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STUDENTS IN EUROPE HELP STUDENTS IN AFRICA
Through a unique humanitarian aid campaign students allover the
world are learning about the circumstances of their African counterparts
that are living in mine infested regions in their countries torn
apart by previous civil wars. Here the opportunity arises to manifest
a peaceful world through games of interrelation of first-hand information,
contacts to schools in Africa and engagements in practical aid campaigns.
The fact that mines cause horrible accidents long after the end
of armed conflicts has been long known, at least since Princess
Diana's photojournalism trip through Angola a few years back. But
the fact that the insidious weapon called "landmine" has
been destroying entire educational and training infrastructures
of a country has been largely unknown. Mined roads are almost always
roads to school as well, and when children and youth can't go to
school hope for a better future of an entire continent can die.
Mines and illiteracy - or in a more positive light - humanitarian
de-mining and education are directly related.
Education and training is still the best insurance against hunger,
misery, violence and terrorism. The first and most important step
towards autonomy and sustainability in global countries ravaged
by wars is the clearing and destruction of the "hidden killers";
the re-establishment of mine infested infrastructures. When parents
can risk sending their children and youth to school without having
to worry about their lives or health, peace can start to blossom.
In order to achieve peace in the future, students need the chance
to educate themselves and participate in peace promoting processes.
The MgM aid campaign "Students help Students in Africa"
will not only give students insight into the history and social
and economic effects of armed conflicts, by not insisting on dry
or vague theories, but will stimulate active participation in concrete
conflict solving accomplishments.
Against the background of the ever-present danger of mines in former
civil war torn nations of Africa, with large numbers of victims
being children and youth, students allover Germany are promoting
practical aid projects like adopting a road to schools without mines,
the training and deployment of a mine detection dog or similar manageable
micro projects.
Here the students are exercising their creative energies and visions:
benefit events of all different types, donation runs, concerts,
photography and painting competitions and exhibitions are finding
sponsors through families and local neighbourhoods of schools.
The collection of small and even the smallest of donations are contributing
for class or school wide aid campaigns, whose process and success
can be introduced, documented and followed through the Internet.
A number of celebrities,
actors, musicians and artists have given the project their support.
Interested students, student bodies and teachers will find all necessary
information and materials needed for participation here, just in
time for the start of the campaign.
Info materials can already be ordered. We are
ready to answer your questions by email:
waystoschool@mgm.org
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