AKDN / AKF INITIATIVES WORLDWIDE

Any Institutional activities in the world
Post Reply
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKF Supports the Global Compact on Learning

The Aga Khan Foundation is supporting the "Global Compact on Learning: Taking Action on Education in Developing Countries". From the event extract: "Children and youth all around the world are facing a serious learning crisis. Beyond the 67 million children who are not attending primary school in low-income countries, there are countless children who are going through five years of education without learning basic reading, writing and math skills. While there has been remarkable progress in getting more children into school during the past decade, much remains to be done to ensure that all children and youth can attain a quality education. Evidence shows that targeted attention to three priorities – early childhood development, literacy and numeracy in lower primary school and relevant learning for youth in post-primary school – could jumpstart global education development so that all children are prepared to lead safe, healthy and productive lives."

For more information, please see Brookings: http://www.brookings.edu/events/2011/06 ... mpact.aspx

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1067/AKF-Su ... n-Learning
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

US State of Illinois and the Ismaili Imamat Sign Cooperation Agreement

VIDEO:

http://www.theismaili.org/cms/1299/Vide ... f-Illinois

Please also see: Photographs

Chicago, Illinois, 4 November 2011 - Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois and His Highness the Aga Khan, the 49th hereditary Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims, who is also founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), today signed an historic agreement to expand collaboration in the areas of education, environmental stewardship and management, health sciences, library and information sciences, infrastructure development, agricultural sustainability and culture.

Governor Quinn remarked that the people of Illinois would contribute their “great skills and warm hearts” to fulfilling the mission of the AKDN which includes among other critical areas, early childhood education. He made the remarks during a signing ceremony, attended by representatives of the Government of Illinois, the University of Illinois, University of Chicago and Northwestern University.

"I think, over the years, we’ve seen, in the developing world, government fragility,” said His Highness the Aga Khan. “And where government is fragile, what sustains human development is civil society. In order to develop civil society in the countries in which we work, in Africa and Asia, we have to bring knowledge, because if we don’t bring knowledge to civil society it cannot fulfill its role."

The Aga Khan added, "The agreement we are signing today between the state of Illinois and the Network brings exactly that. It brings access to that knowledge.”

In its preamble, the agreement notes that the State and the Imamat share a commitment to confronting persistent, varied and large scale material poverty, recognizing it alongside education as one of the greatest challenges facing the global community. It further stipulates that Illinois and the AKDN will support partnerships between their respective educational institutions such as the University of Illinois and the Aga Khan University to address these challenges.

In the area of energy and environmental management, the agreement envisions partnerships through sharing in research and innovation in natural resource conservation and renewable and alternative energy initiatives. It also evokes the experience of Illinois and AKDN in the area of promoting agricultural sustainability, stipulating that the two partners will work together to share best practices and raise awareness of export-import opportunities in agribusiness, especially among small- and medium-sized enterprises in Illinois and their counterparts in sub-Saharan Africa and South and Central Asia.

Other areas of cooperation include media and communications and culture and environment. In recent years, Illinois museums and universities have hosted a series of AKDN exhibitions, lectures and concerts. The accord is designed to promote a better understanding and appreciation of Muslim civilisations and their historic, cultural and geographic diversity.

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1096
Last edited by kmaherali on Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:55 am, edited 1 time in total.
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Air Uganda to begin domestic flights
Publish Date: Nov 21, 2011

By Samuel Sanya

Air Uganda plans to start domestic flight services as the carrier marks four years of existence this month. Airline activity is picking up with the arrival of the major global players like Turkish, Delta and Qatar airlines at the Entebbe International Airport.

Kyle Haywood, the Air Uganda boss said plans were underway to acquire a new fleet of planes to explore the regional and national destinations in the next two years. He also revealed that the Aga Khan-owned airline has recorded a 17% increase in passenger traffic since its inception.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/30185-a ... ights.html
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AFR_2_women_and_microB

Two young women participate in a USAID-supported 2006 Girls Science Camp at the Kitogani School in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Zanzibar’s Ministry of Education and Vocational Training and USAID partner Aga Khan Foundation have partnered to boost student performance in science, math, and English. The effort focused on the students and teachers in the classroom, as well as the tools both groups needed, such as laboratory equipment and text books. Photo Credit: AKDN/Zahur Ramji.

Photo Credit: Zahur Ramji (AKDN)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usaid_images/6473679891/
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

High persistency takes JLI to the top
January 31, 2012 RECORDER REPORT 1 Comments Jubilee Life started operations in Pakistan in June 1996.

Effective 1 January 2003, The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) acquired the majority shares of the company.

Only recently, the company created a new brand identity as part of AKFED's efforts to consolidate its insurance initiatives across the world under a single brand "Jubilee Insurance".

Following is the excerpts of an interview with Javed Ahmed CEO Jubilee Life Insurance.

What more is Jubilee Life offering to differentiate itself from competitors?

Our key offering for individuals is our range of unit-linked products which offer both life insurance coverage and savings.

Jubilee Life at present does not market traditional products which some other companies do.

Compared to conventional products which accumulate bonuses during the policy term, unit-linked products are far more transparent for the customer in terms of benefits, returns and charges.

Under its unit-linked products, Jubilee Life offers a choice of 4 different funds, which function just like mutual funds with daily pricing mechanism.

Policyholders may choose any fund which suits their investment philosophy and needs.

They may even switch or split their funds later on.

In terms of customer services, I can proudly say that Jubilee Life has the best services in the industry.

In life insurance, a benchmark to gauge customer services is renewal persistency; ie if 100 people buy our policies how many of them will continue it in the next year.

In Pakistan the industry average is around 80 percent, our ratio at the moment is close to 90 percent so we are far superior to any other player in the market in that sense.

In unit-linked business, growth in unit prices or the 'return' is of significant importance.

