African Elephant: Most Endangered animals in Africa

The African Elephant is one of the most endangered animals in Africa. Research done at the University of Washington showed that the elephant death rate from poaching was at 8%. The African Elephant is the largest living land animal. According to this article and research done, these elephants could be extinct by 2020. This elephant can eat 225 kilograms of fruit, grass and leaves in one day. African Elephants are divided into two groups, the bush elephant, and the forest elephant. The only difference is that the forest elephant has a more round shape to its ears as well as a small body size compared to the bush elephant.

Other than poaching, these elephants tend to die when they are calves either from drought or from being killed by lions and crocodiles. In the 1980s, there were nearly one million African Elephants, and around 70,000 were being killed each year. The total population now is less than 470,000. These elephants can be seen while on an African Bush Safari.

Not only would I love to go on a safari in Africa, but I would also love to see animals such as the African Elephant that are so rare and beautiful. I wish there were places like this closer to home. Africa has some really great species of animals and definately some fun ones to look at! According to other internet sites, I found that these elephants are poached just for their tusks! It is sad that these animals become endangered for such reasons. There are many websites out there trying to gain support for endangered animals. Hopefully the fight to save beautifal animals such as the elephant are successful.


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Cholera Epidemic Infects Thousands in Kenya

In an article written by Jeffrey Gettleman on December 4, 2009, explains that an epidemic is taking over Kenya, with 4,700 cases of cholera reported in the past month along with 119 deaths. Kenyan officials are claiming that this is one of the worst outbreaks Kenya has seen in over a decade. In certain areas of Kenya, rain has been scant, leaving very little clean water. Kenyans in these areas are living off of dirty and contaminated water, which is how cholera spreads. The drought has left many weak and malnourished, which leads to decreased immune system function, only making the epidemic worse. A member of the aid group, World Vision, explained that people are coming down from hills very very sick and nobody is really sure of how bad it is up there yet. Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by bacterial infection. Those who become infected by cholera could die within a day if not treated. The disease is easily spreadable, for example, by taking a drink out of an infected persons cup.

The best treatment for cholera is rehydration salts to restore fluids. In order to prevent the greater spread of cholera, hand washing is the most important protection. The only problem with hand washing, is that most of the water is contaminated, making it difficult to find water that is suitable for cleansing. A cholera alert was issued and $7.5 million dollars would be needed for medicine and testing kits.

Although we mostly hear of HIV and AIDS in Africa, cholera seems to be another major disease that should not be overlooked. I chose to focus on this topic because it is related to health care and also because I do not know much about cholera. It is very sad to know that without treatment, those infected could die within days. Not only is it sad, but the fact that they do not have treatment materials yet means that many will die before the government can provide the money for those materials. It is hard to slow an epidemic such as this, because clean water is scarce.

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Mobile Phone Use Soars in Africa

On Friday, October 23, 2009, an article was published about the use of cell phones in Africa. The United States reported that cell phone use is growing faster in Africa than anywhere else in the world. From 2003 to present, cell phone subscriptions in Africa have grown by 500%. Members of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development believe that this is both socially and economically important. It has a strong impact on the way that people and companies do business. In countries including Gabon, South Africa, and Seychelles, there are 100 supscriptions for cellular phones for every 100 people. Not all areas are at this level, but the numbers remain to rise.
The article also explains that while cell phone use is still on the rise, internet use and access remain slow and costly. A member of the UN conference explained that not only are African countries lagging behind developed countries, but also developing countries that are using internet access. The belief is that until recently, Africa did not have the international cables needed to carry telecommunications between Africa and the rest of the world. Because cables like these are becoming more available, internet will be the next big thing in Africa.
This article caught my attention because cellular phone and internet use are two things that I have grown up with. It surprised me to hear that Africa gets the most cell phone subscriptions compared to everyone in the world because I feel like when we discuss Africa, it seems to be about how economically behind they are and how difficult things are for them. I am glad that cell phone use is dominant over there because it is increasing their communication with the rest of the world. I was surprised to hear that internet use was so slim, after hearing about the popularity of cell phones, especially because most cell phones now have internet built in. Africa seems to be growing both socially and economically, though!
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Beckham visits South African HIV clinic as Unicef ambassador

On December 7, 2009, an article was written about David Beckham traveling to South Africa to visit an HIV/AIDS clinic. Beckham is a Unicef ambassador for the United States! The clinic was located in Khayelitsha. He spoke to mothers and expecting mothers with HIV on behalf of the Unicef Mothers to Mothers (M2M) education and support program. He got to tour the clinic and also interact with mothers whom have benefited from the Mothers to Mothers program! The programs explains risks of passing HIV onto their children. Beckham stated that "it is a cheap and easy way to help save the lives of hundreds of thousands of children each year." The article explained that, according to Unicef, 73% of South African mothers with HIV recieve treatment and support for themselves and their child, up from 15% in 2004.

I think that Unicef is a great program and it is amazing to see that stars are going to make a difference and are involved in such programs. I think that because HIV/AIDS is so prevalent, it is important to teach how to keep from spreading it to others. I have also learned that education is the main way in which we can cure HIV/AIDS. I think that it is great that programs such as Unicef are working with these mothers in order to protect children. This is a more effective way of preventing HIV.

