African archaeology book: The African Archaeology Network

Source: African Book Collective

The African Archaeology Network

Reports and a Review

Edited by Felix Chami, Gilbert Pwiti

The first in the book series Studies in the African Past was published in 2001, consisting of reports produced by the archaeology research project, ‘Human Responses and Contribution to Environmental Change’. The new research initiative developed out of this project is known as the ‘African Archaeology Network’. This is investigating how ancient African societies exploited resources, developed settlements and established long-distance trade networks. A pan-African project, it aims to develop new models to understand how ancient communities adjusted and responded to political and environmental upheavals; and to demonstrate the potential for more research in the different areas of African archaeology.

Consisting of ten chapters, this volume includes nine scientific reports and one review emanating from Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, the Island of Mafia in Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Topics covered include: dense ancient settlements along the Sahara desert; mappings of historical settlements in south-west Nigeria; excavations of the areas around Lake Victoria in Uganda; ancient iron industries; evidence of the domestication of animals and the importation of goods into Tanzania from India and the Nile Valley in the Neolithic age; contact with early European traders and travellers from 160, and how these paved the way for the extension of the western European system into African communities; and hunter- gather and pastoral adaptive strategies in the Namib desert.

ISBN 9789976604085 | 200 pages | 244 x 170 mm | 2005 | Dar es Salaam University Press, Tanzania | Paperback

Available from the African Book Collective

£21.95

Kenya video: Solar Exposure to make Drinking Water Safer

An excellent video showing an affordable and simple method of making drinking water safer.

Source: http://www.athenaweb.org/films-library/summary/drinking-water-safer-sun-1000731.html

View the video: http://www.athenaweb.org/films-library/video/high/drinking-water-safer-sun-1000731.html

Subject

Solar Exposure to make Drinking Water Safer

Programme summary

Making drinking water safer by sunsolar exposure is the aim of the SODISwater Project.
Solar exposure of water helps to decrease the cases of waterborne diseases like cholera, gastroenteritis and, mostly, diarrhea.
The effect of heat and ultraviolet rays helps to deactivate the bacteria inside. After exposure to the sun the water can be drunk with far less risk of infection by the village’s inhabitants, who are mainly children.

Printable transcripts available

Original transcript Original transcript

African GIS Kenya video: Earthwatch Puts Clean Water on the Map in Africa

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4ch9psMUZg

People in Kenya’s semiarid Samburu region face growing water shortages, water quality issues, and conflicts between livestock and wildlife over water. Scientists and volunteers at Earthwatch’s Samburu Field Center have developed a GIS resource to help the Samburu community cope with water issues and avert public health crises.

IRIN film Kenya: Slum Survivors - reality in Nairobi’s Kibera - October 2007

Source: IRIN

Slum Survivors - reality in Nairobi’s Kibera - October 2007

Worldwide, more than a billion people live in slums. As many as one million of them in the Kenyan slum of Kibera. Slum Survivors tells the stories of a few of them and charts their remarkable courage in the face of extreme poverty. View Transcript

[English]    [English]    [Duration: 22:27]

IRIN film: Deadly Catch - Lake Victoria’s AIDS crisis - November 2005

Source: IRIN

Deadly Catch: Lake Victoria’s AIDS crisis - November 2005

More than 20 years since the discovery of the AIDS virus, and despite huge advances in the prevention and treatment of the disease, AIDS is still decimating communities across Africa. This is the story of one such community. View Transcript

[English]    [English]    [Duration: 16:12]

Running in Kenya’s land of the champions

Source: AlertNet

Running in Kenya’s land of the champions

30 Mar 2008 20:00:13 GMT

<!– 30 Mar 2008 20:00:13 GMT ## for search indexer, do not remove –>

Source: Reuters

By Andrew Cawthorne ITEN, Kenya, March 30 (Reuters) - It’s the mecca of world-class distance running: Kenya’s Rift Valley. Everywhere I looked, knots of star runners jogged over the hills, disappeared into forests, sprinted toward the horizon. The glorious views and high altitude added to the intoxication. So though a mere amateur, it seemed natural to ask a couple of Olympic hopefuls on their afternoon run if I could join them. Being courteous Kenyans — or rather, Kenyan-born Qataris running for the Sheikh these days — they assented, pretending not to compare my cheap running shoes (14.99 pounds at a sale in Stoke-on-Trent) with their state-of-the-art garb.