Our funds have performed quite well and our growth rate (returns) over the past three to five years has been better than others.

We all know 2008 was a very difficult year for investment firms, mutual funds and insurance companies and almost all of them suffered losses on investments.

We too had losses but we were the first one to recover.

Generally, the share prices and the mutual fund unit prices went down by 30 percent to 40 percent.

During the same phase unit prices of our funds dropped by just 20 percent which we were able to recover within a few months.

Policyholders who did not panic and stayed with us are still benefiting from our superior returns.

I would add here, that there are companies which have still not recovered fully.


I believe that from customers' perspective, the product itself is nothing; it is actually the service and the value for money that the customers get.

In these two areas Jubilee Life is better than all other insurance companies in Pakistan.


As compared to the persistency of other developing country's what is the persistency of Jubilee Life?


As mentioned earlier, our persistency is now close to 90 percent.

As far as developed countries are concerned, 90 percent is considered a good benchmark.

Most of the industry members in Pakistan believed that such high persistency is not achievable, and these levels of persistency are found only in developed markets like US and UK Through our efforts, our servicing system and sales system, we have been able to achieve excellent persistency levels.


Do you believe that the worsening security situation of our country is the reason behind such high persistency? If this was the case, then the whole industry would have had high persistency; but the gap of 10 percent between Jubilee Life and others is significant.


Can it be due to the fact that State Life has a large share in the life insurance sector? You would be surprised to know that State Life does not have poor persistency.

It has better persistency than some of the private sector insurance companies.


Earlier we heard about crop and terrorism insurance, can you update us on it? Both of these terminologies primarily relate to non-life insurance; however terrorism is covered in life policies.

Life insurance companies do not charge any extra premiums to cover terrorism.

In non-life business, extra premiums are charged to cover terrorism since for them the risk is very significant.


Recently we saw an increase in life insurance sales.

Do you think the worsening security situation (Demand driven) is the main reason or the increase was due to marketing activities (Supply driven)? Traditionally, it is said that life insurance is always sold; it is never bought.

On one hand, security situation is poor and on the other hand public's awareness level for life insurance is also very low.

We hardly ever find a customer who approaches the company to purchase a policy.

In present times, Bancassurance is primary driver of growth in life insurance sales.

Due to a wide network of bank branches, this distribution channel has tremendously increased the reach for insurance companies.


More than 95 percent of population in Pakistan is Muslim.

Considering this and the success of Islamic banks, where do you think Islamic insurance stands? And what Shariah compliant products is Jubilee Life offering? Only a small portion of our population considers religious factors before buying insurance.

Most of the times, potential customers do not question insurance as being Islamic or un-Islamic.

Around four years back, we conducted a survey for micro insurance in a market segment which is generally believed to be more religiously inclined.

In that segment the ratio of people who said that they wouldn't purchase insurance because of religious reasons was only around five percent.


Having said that, it does not mean that there is no scope for Takaful.

Generally if people are getting an alternative which they believe is good then they will definitely be interested in it.

Existing Takaful Operators have had varied degrees of success in taping this segment.

Recently SECP has announced and circulated draft rules which will permit traditional insurance companies to operate Takaful window.

After evaluating various factors in light of the envisaged rules, Jubilee Life may consider engaging in this line of business as well.


Compared to previous year, Jubilee Life's net management expense to net premium ratio has slightly risen? Life insurance business typically has higher acquisition expenses and high volumes of new business usually result in an increased expense ratio.

However, our expenses ratio is very much in line with industry standards.


What is the market share of Jubilee Life right now? Companies' annual accounts for the year 2011 have not been published yet.

However, our performance has been superior and we expect to have registered a much higher increase in our topline compared to other companies.

The increase of Jubilee Life gross premiums is in the range of 40% to 45% compared to industry's expected growth of 25% to 30%.

This will increase Jubilee Life's market share significantly.


Do you think that State Life Insurance enjoys any kind of benefit that private insurance companies do not enjoy? No, I do not think there is any kind of benefit; it is a level playing field.

The share of State Life is high because it is has been working for a long time.

However, in the past few years, private sector companies have shown a steady growth and it is expected that in five years' time, private sector will capture a sizeable share of the market.


Is Jubilee Life coming up with new innovative products like micro insurance? Jubilee Life has been active in the field of micro-insurance for a number of years now and has a number of products which provide both life and health insurance covers.

The concept of micro-insurance is relatively new in Pakistan and has therefore taken us some time to understand the market dynamics.

Jubilee Life being pioneers of micro-insurance in Pakistan is now taking it to the next stage in terms of products offerings.

Micro-insurance serves the under privileged segment, which lacks awareness of insurance products and are difficult to convince on insurance benefits.

We are extending our reach to this segment through collaborations with microfinance banks and other NGOs working in this field.


Like microfinance banks, is the life insurance industry making any bureau through which information can be shared about customers' credit rating, etc? No, right now we do not have any such set-up for micro-insurance because Jubilee Life is the only life insurance company offering life & health insurance products for this segment.

We have an association 'Pakistan Insurance Association' which raises different issues with the concerned authorities and where all companies share their views on different matters.


Do you have any kind of partnership with any micro finance bank? Yes, we do have partnership with many micro finance banks/institutions.

Apart from life insurance benefits, we also offer health insurance to customers of microfinance banks/institutions.


Can you tell us the main growth driver of Jubilee Life? Over the years, Jubilee Life has strengthened its multi-distribution capabilities.

At present, Bancassurance is leading the growth in individual life insurance business.

Major portion of group insurance business is secured through our own sales teams; only a very small portion is secured through banking channel.


The global and local economy is slowly deteriorating, how do you see the coming times? Despite the local and global economic deterioration, I believe that there is immense potential for growth in life insurance business.

