Project EUSOLA in Njambasana

Based on the existing protocol between the Centre of African Studies (ISCTE-IUL) and the Centre of Studies of the Desert (CE.DO), both institutions now cooperate with the project EUSOLA (European Solidarity in Action) – Humanitarian Aid Project in a region outside the EU, one of the projects of the Comenius Program of the European Union. The specific Njambasana action was selected in an international EUSOLA meeting (February, 2011 in Budapest), where the representatives of all partner schools presented their humanitarian project proposals and partner organizations. The Portuguese proposal (Colégio Guadalupe, Verdizela) was the selected one.

Project EUSOLA

The aim of EUSOLA is that all the participating schools all together put one selected joint humanitarian project into practice. The project EUSOLA focus on raising awareness of the position of underprivileged countries and the work of humanitarian organizations and puts a joint humanitarian project into practice. As pedagogical objectives, the pupils will acquire knowledge about humanitarian aid projects, development policies, the role of NGOs and other organizations, about the situation of underprivileged people, especially of their age group. Throughout the project the students will also get a sense of a common 'European identity', understand the necessity to help those who are underprivileged and offer help themselves. In co-operation with partners from the participating countries, as well as NGOs, a common framework to deliver a project of humanitarian aid in a region outside the EU will be created. The students will work on information exchange in international groups, become more flexible and improve interpersonal skills.

Participating institutions

Hungary	Varga Istvan Kereskedelmi, Koezgazdasagi Szakkoezepiskola es Szakiskola
Denmark	Oestervangskolen
Turkey	Antalya Konyaalti Lisesi
Portugal	Colégio Guadalupe
Slovenia	Srednja sola Crnomelj
Italy	Istituto Tecnico Industriale Statale "Antonio Pacinotti"
Germany	Obermenzinger Gymnasium Muenchen der Muenchner Schulstiftung – Ernst v. Borries
France	Lycee Professionel Jean Rostand
Finland	Parkanon Lukio
Lithuania	Vilniaus r. Bezdoniu Julijaus Slovackio vidurinė mokykla
Cyprus	Archbishop Makarios III Lyceum (Dasoupolis)
Check Republic	Zakladni skola Hranice, Sromotovo

The project in Angola (Njambasana) will begin its activities in 2011 and European students will be mobilized to activities to provide the vocational training centre of the CE.DO in the Namib Desert in Angola with training materials. The centre offers vocational training in several relevant areas in a region where school dropout is high due to shepherding activities of children and lack of educational options. With the training in construction, sowing, food conservation and ceramics, young boys and girls in the region will have access to diversified opportunities and be able to contribute to the development of the region.