Huambo Province Hosts First Environmental Education Forum
The city of Huambo hosted the First Environmental Education Forum this Wednesday, a two-day event bringing together prominent figures from Angola’s environmental sector. This event serves as a platform for reflection, debate, and cooperation, with the presence of various authorities, most notably the Provincial Governor, Lotti Nolika, who welcomed the Secretary of State for the Environment, Iury Santos, representing the Minister, Ana Paula de Carvalho Pereira.
In her welcoming address, Governor Lotti Nolika emphasized the importance of environmental education for the sustainable development of the region. Secretary of State for the Environment, Iury Santos, delivered the opening speech, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of environmental education in Angola. He stressed the importance and urgency of bringing environmental education closer to the people:
"We aim for increasingly present environmental education in schools, with teacher training, the inclusion of environmental themes in curricula, the training of environmental educators, and the dissemination of these issues in the media. To achieve this, we will promote provincial environmental education programs and the establishment of environmental education centers," said Santos.
The opening panel was presented by the Provincial Director of the Environment for Huambo, José Figueiredo, who discussed the "General State of the Environment in Huambo: Challenges of Environmental Education."
Other topics discussed included "Environmental Education in Angola: Challenges and Opportunities" and "Environmental Education in Schools: Cooperation and New Perspectives in the Lusophone Context," the latter presented online. There was also an online presentation by Joaquim Pinto, President of ASPEA and General Coordinator of REDELUSO, on the "Guidelines of National Environmental Education Strategies of CPLP Member States Post-Lubango Declaration."
The forum was marked by a rich exchange of ideas and experiences among national and international participants (some attending in a hybrid format). In addition to provincial and national environmental sector officials, members of civil society and the Kings of Huambo and Ovassambo also attended the event.
World Population Day, observed every year on July 11, is a significant occasion dedicated to raising awareness about global population issues. Established by the United Nations Development Programme in 1989, this day aims to highlight the importance of population dynamics and their impacts on sustainable development.
Highlighting Luisa’s Story
We are featuring the story of Luisa, a courageous woman who has faced immense challenges. Luisa has lost a significant number of her babies under five years old due to women's health problems like hepatitis B and the debilitating effects of poverty. The lack of financial resources to overcome life’s challenges has also made it difficult for her to keep all her children constantly in school. Luisa’s story is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to address women's health issues and provide adequate support for those in vulnerable situations.
INTERVIEW
Hello, good evening!
My name is Luiza Dembo João.
Miss How Are you?
I'm fine, thank you very much.
Do you consider yourself a woman living below the poverty line?
Yes, I do not have good financial conditions.
Could you tell us a little about the difficulties you face as a woman?
I face various kinds of difficulties in this poor country that we live in. People are always suffering from poverty, food parcel are always going up (very expensive) and the poor cannot buy.
How is your financial life going?
My financial life is not so good. For example, today if I have a job it is thanks to my aunt who took me in and invited me to work with her in a small snack bar that she opened, we cook lunches and serve the local community in this area.
Do you have higher education?
No, I don't have higher education.
Why didn't you reach this level?
Because I have no financial possibilities, I stopped studying in the 8th grade.
What are the main family difficulties you face due to lack of financial resources?
Well, I face many serious financial difficulties in my family.
Tell us a little about your maternal life. Have you ever encountered difficulties during pregnancy? Have you ever had an abortion or other complications due to lack of funds to look for the best doctors and the best hospitals?
Yes, I have been through these events. My husband doesn't have a good job either, so we're going through a lot of difficulties.
My first daughter, thank God, was born healthy, but my second baby had a problem with hepatitis B, and because of the lack of financial resources on my part, I couldn't go to the prenatal consultation and do all the analyzes to have a healthy pregnancy. My son was born with hepatitis B transmitted by me. I went through many difficulties, there was no way to fight this disease and cure my baby. Unfortunately, my baby passed away.
How many children do you have now?
I now have 5 children.
Were you able to solve the problem of the disease you had?
Yes.
When I became pregnant with my third baby, I was diagnosed with hepatitis B, my family contributed some money that allowed me to treat this disease. I started doing all the consultations and treatment before the baby was born.Thank God I had a healthier pregnancy, when my baby was born he took the vaccine, my relatives helped me a lot with the contribution of money to pay in the hospital. My baby and I have taken all the recommended vaccines, today we are healthy, my baby is 3 years old and is in good health.
How many children have you lost?
I lost 3 children.
Have you lost 3 children due to Hepatitis B?
Yes.
Did you only find out now that you had this disease?
Yes, I just found out now.
Before, you hadn't made this discovery because you weren't making the prenatal check-ups regularly?
