Welcome to our newsletter with updates the past month from our projects covering education, health, agriculture & environment, and integrated community development. 

Dr. Luisa Grilo, the Minister of Education, officially launched the Angola segment of the Africa-wide STEM competition on May 29. Implemented by ADPP in Angola, the project aims to equip young Africans with essential skills for the future of work, engaging participants in using Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths to address societal issues. The overall aim is to spark interest and increase participation in solving real-world challenges. National winners from Angola will advance to the finals in South Africa later this year, showcasing their innovative solutions alongside other young Africans. The project is taking place in 4 African countries: Nigeria, Mozambique, Namibia and Angola and is an iniciative of Junior Achievement Africa and ExxonMobil.

Each year on May 2, ADPP celebrates its eight Polytechnic Schools, established in 2011 and spanning six provinces. This year, at the Polytechnic ADPP Benguela, over 600 attendees, including national police and school representatives, marked the school's founding, its student results, and successful work experience period. Meanwhile the Polytechnic EPP Huambo held a cultural event with over 160 students and community leaders, featuring speeches on educational innovation. Information and Media students broadcast the event on the school’s radio channel.

Gender activities are an important part of a wide-ranging education project to improve the quality of education in Cuanza Norte, Malanje and Uíge. I May, project staff were busy collecting data on the water and sanitation facilities in primary schools. This is the first step in a process that will see schools supported to improve their facilities, alongside broader education on the importance of education for girls and how gender equality benefits boys and girls. Puri Municipal Director, Mr. Alfredo José Mário, collaborated in gathering data and, as seen in the images, conditions vary greatly.

It has been a busy month for in-service training with courses taking place in no fewer than eight provinces: 40 Pedagogical Sessions is for teachers with little or no formal training; the "15 Steps" course is designed to help teachers ensure all children learn to read and write while STEM training supports teachers in delivering quality education in Science, Tech, Engineering and Maths. Additionally, training of school directors in school management is taking place in several provinces.

Meanwhile, staff from Project SMS, which works to strengthen municipal education systems to ensure quality education for all, are visiting education departments to share results and experiences from the past year. In Mungo municipality in Huambo, for example, the municipal department of education, the municipal administration and 83 school directors and pedagogical directors gathered on 29 May to learn more about the project and discuss pedagogical methods.

In the middle of May, a high-level delegation led by Dr. Caty Fall Sow, Director of the Global Fund for Africa and the Middle East, along with Denise António, UNDP Resident Representative in Angola, the Vice-Governor of Benguela Province for Political, Social, and Economic Affairs, and the President of the National Coordination Mechanism, climbed the Catumbela mountains during a visit to the Community Project for HIV/AIDS and TB. They visited and interacted with adolescent girls and young women who are taking part in the Bancadas girls clubs. As part of the visit, a new contract was signed to continue the project for a further three years.

With numerous health projects and activities underway, staff training has a high priority. In May, internal training sessions were conducted focusing on data collection and usage, communication flow, and community leadership. Additionally, ADPP participated in a Human Rights Workshop for Health Professionals and Law Enforcement Agents, addressing HIV/AIDS approaches for key and vulnerable populations. The workshop, organized by AIA in Benguela, included representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Provincial Health Office, Education Office, and civil society.

The ultimate objective of our Farmers' Club projects is to ensure that the Clubs can continue independently in the long term. May 1 marked a significant milestone as the Farmers' Club project in Calandula municipality of Malanje province, held a graduation ceremony for two clubs: Kinjila and Havemos de Voltar. The event was attended by the Director of Agriculture, Mr. Bruno Martins dos Santos, the Municipal Administrator, IDA Supervisor Leonel Manuel, an EDA technician, traditional authorities, and members of the two clubs. Certificates of merit were awarded, and two grinding mills were presented for the processing of beans to benefit the clubs’ income generating activities.

During May, the project leader from the Viana Verde project was interviewed on Radio Zango to discuss its initiatives, particularly focusing on the work being done with local associations. Eight associations were identified in collaboration with the municipal administrations, they were trained in the design of community environment projects and, on approval of their plans, received financing from ADPP via its partner the EU to implement their projects. These associations are currently carrying out their projects in the Zango and Estalagem areas. Listen to the interview here:

In addition to providing primary and lower secondary schooling, literacy and vocational training for refugees and host communities in Lunda Norte, our project is also supporting sustainable farming. In May, ambassadors from Brazil, Portugal and the UK visited the settlement in Lóvua to understand how the work is helping refugees sustain themselves.

The municipal administration of Ombadja officially received the new water points constructed by the Increasing Access to Water project in the communities of Canconda, Tchipulo, and Tchipeque. The activity was attended by the Municipal Administrator of Ombadja, the Deputy Coordinator of FRESAN in Cunene, the Deputy Communal Administrator of Naulila, Municipal Directors for Agriculture, Energy and Water, as well as ADPP partners and collaborators within the scope of FRESAN programme. Coverage of the event was provided by the national TV station TPA.

As part of the integrated community project, we held an open day in the Kanienguele community, Benguela, with the participation of 58 people, including Chief Alberto Kaluvundo, the coordinator of the Domingos Kapingãla neighborhood, and religious leaders. We discussed the sustainability of activities, including strengthening the community management group, the importance of ensuring families continue to sleep under mosquito nets, proper use of family latrines, cleaning campaigns to prevent diseases, boiling water for drinking and installing Tip-Tap handwashing systems

Thank you to all the partners who support our activities.

VISION
ADPP seeks to support people in developing the vision and capacity to contribute to development, for themselves, their communities, and the nation.

MISSION

• To promote solidarity between people
• To promote the economic and social development of Angola
• To promote a better life for the underprivileged and those most in need

ADPP (Ajuda de Desenvolivmento de Povo para Povo) stands for Development Aid from People to People. ADPP Angola works in the fields of education, health, agriculture and environment, and integrated community development.