“Restoring the rhythm of education in West Africa” after 2014 Ebola Outbreak.
The 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has claimed 11,000 lives. It has been considered the largest outbreak in history due to its large human toll. Although the Virus originated in a rural area of Guinea, it has severely impacted Liberia and Sierra Leone, because in these two countries the Ebola virus reached urban areas where the population is dense. Separating parents and their children, wives and husbands, teachers(181 in Sierra Leone) and their students, the Ebola outbreak left communities overwhelmed with tears and despair. Compiled by Unicef, Ebola outbreak left nearly 4,000 orphans who lost both parents and 16,600 that lost either one parent or the parent lost the main career.
Above destroying families, the Ebola outbreak left West African economic and social unity torn apart, mainly because of the inability (resources) to control this virus in terms of low health care services. Economically, this virus impacted West African households with extreme poverty mostly because of loss of the breadwinners. Because foreign investment and production as the main source of the nation’s income ceased nationwide, the economy collapsed.
We must look at the future of Ebola stricken West African countries. No one can refute that a better economy, politics and institutions are in hands of children who grow and implement their educational knowledge nationwide. But the barrier in West Africa is that thousands of children who will rebuild the country are not studying. Most of them try to find food for themselves and their siblings by doing domestic activities for neighbors. What should be done to rescue the lives of these children and their countries in the future? My answer is to rebuild their education and to soothe their emotions. Your contribution can change their lives far beyond your expectations.
As I am striving to find a better solution to the orphans and currently looking for anyone who can provide more information either from West Africa , UBC community, MasterCard community or wherever around the world.
My greatest concern is the best way to help these orphans get over what they have been through for several months. I am challenging you fellow scholars, What is the best way to pay forward our education in support of West African Ebola Orphans? And this raises some questions: Is material donation the best way to enhance their education? If material donation is the right way to help them, are school supplies (book and pens) enough to sustain their future education? My suggestion is to offer them domestic animals that can provide financial ability sustainably, where children will be able to buy their own books and meals in the future.
It is the time to show our love and care for the human race with extreme vulnerability caused by the Ebola outbreak. It doesn’t matter how many of you help, what matters is the difference you are making. Together we can make the world better than we have today.
If you have any suggestions or ideas or want to help with this project, Please email me at niyodusengalibia@gmail.com
Thank you!!
I like your thoughts concerning the after effect of the Ebola pandemic. The toll left by the outbreak is a critical issue, even a lethal disaster which most relief organisations, governments and opinion leaders seem to overlook.
Undeniably, the education of every child is the opening and a further push of the Africa we all envision. However, for the purpose of sustianablility,, you may want to reconsider your current plan of providing the orphans with income generating livestock. Whether the children can manage the livestock to be sustainable and whether generation of income from the livestock are isuues which ought to be thought through critically.
Thank you
Hi Max, Yeah you are right, Though I have considered that before. But in my point of view I thought children that managed to survive under that harsh conditions can also manage one or two livestock. I believe that income generating livestock are not necessarily going to end poverty right away but by time it can bring a very tangible (result income. Thanks for your contribution !!