ZAMBIA: Helping Children Learn to Read from the Ground Up

November 28, 2012

2 min read

In Zambia, Ministry of Education officials partnered with USAID through the Read To Succeed Project to increase parental and community involvement in school activities. Hands-on involvement by parents and community members, in partnership with school efforts, nurtures innovation, resulting in improved reading skills among students.

Read to Succeed’s work plan validation workshop held last August gathered Ministry of Education teams from provincial and district offices, head teachers, and representatives from Parent Teacher Associations. For the first time in the history of provincial and district planning meetings, parents were given an opportunity and a platform to define their role. Parents committed to volunteer in tasks ranging from monitoring a teacher’s time on task in school to following up on learner assessment results to ensuring students maintain regular attendance to gathering children in “insaka’’ (traditional shelters) to do homework during weekends and read together, further supporting literacy.

The workshop prioritized community engagement, ensuring that all activities for improving learner performance in reading engendered genuine grassroots support from the local community. Ministry officials welcomed parents’ insight at such a technical meeting. Parents engaged with the officials from the Ministry of Education to share ideas about workable approaches and solutions to common challenges. For their part, the parents were very happy to see that their contributions were acknowledged and integrated into a supplementary work plan for Read To Succeed. All stakeholders arrived at a shared understanding that building trust and common purpose is essential to improving learner achievements in schools.

Promoting Local Solutions to Key Education Problems

In Zambia, many teachers express the belief that reading can only be taught using professionally printed reading resources. Shandele Mwanamukuni, a retired District Education Board Secretary for Namwala District, now with USAID’s Read to Succeed Project implemented by Creative, is challenging this kind of thinking. Shandele has developed his own kit for teaching reading using readily available local materials. This locally developed reading kit was presented to over 200 Students at Mongu College of Education. The students were intrigued by the initiative and asked Read to Succeed to visit the college to formally share the approach. After the presentation, students at the college arranged to meet with the Read to Succeed staff privately to receive orientation on the locally-made reading kit and learn how to make their own reading resources as they prepare for their own teaching careers.

MALAWI: Rural School Gets Boost from U.S. Ambassador’s Visit

November 28, 2012

2 min read

Situated in a rural part of Ntchisi district, Mpherere Primary School seldom receives visitors from the capital. Recently though, the Mpherere school community welcomed the American Ambassador to Malawi, Ms. Jeanine Jackson and USAID Mission Director, Doug Arbuckle. Both of whom embraced the special opportunity to witness the impact of USAID’s Malawi Teacher Professional Development Support (MTPDS) project at Mpherere Primary School.

Upon their arrival, teachers, students, parents, MTPDS staff and Ntchisi District officials greeted the Ambassador and Mission Director. As a result of the project, program staff and government officials have seen tangible progress from the “Foundations to Reading” intervention, which translates to Chichewa as “Maziko a Kuwerenga.” Ambassador Jackson visited a class where the letter “z” was being introduced to students using the methods and learning materials provided by the MTPDS program, giving her an intimate perspective into project activities.

Throughout the lesson, the children ably demonstrated the reading and writing skills that they had mastered after less than half a year of schooling. After the lesson, children as young as seven were selected from standard 2 classes and read passages from texts designed for pupils in classes as high as standard 8. The concentrated look on each learner’s face throughout the presentation attested to its genuine nature, as did the random selection of reading passages. In Malawi, only about half of students who enroll in grade 1 complete primary education. The reasons for this poor retention rate of course are many, though a lack of eagerness by students to learn is not one of them. Enrollment in schools is bursting at the seams despite a limited number of teachers who are available and qualified to teach. The Ambassador sincerely thanked the teacher Mrs. Alice Kamzoole and her colleagues for their excellent work, recognizing early reading as “the key to development in Malawi.”

At the Teacher Development Centre, Ambassador engaged with the School Management Committee, local leaders, and parents and teachers from Mpherere School and neighboring schools. Community stakeholders shared their appreciation for the program and willingness to invest their efforts to support its mission.

Through the MTPDS project, the Malawi Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology works in partnership with USAID to realize its plans to implement a new primary education curriculum focused on learning outcomes, focusing on basic reading skills improvement in grades 1–4 and conducting a nationally representative, baseline survey of reading skills. To achieve these outcomes, the Ministry of Education will add 4,000 qualified teachers to the education workforce on an annual basis throughout the project’s three year tenure.

Having witnessed firsthand this program’s success, Ambassador Jackson expressed her thanks to the community and the American government’s intention to continue to support such early literacy initiatives. As she departed, the Ambassador joined in dancing with women from the local community and ensured stakeholders that she would share the program’s success with the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology and USAID headquarters.

LIBYA: Integrating Libyan Women into the Democratic Process

November 28, 2012

1 min read

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

LIBYA:

Integrating Libyan Women into the Democratic Process

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]In the wake of the overthrow of the Ghadafi regime, Libyans are making their transition to a more participatory form of government. Fully integrating women into the new democratic process is essential to sure that democracy is inclusive and sustainable. Funded through a grant from the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)/Community Driven Grants Program (CDGP), the Institute Supporting Women’s Participation in the Decision Making Process is playing a critical role in supporting women’s involvement in the political process through its awareness raising activities.

