After being off school for so long, it is only natural that many young people will be worried about returning to school.
As school doors reopen in Angola, measures like handwashing stations, physical distancing, mask wearing and temperature checks are being integrated into school life. Here’s a glimpse of what a return to school looks like for students in Angola.
Our today's guest is Vanessa, she will share with us her school observations.
1. Introduction
I am Vanessa Diniz, I am 17 years old, I am in the 12th grade studying legal economics and am I Angolan.
2. How has covid-19 affected your student life?
Covid-19 changed my study routine and made me stay at home for 6 months.
3. And during your time at home, did you do anything to continue learning? Did you read any books or investigated something?
Yes I did some research on the internet to increase my knowledge.
4. Now that the schools have reopened, have you gone back to school?
Yes, I went back to school.
5. What have you noticed in the school? Did school distribute any bio-safety material?
Not. School only made available a bucket of water and soap to wash our hands and we also have a school guard in the main gate with a thermometer to measure our temperature.
6. What are prevention measures against covid - 19 you saw that the government / school created to ensure your safety?
The measures that the school has adopted are: at the entrance of the school they drew circles to avoid close contact and keep a distance of 1.5 metres from others.
Our desks in the classroom are divided, the class was divided into two groups: group A and group B and they also ordered us to take a water bottle with bleach to clean the desks.
The rest of the biosafety material we are the ones who buy for personal use and we were also informed that anyone who does not have a mask should not enter the school.
7. And how do you feel? Are you enjoying going to class or are you scared?
I'm enjoying going to school, I'm not afraid because all this is a phase that will pass and beyond that the only thing necessary is to protect ourselves using the mask, alcohol gel and wash our hands with water and soap.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting youth from the Arab States region on a journey into the future. How might the world look in 2030? How will young people be participating and engaging with their communities? How will communities be reacting to and taking action on the climate crisis?
Requirement
be 19-29 years old have any educational or vocational background as long as you have a general knowledge of the themes (climate change and civic engagement) and you are eager to learn and contribute in teams originate from Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, & Yemen AND currently reside in one of these countries.
Obtain tools for navigating uncertainty in a complex world Learn about systems-thinking and futures thinking Develop leadership skills and abilities to build participatory processes Become part of the UNDP Youth Futures Fellows community Engage and connect with the global futures community
BRITAIN’s fattest man is hoisted out of his flat for treatment — after his weight rocketed to 50st.
Takeaway food app addict Jason Holton, 30, of Camberley, Surrey, said his condition had left him trapped indoors for five years.
He would also have chocolate, crisps, sandwiches and fizzy drink in 10,000-calorie eating marathons.
It finally resulted in him having to be hoisted out of his third-floor bedroom by a huge crane so that doctors could treat him.
In an emotional interview from his hospital bed, Jason told The Sun: “I had eaten to a point where I suddenly couldn’t move an inch.
“And I was happy to stay there without calling for help.
“I left myself to die and waited for my heart to give up. I felt there was nothing left in life for me.”
But he eventually called the emergency services and was removed from his two-bed maisonette — where his condition had trapped him fo more than five years.
A giant crane was needed to lift him out in an operation that took seven hours earlier this month.
Rescuers had to remove his bedroom window in Camberley, Surrey, so he could be squeezed out.
More than 30 firemen lined the street outside a row of shops Jason lives above with his mum.
Jason says it was his first time breathing in fresh air when he was hoisted from his bedroom window
Structural engineers erected acrow props on the floor below over fears the ceiling would collapse if Jason fell.
He said: “It was amazing because it was the first time in six years I’d experienced fresh air.
“I was given codeine to take away the pain from the crane straps, but all I remember is the breath of fresh air and the breeze rushing over my body.
“There was a risk I wouldn’t survive the lift. There were issues with my oxygen levels but I told my rescuers to go ahead — or else I’d only end up dying inside my flat.”
Jason, who is classed as super-obese, was taken to hospital in a specialist ambulance to be treated for Lymphoedema in his groin and legs — a chronic condition that causes water retention and swelling.