Robust growth has been seen in recent years and we expect that this growth momentum will continue in coming years.

The extremely low penetration of life insurance in Pakistan promises a bright future.


Group insurance business has a higher correlation with manufacturing and service segments of the economy and therefore is the most affected segment of our business.

Stagnation in entrepreneurial activity and slowdown of job creation process have dampened the growth of group insurance.

The non-life sector is also going through the exact situation where low economic activity has affected the growth in business.

However, the portion of group insurance business is only 20 percent of our total premium income; hence the effect of slowdown will not be significant.

http://www.brecorder.com/supplements/si ... 0/1148960/
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Hot with Aga Khan in Kenya

Post includes lots of pictures.

http://childrensafedrinkingwater.typepa ... .html#more

excerpt:
---
I’m in rural coastal Kenya with Aga Khan Foundation and their developmental effort called Coastal Rural Support Program (CRSP). I first visited them in 2003 and we’ve been working with them consistently since 2007 to provide clean drinking water. This Aga Khan Foundation’s development effort reaches deep into the rural areas of the Kalifi and Kwale Districts of coastal Kenya not far from Mombasa.
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

FRIGOKEN

Established in 1989 as a provider of premium quality products, Frigoken Ltd is a member of the Industrial Promotion Services (IPS) group of companies, which is in turn a member of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). AKFED is an international development agency that promotes private sector entrepreneurship in the developing world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia. AKFED is also affiliated to the Aga Khan Development Network, an organization dedicated to improving human living conditions, strengthening cultural foundations and promoting corporate social responsibility.
Currently Kenya's largest producer of processed vegetables, Frigoken's customers include a broad range of leading European companies, supermarket chains, as well as one of the largest vegetable processors in Europe.

Small Scale production: world-class support
Frigoken is a unique operation, delivering both commercial excellence and community benefit. Our 'out grower' force of 20,000 small-scale Kenyan farmers, cultivates a network of small, individually owned plots, throughout Kenya. They are supported, however, by the world-class infrastructure, technical expertise, global marketing strength and distribution networks of a major internationally focused company. The end result is a high quality, well presented, competitive, premium product...and a better tomorrow for Kenya's farmers.

http://www.frigoken.com/html/about.html
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Hyundai E&C wins US$250 mln power plant order SEOUL, Jan. 11

(Yonhap) -- Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., a South Korean industrial plant builder, said Wednesday it has clinched a US$250 million deal to build a power plant in Cote d'Ivoire.

Under the deal with Azito Energie S.A., Hyundai will build a 139 megawatt electricity power generation unit at an existing plant in the West African country. Construction is expected to be completed in 27 months.

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/busines ... 00320.HTML

******

A profile of the Azito Energie project in West Africa: Meeting Côte d'Ivoire's energy needs through private sector investment

The Azito project was AKFED's first investment in the power sector.Because the developing world needs more electricity, telephones, clean water and transport, governments are encouraging the private sector to take a role in providing these basic services. AKFED is responding to the challenge by creating infrastructure projects in telecommunications, water and sewerage and power generation. The Azito project is AKFED's first investment in the power sector. It was followed by various other energy projects in East and West Africa, as well as in Central Asia.

The Largest Private Sector Power Plant in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Azito power facility is the largest private sector power plant in sub-Saharan Africa, developed and operated by the Swiss/Swedish ABB, the French Electricité de France, and AKFED's venture capital arm in West Africa, Industrial Promotion Services. Azito is the largest gas-fired power station in West Africa. The 290 MegaWatt project, developed on a build-own-transfer basis, commenced electricity production in March 1999 and makes use of Côte d'Ivoire's supplies of natural gas.

Jim Wolfensohn, President of The World Bank, and Prince Rahim Aga Khan, Director of AKFED, chatted before the inauguration ceremony of the Azito Energie Project in 1999.The financing of this US$ 225 million private infrastructure project was provided by the shareholders and by way of loans from international and bilateral development agencies including International Finance Corporation (IFC), Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), African Development Bank (ADB), Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), and the German investment and development company (DEG) and commercial banks. The financing benefited from a Partial Risk Guarantee issued by the International Development Association (IDA) the soft-loan arm of The World Bank, the first guarantee of its kind.

Production contributes to more than 40% of Côte d'Ivoire's Electricity generation
Azito produces more than 40% of the Côte d'Ivoire's electricity generation and its production is principally exported to neighbouring countries. The Azito project is a good example of the relevance of private sector support in economic development, responding to the growing demand in the developing world for improved and reliable infrastructure services.

http://www.akdn.org/akfed_ips_azito.asp
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKFED to be involved in an airline partnership

Excerpt:

Air France (AF) has relaunched plans for a partnership in a new airline in the Ivory Coast, which would make it a regional hub.

The carrier, Air Côte d’Ivoire, could begin operations at the end of April with two leased Airbus A319s, La Tribune reported, citing AF CEO Alexandre de Juniac who was in the West African country last week to discuss the venture.

The Ivory Coast government would hold a 51% stake and the AF KLM Group would hold a 35% stake with partner Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development of the Ivory Coast. Local investors would hold the remaining 14% stake.