At the request of numerous women of the community, the local council of the Sabri District in Benghazi invited the Institute to conduct an Election and Constitution Awareness Raising town hall campaign. Twenty women participated in the campaign. The event featured a comprehensive explanation of the upcoming election process and a broad overview of the elected National Congress, the legislative body responsible for appointing the committee to draft Libya’s constitution and for setting in place a transitional government until a constitutional referendum occurs.

The women in attendance actively voiced their expectations for transparency and good governance among elected officials.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/12″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-primary”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

From Humble Beginnings…to the 2012 Washington Business Hall of Fame!

November 20, 2012

1 min read

*The Washington Business Hall of Fame Dinner was held on December 4 in Washington, DC. Click here to see photos of the event from K Street Magazine!

Thirty-five years ago, at the inception of Creative Associates International, Charito Kruvant and her three female business partners had the tenacity, ambition, and, most importantly, the vision for the company they wanted to build to support people around the world to realize the positive change they seek. Today, with experience in over eighty countries, the Creative team continues to carry out this vision.

In 1998, The Washingtonian, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and Junior Achievement of Greater Washington founded the Washington Business Hall of Fame, a partnership of leading organizations committed to financial literacy and work readiness throughout the Washington area. Creative is proud to announce Charito as one of the five 2012 Laureates! On December 4, the Washington Business Hall of Fame will honor this year’s honorees and Junior Achievement students. The awards ceremony benefits Junior Achievement, an organization dedicated to teaching youth personal finance and career education skills. In 2012, 50,000 area students benefited from these programs.

Creative is honored and humbled to have its President and CEO recognized by an organization of its peers so clearly aligned with the Creative mission.

Congratulations Charito!

For additional information on the event and how to support, please visit: www.WashingtonBusinessHallofFame.org.

It’s International Education Week!

November 13, 2012

1 min read

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Alexandra Barnett (Washington, DC)

Creative President and CEO, Charito Kruvant, speaks to NEI staff in Nigeria — PHOTO BY: JILL MEEKS

Happy International Education Week 2012! Creative is proud to work hand in hand with USAID, international government ministries, the private sector, school administrators, teachers and students to help build the foundation for learning in 13 countries around the globe. Specializing in conflict and post-conflict environments, Creative’s education work focuses on early grade reading, curriculum development, integrating technology into the classroom, building the capacity of teachers and school administrators, and improving literacy, So how are we celebrating International Education Week this year? Creative’s President and CEO, Charito Kruvant, is kicking off the week with our team in Bauchi, Nigeria where she is speaking to staff of the USAID/Creative Nigeria Education Initiative (NEI) to better understand how they are working to enhance learning in the classrooms throughout the country.

Check back with us each day this week for information on events and activities happening throughout our projects as we celebrate International Education Week around the globe![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Opinion: All I want for Christmas is…

November 9, 2012

2 min read

Op-Ed Contributor (Washington, DC)

Now that the Presidential election has been decided with the reelection of President Obama, and both houses of Congress support foreign assistance—even when they say they do not—the second term offers the opportunity for turning the page on how foreign aid is formulated and delivered effectively. While Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan are likely to diminish as the cash cows of American policy, the Arab Spring and Syrian uprising have put the Middle East and North Africa back in the spotlight of foreign policy, along with emerging threats and opportunities in Sub-Sahara Africa. So, how should we react and what should we do? What follows is my stocking list. (more…)

USAID Launches New Youth in Development Policy!

November 9, 2012

2 min read

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Magdalena Fulton (Washington, DC)

Photo by: David Medina, Alianza Joven Honduras

Building on USAID’s decades of experience working with young people, this policy provides guidance on pursuing smarter, more innovative, and more cost effective approaches to empowering youth to contribute to and benefit from their countries’ development efforts. The policy is closely aligns with Creative’s mission and vision of accelerating economic growth, strengthening societies, and responding to the needs and aspirations of people everywhere, especially young people. (more…)

Exciting Advances in Mobile

October 19, 2012

3 min read

Jacqui Deelstra (Washington, DC)

IMGI0729_EDIT — PHOTO BY: GARRETT MCINDOE

In International Development the letter “m,” short for “mobile,” has been popping up everywhere. There is mEducation, mAgriculture, and mHealth, just to name a few. Creative has also recognized the important role that mobile phones can play in development by connecting people to important information and resources that can dramatically improve their economic opportunities and allow them to be more active, knowledgeable and empowered citizens.

Here are a few areas that Creative is especially excited about:

(more…)

Securing the Arab Spring’s Elections

October 10, 2012

2 min read

Patrick W. Quirk (Washington, DC)

Creative’s Conflict Management and Electoral Security Team Gleans Insights from Across the Globe Relevant to Upcoming Polls

Over the last year in what has been termed the “Arab Spring,” the collapse of long-standing regimes in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Libya has created space for political contestation that citizens in these countries had never before experienced.

