Education

With the school summer holidays a distant memory at this stage the activities undertaken by the Education team have stepped up a gear. First of all let me introduce you to the team. In the Belfast office we have two Education officers, Rosie Murray and me, Marie Moriarty. In the Cork and Maynooth offices we are joined by a further six education officers with Maria Barry leading the team as Education Co-ordinator.

Since my last post, a lot of things have happened. I am now specifically working on girls' education and the statistics on girls' in Malawi is quite appalling. Less than 30% of girls who start primary school proceed to secondary school and even fewer proceed to university. The challenges are many among which are poverty, lack of role models, distance to schools and gender stereotyping within the school. As campaigners, let’s ensure that Malawian girls' and indeed many girls' in Africa are accessing good quality education!

Education: the key to a brighter future!

The rains have come in earnest to Liberia. We are in the heart of the rainy season; a virtual deluge from June to October or thereabouts. Given that I am working inside, it hardly affects me other than an occasional dash to the car with my umbrella or a walk home through the puddles in the evening. The children here, (like Ireland) are on school holidays and some of them are planning for the future, many others worry simply about finding food to eat for the day.

Saturday, 11th August 2007

‘Dancing Queens’

Liberian Dreams II

Friday, 10th Aug, 2007 – Gbarnga, Liberia.

‘Feelings are Facts’

I am approaching the end of what has been a very edifying, stimulating and inspiring week of critical analysis and reflection. I will shortly be preparing for a social night of Liberian proportions and perspectives with the DELTA participants and anyone else in this relaxed village community who likes to dance the night away. I will try to summarise and do justice to the issues covered over the course of the week.

March 09, 2007 3 March 2007.

I took the bus to Waterford where I was met by Eithne Brennan. She showed me around Waterford and the stunning view of the beach. We spoke at the Saturday and Sunday masses at Holy Cross Church on gender equality issues and the education sector in Malawi. 5 March 2007. Stella Maris, Tramore. Delightful. Not only because I also went to Stella Maris Secondary School in Malawi but I really had a good time at this school.

27 Feb 2007.

Sheila Dillon and myself went to Douglas Community School. An all boys school. The Pamoja group had a nice presentation set up and they presented this to other students who came in to listen to the presentation. Much as it was an all boys school, I felt that they had a good grasp of gender issues because it is important that people understand that this campaign is not about women...but its about equal opportunities between boys and girls, men and women. So I felt that they understood that.

March 10, 2007 6 March 2007. Millstreet Community school.

On 25th February, I finally arrive in Ireland, having left Malawi on 24th Feb at 11am. I am glad that I have finally arrived and I was met at Cork airport by John Smith. I was taken to the apartment which would be home for the next 2 weeks ...lovely place. On 26th, Monday, came into the Trocaire Cork Office where I am briefed by Sheila and Jon on the school visits for the next 2 weeks.