Read the full article 

Kenya makes tremendous progress in fighting TB, says WHO

Source: APA

Kenya makes tremendous progress in fighting TB, says WHO

APA-Nairobi (Kenya) The World Health Organizations (WHO) said on Thursday that Kenya is among countries in Africa that have made tremendous progress in the fight against tuberculosis.

WHO, however, warned in its report that TB cases in the country are still on the increase with over 115,000 cases reported in the last two years.

Speaking at the launch of the report in Nairobi, WHO country director David Okello said that HIV/AIDS, poverty and poor housing have fueled the disease.

He said the disease can be curbed if individuals were more supportive to people who have the disease.

He said Kenya is the first country in Africa to have attained the stipulated global standards by attaining a 70 percent case detection and 80 percent success rate in treating TB.

The report blames the rapid infections of TB on urban population growth, overcrowding in slums and prisons, and malnutrition.

The WHO report comes in the wake of revelations last week by the country\’s director of medical services, David Nyikal, that there is a deadly strain of the highly infectious disease in the country.

He said it will cost up cost over $15,625 to treat one case of the multi-drug-resistant TB compared to $93.75 for treatment of an \”ordinary\” case of the disease.

About 289 cases of multi-drug-resistant TB have been detected in the last six years.

JK/pm/APA 2008-03-28

African book: HIV Prevention and Young People in Kenya

Source: Strategies for hope

HIV Prevention and Young People in Kenya

64 pages; published 1997; ISBN 1 872502 47 4

In Kenya, young people themselves have pioneered some of the most innovative and successful HIV prevention programmes. This book documents four ‘youth-to-youth’ initiatives:

• The Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) in Nairobi: over 5,500 boys and 2,500 girls play in MYSA’s youth football teams, where they also learn about sexuality, reproduction, HIV/AIDS and other STD’s from trained peer educators.
• The Fish Group in Kisumu: the achievements and problems of a Catholic youth organisation promoting a ‘behaviour change’ approach to sexuality and HIV prevention, with only limited support from Church authorities.
• The Kenya Society for People with AIDS (KESPA) in Western Kenya: the story of a young man living with HIV, who inspired thousands of secondary school students to start Anti-AIDS Clubs, where young people are learning about sexuality, reproduction, HIV and AIDS.
• The Teenage Mothers and Girls Association of Kenya (TEMAK) in Kisumu: how young women are achieving greater self-esteem and reducing their dependence on men through mutual support, education, vocational training and income-earning projects.

The case studies presented in this book demonstrate the creativity, commitment and sensitivity that Kenya’s young people can bring to the fight against HIV. Youth-led initiatives have enormous, untapped potential for helping people cope with the reality of HIV and AIDS in their midst. It is time to give the youth-to-youth approach a chance to prove itself on a wider stage.

To order please click here

Kenyans ill in ‘toxic waste’ leak

Source: BBC NEWS

Kenyans ill in ‘toxic waste’ leak

Fumes coming from the container Enlarge Image

Hundreds of people near the Kenyan port of Mombasa say they have become ill after a consignment of leaking chemical containers was dumped nearby. Two clearing and forwarding agents have been arrested and face charges.

Witnesses told the BBC the containers were abandoned at Kipevu near the port about a month ago by a truck driver who had noticed liquid seeping out.

A BBC reporter in Mombasa says two women living in a Kipevu slum have complained of having miscarriages.

Other slum residents have complained of breathing difficulties, stomach upsets and chest pains.

The containers have traces of nitric acid, an environmental official says.

I don’t enjoy sex like I used to. My wife has been complaining too - I’m suspecting that it is the toxic waste to blame as we’ve never had a problem before Slum resident Villagers’ fears

The BBC’s Odhiambo Joseph says he also experienced breathing difficulties and a stomach upset after visiting the area.

He says a yellow liquid and noxious fumes have been escaping from the two 20-foot containers.

The National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) says it has brought in tonnes of sand and other agents to try to neutralise the spill.

Latrines

Mombasa’s Deputy Mayor John Mcharo said the two agents are being questioned whilst the council is waiting to receive a report by the National Environmental Mismanagement Authority (NEMA).

“I cannot name the people now but we expect a report on the effects of the waste later today and we shall proceed and charge them in court,” Mr Mcharo told BBC News.