Having demonstrated their strength through actions on the street, citizens shifted to establishing institutions of government that reflect the popular will and cultural contours of their polities. Through concerted action and collaboration within and across state- and non-state sectors, much has been achieved.

The people of Egypt and Libya determined that elections were to be their chosen instrument for determining governance and, for the first time in decades, participated in largely open and fair elections. Individuals and political parties alike campaigned for votes.

The citizens of the Arab Spring look to electoral processes as crucial to legitimizing government, promoting accountability and good governance, as well as contributing to national stability. While elections can serve these needs if administered impartially and in a peaceful environment, they can also de-stabilize nations and de-legitimize governments if mired in conflict and violence.

What is more, the potential for violence can keep citizens away from the polls and deter candidates from openly campaigning. Recent events in Libya and other countries evidence that, despite forward progress and remarkable gains across the Arab world, these processes and ongoing transitions remain fragile. This has particular implications for other countries in the MENA region slated to hold elections in the coming months—should upcoming polls experience conflict and violence, transitions risk being de-railed and the legitimacy of governments questioned. (more…)

Libyans Unite Against Breast Cancer

October 4, 2012

1 min read

Elisabeth Bond (Washington, DC)

Breast cancer day in Libya 2012.

For the first time since their 2011 revolution, Libyans took to the streets to celebrate something other than their newly-found political liberty.

On Monday, October 1, hundreds of Libyans marked the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by marching three kilometers through Benghazi in a sea of pink. Holding signs and singing songs, women and activists spread awareness for the widely misunderstood disease.

Dr. Rehab Shembesh, a clinical oncologist and co-founder of The Cure Foundation Libya, explained that many cancer patients feel embarrassment and fail to seek treatment for their ailments due to poor societal acceptance of the disease.

To motivate onlookers and participants into action, the Breast Cancer Awareness March concluded with a spectacularly pink fireworks display. Monday’s event was the first large-scale public awareness campaign for cancer in Libya, and it marked the beginning of a month-long campaign of television and radio public service announcements, pink storefronts in Benghazi’s business district, and educational visits to universities, women’s health clubs, and mosques.

The Breast Cancer Awareness March was hosted by six local civil society organizations, including two organizations funded by Creative’s Libya Community Driven Grants Program (CDGP) – The Cure Foundation Libya and Ayadina Association for Societal Solidarity. Libya CDGP is funded by the US Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI).

Elisabeth Bond, Creative CDGP Technical Manager, Communities in Transition Division

IN MEMORY OF A LEADER AND A FRIEND

September 14, 2012

2 min read

Alexandra Barnett (Washington, DC)

The attack earlier this week on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, and the violence that has since surged, primarily targeting embassies throughout the Muslim world, is sobering.

Ambassador Stevens was a friend to the Libyan people who was steadfast in his support of Libya’s transition to democracy. The deaths of Ambassador Stevens and three of his staff have sparked an outcry among those working to support peace throughout the world.

Creative and our partners will continue to work towards building a new and better Libya, one that meets the dreams and aspirations of the majority of Libyans. Such a vision seems more challenging now, making our work now more important than ever.

The press release below, written by Maan Nabneeha Movement, a Libyan civil society organization focused on elections and women’s participation in government, captures their sentiment as the Libyan people face yet another obstacle on the path to freedom and tolerance.

In memory of Ambassador Chris Stevens — Ambassador Stevens speaks with a representative from Maan Nabneeha Movement in Tripoli during the launch of Creative/Microsoft Public Private Partnership, funded by the US State Department/Middle East Partnership Initiative. June 2012

PRESS RELEASE
Maan Nabneeha Movement
Tripoli, Libya

“I consider myself lucky to participate in this amazing period of change and hope in Libya.”
– Ambassador Chris Stevens

Those were the last words of a great friend for Libyans, Ambassador Chris Stevens; he was a friend more than just an Ambassador. We felt grief on the tragedy of Mr. Ambassador Chris Stevens’ death; we condemn this barbaric action which does not represent us Libyans and Muslims. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

The news of Mr. Ambassador Chris Stevens’ death awakened us Libyans, to danger of those irresponsible and fanatic elements who are threatening our freedom, democracy and stability of our country. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to courage; now we are more determined to rebuild new civilized democratic Libya; we promise, we will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.

We will not forget you Mr. Ambassador, Chris Stevens, and you will always be there in our hearts and minds.

The Maan Nabneeha Movement is a Libyan civil society organization working to support women candidates in the National Assembly elections, and support and encourage women voters.

FGM Libya — Photo courtesy of Free Generation Movement, Libya

Message from Our President on the Events in Libya and Egypt

September 12, 2012

1 min read

M. Charito Kruvant (Washington, DC)

The events of the past two days in Egypt and now Libya in the news are sobering. Our sympathy and support go to our partners who serve the United States in our embassies abroad. Creative extends our deepest condolences to the families of the victims in Libya.

As a community, we value the commitment to the greater good we share and work every day to achieve. Creative’s Mission and Core Values are what give us the foresight and strength to persevere at difficult times.

Peace,