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Ethiopian Girls Flee Early Marraiges

This article was published on October 8, 2009 by Hanna Win. In the US, women have a 1 in 3,418 chance of dying due to complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and unsafe abortions compared to a 1 in 7 chance in Ethiopia. Many young girls in Ethiopia are forced to get married as early as 14 years old and many before they even have a menstrual cycle. About one half of young women in Ethiopia are married by 15 years old, and almost two thirds by 18. Many girls recently began fleeing their homes and going to Biruh Tesfa ("Bright Future"), an informal school for Ethiopian runaways. Mentors from Biruh Tesfa go to the young ladies' employers and ask if they be allowed to participate in the program.
There is a story of a young girl, 14 years old, who had recently lost her big brother. Her mother was trying to force her to marry. She never met the boy, but she saw him in her town. The young girl wanted to finish school and was grieving for her lost brother. She did not want to marry so she left with her aunt and uncle. She goes to Biruh Tesfa for a few hours every day and meets with other young women between 13 and 19 who have also fled early marriage.
Early marriage can lead to many problems, as the article explains, including: higher rates of infant and maternal mortality, vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, abuse, isolation, and long-term psychological trauma due to forced sex.
This article is very interesting to me. I have heard stories of planned marriages where the women do not meet their husband until they marry, but for young girls to be forced to marry before puberty and against their will makes me sick. After reading about all of the problems that early marriage and early pregnancy can lead to, I feel for the girls who could not flee. I am proud of the women who stood up for themselves and left because they knew that this life was not for them. Many of the examples in the article explained that the girls wanted to get an education and not be forced to marry and quit school. It is good to see that these girls are not afraid to make their own decisions. Although it would be very difficult to leave your family behind, the futures for these young ladies is still bright and open.

Reference: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/091007/ethiopian-girls-flee-early-marriages

Gay Marraige In South Africa

The article I found on gay marriage in South Africa was posted on October 16, 2009. The image along with this article is a photo of homosexuals at the gay march in South Africa. The main focus of the article is that South Africa is the only country in Africa that has legalized gay marriage. Gay marriage has been legal for three years and although there are many that support same-sex marriage, there are many opposers that are fighting to change this. The process of legalizing gay marriage in South Africa was very difficult and many opposers held rallies. Homophobia became a problem, and there was a case in which one South African woman soccer player was raped and murdered by a gang for being openly homosexual. President Zuma made a harsh comment, stating that if he were to face a homosexual man, he would "knock him out." Zaidoo, a man speaking on behalf of the Family Policy Institute, stated that it would take time and that after people were exposed to and got to know the gay culture, they will have a greater understanding of it.
I think this article is very important in our culture today. I know that we in the United States are fighting for and against gay marriage and that laws are being passed to legalize gay marriage in certain states. To see that South Africa was one of the first countries to legalize gay marriage, as well as the only one in Africa to do so, it is astonishing to see that after three years, there are still opposers working hard to make it illegal again. It breaks my heart to hear that people are being raped and murdered because of their lifestyle. The woman who was murdered did not deserve to be, but those who oppose homosexuality took their homophobia and rage and used it to do a horrible thing.
I also found it hard to believe that the President of South Africa made a comment against homosexuals as well. I think that if I were a homosexual, I would be very upset and taken back by the rude statement made by President Zuma. I think that the religious aspect of being opposed to homosexuality makes sense, but as a religious person, I also believe that it is wrong to kill someone for the way that they are. I believe that people have a right to be who they want and do what they want. I think that people need to open up, like Zaidoo said, and get to know the homosexual population before being opposed to them. Also, with all of the effort it took to get gay marriage legalized, I think that instead of doing twice as much to make it illegal again, instead those who do not agree with it should take a step back and either get used to it. If it does not affect you personally, I do not think that you should worry about it.


Reference: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/south%20africa/091008/south-africa-same-sex-marriage

Bitter Struggle To Learn in Zimbabwe

This article was posted on October 8, 2009. It has many statements from those living in Zimbabwe about their opinion on education and what their future will look like. It was good to see that many were optimistic in the interviews. Although they knew that times were hard and that schooling was limited, they had hope. Some things that caught my attention were that the professors and teachers would go on strike often, or would go to other countries to teach, and often the students were taught by student teachers or had to work together to teach themselves.
Many of the youth that were interviewed say that it is hard to go to school without any financial resources. It is hard to find a job in Zimbabwe, and there is a fee in the schools. Many of the students discuss their parents hardships and how they must do what they can to help them, putting education lower on the priority list. One of the boys explains that his father had passed away and his mother was a civil servant, so he spent his time trying to feed and support his family. He took his two younger brothers to school and worked to help support his family.
These stories, although very sad and different from the life that I have lived, touch my heart. The youth in Zimbabwe have high hopes for a better future and work hard to gain an education. Those interviewed who were not attending school said that they hoped to in the future. I think that the main focus of this article is the hope shown by the youth generation in Zimbabwe. Even during tough times, these people have goals and do what they can to make a living and to have a future.

Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8295291.stm