I Am Because We Are

I feel proud of the fact that Silent River Kung Fu supports, through fundraising, the Atsikan Pa Alendo - Malawi Girls on the Move project, AND pays for the education of three students at this secondary school for girls in the poorest and most AIDS-devasted country in Africa. The project stands for things that I really believe in - that education is empowering, and the key to world peace; that people in these struggling countries do not want help in the form of us telling them what to do, how to think, who to follow, because we have done enough of that in the past and it has only resulted in their suffering; that the citizens themselves are the best candidates for leading their country and rebuilding; and finally, that it is the females that we should help to empower first, because they are the one's that are most likely to bring about the first seeds of change for a better future in their country. Greg Mortenson, who builds schools in Pakistan and Afhganistan has said, "There is an African proverb I learned as a child in Tanzania, 'If you educate a boy you educate an individual. But if you educate a girl you educate a community'. He refers to the fact that educated females have a direct impact on the economy, health, and the social institutions of their community. Educated women tend to contribute to income growth and farm productivity. They have less children; infant mortality and maternal mortality drops, as does domestic violence when women are empowered by education. Children are healthier. Educated women are more likely to insist on educating their children, becoming involved in the local politics, and having more democratic, less corrupt social institutions within their community.

I've just finished watching a documentary on Malawi, written, produced and narrated by none other than the mega-pop phenom, MADONNA. This documentary has got to be the most amazing piece of work Madonna has produced, and its amazing by any standard. I think that everyone who supports the Malawi Girls on the Move, or participates in UBBT7 should watch it. Its called 'I Am Because We Are'. Be prepared to be educated, moved, and to weep.

Claire Finnamore
Student Member, Silent River Kung Fu