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Kimberly Bennett's blog
Lack information geared to young people about Africa and Africans
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Hello everyone!
My name is Kimberly and I would like to ask you all a question. How many of you would like to see more information on the web about Africa? Most of us who have grown up in the current G8 countries never had the opportunity to gain in depth knowledge of Africa or Africans in secondary school, much less elementary school. I personally believe that the first step to eradicating poverty, conflict and promoting unity and tolerance is through education. You can't act if you don't know. If we as a generation are going to help Africa, we will have to get in the know. If you would like to see a web-based initiative start in educating the world about Africa and all of its aspects, send me an email at kimberly_a_bennett@hotmail.com.
Thank you!
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| October 19, 2005 | 5:13 PM |
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Comments
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education is the key
there's definately a great need to educate about africa, i think we can all agree to that. i think however, to promote cultural understanding the focus on education about africa should NOT be on the conflicts, the poverty, the problems-- there's much more to africa than just that!! in western coutries, there are still so many myths about africa as the "primitive, the hopeless and poor continent"- a modern version of the heart of darkness, which in itself triggers dependency thinking (they need our help, instead of they can help themselves!!) education about africa should be about the diversity, the different cultures (the west tends to see africa in a simplified picture where it's all the same) about african solutions and initiatives. when focusing on the conflicts and problems, the ROOTS of these conficts should be highlighted. the western press presents all african conflicts as "tribal warfare" which is wrong, very often the present conflicts are the consequence of past and present global exploitation and inequalities.
great initiative- keep it up!!
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************The Importance of African Self Reliance
kimberly,Great Ideal i support you and am behind you .
Africa has everything that it needs to develop into a world power. What is necessary to develop Africa is confidence among Africans that we can build Africa and organization. The United States is a superpower in the world but it was Africa that built the United States. Let us be clear, it was not African Americans that built the United States, it was Africa that built the United States. If Africa built the United States, certainly Africa can build Africa. One of the biggest negatives that colonialism had on Africa is that it left us with an inferiority complex. This is one reason that we do not have confidence that we can build Africa. Colonialism and exploitation affected our consciousness in a negative way and this has contributed to us thinking small and being petty. President Nkrumah in his book Africa Must Unite writes, Some of these states are aligning themselves with the European associations in the mistaken belief that they will profit sufficiently to prosper their economies. Out of the applications submitted, the projects so far approved ignore the requests for the establishment of industries and concentrate on social projects and the building of roads, railways and ports. These, it is true, are necessary for fuller development and the raising of welfare, and undoubtedly are welcome additions to the economic and social base. But it is wishful thinking not to recognize them as the bribes they are, and to suppose that the European Common Market, which is devised to increase the welfare of the European member countries, should conscientiously promote industrialization in the raw material producing countries of Africa. It is equally romantic to think that the Development Fund could ever be big enough to provide anything like the investment capital the African states require for substantial development. The strength of being self reliant is that it gives us the power to make decisions in our own interest. The strength of being self reliant is that we take advantage of all our resources and creativity.
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Exposing our strengths and weaknesses
Hi Kimberly and co. I do buy Nicea's idea in that knowledge of Africa in the western world might be based mostly on mythology. And in an effort to give hope to africa's future we need to expose the continent's strengths and weaknesses so analysts could synchronize to come up with better strategies for development. Boasting to the G8 and world at large about cultural and other enrichment is insufficient, I think? And mind you too Simon that our mentality and especially that of our corrupt governments indicate there's very little we can do now or in future without the intervention of external forces. Maybe we ought to define our target audience first and then draw up a plan to work closely with various country-based organisations and instituions, then I think we can come out with some useful statistics and information, which is what I think your target web will mainly be exposing bout africa? Indeed its a process that warrants much decentralisation and coordination? Let me know what others think. Thank you Kimb for your invitation!!! Wish u luck...
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Response to commentary
Hi Bruno,
I have emailed a few people about this initiative and the feed back has been 100% positive! I am more than willing to send anyone copy of my World Youth Action for Africa summary to your personal email so you can get a better idea of what I'm trying to do. Maybe you'll even want to help! Send me a message with your email addresses and I will send you a copy. I am looking for major feedback and ideas.
Thanks,
Kimberly
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his attachment may contain viruses that could damage your computer and be spread to others. <><>
Thank you for that KIM Will com over you head Soon .
File name:
WYAA_summary.doc
File size:
1kb
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application/msword
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Virus scanning not supported for this type of file.
This file has not been scanned. More Info
Note:
<><> This attachment may contain viruses
that could damage your computer
and be spread to others. <><>
Scanned with:
Keep your computer safe from Internet threats at all times. Visit the Symantec Security Connection to learn how.
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<><>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
--- Kimberly Bennett wrote:
> From: "Kimberly Bennett"
>
> To: fredex
> Subject: Summary of the World Youth Action for
> Africa organization
> Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 16:39:07 -0400
>
> Dear friend,
>
> Thank you so much for sending me email of your
> support for this initiative!
> It is truly appreciated. Attached is a copy of the
> preliminary summary of
> the World Youth Action for Africa organization.
> Please read it carefully
> and send me any constructive feedback you may have
> as soon as you can.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Kimberly Bennett
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Scan and help eliminate destructive viruses from
> your inbound and outbound
> e-mail and attachments.
> http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines
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<><> This attachment may contain viruses
DO NOT PLAY THAT GAME ON US
<><> This attachment IT contain viruses
that could damage your computer
and be spread to others. <><>
Scanned with:
Keep your computer safe from Internet threats at all times. Visit the Symantec Security Connection to learn how.
Download
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UNDERSTANDING AFRICA FIRST IS KEY TO THE KIND OF ASSISTANCE
Hey kim, I am more than impressed with this innbitiative of yours, as it serves to butress what some of us who are resident here are trying to do.
First, most aids sent to Africa in the past did not take cognisance of the prevailing situation, so the aids were either misdirected or were mismanaged by corrupt people here in Africa.
To assist Africa, one must know what obtains here. As for education, imagine pupils sitting on the bare floor to receive lectures, often with the roofs of most of the classroom blocks blown away by wind. The teachers are not motivated, are not well trained and their salaries can barely take them beyond a week. Many rural people do not see the benefit of educating their children as graduates roam the street in search of jobs. Education policies are inconsistent, students readily buy lecturers just to pass exams and cannot defend their results. God! I wish you could see the situation here, yet amidst this collosal crisis, excellent, intelligent brains abound who need just a little pusxh and they can conquer the world.
All we ask is for the western world to stop accepting money into their banks that belong to corrupt African leaders, xprosecute any western collaborators to our leaders here who assist them to promote their crimes by being their oversea representatives etc
When aid is to be given to an African Nation, look for a Charitable non-governmental organization that has track record of achievement and use them as the engine for development.
Honestly kim.., I look forward to partnering with you on any aspect of your work, and would be proud to serve in whatever capasity you deem fit.
You can contact me via moleepaiko@yahoo.com, I am the Executive secretary of Creative Response of Youth 4 Solutions to HIV/AIDS< Education & Environmental Problems (CRY4SHEEP), and a technical assistant/Consultant to Women support Organization (WSO). Please feel free to contact me anytime. We are here on the ground and can assist in whatever regards posible. Cheers. Mohammed
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