He said initial investigations confirm that the clearing agents handled the container with the toxic chemicals from the port of Mombasa before it was dumped a month ago.

Nassir Rashid, the director of environment at the Mombasa Municipal Council (MMC), says samples of the chemicals have been sent to the government chemist for identification.

The containers were dumped by a residential area

But he says the chemicals are extremely toxic and more than 1,500 villagers have been treated for various illnesses caused by the chemicals.

Morris Otieno from Nema said an operation to neutralise the chemicals has been successful, but our reporter says the effects are still being felt and one container is still leaking.

The chemical cargo was on its way from Mombasa port to a mining company in western Uganda when it was dumped.

The MMC has ordered the company to appear in court to answer charges of environmental pollution, our correspondent says.

The company says an agent in Mombasa is dealing with the case.

The chemicals are also said to be destroying property, corroding the metal sheets used to build houses and melting anything made of plastic.

According to residents in the slum - known as Kalahari Village - the acid seems to have entered the latrine systems.

Kibibi, whose house was near the chemical spill, alleges she miscarried as a result.

“It was a three-month-old pregnancy. I had gone to relieve myself in the toilet, while there but was hit by a strong fume,” she told the BBC’s Network Africa programme.

“I quickly gathered myself up and ran back towards my room but I could not manage - I fell down and I started bleeding immediately.”

Residents say their livestock has also been affected and some of the animals have died.

Uganda & Kenya: short course on Participatory Planning Monitoring and Evaluation

Source: Development Gateway

IIRRs short course on Participatory Planning Monitoring and Evaluation

The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) is now accepting applications for the Participatory Planning Monitoring and Evaluation course.

• Uganda: 5-16 MAY 2008
• South Sudan: 9-14 JUNE 2008
• Kenya: 17-28 NOVEMBER 2008

Our theme is ‘capacity building for poverty reduction’.

IIRR empowers the rural poor and strengthens local institutions to eradicate poverty. The PPM & E course is useful for all development workers, especially for PPM & E and Management Information System officers, program and project managers, CBO and NGO leaders.

After the training, participants will be able to:

1. Explain and apply concepts related to planning, monitoring and evaluation
2. Link planning, monitoring, evaluation to learning and accountability
3. Plan and conduct impact monitoring and evaluation
4. Adapt and apply various participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation tools and method
5. Design simple monitoring and evaluation systems for projects, programs and organisations
6. Mainstream gender in PPM & E tools, analysis and processes
7. Promote a culture of efficiency, inclusion, accountability and sustainability among development actors.

To register, please send an e-mail to training@iirr-africa.org to receive an application form and more details. Register today, spaces are limited.

Millennium Villages: African Backwaters Go Avant-garde

Source: Allianz

In dozens of “model” villages across Africa, the United Nations and the Earth Institute are showing that with relatively small investments and simple interventions, people in Africa do not have to die of poverty anymore.

---

Since 2004, maize production has tripled in Sauri, while malaria prevalence has dropped from 55 to 13 percent. (Photo: Pedro Sanchez / Earth Institute)

Since 2004, maize production has tripled in Sauri, while malaria prevalence has dropped from 55 to 13 percent. (Photo: Pedro Sanchez / Earth Institute)

---

Sauri has changed, no doubt about it. It has just been three years since the little village close to Lake Victoria in Kenya became the first UN Millennium Village in 2004. Now its inhabitants are harvesting more food, more kids are going to school, and less people are dying of malaria.

If not for the UN program, Sauri would probably still look like many other rural villages in sub-Saharan Africa: malnourished with poor health services, low school attendance, and high rates of malaria and AIDS infection. Like over 300 million people in Africa, Sauri’s 5,000 inhabitants were living on less than one dollar a day.

Sauri has become a large-scale experiment - a playground for economists and development experts like Jeffrey Sachs who are trying to demonstrate how the Millennium Development Goals can be achieved. These eight goals, set in 2000 by the UN, aim to halve the number of people living below the poverty line, promote gender equality and universal primary education, and other basic improvements by 2015.

NASA photo: Fire Damages Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park

Source: NASA Earth Obsevatory

Fire Damages Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park

Click here to view full image (3025 kb)

In late February 2008, Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park suffered a major blow when an accidental fire scorched a large section of the relatively small (188-square- kilometer) park. Located in central Kenya, the park is most famous for the flocks of flamingoes that congregate to graze on the cyanobacteria that thrive in the shallow, alkaline lake. But the surrounding marshes, woodlands, and savanna also provide habitat for some of Africa’s famous large mammals, including white and black rhinoceroses, leopards, giraffes and lions.

