLA: Improving access to education in Moxico
Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:18 GMT
A deminer in Luzi, where MAG is clearing 248,000 square metres of land. [Photo: Mike Fryer/MAG]
The school in Luzi, a landmine-contaminated community of 1,700 people in Moxico Province, has been closed since early 2010 when a mine accident was reported nearby.
One of the teachers has been giving classes outside his home in the meantime, but attendance has dropped by almost 70 per cent.
One mother told a MAG Angola Community Liaison team: “There is no school. I need my daughter here to work and, if we do not have a proper school for her to learn in, why should my family suffer without her help at home?”
Recognising the importance of ensuring safe access to education, part of our clearance of 248,000m2 of land includes an area for a new school to be built. Construction is due to be finished next month.
The community was eager to start building the new school but, while they managed to collect a portion of the materials required, lacked the financial resources to complete the project.
MAG has worked to ensure the remaining funds have been secured from Chevron and the Rabat International School in Morocco, and will assist with logistical support and the transportation of building materials from the nearest big town, Luena.
“There are more than 400 registered students in this area,” the head of the community told us. “More people keep coming to Luzi because it is safer now, so we must find a way to give these people what they need.
“I want to do this, but I wasn’t able to without the support of MAG and their partners. I consider MAG staff part of this community”.
We will conduct a Mine Risk Education teacher training project in the new premises, whereby teachers will learn how to deliver safety messages to community members, and children in particular, in order to reduce the risk of mine-related accidents.
MAG Angola's "Increasing access to essential services and contributing to socio-economic development in mine and UXO impacted communities in Moxico" project is funded by the European Commission.
MAG Angola's "Teacher Training in Mine Risk Education" project is funded by Chevron.
For more about MAG's work in Angola pelase go to www.maginternational.org/angola.
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