Spring Break
Miami orgs to host open forum, presentation about education in Africa
Sam Stupak
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: Campus
The African School Advancement Program was founded by Miami University students in 2004, and Poff explained that the organizations goal is twofold.
"(The goal of ASAP is) to advance cross-cultural education at Miami University and to advance education in sub-Saharan Africa," Poff said.
In practice, this means that ASAP brings speakers and events to Miami, and uses any proceeds and donations raised to enhance curriculums in African schools.
Last summer, 10 Miami students traveled to Tanzania to work in a variety of ways, from teaching to delivering supplies, to working with a local non-governmental organization to improve schools in the country.
Ambassadors for Children is a nonprofit based out of Indianapolis. Their first chapter was founded in Miami University in 2006, according to Hirsh. The organization aims to help children around the world, and each chapter focuses on different countries. The Miami chapter focuses on Malawi, Guatemala and El Salvador.
On their trip to Malawi, one of the poorest nations in the world, AFC students worked to improve the lives of children in a variety of ways. They distributed items such as school supplies, hygiene materials and mosquito nets. They worked in schools and orphanages to teach children reading and health. Overall, they reached more than 2,700 children, according to Hirsh.
Orphanages are a common sight in Malawi, Hirsh said, explaining that the country has been ravaged both by HIV and malaria, and many children have been left alone. But the impression that Africa is nothing but disease is one of the stigmas that the groups hope to address with the forum.
"If you come for the free food and you fall in love with the pictures, that's great," Poff said. "If you come and you don't like it, that's fine too. We're just trying to keep the door open."
"(The goal of ASAP is) to advance cross-cultural education at Miami University and to advance education in sub-Saharan Africa," Poff said.
In practice, this means that ASAP brings speakers and events to Miami, and uses any proceeds and donations raised to enhance curriculums in African schools.
Last summer, 10 Miami students traveled to Tanzania to work in a variety of ways, from teaching to delivering supplies, to working with a local non-governmental organization to improve schools in the country.
Ambassadors for Children is a nonprofit based out of Indianapolis. Their first chapter was founded in Miami University in 2006, according to Hirsh. The organization aims to help children around the world, and each chapter focuses on different countries. The Miami chapter focuses on Malawi, Guatemala and El Salvador.
On their trip to Malawi, one of the poorest nations in the world, AFC students worked to improve the lives of children in a variety of ways. They distributed items such as school supplies, hygiene materials and mosquito nets. They worked in schools and orphanages to teach children reading and health. Overall, they reached more than 2,700 children, according to Hirsh.
Orphanages are a common sight in Malawi, Hirsh said, explaining that the country has been ravaged both by HIV and malaria, and many children have been left alone. But the impression that Africa is nothing but disease is one of the stigmas that the groups hope to address with the forum.
"If you come for the free food and you fall in love with the pictures, that's great," Poff said. "If you come and you don't like it, that's fine too. We're just trying to keep the door open."
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getting involved
posted 10/05/08 @ 5:37 PM EST
Those interested in helping those in poverty can also look at getting involved with the Grameen Foundation. They have been very successful in providing microfinance to those who normally would not be able to secure loans to start a business. (Continued…)
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