A dialogue with change makers, Quinlan’s Family starts Apprends-Moi

We became convinced long ago of the importance of access to education in order to realize true development. Books are a very simple way of accessing knowledge. In addition, learning the English language provides Francophiles a very important tool for accessing employment opportunities and additional education.  Read this interview here.   To learn more on this initiative, please visit the website: http://www.freewebs.com/apprends-moi/index.htm

NEW:  Pen pals program for youth in Congo, US, Germany and London

We have started connecting youth from Congo to their peers in US, Germany and London for cultural exchange. If interested, please email : info@azurdev.org

Upcoming: Books for Africa and Apprends-Moi International donate 20 000 books to youth in Congo

We are happy to announce that 20 000 books will arrive in Pointe-Noire, Congo by mid-january for youth and children in Congo. AZUR Developpement and its local partners are thankful to Books for Africa and Apprends-Moi International for this donation. This will assist many schools in impoverished areas of Pointe-Noire and Nkayi to reinforce or set up small libraries for their students. Since the armed conflicts in Congo from 1999 to 2001, many libraries were destroyed.

If you like to support this initiative, please email: info@azurdev.org

Books for schools, books for development

AZUR Developpement is developing partnerships abroad to provide schools with books for students in Congo. As a result of a partnership with the students of the Lycée Francais de Los Angeles, we have recently donated books to the school Complexe scolaire Anne Benoite in Brazzaville. We are happy to work on a solidarity project with students of the High School Lycée Français de Los Angeles.
They made a donation of books to children of Congo. Children were involved with courage and love to lead to this project. They sold pastry to their peers at school to fundraise to pay the shipping fees of books to US in Congo. AZUR Development sent them a VCD and brochures of its activities.  See the photos of this project here.  Interested to start this kind a project with your school?

Seeking a cultural exchange students and classes abroad

This year, we are seeking a class of elementary, middle-school and high-school students to organize some exchanges with a few classes of students in Brazzaville. You are a dynamic school. You want to introduce your students to the meaning of solidarity. Since 2003, we have been organizing social and cultural activities in Congolese schools. Send us an email at info@azurdev.orghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/azurcongo
Reflections on arrival in Congo of an Australian ESL volunteer

Reflections on arrival, strange tongues, and delirium…………………
It has been almost a month now since I stepped off the plane at Brazzaville airport. The 23 hours in flight and a few too many lengthy waits in transit had left me delirious, delusional and hard of hearing, preparing me perfectly for the man at the airport ‘kindly’ offering me assistance. ‘Ms please give me your passport and your entrance card, I will help you.’ ‘Pardon,’ ‘Je ne comprends pas,’ ‘Je ne parle pas le Français.’ I manage to spit out that I am waiting for someone to meet me. Trying to buy some time, I shuffle through my bag to find a pen, and SLOWLY begin to fill in the entrance card. Read more here.

See pictures here.

Reflections on teaching my home tongue in a strange land

I am quickly made aware of the fact that everybody wants to learn English around here. I’m surprised at how eager they are, and how important my home tongue is in this country. But I am told that job opportunities are becoming scarce without English. Read more here.

http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=30429829&postID=115676101188827351

Why Dorothy went to the land of OZ or Congo?

Reflections on purpose, objectives, and cosmic pulls…………………..
No one ever asks why Dorothy went to the land of OZ. But always I am asked. So here is my answer. I was washed here by a strong current, blown by a powerful wind, and sucked by the great cosmic pull. http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=30429829&postID=115676101188827351 Read more here.  

Supporting Orphaned Vulnerable children to attend school

More than 70 children have benefited from our social support program. You too could make a change today. We are currently working in partnership with other organizations to maximize our results on the ground. We do not support individuals who are not part of an organized group. We prefer working in partnership with orphan homes, associations, schools and others.

Global Youth service day: Congolese youth showed their solidarity to orphans

Starting 08 April, 20 young students from 10 to 14 years have been involved in an exciting project to celebrate the Global Youth Service Project in Congo.  We held a course on solidarity and volunteerism, an Art Contest on the importance of education in their lives and children visited orphans in an orphaned house. The project has provided youth with skills to be volunteers and to promote volunteerism to their peers and their parents. This experience contributes to develop their self esteem to the extent that they could do something great bringing change in their communities where it is needed. They are slowly becoming agents of change, advocates and they hope their voices will be heard. See pictures here.

Helping Children and Youth Learn English

In most schools, students cannot easily learn English because of a lack of materials. AZUR Développement supports young people’s education because they are leaders of tomorrow. We have donated English books and provided fees for the English teacher for youth in Kombo, Brazzaville in partnership with a school run by Association des Jeunes pour le Développement et le Travail (Youth Association for Development and Work). As a result, the school has integrated English classes in their curriculum.

Students at the National University have more Resources in English

A donation of 58 books has been given to the Department of Foreign Languages of the University Marien Ngouabi of Brazzaville. These books have been collected and posted by a volunteer in Madison, Wisconsin (USA). I would like to collect books for youth In 2003, AZUR Développement provided scholastic materials to 20 youth at the Gustave Eiffel School in Brazzaville and two mini-scholarships for basic computer training.

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