Higher Education in Africa

While working in Africa I had numerous conversations with young people who were passionate about improving themselves but had no way to continue their education. By U.S. standards higher education costs in Ghana are modest, around $1,000. However, this is a truly unattainable number for somebody who makes $50 per month and has no access to loans. For this reason, there is a lack of university educated role models which is evident in the career aspirations of the primary school students. Most of the girls wanted to grow up to be a hairdresser or cook while the boys wanted to learn construction. They had little to no understanding of careers requiring education (as opposed to vocation).

This video is a great commentary on the situation of higher education in Africa.

Bringing Communications to Rural Africa

One of the things that struck me on our trip to Africa was the lack of access to quality sources of information. In the United States we take it for granted that we can buy a book, access a library, or get on the internet. When these things are missing or too expensive, it becomes very difficult to learn and make informed decisions. For example, in Ghana the average salary was about $50 - $100 per month. A newspaper cost $0.50 - $1.00 and to get on the internet to check email was easily $2.00 or more. Consider the choice you would make if a newspaper or the internet cost roughly one day's salary.

Inveneo is trying to solve this problem by bringing low cost communication technology to rural parts of Africa. Check out this CNN video on their efforts and follow the link to their website to donate.