His doting mum and carer Leisa, 52, said of her only child: “I fear for him and I fear losing him.
“Doctors have said he won’t last another five years. He’ll end up having a heart attack.”
“Doctors have said he won’t last another five years. He’ll end up having a heart attack.”
Jason previously went to a nine-week fat camp in New Jersey, US, and managed to lose a few stone
He then sJason, who was always “a big lad”, said his situation took a dire turn in 2014, when he signed up to home-delivery takeaway service JustEat.pent around £30 a day on takeaways — a habit that cost around £10,000 a year.
He explained: “I was using my debit card to order food. I’d buy a mixture of takeaways, mainly kebab meat and chips, sometimes Chinese. Then I’d wash it down with litres of orange juice and Diet Coke — and snack on sandwiches and treats until the early hours.
“My bank statements were a joke.
“I was considered for gastric band surgery during that time but the NHS turned me down and told my mum to rip up my debit card.”
TAKEAWAY ADDICTION
Jason became Britain’s fattest man after 65st Carl Thompson, 33, of Dover, Kent, died in 2015.
Jason survives on benefits and has never worked. He receives £197.60 a week Employment Support Allowance and £112.80 a week Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
His mum also receives a £200 a month council tax reduction support.
Jason told how his struggles with anxiety, compounded by his weight, made applying for a job impossible.
He said: “I’ve never managed to work. It’s tough in my state.
“There was one time when I was going to apply for some weekend stuff but I decided against it because I knew deep down my mental and physical health wouldn’t hack it. I’d get too nervous and walk out.”
Jason has had much-needed support from his uncle Ray Holton
Jason never remembers having junk food as a kid and says mum would cook ‘lovely meals’
Recalling his “happier” childhood, Jason said: “I went to normal schools and always attended.
“I was fat but I never shied away. I wasn’t very clever and needed help with the curriculum so decided not to sit my GCSEs.
“Even though I was overweight, I was always out doing things, having a laugh and being active.
“Mum would cook me lovely meals at home and I never remember her having any takeaways or junk on my plate.
“But I used to be cheeky and get takeaways outside the house after eating — something quick like a baguette with meat and mayonnaise and stuff in it from the bakery.”
At one stage he went to a nine-week fat camp in New Jersey, US, and managed to lose a few stone.
But Jason said sadly: “As I’ve got older, life has got more difficult for me and the light in my life has faded. I suppose eating has always brought me comfort, but it’s just got out of control.”
Leisa added: “Eating too much is just like any other addiction.
“Jason’s situation is worse because he suffers with water retention and problems with blood pressure that aren’t brought on by his obesity.
African Union (AU) holds its 2nd Semester Coordination Meeting on Thursday (22), aimed at analysing, among various issues, the Situation of Regional Integration to ensure a prosperous and peaceful continent.
The Press Sector of the Permanent Representation of Angola to the AU, states in its note that the event will take place via videoconference, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Angop learnt Wednesday that the event will also discuss the Division of Labour among the AU Commission and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RM) and the Member States.
Attending the event presidents of the States from AU Bureau of Assembly (South Africa, Egypt, Democratic Congo, Mali and Kenya), and the presidents and executive secretaries from the 8 RECs and RMs.
Angola shares the two Regional Economic Commission, namely the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
The 2nd Semester Coordination Meeting takes place one week after the 37th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union, attended by the Angolan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Téte António.
Angola has detected 289 new positive cases of Covid-19, four deaths and three recoveries, the Health authorities have announced.
The information was released Wednesday in Luanda by the secretary of State for Public Health, Franco Mufinda.
According to the official, Angola’s capital, Luanda, recorded 249 infections, northern Cabinda reported 15, northern Uíge (15), northern Zaire (05), central Huambo (02) and Cuanza Norte (02). Central Benguela province has reported one.
The newly infected include 196 males and 93 females, with ages from one month to 85 years.
Angola’s current Covid-19 figures show 8,338 positive cases, 255 deaths, 3,040 recoveries and 5,043 active patients.
