Category Archives: Africa

Africa, Education, General interest, Music, Arts and Crafts, Women focused programs

End-Violence-Against-Women Day 25 November (UN) . ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ .. a song to help make it every day ..

November 25th is the annual United Nations International Day to end violence against Women. To mark this event, Rose Charities and Uganda’s Talent Africa Group are launching the Brighter Smiles Africa music video ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ (“We can make it better you and I”).

The goal of ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ is to raise awareness and promote dialogue to help end the silence and indifference that surrounds sexual violence against girls. The song presents the perspective of Ugandan youth on the issues they face. Sexual and gender-related violence against girls is a global epidemic recognized by WHO and UNICEF to require urgent action through innovative solutions. In much of Africa, more than half the women report being victimized in their lifetime, and in Uganda one in three girls currently experience some form of sexual violence.

The words of ‘Tekawo Enjawulo’ highlight the four issues
seen as most pressing by youth in Uganda.
* Early child marriage and teenage pregnancies
* Sexual advances from older men
(transgenerational sex)
* Abuse of power by teachers in schools
(demands for sexual favors for favorable marks)
* Undue pressure from boys for sex

The song featured in the Brighter Smiles Africa music video was recorded by a group of leading female artists and premiered as the theme song at the Brave Girls Festival in Uganda on Oct 11th (The ‘Day of the girl child’). Some of the girls who contributed words for the song were also showcased at the event which was thrilling for them. The video has been produced to combine great entertainment with elements of health promotion and will be widely available through free downloads. This means the words of the song (and the advice it contains) will be heard across Uganda, especially by young people. A promotional campaign on national TV and radio will also use broadcasts with phone in discussion hosted by leading Ugandan women to promote dialogue and raise awareness of the need for change in Ugandan society.

Africa, Community Support, Education, General interest

Malambo Grassroots Zambia Year End 2021 update

Despite many setbacks, Malambo Grassroots continues to meet the needs of our rural communities in Southern Province, Zambia, thanks in part to our big-hearted donors. In 2021, Zambia experienced two new waves of COVID and is in the midst of a third (the omicron variant). We distributed hundreds of masks and soap to villages and schools and we’re now organizing vaccination clinics.

Our partner school recovered from a fire in May that destroyed its chicken incubator, a vital income-generating project. In November, the head teacher’s convent home was broken into and she lost many tools (like her laptop) that help her do her work. A few generous donations will increase security.

We planted over 300 more tree seedlings (fruit and native species) to provide food and mitigate climate change in the region. We’re excited to start a new solar project and installed panels, batteries, and lights in the homes of 28 elders.

Through scholarships, supplies, and food, we continue supporting students of all ages.

We feel incredibly grateful to work with the local Tonga people, who inspire and amaze us daily with their talents, perseverance, and resilience. We wish you all a healthy and peaceful holiday and new year.

Supporting grassroots development in Zambia: www.malambograssroots.ca
Or follow Malambo Grassroots on Facebook

Africa, Community Support, Education, General interest, Health Education, Healthcare, Research

The Freedom of No Malaria!

Since 2916 Dr Andrew Macnab’s (Rose Charities Canada / Rose Uganda Support Group) amazing schools based malaria abatement program in Uganda has been delivering outstanding results. The highly endemic disease accounts for thousands of missing days of education in a young population desperate to attain the maximum benefit from school attendance. Teachers are trained to recognize early symptoms and then confirm them with a simple and relatively cheap kit test. Artemsia based drugs (as approved by the WHO ) can be then started immediately in situ, and, being quick acting, take effect early to reduce the childs convalescent absence period from days to possibly only hours. (https://academic.oup.com/ije/article/45/6/1759/2670325 )

Children, teachers, parents all love the program and its success has been attested to now for the last 5 years. A huge success for Uganda, Rose teams but above everything the kids and their families !