Africa: Faces in Words

New weekly update on the breaking stories in the African nations.

Courtesy: elproyectomatriz.files.wordpress.com

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Unseen, unheard; no one should be the bearer of these two words. Unfortunately, Africa is often in the forefront of this association.

Our common humanity should change this; we should never look away because it is too distant. Our commitment to one another, to human rights, and the ability to learn should always keep us connected no matter the severity and complexity of problems.

Important insights from last week, not to be missed

In Pictures: Niger’s food crisis - In pictures: Niger's food crisis The BBC

Rains displace hundreds - At least 200 families have been displaced and 185 houses destroyed following heavy rains and strong winds, which also killed six people in Hargeisa, capital of Somaliland republic region, officials said. Rains displace hundreds in Somaliland - Medeshi.com

Liberia: Women Follow in President’s Footsteps - Four years after voters in Liberia, battered by decades of dictatorship, economic ruin and civil war, elected a no-nonsense former banker and UN official, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, as their president, the country is making slow progress towards recovery. But there is still a long way to go. Liberia: Women Follow in President's Footsteps - AllAfrica.com

Ghanaian Doctor Says Vaccine Will be made Affordable - This year's World Malaria Day marks a critical moment in time as the international malaria community has less than a year to meet the 2010 targets of delivering effective and affordable protection and treatment to all people at risk of malaria. Ghanaian Doctor Says Vaccine Will Be Made Affordable - VOA News

Program Teaches Poor Women, Girls in Nairobi how to Protect Themselves - Rape is a constant threat for girls and women living in the crime-ridden slums of Kenya's capital, Nairobi. It is estimated that one out of five women are raped in the slums, and there are few arrests of rapists. A U.S.-initiated and funded program is working hard to change all that. Program Teaches Poor Women, Girls in Nairobi how to Protect Themselves - VOA News

Three Nigerian journalists pay ultimate price after bloody year for glabal media - On World Press Freedom Day, reporters across the globe are bring asked to observe a minute's silence for the 1,500 journalists killed while working in the last 14 years Three Nigerian journalists pay ultimate price after bloody year for global media - Guardian UK

Africa: State’s Carson Says U.S., Africa Partnering on Infrastructure - Although the infrastructure problems facing Africa look "daunting," they are "not insurmountable," U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson said April 28, adding that infrastructure needs can be addressed by public and private partners worldwide. Africa: State's Carson Says U.S., Africa Partnering On Infrastructure - AllAfrica.com

ATLAS Maps a Strong Course for Children’s Education in Zambia - Today, children in the Mumbwa District of Zambia are no longer stuck in overcrowded classrooms with few learning materials. Thanks to the ATLAS program, they are eager and motivated to learn. ChildFund International and the International Reading Association piloted the Active Teaching and Learning Approaches in Schools (ATLAS) in Zambia in response to the decreasing quality of education in schools. ATLAS Maps a Strong Course for Children's Education in Zambia - Thomas Reuters Foundation

East Africa: EAC Adopts One Laptop Per Child Initiative - The East African Community has partnered with the One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a nonprofit organisation, to ensure transformation in education through computer literacy. East Africa: EAC Adopts One Laptop Per Child Initiative - AllAfrica.com

Warrap Women celebrates election of first female Governor - A weeklong celebration following election of the first democratically elected female governor, in the southern state of Warrap, continues to go on as local women vows to rally behind her gubernatorial plans beneficial to the people of the area. Warrap women celebrates election of first female governor - Sudan Tribune