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-da ... ly+News%29
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Press ReleasesMarch 8, 2012

Aga Khan Development Network and the Japan International Cooperation Agency Deepen Partnership in Asia and Africa

http://www.jica.go.jp/english/news/pres ... 20308.html

*****
Aga Khan Development Network and the Japan International Cooperation Agency Deepen Partnership in Asia and Africa

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1119/Aga-Kh ... and-Africa
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Presentation in Paris: ‘Liberal Islam’ and Ismaili ethics in the 20th century Of ‘religious and social welfare’ of ‘the Community’ and ‘non-denominational’ development

An ethics of social commitment under the guidance of the Imam had been centrally important to the venture of ‘liberal Islam’ championed by the Ismaili Imamate from the late 19th century onwards and articulated through a wide spectrum of organisations. However, an emphasis on certain wider ‘non-denominational’ outreach critically distinguishes the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) from the early 20th century pre-AKDN organisations, as well as the contemporary community-specific bodies catering to the spiritual and material interests of ‘the (Ismaili) Community’. This presentation sheds light on the evolution of these two lines of religiously inspired social engagement and their wider implications.

http://sjpaderborn.wordpress.com/2012/0 ... d-non-den/
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKF a channel for the distribution of USDA international food assistance.

http://www.agrimarketing.com/s/74142

Excerpt:

Food for Progress: Fiscal Year 2012 Allocations

Country, Participant, Potential Beneficiaries, Estimated Value*
El Salvador, FINCA International, 270,000, $11,000,000

Guatemala, Counterpart International, 70,000, $7,500,000

Honduras, TechnoServe, 550,000, $12,000,000

Mali, Aga Khan Foundation, 710,000, $24,000,000
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Agakhan Foundation cited as an example of effective alternative for aid delivery

Excerpt:

Sometimes, large NGOs can supplement and substitute for ineffective governments. The Aga Khan Foundation, for example, has an impressive record in education projects throughout the Muslim world.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opi ... nt=2425337
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Patriarchate of Lisbon and Aga Khan Foundation Renew Partnership

Please also see: Prince Amyn Aga Khan's Remarks

http://www.akdn.org/Content/1133/Patria ... artnership

Lisbon, Portugal, 9th May 2012 – The Patriarchate of Lisbon and the Aga Khan Foundation today renewed a partnership agreement to improve the quality of life of marginalized groups in Greater Lisbon.

The agreement was signed by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, His Eminence Dom José Policarpo, and Prince Amyn Aga Khan, younger brother of His Highness the Aga Khan, and Director of the Aga Khan Foundation. The agreement will be implemented through the Urban Community Support Programme (UCSP) K’CIDADE, an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation, Portugal.

“The renewal of this partnership agreement represents yet another milestone in the long-standing relationship that the AKF and Aga Khan Development Network and indeed the Ismaili Imamat have enjoyed with the Patriarchate of Lisbon,” Prince Amyn said. “In determining the best way to alleviate social exclusion, we found that providing training and increasing the beneficiaries’ ability to help themselves is crucial in allowing those on the margins of society to break the vicious circle of poverty.”

The K’CIDADE programme strives to help improve the quality of life of marginalized groups (including cultural and ethnic minorities) in urban environments. Through support from the Ministry of Labor and Social Solidarity, the programme provides training and education for adults in a number of areas including literacy; the recognition, validation and certification of competencies; and community and family finance. In 2011, K’CIDADE benefitted almost 43,000 people.

The renewal of the partnership builds on an agreement between the Catholic Church and the Aga Khan Foundation which currently involves 20 entities that assist people facing serious issues of poverty and exclusion. The present agreement falls under the framework of the Protocol of Cooperation signed between the Government and the Ismaili Imamat in 2005 which established the groundwork for joint efforts to improve the quality of life of vulnerable populations in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking countries of Asia and Africa.

For more information about the Foundation's programmes in Portugal, please see: http://www.akdn.org/portugal
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Air Cote d’Ivoire Launching First Flight End Of July

Air Cote d’Ivoire, the airline created by the Cote d’Ivoire government in partnership with Air France, will launch its first flights by the end of July, an official source said Tuesday.

“The first flights will be undertaken by Airbus 352 planes that we will hire from a group recommended to us by Air France,” the head of the piloting committee Abdoulaye Coulibaly said at the sidelines of the signing of an agreement for the company’s creation.

The Cote d’Ivoire government has a majority stake of 51 percent, Air France has 20 percent and the Agha Khan Group 15 percent, with remaining shares distributed to other private partners.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v6/newsi ... ?id=666650
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Air France becomes a strategic partner of Air Côte d’Ivoire- AKFED collaboration

CAPA > Aviation News > Air France becomes a strategic partner of Air Côte d’Ivoire

17-May-12 11:09 AM

CAPA

Ivory Coast's Minister of Economy and Finance, Air France and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) signed (16-May-2012) a 'framework partnership agreement', a 'shareholders’ agreement' and articles of establishment to found Air Côte d’Ivoire. Initial capital was set at XOF2.5 billion (USD4.9 million) and will rise in the short term to XOF25 billion (USD48.6 million). Côte d’Ivoire contributed 65% of the initial capital, while 20% was contributed by Air France and 15% by Aérienne de Participation-Côte d’Ivoire, the airline holding company representing AKFED. The carrier has a strategic partnership agreement with Air France and the Aga Khan fund and will also benefit from cooperation with Air Burkina and Air Mali, which are part of the AKFED Group. The three African airlines will cooperate very close together "in order to build an economically viable long-term model” according to the Cote d'Ivoire government. René Décurey has been appointed as the airline’s CEO. The carrier plans to launch regional routes in Jul-2012 followed by domestic routes by the end of 2012. The carrier is presently recruiting flight and cabin crew. [more - original PR - Ministry of Economy and Finance] [more - original PR - France]

http://www.centreforaviation.com/news/a ... ire-155598
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Initiative saves lives of vulnerable women and children in the developing world
The Globe and Mail

Published Friday, Jun. 01 2012, 11:27 AM EDT

Last updated Monday, Jun. 04 2012, 3:32 PM EDT

Most people see the birth of a child as something to celebrate. But during a meeting with village leaders in Mali, Canadian Steve Mason learned that the arrival of a newborn in this poor African country can also be a time to mourn.

The community had always accepted that some women would die in childbirth, recalls Mr. Mason, regional CEO for West Africa at the Aga Khan Foundation, a non-profit international agency supporting social development programs in Asia and Africa. He says it was part of the culture that expectant mothers would make plans for their families in case they didn’t survive.