Yes, I didn't use to do consultations. Whenever I got pregnant, I didn't usually visit the hospitals because I didn't have money to do the ultrasound, prenatal consultations to find out how the baby was doing, that's why my babies were born sick and died.
Tell us about the job you have now. Is this job a thriving one that allows you to do great things in life or not at all?
This work is more or less, it's not so prosperous, because our kitchen is new, we don't have many customers yet. It would be great if I had another job with a higher salary.
Do your children study?
Yes they study, but...
Haven't you been facing difficulties in paying your children's school fees?
Yes, we have many difficulties. For example, my first daughter is 16 years old, we enrolled her in a school where she is studying medicine. But since she started studying, we have only been able to pay for 2 months, the others until the end of the school year we have not been able to pay, for this reason she runs the risk of not continuing with her studies because her name will not be on the list of finalists.
With other minor daughters it is also the same thing, we find it difficult to pay school fees regularly. The money my husband and I earn is enough for daily consumption, buying food and water. But it is not enough to pay the tuition fees.
So has your financial hardship negatively affected children's lives as well?
Yes, it affects my children very negatively indeed.
And for now, you can't find solutions to solve this problem, other than finding a job with a very high salary?
I can find no solution to my Poverty other than a very high-paying job.
But is finding a job with a very high salary difficult at this time?
Yes, it's true.
Moreover, my husband also does not prosper, he does not have a good salary. We do not have a house, we have been living for 11 years in a small log cabin, we have large land but we are not able to build due to lack of financial resources.
Alright, thank you very much.
Our Commitment to Women’s Empowerment and Health
This day underscores the critical need to prioritize women's health, education, and empowerment as central to achieving sustainable development and ensuring a better future for all. Women’s reproductive health and the associated risks, especially in the context of overpopulation trends, are paramount issues that need urgent attention.
At our female platforms, we are deeply committed to the empowerment of all women, ensuring that no one is left behind. Our mission is to create spaces where women can share their stories, experiences, and challenges, fostering a community of support and growth. We focus on critical issues such as women's reproductive health, the risks of maternal mortality, and the impacts of overpopulation.
The Importance of Women’s Reproductive Health
Women’s reproductive health is a cornerstone of gender equality and sustainable development. Addressing the risks associated with maternal mortality, improving access to healthcare, and providing education on reproductive health are crucial steps in empowering women and ensuring their well-being. Overpopulation trends further exacerbate these challenges, making it even more critical to invest in comprehensive health solutions.
Call to Action
On this World Population Day, let us renew our commitment to women's empowerment and health. Let us work together to create a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential, without any barriers. By investing in women and girls, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Join Us
Join us in celebrating World Population Day 2024 by visiting our platforms and engaging with the stories of incredible women like Luisa from around the world. Together, we can make a difference, ensuring that every woman's voice is heard and valued.
Did you know?
More than 40 per cent of women around the world cannot make decisions on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.
As few as one in four women across low- and middle income countries are realizing their desired fertility.
A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth (and in conflict settings, the number of deaths is twice as high).
Nearly one third of women have experienced intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence or both.
Just six countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament.
More than two thirds of the 800 million people globally who cannot read are women.
Today, on this auspicious occasion of African Anti-Corruption Day, we gather under the banner of Talentos Multiplus, an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality, defending human rights, advocating for environmental justice, quality and accessible education, fighting against poverty, discrimination, and corruption in all spheres. We proudly align ourselves with the UN Global Compact and uphold its ten principles, which guide our commitment to responsible business practices and societal development.
As we reflect on the significance of this day, we are reminded that corruption remains a formidable obstacle to progress, prosperity, and justice. The COVID-19 pandemic has unfortunately exacerbated this challenge, highlighting the critical need for robust anti-corruption measures and accountability frameworks across the globe.
Good afternoon! My name is Donaldo Pereira. Today I am here to talk about how the Coronavirus affected me.
The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted me in various ways. As a student, I lost access to the media library and library, and it became difficult to take transport to reach the University without delay.
Socially, it significantly affected my work. Arriving at the workplace early has been challenging due to the scarcity of taxicabs. Additionally, the pandemic has brought several issues, such as traders taking advantage of the situation to raise prices, making it hard to buy products, and people not using precautionary measures correctly, like wearing masks.
I believe our government should implement tougher preventive measures. Fining people is not the ideal solution; instead, stricter measures should be created to make people aware of the consequences of their actions.
The year 2024 marks twenty-one years since the adoption of the AU Convention on Preventing and Combatting Corruption (AUCPCC). This milestone offers us an opportunity to acknowledge the commendable progress made in addressing corruption, while also recognizing the persistent challenges that demand our continued vigilance and action.
