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Posts tagged as “Burundi”

African Students Create Anti-Malaria Soap, Win Business Competition

malaria soap cropped
Moctar Dembele (pictured right) and Gerard Niyondiko (pictured) have won the Global Science Venture (GSVC) competition for creating an anti-malaria repellent soap, reports CP-Africa.  Burkina Faso native Dembele and Burundi native Niyondiko created Faso Soap from different herbs, including karate citronella. According to the product profile:

In many countries of tropical Africa, malaria is the leading cause of death for the population. It represents 30-40% of hospital admissions and up to 40% of public health expenditure.
Solution:  Production and marketing of soap “mosquito,” based on shea butter and enriched with essential oils of lemongrass and concern, to protect its users from malaria.
Impact:  Reduction massive number of people affected by malaria, especially among the poorest and basic hygiene.

According to Niyondiko, the soap will initially be available in African countries hit hardest by malaria. “The soap will be available first here, and then given to NGO.”
Watch the Faso Soap GSVC pitch below:

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/63409639 w=500&h=281] 

“We want a simple solution, because every one uses soaps, even in the very poor communities,” Dembélé added.
Dembele and Niyondiko have not only helped Africa with their creation, they’ve also made history.
They are also the first non-Americans to win the GSVC, which challenges students across the world to create their own business plans for social ventures. The grand prize is $25,000.
According to the World Health Organization, the African continent accounts for 85 percent of malaria cases and 90 percent of malaria deaths worldwide. Eighty-five percent of those deaths occur in children under 5 years old.
article by Hannington Dia via newsone.com

Scholarship Program Will Bring 40 African Men to Morehouse College

Strive Masiyiwa, founder and chair of Econet Wireless, has established the Ambassador Andrew Young International Scholars program. Masiyiwa, a native of Zimbabwe has invested $6.4 million in the program that will send 40 African students to Morehouse College in Atlanta. The students will receive full, four-year scholarships.