But Mr. Mason sees hope for these women.

“Maternal, newborn and child health is the cornerstone [of our health programming] because if that component is not addressed then there are massive repercussions,” says Mr. Mason. By heading a program focusing on the health of these vulnerable women and children, the Aga Khan Foundation aims to reverse the sobering statistics facing pregnant women and their unborn children in Mali – and in other parts of the developing world as well.

Nine mothers die for every 1,000 live births in Mali, according to the World Health Organization – deaths that can be attributed largely to lack of access to health services. It isn’t just mothers who are at risk; almost 100 of every 1,000 babies born in Mali will die before their first birthday.

The urgent problem of maternal, neonatal and child mortality isn’t unique to Mali. Globally, WHO estimates about 1,000 women die each day from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. WHO’s data on children is even more staggering: each year, 7.6 million children die before the age of five, with about 40 per cent of these deaths occurring in the first four weeks of life.

Rates of maternal, neonatal and child mortality are particularly high in rural communities of the developing world. For this reason, the Aga Khan Foundation Canada established a new $12-million Mother Care and Child Survival (MCCS) program with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The program focuses on remote areas in three of the world’s poorest countries: the Mopti region of Mali, Cabo Delgado in Mozambique and the province of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan.

Undertaken through the Government of Canada’s $2.85-billion Muskoka Initiative to address maternal, newborn and child health needs, the program aligns with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The goals include dramatic reductions not only in maternal and child deaths but also in incidences of malaria, HIV/AIDS and hunger – factors that are critical to the health of women and children in developing countries.

Over the next three years, the MCCS program is expected to reach over 300,000 women and close to 200,000 children in Mali, Mozambique and Pakistan. Through the program, field staff work with local health systems to expand access to health care, improve access to health-related communication technologies, and develop community knowledge and capacity that can help women and their families make better health care decisions.

In Mali, Mr. Mason and his team developed a system to bring services to the women, instead of forcing women to travel to larger population centres. Working with communities, they created “rural maternities” – tiny huts where local women are trained in all aspects of childbirth and delivery.

“They are responsible for identifying pregnant women, taking them through all the steps before they give birth, delivering the child and then looking after the health and well-being of the mother and newborn,” says Mr. Mason.

These local women are drawn from the community itself and are paid by the community and local overnment for their work, creating an element of sustainability, says Mr. Mason.

In addition to training new birth attendants, Mr. Mason says that the program also retrains traditional birth attendants, who have historically been a “much maligned” group because some of their birthing practices have been counterproductive to women’s and children’s health.

“I think our approach of retraining traditional birth attendants and putting them in support of these new midwives has given them a new pride and a new role in the community,” says Mr. Mason, regional CEO for West Africa, Aga Khan Foundation

The year before this project launched, 20 women in the three targeted Mopti communities had died in childbirth. In the three years following the creation of the rural maternities, not a single woman died while giving birth.

This novel approach is now being replicated in more than 100 other rural communities in Mali, all located more than five kilometres from the nearest health facilities.

There is a fundamental reason to emphasize maternal, neonatal and child health: these are intrinsic human rights for every woman, girl and child. But the health of individual women and children can also make a difference in their families and communities.

In many cultures, women not only tend to the children and the household, they’re also significant contributors to the family’s finances – and are sometimes the sole breadwinner – through micro-businesses or farming.

Healthy women who survive childbirth can be a strong driver in the development of their families and communities.

The same goes for children. As Mr. Mason says, the first five years of a child’s life are critical to their development over time.

“It’s of utmost importance that young children are in good health and have access to early childhood opportunities,” says Mr. Mason. “The children are the next generation. They’re the people who are going to take the country forward.”

This report was produced by RandallAnthony Communications Inc. (www.randallanthony.com) in conjunction with the advertising department of The Globe and Mail. Richard Deacon, National Business Development Manager, rdeacon@globeandmail.com.

ONLINE?

For more information, visit

akfc.ca.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/partners ... 223747.ece
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Photo:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3 ... 7107316514

Office of the Prime Minister of Kenya
Prime Minister Raila Odinga meets Mr. Aziz Bhaloo, Resident Representative from Aga Khan Development Network who paid him a courtesy call at his office along Harambee Avenue today.
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Reading for Children - From Asia to Africa
Tue, 2012-07-24 01:05 — admin

During a visit to the Aga Khan Foundation USA office, Kathy Bartlett and Caroline Arnold, co-directors of Education for Aga Khan Foundation in Geneva, spoke about the Reading for Children program. They discussed how the program spread from the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia to West Africa and how it exemplifies the Aga Khan Development Network’s approach to sustainable development. This is adapted from that conversation.


The Reading for Children program began in the Kyrgyz Republic with an aim to instill in children a love for books and enthusiasm for reading. It does this in three ways, by:
·increasing access to quality storybooks through mini-libraries;
·encouraging parents and other caregivers to read with their children; and
· nurturing Kyrgyz storytellers and engaging them in the publication of those books.

When Kyrgyzstan became independent of the Soviet Union in 1991, there were no Kyrgyz-language books for children. All books were in Russian. So we at Aga Khan Foundation focused on working with Kyrgyz authors and illustrators to produce story books in the local language in order to help preserve local cultures and make their stories meaningful to new readers.

In 2010, conflict along ethnic lines flared up in the Kyrgyz Republic reflecting deep-seated tensions. So we translated the story books into other local languages in addition to Kyrgyz, and we’ve created new titles that specifically address the issues of diversity and pluralism. Those publication lines will continue with funds from UNICEF. The Kyrgyz government bought thousands of these books and put them in schools across the country. (Earlier this year the U.S. Agency for International Development funded the reprinting of many of the books, described in this June 6 blog.)

