Greetings contributors, readers, and all of those involved with ASAP Africa!

My name is Jimmy and I will be interning here for the next couple of years as part of my work for the Emory University MDP program, so I would like to take this opportunity to come out of the shadows and say hi.

Hi!

Although I don't know much about Zimbabwe, I am very eager to learn and excited to be a part of all the wonderful work being done by ASAP. Look to the blog regularly for updates about our programs and events as well as news from the field.

Until next time, here is a link to an interesting story from Guardian.co.uk about how two wheels changed a woman's life in Harare.

Enjoy!

Jimmy

ASAP Welcomes James Ramsey

Welcome to James Ramsey, who will be working with ASAP through the Master's in Development Practice (MDP) Program at Emory University. The MDP program combines hands-on learning and field experience with rigorous training in a broad range of academic disciplines with a goal of achieving sustainable development in the face of global poverty, political and ethnic conflict, a degrading natural resource base, and irreversible climate change. To read more about this program at Emory click here.

James Ramsey graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he studied International and Area studies with a concentration in East Asian Studies and Japanese language. After graduation, he first taught English in Akita, Japan through the JET program and then at the University of Oklahoma's CESL. James is currently an ESL teacher for Lutheran Services of Georgia, an organization offering resettlement services to refugees in the Atlanta area. He became interested in development during his time in Japan, where he did volunteer work for Room To Read - a non-profit that raises money to construct schools and provide scholarships for girls throughout Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While at Emory, James will be interning with ASAP Africa. His research interests include human rights, natural resource management, and education.

Heroes Day Celebration

Today, August 8th is Heroes Day in Zimbabwe. This holiday, similar to Veteran's Day here in the US, is the day celebrated to honor the heroes of the nation who have sacrificed their life or have done something great for the nation. To read more about the history of this holiday click here.

You can be an ASAP Hero! Click here to learn more.

Grant Announcement for Education in Zimbabwe

ASAP is proud to announce a new three year grant from the Flora Family Foundation to support the Improving Math Education in Primary School (IMEPS) project in Zimbabwe. Sixty one schools are involved in this project to improve math skills in the eastern district of Manicaland. To read more about this project click here.

The conditions in Zimbabwean schools are particularly challenging today, as teachers salaries are very low and wage negotiations have not produced the desired results. Following the latest increases, teachers now earn US$320, up from US$160 per month. During the last decade of economic collapse, communities have been paying teachers incentives to keep them motivated. The recent move by the Ministry of Education to stop these incentives have also had a negative impact. To read more click here.

Recently the Minister of Education in Zimbabwe, David Coltart, has stated that the West is partly to blame for the economic decline in Zimbabwe over the past decade. To read more click here.