CONTINENT NOIR SUPPORTS THE "TROPICS SUPPORT ALBINISM" CAMPAIGN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH "ANIDA FRANCE"
{Official Release} – In recent years people with albinism have become the victims of a macabre ‘black market’. Albino hands or legs are sold from five to twenty thousand dollars to be used as a talisman. And, since December 2006, more than 56 people have lost their lives and thousands of others have been mutilated.
The “Tropics Support Albinism” campaign is TROPICS MAGAZINE’s first of several planned albinism media awareness campaigns using the new and old media platforms to help broadcast a positive message that should help boost the self-esteem of the numerous victims of albinism attacks in Africa and around the world. Albinism is a rare group of genetic disorders that cause the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no color. Albinism is also associated with vision problems. According to the National Organization for Albinism and Hypo-pigmentation (NOAH), approximately one in 17,000 people have a form of albinism. While most people with albinism have very light skin and hair, not all do. Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) involves the eyes, hair and skin. Ocular albinism (OA), which is less common, involves primarily the eyes, while skin and hair may appear similar or slightly lighter than that of other family members. Previously, the UN human rights chief has condemned a recent spate of “horrific attacks” on people with albinism in Tanzania. “To mark its 4th year anniversary, Tropics Magazine is collaborating with some of the brightest and most creative minds to make the target audience acutely aware about these discriminations that bring shame to our continent. We count on the support of young people around this campaign that has just been launched online with the goal of ending the stigma associated with albinism,” said Venicia Guinot, Editor-in-Chief of TROPICS MAGAZINE. “The Tropics Support Albinism” campaign, created by the twice award-nominated global magazine, uses a comprehensive multimedia approach that will include online, television, radio, print and out-of-home advertising at a later stage. Ads will run in more than 30 countries worldwide for at least 12 months. Financial partners are invited to pledge their support to organizations such as ANIDA which are devoted to protecting people with albinism. ANIDA is a non-profit organization created in early 2011 and whose goal is to support medical and social needs that these people face in Africa. With ANIDA as a first partner, TROPICS MAGAZINE is determined to “Change the way the world reacts to albinism.” For more information, drop us a mail at [email protected] or kindly visit: TROPICS MAGAZINE: http://www.tropicsmag.wordpress.com ; ANIDA: http://www.anida.fr ; NOAH: http://www.albinism.org . |
CONTINENT NOIR SUPPORT CHARITY: WATER & SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS NOBLE CAUSE
In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which is unprotected and likely contaminated.
Time spent walking and resulting diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families. Along their long walk, they're subjected to a greater risk of harassment and sexual assault. With safe water nearby, women are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. charity: water focuses on life’s most basic need -- water. But to significantly cut down disease rates in the developing world, water is just the first step. Almost everywhere charity: water builds a freshwater well, we also require sanitation training. In some communities, we build latrines; at the very least, we promote simple hand-washing stations made with readily-available materials. Clean water can greatly alleviate the world’s disease burden, but only with education and hygienic practice. charity: water is committed to using water as a gateway to sanitary living. ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. "... Now, make a decision to help. We're not offering grand solutions and billion dollar schemes, but instead, simple things that work. Things like freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters. For about $30 a person, we know how to help millions." For more information or to pledge your support, go to http://www.charitywater.org |
CONTINENT NOIR SUPPORTS THE "BISILA BOKOKO AFRICAN LITERACY PROJECT" FOR BETTER EDUCATION IN AFRICA
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“With a book you are never alone!” Bisila is a person who travels often for work, and she always carries a book with her. Whether she is waiting in an airport, sitting on an airplane, alone in her hotel room, or eating by herself in a restaurant, she is always in good company with a good book.
Bisila Bokoko recently traveled to Africa (Ghana) for the first time. Like many who have gone before me, she fell in love with the people and place. Also like many who have gone before me, she returned home with a desire to help Africa grow and develop. As with any developing country there is a need to build schools, hospitals, and other areas of infrastructure. Ultimately she had chosen to help Ghana develop by supplying something that is very close to my heart: Books! "I have always loved to read, and books have introduced me to a world of new ideas and concepts. I would like to give the people of Ghana the gift of inspiration and new ideas as well. The impact that books can make in Africa is seen with William Kamkwamba of Mali." This young man’s family could not afford to continue to send him to school. However after reading a book about how windmills can be used to create energy, William Kamkwamba was inspired to build a windmill which created enough electricity to power his house and eventually his village. "I believe there are more young men and women like William Kamkwamba in Ghana, and I would like to supply them with books that can inspire them in similar ways. As a result of this, I have decided to start the Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project, with the goal of building libraries in Africa, with the first one in a town called Kokofu (in the Region of Kumasi in Ghana)." Why Kokofu? Because the Chief of Kokofu, Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II granted her the honor and the title of Queen Development Mother. With this title Chief Okogyeasuo II gave her a piece of land, where she decided to build the first library. The Chief also named her Nana Akwa Serwah. "I know that being an African born in Europe gives me the chance to have access to education and also, I grow up in a family environment where books and intellectual stimulation where extremely important for our personal development, therefore I would like to help others to achieve the same fortune." BBALP is a non-profit, non-partisan international organization headquartered in NY with subsidiaries in Ghana, France, and Spain. The BBALP’s mission is to promote literacy among the African people building well equipped, modern and sustainable efficient libraries in with the aim to share the gift of ideas and education with Africa. The Organization's Goals
For more information or to help the BBALP build more libraries, please visit the official website: http://bbalp.org |
CONTINENT NOIR SUPPORTS THE "HEART OF GOLD AFRICA FOUNDATION
Heart of Gold Africa was formed to assist the rural people of Africa in attaining information to fight the digital age and advocate for their fundamental rights and improve their health and socio-economic status. The organisation provides education and awareness using an integrated approach of communication.
Heart of Gold Africa organisation is very involved in helping the less fortunate. The foundation is affiliated with “suzan Mutesi Fashion House” a designer label of African inspiration. You can help by purchasing a dress as 10% of the money spent is given to the foundation.
To donate and support HOGA's actions in Africa, go to: http://suzanmutesi.com/donate/ |