In the Kyrgyz Republic, people got really excited about what they saw in children’s reading interest and the use of the mini-libraries. They made visits to the villages and saw the reading program at work. A number of colleagues from other countries said, “We’d like to take that idea and adapt it to our context.” With support from the Marshall Foundation and in collaboration with our rural development colleagues, we received a grant to test the mini-libraries as a pilot effort in India, and in Mali and Tajikistan.

From supporting 56 mini-libraries used by over 16,000 children in the Kyrgyz Republic, the program has spread elsewhere in Asia and to Africa. It is a good example of how communities get excited about an idea, and the process of how Aga Khan Foundation works with communities in choosing their priorities.

Now AKF has arranged funding for mini-libraries in Mali, which has a strong oral literature tradition but low reading capacities among students in primary school. In Mali the mini-libraries are connected to women’s literacy groups, to women’s garden farmers groups, to the local pre-schools. The program has also adapted traditional stories as books for new readers, including The Adventure of Soundjata, a central story in Malian culture.

In Mali the program established two dozen Reading for Children groups based in literacy classes, Early Childhood Development centers and women’s horticulture groups. More than 300 pre-school children and nearly 3,000 primary school children are benefiting from AKF’s activities, along with nearly 60 pre- and primary school teachers. According to program reports, the busiest time for the mini-libraries is July through October, before the rainy season when the crops demand attention.


For more about AKF USA’s work with Education, visit the website’s Education page.






The reading program in Mali taps into the country’s strong oral tradition, with classes based in literacy classes, Early Childhood Development centers and women’s horticulture groups.
Photo credit: © AKF / Lucas Cuerva Moura



Above: The Reading for Children program in the Kyrgyz Republic supports families reading together, including lending books from mini-libraries for use at home. Photo credit: © AKF / Thomas Kelly

http://www.partnershipsinaction.org/con ... sia-africa
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Aga Khan outfit in ‘life saving drive’

Saturday, 01 September 2012 08:52

By Sheilla Sezzy, The Citizen Correspondent
Mwanza. The Aga Khan Foundation yesterday began providing free medical services to Mwanza residents in a ‘life saving drive’ that targets to benefit over 1,500 people.

Working in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), the exercise offers services to patients who cannot afford the high cost of treatment in private hospitals.

The free treatment, according to Mr Karim Jamal, the chairman of the Aga Khan Foundation in Mwanza, will focus on both diagnosis and treatment of periodic and chronic diseases using modern equipment and a team of qualified doctors. “There are specific diseases that we will deal with in this two-day exercise.

Those who are yet to be cured, the process is underway to enable them to access treatment in hospitals which charge fairly,” he said.

Mr Jamal urged patients who would need intensive care to apply to the Aga Khan Board, which will assist them to get free services elsewhere.

He said the exercise would be progressive and will cover all regions after the Mwanza exercise.
“We have enough medicines for anyone who comes for this service. People are free to visit the centre and will be well treated,” he added.

Patients suffering diabetes pose a major challenge to the exercise, according to Mr Jamal. because “most of them visit hospitals when they are in a critical condition after seeking treatment from local healers.
When we fail to treat such patients, we advise them to seek proper treatment at the Bugando Referral Hospital,” he explained.

The ‘life saving’ exercise provides medical treatment to patients diagnosed suffering from malaria, diabetes, blood pressure and urinary tract infections (UTI).

http://thecitizen.co.tz/news/4-national ... drive.html
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Museveni commissions a plant developed by IPS subsidiary

Museveni commissions Nyagak hydropower plantPublish Date: Sep 14, 2012
The 3.5MW Nyagak hydropower station in Paidha.

By Vision Reporter

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commissioned the 3.5MW Nyagak hydropower station in Paidha, Zombo District. The occasion officially marks the onset of 24hour electricity supply to West Nile sub-region.

Developed by the West Nile Rural Electrification Company Ltd. (WENRECo) with the financial support from the World Bank and the German Government through its development bank, KfW, the Nyagak hydropower plant will be the principal source of power generation, substantially replacing thermal generation.

WENRECo, a subsidiary of Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), was awarded a 20 year licence to generate and provide electricity in the West Nile region in April 2003.

IPS is the infrastructure and industrial development arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Mahmood Ahmed, the AKDN Resident Representative in Uganda observed, “This is the result of close collaboration of development partners to overcome the challenges of providing clean, reliable and affordable electricity to rural populations and look forward to more rural electrification.”

WENRECo will therefore now, and in the immediate future, focus on increasing and extending access while improving the reliability of the grid.

“We expect that increased access to electricity will not only accelerate the economic growth of the West Nile region, but will also improve the quality of life for the people in the region by providing light for students to study by; refrigeration for vaccinations, access to clean water and new prospects for businesses and job creation,” said Nizar Juma, the Chairman of IPS.

Duve, Director of KfW Development Bank, explained: “KfW will continue to promote the West Nile Energy Sector with funding from Germany and the EU. We will support the Government of Uganda in extending distribution to Maracha, Koboko, Oraba, Pakwach, Yumbe and beyond. We will enable WENRECo to connect up to 6000 households with prepaid metres. In addition, KfW on behalf of the German Government is supporting the Government of Uganda in developing a second hydro power plant on the Nyagak river (Nyagak III, 4.4 MW) to ensure that West Nile’s increasing demand for electricity will be supplied by reliable, clean energy.”

Observing that the German Government has committed overall funding of around US$40m for the West Nile energy sector, the Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Uganda, Joachim Düster, further commented:

“Today, we can all be proud that thanks to the joint efforts by the Government of Uganda, the Government of Germany through KfW, and the Aga Khan Development Network through IPS and WENRECO, the people and businesses along the transmission lines in West Nile have electricity”.

