 | Major new programmes to start | Two ambitious new development programmes that will seek to improve food security and the livelihoods of more than 1.2 million people are being started by Self Help Africa in Zambia and Ethiopia.
Over $3.7 million has been secured from the European Commission for the projects, both of which will take place over a two-year period (2010-2011).
The Seed Entrepreneurship for Economic Development and Food Security (SEEDFS) project in Zambia will increase food security and incomes of farming community by increasing access and supply of good quality seed, while in Ethiopia we will expand our existing Agricultural Co-Operative Development Programme, which links farmers to markets.
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|  | | | Self Help Africa launched in US | Former Irish President and UN High Commissioner Mary Robinson presided at the official United States launch of Self Help Africa.
The official launch took place at a reception hosted by the Consul General of Ireland Mr. Niall Burgess (pictured) in New York in early December. More than 100 guests, including business figures, supporters and other invited guests attended.
Self Help Africa CEO Ray Jordan said the launch in New York was an exciting new chapter in the history of the organisation, which marks its 25th anniversary in 2009. 'The US has traditionally been extremely supportive of work in the developing world, and we look forward to making new friends and forging new links in coming years', he said. |
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|  | | | Minister launches climate report | The Climate Frontline report has now been launched in New York, Dublin and Brussels by Self Help Africa.
At a reception in Dublin, Irish Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the publication was a 'valuable attempt to bring the voices of Africa to the table' in the climate change debate.
At a reception in the European Parliament in Brussels, members and staff from the parliament's environment committee, along with other MEPs, received copies of the publication, along with a briefing from Self Help Africa staff. | |
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|  | | | Presidential reception | | Irish President Mary McAleese hosted a reception at her residence, Aras an Uachtarain, to mark the 25th anniversary of Self Help Africa. A delegation of friends and supporters from across the country joined chairman Tom Corcoran (pictured) and members of the board of directors at the event, at which President McAleese paid tribute to the work being done by Ireland's overseas development agencies. | |
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|  | Farming has 'vital role' | Farming has a vital role to play in enabling millions of Africans to escape the poverty trap, Irish farming president Padraig Walshe said on a recent fact-finding visit to Kenya.
Mr.Walshe, who is also the President of European Farmers Union COPA said that the importance of increasing farm productivity had been brought home during his field visit with Self Help Africa to Kenya.
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| $1m loan book for Ethiopia co-ops | Over 26,000 members of Self Help Africa-supported savings and credit co-operatives now manage a loan book of around $1m, a conference heard last week.
Five unions manage 185 individual co-ops across the country, with an average of 142 members in each of these co-ops. Repayment rates average over 98%, and average interest is 12%. Over 70% of co-op members are women, and there are currently 13,000 loans for activities ranging from livestock fattening to petty trading.
Self Help Africa's savings and credit initiative in Ethiopia receives on-going assistance from the Irish League of Credit Unions. |
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|  | | | Living on the Climate Frontline | International concern about climate change is rising, though international action lags behind. While there is a wealth of reports and data demonstrating the effect that climate change will have at global and regional levels, the voices of individuals on the front line are heard less often.
Joining with four other development NGOs, Self Help Africa has produced a report – Climate Frontline Africa – which allows these voices to be heard directly. They describe, in their own words, how climate change is affecting them, and how they are adapting. The report’s publication was timed to coincide with the international conference on climate change in Copenhagen last December.
No binding agreement was reached at Copenhagen. Self Help Africa will continue its work with communities on the front line of climate change in 2010, as well as continuing to advocate for proper funding for adaptation. | |
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|  | | | UN Secretary receives MDG book | United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon was presented with a copy of 'Twenty Fifteen', the first in a series of books being published by Self Help Africa on the Millennium Development Goals, when he visited Dublin recently.
A compendium of creative writing by students and public figures, it also includes contributions by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, Man Booker Prize winner Anne Enright, author Sebastian Barry, and a host of other literary figures.
Work is currently under way on the second book in the series, focusing on the goal of universal access to primary education, and involving schools in Ireland, Britain, Kenya and the United States. | |
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| | News from Africa | | The support that we get from the general public and our other donors makes our African programmes possible. Read below a sample of just some of the things that have been happening recently with the people with whom we are working in Africa. | | | | | | | |
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| Farmers are key - US report | A farmer-centered approach is critical to improving agricultural productivity in Africa, according to a new US report.
The report, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, notes that rural worlds are changing rapidly. Information technology has shortened the distances from remote villages to urban centers but has also sharpened the contrasts in ways of life.
It emphasizes three ways that the United States can contribute to raising agricultural productivity in poor countries — investing in agricultural productivity from a longer-term, resource-based, farmer-centered perspective; revamping the way that technology is developed and diffused to better diagnose and solve the practical problems of rural people; and complementing investments in the “hard” infrastructure of markets (roads, rural electrification) with investments in “soft” infrastructure, including rules, regulations, policies, financial and market information systems that kick-start private-sector investments.
The authors focus on sub-Saharan Africa, drawing on some experiences from Asia, to recommend such positive US contributions as making greater use of natural resource management approaches, expanding innovative financial and market information services, and strengthening public institutions.
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|  | Bike Africa cyclists complete odyssey |
The four 'Bike Africa' volunteers who set out last Summer on a marathon fundraising cycle through Africa, have returned home at the conclusion of a 20,000km trip through more than 20 different countries.
Magnus Collins Smyth, David Burns, Brian O'Shea and Alan O'Dwyer succeeded in raising nearly $50,000 for three chosen charities with their effort, and presented Self Help Africa CEO Ray Jordan with a cheque for $25,000 at a recent function. | |
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| EU launch for climate publication |  | | | 'Climate Frontline' was formally launched by Self Help Africa in Brussels recently. The launch took place in the EU Parliament Buildings in Brussels following a meeting of the European Union's Environment Committee. The event was hosted by Irish Labour Party MEP Nessa Childers.
Pictured at the EU launch of Climate Frontline are former Green Party MEP Nuala Ahern, Vittorio Prodi MEP, a brother of former Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Nessa Childers MEP, and George Jacob, Steve Langdon and Jenny Rafanomezana of Self Help Africa.
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|  | | Golfer narrowly misses world record | | Young golf pro Robert Hogan narrowly failed in his bid to break the world record for the fastest round of golf recently. The 23 year old Irish man attempted to shatter the world record of 27 minutes at Foxrock Golf Club in Dublin, but finished just three minutes short of the figure. Robert undertook his record attempt in a fund-raiser for Self Help Africa, and raised thousands of euro for the organisation with his effort. | | | | | | |
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