Under the theme of "Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption," we underscore the pivotal role of whistleblowers in exposing corruption and safeguarding our societies. Article 5(5) of the Convention emphasizes the importance of protecting informants and witnesses, crucial pillars in our collective effort to root out corruption.
At Talentos Multiplus, we commend the efforts of state parties who have implemented legislation and initiatives to support whistleblowers. We advocate for even stronger protections to ensure that those who come forward with information are shielded from retaliation and empowered to contribute fearlessly to transparency and integrity.
Today, let us reaffirm our commitment to combating corruption in all its forms. Let us stand together in solidarity with whistleblowers, recognizing them as frontline defenders of accountability and justice. Through our unwavering dedication to these principles, we can build a future where corruption has no place, and where every individual can thrive in a fair and equitable society.
We are thrilled to announce that Sofonie Dala, the founder of Talentos Multiplus starup, has received an invitation from the AIA and BAI Bank to participate in the commercial forums and challenged BAI Bank to rethink their current policies regarding the financing of startups.
Sofonie Dala receives invitations from the Industrial Association and BAI Bank to participate in the forum on Financial Solutions to support the Productive Sector.
Throughout last month, BAI and AIA were hosting a series of over 25 commercial forums across the country.
On June 19, 2024, Sofonie Dala participated in the Forum on Financial Solutions to support the Productive Sector. During its presentation, BAI bank clearly stated that financing startups is challenging due to the lack of collateral, as startups typically do not have assets to secure loans against.
In response, Sofonie Dala, defending startups, advised BAI Bank to rethink their approach and consider startups that promote the empowerment of women and girls and sustainable social development as valuable collaborators for the advancement of Angola.
Sofonie Dala also showcased her most successful projects, receiving positive feedback from the regional director of BAI Bank. She was recommended to establish contact to facilitate possible support through the BAI Foundation.
According to a recent release from the bank, the objective of these forums is to present various financing solutions available for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The main products highlighted include “PAC Express,” “Crédito Campanha Agrícola,” “National Letter of Credit,” and “Liquidity Advance.” These solutions have piqued the interest of businesspeople, who find them "quite interesting and appropriate" for their project portfolios.
AIA President, José Severino, encouraged businesspeople to "take advantage of the business and growth opportunities presented by BAI" during an event held in Luanda. Additionally, Henrique de Santos, Director of Individuals and Business for the Commercial Region of Talatona at BAI, assured that "BAI has excellent solutions to continue financing national companies because it understands that these are the engine of the economy. We remain open to Small and Medium-sized Companies and aim to increase the number of projects financed."
The Administration of Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI) is committed to bringing services closer to pure retail banking, attracting Micro, Small, and Medium-sized companies with credit and financing solutions tailored to current market challenges. In June, the "Liquidity Advance" product was adopted by the Association of Contracted Companies of the Petroleum Industry of Angola (AECIPA).
Sofonie Dala's involvement in these forums and her advocacy for startups mark a significant step forward in fostering a more inclusive and supportive financial environment for innovative enterprises in Angola.
What is the SME Financing Forum?
The SME Financing Forum is an initiative aimed at improving the negative impact on the financial and economic framework of businesses. It focuses directly on a multifaceted approach addressing economic, social, and institutional challenges. Specific considerations include the needs of SMEs and the local business environment, validating repayment capacity, risk profiles, and sectors with high potential. Key barriers to financing such as lack of collateral, credit history, and high transaction costs must also be addressed.
Banks should establish flexible credit lines offering tailored financial products for SMEs through Credit Guarantee Funds, working capital loans, financing for innovation and expansion, and affordable interest rates. Guarantee funds and risk mitigation should be strengthened to reduce banks' risks when lending to SMEs.
Developing credit insurance products to cover defaults, providing financial management and business planning training programs, and fostering strong business skills and growth strategies are crucial. Banks should align financing programs with public policies for economic development and employment.
In conclusion, banks should establish indicators to monitor the impact of financing programs, loan default rates, SME growth, job creation, and gather continuous feedback to adjust programs as needed for effectiveness and sustainability. SMEs - Improving the Economy! Said Jorge Chaves, the forum coordinator, during his speech.
Brazzaville - The Angolan Minister of the Environment, Ana de Carvalho, said on Wednesday that
African countries are working to increasingly protect forests, as an important resource for living
beings.
The minister was speaking to the Angolan press, on the sidelines of the first International Conference on Afforestation and
Reforestation, which takes place from 2 to 5 July in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.
She said that joint discussions around the protection of forests are fundamental, as States such as Angola have created measures
to prevent the indiscriminate felling of trees.
'At this time, in Angola we suffer a lot from fires, a cultural aspect for the practice of agriculture, ending up affecting biodiversity and
soil degradation', she said.