The West Nile Rural Electrification project was the first African project to qualify for carbon financing under the World Bank’s Prototype Carbon Fund.

http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/635220- ... plant.html
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKDN collaborates in an exhibition project - Visionary Africa : ART at WORK

http://www.bozar.be/activity_world.php?id=12592&lng=en

Visionary Africa : ART at WORK
An itinerant platform in Africa
Kampala is the last city of this project. The exhibition is proposed for Sept. 19th - 14th Oct. 2012 at the Kampala Railway Station Gardens. This opportune timing encompasses other cultural events: the Bayimba Festival Sept 21st - 23rd, KLA ART 012 Oct. 7th - 14th, and the Uganda Jubilee celebrations of October 9th. The project will be realized in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Kampala City Authority Council, Bayimba Cultural Foundation, and Makarere University; the generous support of the European Commission; and the valuable collaboration of the Aga Khan Development Network and ArchiAfrika.
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKDN organizes regional health workshop

Share | |
French regional health workshop concludes


ISLAMABAD: French Ambassador Philippe Thiébaud concluded the Regional Health Programme Planning Workshop held in Islamabad.

It was funded by the French Foreign Affairs Ministry and organised by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for the crossborder regions of Afghanistan (Badakhstan), Pakistan (Chitral) and Tajikistan (Gorno-Badakhshan).

The financial commitment for this project was at least 2 million euros for a duration of four years (2012-2016). Health is one of France’s five priority sectors for development aid, commitment of the G8 countries and a pillar of the Millenium Development Goals, a statement issued said. France is highly committed to supporting children’s and women’s access to health in Pakistan, the region, and around the world, it added.

This crossborder project would enhance the capacity of health professionals and health facilities to plan and deliver essential maternal, neonatal and child health activities, as well as social mobilisation intended to increase knowledge and responsiveness of the communities on nutrition and other essential medical issues. The overall goal of the project aims at facilitating crossborder collaboration through systematic sharing of resources between the three countries and disseminating evidence of best practice in the delivery and assessment of essential health interventions. pr

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 012_pg7_30
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Routes 2012: Air Cote d’Ivoire prepares for launch

New African start-up Air Cote d’Ivoire has announced its initial network plans after the Abidjan-based carrier took delivery of its first aircraft earlier this month.

The new carrier, a joint venture between the government of the Ivory Coast, Air France and the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development says it plans to initially start operations from the end of October, at the start of the Northern Winter schedules.

The airline was originally planning to launch operations on regional routes in July 2012 before adding domestic links later in the year.

However, a delay in the pre-launch phase has meant that its first aircraft, an Airbus A319 leased from shareholder Air France, only arrived in Abidjan earlier this month.

This will be used for a period of crew training ahead of the inauguration of scheduled services next month.

In a presentation to the local market, Air Cote d’Ivoire has confirmed it will look to serve an initial seven international destinations comprising Accra, Ghana; Bamako, Mali; Conakry, Guinea; Cotonou, Benin; Dakar, Senegal; Lagos, Nigeria and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This will be supplemented by a domestic network covering Bouna, Bouaké, Bondoukou, Korhogo, Man, Odienné, San Pedro and Yamassoukoro.

Air Cote d’Ivoire was officially established in May this year after Air France, a strategic partner with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and the economic development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) signed a partnership framework agreement and a shareholders agreement for the creation of the airline.

The company is 65 per cent owned by the State of the Ivory Coast and 35 per cent by the Strategic Partner made up of Air France Finance (20 per cent) and Aérienne de Participation-Côte d’Ivoire (15 per cent), the airline holding company covered by Ivorian law and representing the AKFED.

It was initially formed with a capital investment of CFAF 2.5 billion, rising to CFAF 25 billion in the short-term.

Speaking at the time of the incorporation of the airline, general Abdoulaye Coulibaly, chairman of the steering committee said: “The president Alassane Ouattara has informed me a few months ago that the Ivorian people are eagerly awaiting the setting up of this airline.

“I am delighted and I think that thanks to Air Côte d’Ivoire, our country will regain its place as an airline in West Africa.

“I remain convinced that we have just created a viable and sustainable airline, and that especially at the outset, we will benefit from cooperation with Air Burkina and Air Mali from the AKFED Group, our partner.”

http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/ ... or-launch/
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Rural Development in Tanzania

The Coastal Rural Support Programme in Tanzania, or CRSP(T), is a multi-input area development programme of the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF). In collaboration with the government of Tanzania, under its MKUKUTA poverty alleviation programme, CRSP(T) takes a market development approach to support rural livelihoods and improve the quality of life through increased rural income.

The programme's overall goal is to improve the quality of life and social well-being of target communities in Lindi and Mtwara regions through sustainable socio-economic interventions in food security, income generation, health and education.The programme’s overall goal is to improve the quality of life and social well-being of target communities in Lindi and Mtwara regions through sustainable socio-economic interventions in food security, income generation, health and education. It works to build the capacity of local government staff, especially district agricultural officers and extension workers, to create sustainable systems for agricultural improvement in the regions. CRSP(T) builds upon the experiences and lessons learned from the Foundation’s programmes in Kenya and Mozambique as well as other AKDN rural support programmes in Asia and Africa.

More...

http://www.akdn.org/rural_development/tanzania.asp
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

France funds regional health programme planning workshop organized by the AKDN

ISLAMABAD - The French Ambassador to Pakistan, Philippe Thiébaud, closed the Regional Health Programme Planning Workshop held in Islamabad funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organized by the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for the cross-border regions of Afghanistan (Badakhstan), Pakistan (Chitral) and Tajikistan (Gorno-Badakhshan).

