Teacher's Aid in Angola

Torn by a long-running civil war, poverty and overcrowded cities, school-age children in Angola often are more focused on their own survival than on getting a decent education. Faced by these difficult realities, teachers in Angola often lack the most basic tools for education, including classrooms, chairs, chalkboards and even a place of their own to call home.

In Angola, the company has an especially strong bond with local communities, particularly in assisting teachers and their pupils with the basics of education. For example, in a community government partnership, some $400,000 is being spent on housing for teachers and principals at elementary and middle schools being rehabilitated by the Cabinda Provincial Government.

In a separate project, the company is supporting Cabindian provincial government and Angolan government efforts to create a national model for elementary, technical and high school instruction. And together with the Cabinda provincial government and the Danish agency ADPP we have constructed the first teachers training college in Cabinda.

In a public-private sector partnership, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the company have launched an initiative also aimed at improving education, healthcare and technical training in Angola.

In addition to contributions of funds and supplies, company employees have pitched in to clean up school sites, paint facilities and lead toy and clothing drives for needy families. These and other company efforts have helped to develop curricula; purchase materials, supplies and equipment; train administrators and teachers; and remodel schools. At the college level, the company also has donated books, laboratory equipment and computers.