Support for Africa education from MyKnowledgeMap

York-based learning development specialist MyKnowledgeMap (MKM) has produced a film on the work of the independent charity, African Children’s Educational Trust (A-CET).

Narrated by acclaimed BBC broadcaster and journalist Martha Kearney, ‘Giving Children A Second Thought’ highlights how A-CET has helped to transform the lives of young people in Ethiopia and Sierra Leone by helping them pursue and continue their education.

The UK-based charity provides financial assistance, scholarships, clothing, tools and books and works to help local communities build and equip schools.

MKM is a specialist in the development of bespoke and standard learning environments and platforms. The company's products range from tools to build users' own e-learning to custom content for specific lessons or projects.

The company has been supporting A-CET since 2005 after managing director Rob Arntsen watched Birhan Woldu, the ‘miracle girl’ who defied death in the Great 1984 Ethiopian Famine and A-CET’s ‘star student’, step on to the stage at the televised Live8 event.

"We were fortunate to find, in A-CET, an organisation of a similar profile to ours, and a cause related to the field of education," says Arntsen.

"Corporate social responsibility has always been a core value but is an aspiration that can be difficult to achieve for a young, busy and growing company. By focussing on our strengths and what we had to offer, we established a natural fit with A-CET."

Working through local organisations, A-CET now supports over 2,000 youngsters with scholarships, two rural elementary schools and computer training centres for girls.

Copies of the DVD-format film are being distributed to donors and used to support project funding proposals and charity competition entries.

The film is also due to be screened at the Royal Geographical Society in London and at an International Seminar in Luxembourg of the Global Issues Network, presented by Sammy Ayalew - one of the many young Ethiopian youngsters that A-CET has helped to gain an education.

Says A-CET CEO, David Stables: "Since we started operating in Ethiopia, national attendance at Primary Schools has risen from 25 per cent to over 60 per cent and we are happy to support the government in this initiative.

"This has left some primary schools very basic and poorly equipped, some are just walls and a roof with the children sitting on stones, A-CET is able to help upgrade these facilities.

"This film is a much welcome tool for communicating our needs and aims. MyKnowledgeMap is effectively putting us on the map."

Further information at www.myknowledgemap.com and www.a-cet.org.uk

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