In Angola, she pointed out, almost 50% of the land is made up of forests, but reforestation is needed, one of the themes of this
Brazzaville conference.
With this event, he stressed, the experience of Congo in terms of reforestation will be taken, as in Angola the coast is being
reforested with the planting of mangroves, in addition to work with forest conservation areas.
For the Angolan ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Vicente Muanda, the conference is of great importance, because Angola has
a particular way of managing forests and exploiting these resources.
She made it known that, sometimes, elements of Congo carry out indiscriminate logging and illegal hunting in the area of the
Maiombe Forest, Cabinda.
In this regard, she stressed that it is necessary for States to coordinate to maintain conserved forests for the sustainability of living
beings.
The international conference on Afforestation and Reforestation discusses various topics related to the defense of forests, in an
event promoted by the Government of the Republic of Congo.
Dundo - The governor of Lunda-Norte, Deolinda Satula Vilarinho, on Thursday called on to the need
of strengthening environmental education in communities, aiming at the conservation of the
environment.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop on 'Preservation of the environment', the governor called for the need to raise the
environmental awareness of citizens, with a view to participating in the improvement of basic sanitation.
'Lunda-Norte has a huge challenge if we take into account the environmental impacts caused by mining activity, fires and issues
related to basic sanitation, which has harmed the quality of life of citizens,' she stressed.
Therefore, she added, it is necessary that mining companies operating in the province make a commitment to reverse the situation,
creating sustainable environmental programs, to avoid the pollution of rivers and the degradation of fauna.
The province of Lunda-Norte was created on July 4, 1978, through Presidential Decree No. 86/78, of July 4, as a result of the
division of the province of Lunda into two administrative seats, the other being designated Lunda-Sul.
Bailundo – The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry (MINAGRIF), António Francisco de Assis, stated
on Monday, in Huambo province, that Angola needs to produce at least 600,000 tons of wheat/year,
to reduce imports of this cereal.
The government official was speaking at the beginning of the wheat harvest campaign, which took place on the Luvili farm,
Luvemba commune, Bailundo municipality, in the presence of the governor of Huambo province, Lotti Nolika, and senior MINAGRIF
officials.
He expressed satisfaction with the harvest indicators intended to be achieved, two years after the relaunch of this crop in the
country.
The minister said that if a harvest of about 80,000 tons is reached, it will be quite satisfactory, due to the few inputs available and
distributed to farmers and peasant families, mainly in the provinces of Benguela, Bié, Huambo, Huíla and Malanje.
He considered the results still very small, compared to the path that has to be taken, as in the relaunch, many were “skeptical”, but
MINAGRIF accepted the challenge.
Therefore, it announced greater scope in wheat production during the 2024/2025 agricultural season, taking into account the
country's potential in this field.
He highlighted that, despite the difficulties with wheat seeds, the peasant families, some with a little more than one hectare, did
their best and the results are positive and encouraging to continue on this path, at a time when the process counts on the
involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the business and family sectors.
More fertilizers for next season
António Francisco de Assis said that the ministry acquired nearly seven thousand tons of fertilizers to allow peasants and farmers
in the provinces of Bié and Huambo to begin cultivation at the beginning of September.
He added that the governments of the two provinces are entering into contacts with the management of the Benguela Railway
(CFB) to transport the goods, so that peasants and farmers have access to fertilizers at prices subsidized by the State.
For his part, the manager of the Luvili agricultural farm, José Eduardo, said that the production, in an area of 20 hectares, included,
through an experimental partnership, the involvement of 125 peasant families.
He said that the farm's management, staffed by 95 workers, plans to encourage farming families to invest more in the cultivation of
wheat, soybeans and beans, as they are high-yield crops.
In the province of Huambo, more than 600 hectares of land were cultivated for wheat production, with a harvest forecast of close to
600 tons, for the family sector, as well as the involvement of 437 business producers.
During his stay in the municipality of Bailundo, in the northern corridors of the province of Huambo, the Minister of Agriculture and
Forests led the opening ceremony of the first itinerant course on the representation and maintenance of agricultural equipment,
aimed at 60 agricultural technicians from the 11 municipalities of this region of the Central Plateau.
At another time, he distributed motor-cultivators and other agricultural instruments to the Mbalundo Kingdom cooperative, to
increase production and productivity, focusing on planting fruit trees and growing corn, beans and vegetables.
The government official's visit schedule to Huambo, which began on Sunday with an observation visit to the works of the future
Center for Bio-veterinary and Animal Vaccine Production, foresees, for Tuesday, a trip to the municipality of CaálaAngola needs to produce more than 600,000 tons of wheat.
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