Dreams of Africa
Why We Exist
The people of Africa dream of a better future, a future of hope and achievement, of peace and good health. The Dreams of Africa Society is based on the premise that students can play a significant role in giving life to these dreams.
The Dreams of Africa Society has three fundamental aims:
- To increase awareness of the challenges that Africa faces, in particular poverty and AIDS.
- To increase the sense of personal responsibility students feel towards others on this planet and show these students how they can make a difference.
- To raise funds for SOS Children's Villages.
We believe that the education is the quickest route to alleviating poverty in Africa. The promotion of education unparalleled economic and social benefits, and directly relates to the effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Research shows that for each additional year of education beyond elementary school that a girl in Africa obtains her income increases by 15%, her vulnerability to HIV/ AIDS drops significantly, and her risk of dying in childbirth greatly decreases. Crucially, educated women have smaller and healthier families, with children that are more likely to live beyond the age of 5.
Education is the silver bullet in the war on poverty and Aids in Africa. It allows people to hope and dream of a better future, and also gives life and reality to the hopes and dreams of Africa.
Increasing student consciousness of Africa’s burdens at the University of Nottingham is a key component of “Promoting Education for Everyone, Everywhere”. Unfortunately, amongst many students, ignorance and apathy are common, leaving a potentially influential group unaware of the impact that they could have. By looking to educate, we will mobilise students to join those globally who are committed to working on the great challenges of the world. With greater awareness and the realisation that they are the leaders of tomorrow, students will, together as one, see that we can do better, we must do better and we will do better to give life to the dreams of Africa.