The financial commitment for this project amounts up to 2 millions Euros for a duration of 4 years (2012-2016).
Health is one of France’s five priority sectors for development aid, as well as commitment of the G8 countries and a pillar of the Millenium Development goals. In that regard, France is highly committed to supporting children’s and women’s access to health in Pakistan, the region, and around the world.
This cross-border project will enhance the capacity of health professionals and health facilities to plan and deliver essential maternal, neonatal and child health activities, as well as social mobilization intended to increase knowledge and responsiveness of the communities on nutrition and other essential medical issues.
The overall goal of the project aims at facilitating cross-border collaboration through systematic sharing of resources between the three countries and disseminating evidence of best-practice in the delivery and assessment of essential health interventions.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/09 ... -workshop/
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKF one of the collaboraters to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for children in Mali

In Mali, children are everyone's businessThe business community in Mali collaborates to reinforce community and government efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) for children

Excerpt:

It is in this context that a group of well-known companies in Mali, representing key industry sectors of the economy, have partnered with UNICEF, Save the Children and the Aga Khan Foundation to support the Government's efforts to achieve the Millenium Development Goals for children. The initiative, the Private Sector Platform for Children, will be launched in 2012. It has the aim of increasing the positive impact of companies' core activities on children's lives in Mali.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-b ... sfeed=true
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

Construction to commence to expand Globeleq's Cote d'Ivoire plant

LONDON, Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Globeleq Generation Limited (Globeleq), the emerging markets power company, announces the signature of financing for the 139 MW expansion of its existing 288 MW Azito gas-to-power plant near Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20040611/DAF004LOGO )

Construction is expected to commence shortly, and to be completed in just over two years. The project was financed on a limited recourse basis with 80% of the funding provided by lenders including the International Finance Corporation, European development finance institutions led by Proparco and BOAD, the West African development bank. The majority of the equity funds will be contributed by Globeleq and the remainder by its partner in the project, IPS (West Africa), a company majority owned by the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development. The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), a member of the World Bank Group will be providing equity insurance for Globeleq's investment.

"There has been excellent co-operation from all involved in both the private and public sectors to achieve financial close. Securing this milestone from the lenders, contractors and key participants, including the Government of Cote d'Ivoire, indicates their confidence in Globeleq, the stakeholders and the excellent operating record of the Azito facility," Globeleq's CEO, Mikael Karlsson observed. "This additional generation will provide much needed energy, a key driver in the development of the local economy and improvement in living standards of the people of Cote d'Ivoire."

The new technology to be installed at the 427 MW plant will not need to use any additional fuel and therefore will not create any further carbon emissions. Once operational, the additional electricity will be sold to the privately owned electricity company, CIE through a 20 year concession, making it one of the most affordable and efficient thermal generation facilities in the country.

Paul Kunert, Globeleq's Head of Business Development for Africa & Asia commented: "Azito already has an exceptionally dedicated and skilled operations and maintenance team. Earlier this year we appointed a construction manager to oversee the project through to completion. He is already engaging with the local supply chain and the EPC contractor to ensure that local people will have the best opportunities for recruitment and selection of suppliers." It is expected that more than 1,000 jobs will be created during construction.

About Globeleq Generation Limited
Globeleq, an Actis portfolio company, is an experienced operating power company, actively developing energy solutions for the emerging markets of Africa, the Americas. The company develops economically sustainable projects that support the continued development of the electric power sector in these regions. For more information go to www.globeleq.com


SOURCE Globeleq

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releas ... 89861.html
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKF in collaboration with Cargill in support of educational initiatives for farmers in Mozambique

Cargill Invests in the Next Generation of Farmers in Mozambique

Cargill has announced a U.S. $1.35 million, three-year partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to provide support for the Bilibiza Agriculture Institute (IABil) in order to enhance and expand educational possibilities for farmers in northern Mozambique

http://www.sys-con.com/node/2430084


*****

New Ivory Coast Air Cote d`Ivoire set to launch

West African Ivory Coast carrier Air Cote d`Ivoire is expected to launch operations from Abidjan (ABJ) Nov. 12, delayed from July.

The airline is a partnership with Air France (AF), the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) and the economic development agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (ATW Daily News, May 21).

The Ivory Coast government will retain a majority 51% stake in the new airline, AF will hold 20% and AKFED will hold 15% ownership. The remaining shares will be held by private Ivory Coast investors.

http://atwonline.com/airline-finance-da ... aunch-1105
kmaherali
Posts: 25106
Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2003 3:01 pm

Post by kmaherali »

AKDN embarks on wellness plan for staff of its institutions
Sunday, 25 November 2012 11:19

By Abela Msikula
The Citizen Correspondent
Dar es Salaam. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) has offered intensive training to workers of its institutions to equip them with knowledge and skills for implementing wellness programmes.The programme manager of AKDN, Mr Joshua Ongwae, said the network valued the critical role that its employees played, and that is why it viewed their health as a priority.

“If employees are healthy, they become more productive and they offer better services. It is against this background that the AKDN has initiated a wellness programme to address the impact of HIV/Aids and other illnesses,” he said.
He explained that the AKDN’s workplace wellness programme encouraged employees to take steps to prevent the onset or worsening of a health condition, combat unhealthy behaviours and habits as well as promote adoption of healthy lifestyles.

The programme also addresses financial management practices in order to deal with the problem of ill-health at workplaces. Mr Ongwae added: “The AKDN recognises that our world is affected by communicable and non-communicable diseases through the loss of skills and experienced workers and how it affects productivity.” Giving certificates to participants, the management and programmes liaison officer, Mr Navroz Lakhani, said apart from social and financial matters, the AKDN also deals with economic issues.

“We have introduced village community bank (Vicoba) services in many areas so that people can benefit from their money through accumulation… we have also helped more than 50 farmers in southern Tanzania by supplying them with seeds and training them in modern farming,” he added.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites

http://thecitizen.co.tz/news/4-national ... tions.html
Post Reply