SDG Workshop in Somalia by the AYC

We kicked off the year 2016 with the African Youth Corner (AYC) team in Somalia hosting a huge workshop to sensitize citizens of the country about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The seventeen UN SDGs adopted by member nations on the 25th of September 2015 are to be achieved by the end of 2030.

It is the duty of every individual to see to their actualization. Everyone has got a part to play.

AYC Somalia Member, Ridwan Yusuf facilitating a session

Cross section of male participants

Cross section of female participants

Huge appreciation to the AYC Somalia Team – Abas Mohamed and Ridwan Yusuf – for putting the workshop together and facilitating it.

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What You Need to Know About the Lassa Fever

As Nigeria still celebrate overcoming the deadly Ebola virus, another disease has broken out. Lassa fever also known as Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The virus which was first described in Borno, Northeast Nigeria has been  known clinically for over a decade, but had not been connected with a viral pathogen. Lassa virus is transmitted by rodents (mouse or rat). The virus is probably transmitted by contact with the faeces or urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences.

While most humans are infected either from contact with an infected rat or inhalation of air contaminated with rat excretions, like other hemorrhagic fevers , Lassa fever can be transmitted directly from one human to another. It can be contracted through direct contact with infected human blood excretions and secretions, including through sexual contact. No evidence of airborne transmission person-to-person is seen. Transmission through breast milk has also been observed.

Common Symptoms of the Lassa Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting (with blood)
• Diarrhea (with blood)
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Hepatitis
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Seizures

Lassa fever infections are difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and Marburg, and from more common febrile illnesses such as malaria.

Curbing the Lassa Fever

The most effective way to curb the Lassa Fever is to prevent its spread by rats. Keeping rats out of the house and food supplies can be achieved by maintaining effective personal and environmental hygiene. The biological method of using cats to eat up rats may not be advisable as the effect of the virus on cats may be far worst and the spread rapid. Health workers attending to infected persons should be properly covered to avoid contact with any body fluid.

As of the moment, there is no known cure to the Lassa Fever.

Great African: Strive Masiyiwa

Ever heard the name Strive Masiyiwa? The AYC is proud to celebrate him as her first Great African.

Strive Masiyiwa is an African, Entrepreneur, Businessman and Philanthropist from Zimbabwe. Born on the 29th of January 1961 in his home country, Strive attended primary school in Zambia before completing his secondary education in Scotland. He studied Electrical Engineering and obtained a degree from the University of Wales.

He is the founder and executive chairman of the diversified Econet wireless. After being away from Zimbabwe for seventeen years, Strive returned and worked briefly as a Telecom Engineer for the state owned telephone company. One of Masiyiwa’s most successful ventures is the London-based privately held Liquid Telecom Group , Africa’s largest satellite and fibre optic business spanning over 14 countries. Other activities of Econet include enterprise networks, financial services, renewable energy, and solar-powered solutions (Solarway Industries).

Strive has influence both in Africa and beyond. He serves on the boards of some global organisations, including The Rockefeller Foundation , US Council on Foreign Relations International Advisory Board, the Asia Society , the Africa Progress Panel (APP), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), The Micronutrient Initiative of Canada, Grow Africa, The African Union ‘s (AU) EBOLA Fund, Morehouse College Board, and The Pan African Strategic Institute. Masiyiwa also sits on two United Nations Advisory Panels and is the only African member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Committee on Conscience.

An active philanthropist, Strive supports a diverse range of health issues including campaigns against HIV/AIDS, Cervical Cancer, malnutrition, and more recently EBOLA. He is an avid environmentalist and together with Sir Richard Branson founded the environmental group, the Carbon War Room. He took over, from former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, the chairmanship of AGRA, an organisation that supports Africa’s smallholder farmers. He is also co-Chair of Grow Africa, the investment forum for Africa’s agriculture, which has helped mobilise over US $15 billion in investments for African agriculture. His family foundations support and educate more than 40,000 children. Masiyiwa is also a member of the Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, initiative known as the Giving Pledge.

Strive has received multiple honours and awards for excellence in business and humanitarian services. He is married to Tsitsi Masiyiwa and they have six children.

Reference: Wikipedia