This image from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA’s Terra satellite shows the large burn scar left by the February fire. The burned area is the large charcoal-colored patch to the east-southeast of the lake. The loss of such a large area of vegetation, which provides both food and shelter, is bound to pose problems for the park’s wildlife. The remaining dense vegetation appears in patches of green, while sparsely vegetated areas appear tan. The city of Nakuru appears northwest of the lake.

NASA image by Jesse Allen, based on data from the USGS Land Processes Data Center. Caption by Rebecca Lindsey.

African job:Lead Researcher, Household Surveys, Nairobi, Kenya

Please read all the information first and note the requirements, then to apply for this position send the following to:

shannon.may@newglobeschools.com

1) Cover letter, detailing your research experience as well

as earliest potential start date and latest finish date for

Summer 2008

2) CV, including all education and related work experience.

Include at least two references

This hiring round will close March 21, 2008.

Lead Researcher, Household Surveys, Nairobi, Kenya

NewGlobe Schools

Summer 2008

NewGlobe Schools is looking for a qualified researcher to

lead our work implementing and analyzing household surveys

and socio-economic maps in the slums of Nairobi. This is a

rare opportunity to lead a research initiative that will

significantly impact the development of a ground-breaking

school franchise model. Over the course of 8 to 12 weeks you

will conduct and produce the following:

1) Social and economic household survey. The goal of

conducting this survey is to generate a demographic analysis

of the local population. Of particular concern are household

income, method of income, duration of residence, cost of

living, family make-up, and education. Analyze data to

generate demographic profiles of residents, including

representative family narratives.

2) Neighborhood maps. Overlay satellite image maps with

social and economic data from walking the neighborhood. This

will include recording of social and economic data, such as

the use of specific facilities, locations of shops and

schools, community gathering points, etc.

In order for this project to succeed, you must be fluent in

Swahili, and have training in sociological or

anthropological field methods, and have had experience

conducting personal interviews and/or a household survey.

Ideally you have worked in Nairobi slums previously, and at

minimum have lived and worked extensively in developing

countries. You must be self-motivated, persistent, and

empathetic.

It is critical that you are comfortable and confident

working in the slums of Nairobi, such as Kangemi, Mukuru,

Soweto, Dagoretti, or Kibera. Conducting this research will

require you to spend significant amounts of time within

neighborhoods and in homes, potentially eating or working

with families during the conduct of the research.

While your primary office will be the neighborhoods within

Nairobis slums, NewGlobe will provide desk space at the main

office for analysis and general support.

At the successful completion of the two-part research

project, you will be remunerated $3000. You are strongly

encouraged to apply for support funding from your home

institution to reduce airfare and residence costs.

To apply for this position, please send the following to:

shannon.may@newglobeschools.com

1) Cover letter, detailing your research experience as well

as earliest potential start date and latest finish date for

Summer 2008

2) CV, including all education and related work experience.

Include at least two references

This hiring round will close March 21, 2008.

About NewGlobe Schools

NewGlobe Schools is launching a large-scale franchise of

extremely low-cost for-profit primary schools to provide

access to affordable high-quality education for poor

families across Sub Saharan Africa. Our approach addresses

the critical problems facing education systems in many

countries in the region: the lack of accountability and

absence of incentives for improving performance and

educational outcomes. Because of NewGlobe’s innovative

model, we are able to cost-effectively deliver high-quality

education. By charging only $3 per student per month,

NewGlobe schools are affordable to those living under dollar

per day poverty, while enabling local franchise owners to

open and operate profitable school businesses, and maintain

a financially viable business model at the central franchise

level. NewGlobe is launching its franchise beginning in

Nairobi, Kenya in 2008 and plans to rapidly scale the

organization to serve more than 1 million families across

the region.

NewGlobe’s founding team is led by a seasoned entrepreneur

with a proven track record of providing innovative

educational solutions and rapidly building and scaling

extremely successful organizations; an entrepreneurial

business leader with experience applying new approaches and

technologies in Africa; and an acclaimed anthropologist with

substantial experience working on-the-ground with

international development initiatives. More information on

NewGlobe’s founding team can be found at

www.newglobeschools.com/About%20Us.html