Information to Share

This section refers to events and new or ongoing projects related to social development and education in the Mandara mountains. The Dzga Learning Support project is the main feature in this section.

Dzga Learning Support

The Dzga Learning Support project was started in 1998 in response to a growing need for basic literacy and numeracy for the Dughwede children of Dzga, a remote area of the Gwoza Hills of NE Nigeria. The children have many complex traditional skills and farming is part of their daily lives.

Since there are many economic changes, many children will find themselves at some future time going to the plains for seasonal work. By developing the Learning Support the aim was to provide access to basic education. Strongly supported by the Dzga community and fundraising initiatives by the friends of Dzga, the project has attracted large numbers of children and during 2000 a building was constructed to house the Learning Support.

• Lakwa’s Pots, an illustrative booklet for primary school children showing the entire pottery process has been produced by Stella Cattini-Muller. A copy for reproduction can be made on request.

	It is now officially named Dzga Primary School. The teachers are local people who understand the needs of the children and are now paid by the Local Education Authority. Dzga Learning Support provides continuity for the school by raising funds for unaffordable consumables like rented text books, exercise books, pencils, sports equipment and blackboards.   For the first time in his life Kalkwe is drawing with pen and paper. At this time there was no Primary School in Dzga but only a group learning under a tree.
	Support has been given to some girls and boys to to attend secondary school on the plain. They receive a small bursary to assist with school fees, books, transport and accommodation. We have evolved a sponsoring scheme with the help of some of the friends of Dzga. A longer term project might include the creation of simple dual language books using Dughwede and English.   Now there is Daga Primary School. The Dzga Learning Support continues to provide consumables for the school and rental of text books.

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