Boy-killing Egypt teacher jailed

An Egyptian court has sentenced a schoolteacher to six years in jail for beating a pupil to death because he had not done his homework.

Maths teacher Haitham Nabeel Abdelhamid, 23, took Islam Amr Badr outside the classroom and hit him violently in the stomach.

The 11-year-old boy fainted and later died in hospital of heart failure in the city of Alexandria.

The court was told the boy had four broken ribs.

Abdelhamid was convicted of manslaughter.

He said he only meant to discipline the pupil and did not mean to hurt anyone.

The teacher's lawyer was quoted as saying in court: "Hitting [a child] is not banned in schools and my client did not break the law."

National outrage

Observers say the case has been seen as a shocking reminder of the failings of Egypt's state education system.

The incident, at Saad Othman Primary School on the outskirts of Alexandria in October, caused national outrage.

Islam's father, Amr Badr Ibrahim, said others should have stood trial with the teacher.

"The problem is the teaching and the teachers because they cannot find good teachers," he said.

"The minister of education should be the first person to be accused - how can he agree to let such a young man teach children?"

In the state education system, young, inexperienced and under-resourced teachers often struggle to control classes of 60 to 100 children.

The Egyptian government says it is bringing in education reforms - including new teacher testing.

It is also trying to tackle violence in schools and has issued new statements on the prohibition of corporal punishment.

Culled from BBC

Order Obama T-Shirts now!!!!!

If you are an Obama supporter on the island, why not order a T-Shirt with us. Send us an sms on 0408795270 and we will give you all the details.
Yes we can!!!!

Multicultural Marriages and Relationships on the Island

More and more Ålandic people are marrying or having a relationship with people from different cultural backgrounds. This can be easily noticed, where ever you go to within Mariehamn.

When I talk about multi cultural marriage or relationship, I am simply referring to a marriage or relationship between a foreigner and a Finnish citizen. This has become so common nowadays, with the advance in technology and the availability of different flights to different destinations.

Majority of the foreign men and women living on the Island are either married or cohabiting with a Finnish national. At Medis, where many foreign nationals enrol to study Swedish, more than 80% are married or on cohabitation.

The few foreign nationals on the Island, who has not migrated because of love, include the IFK footballers from Africa and the refugees from Kurdistan/Iran. Some of the refugees are also attending Medis, as part of efforts in getting them integrate easily within the Ålandic community. Some of them live with their families and have succeeded in creating their own smaller community on the Island.

I have also noticed that, the other group of people, who has not also migrated because of love, are the foreigners from the new EU states like Lettland, Romania, Lithenia etc. Some of them moved to the Island with their partners. Currently, in Medis there are lot of them also trying to learn Swedish and planning to stay longer on Åland.

In a chat with one of the girls from Lettland, she disclosed that she has no plans of returning to her native country. According to her, she has finally decided to make Åland her final home. Her husband is also from Lettland and they both live together outside Mariehamn.

Majority of the women from Thailand, Philippines and few other Asian countries are married and living with Ålandic men. A good example is Tony Wikström, the proud winner of the Singing Bees Contest on Swedish TV3. His wife is from Asia and currently they have three children. During the Singing Bees Contest, we were all proud of them, especially when the whole family held and displayed the Åland flag for every one to see and expressing how proud they are to be residents of Åland.

Currently, I think there is only one African married and living together with a Finnish national. There are few of us, who were once married and have children on the Island.

The newest mullato baby on Åland, was born on the 7th November 2008 at 02.28am at the Åland Centralsjukhus. Her mum was living in Stockholm and it was there she met a Nigerian and they felt in love. The baby is called Kayleen and lives with her mum in Finström. When asked why she decided to name the baby Kayleen, this was what she said:-

‘Well, when she was in my stomach, I was thinking that she was a boy. I don’t know why - it was just a feeling I had. One day I saw a music video by the Swedish singer, Ken Ring. The song was about his son, whose name was Kelian and he was showed on the video. He was so cute, so I decided I will also name my baby Kelian.
One of my friends didn’t know how to spell the name and so she spelled it as ‘Kayleen.’ Which happens to be a girl name and that’s how I decided to call my daughter Kayleen.’

The young baby’s father is currently in Nigeria. He is expected to join them, very soon. Kayleen is the first child of both her mum and dad.

There are not many mullato kids on Åland. The few I know have moved from the Island and are now living on the mainland. Last summer, I met a mullato boy at the library, I cannot remember his age, but I think he is around 13-15 years old. We had a very interesting conversation and he was very happy meeting me. According to him, his mum is a native of Åland but his father is from Jamaica and they all live in the USA now. The boy is so proud of having the surname, GARVEY and he claims to be a descendant of Marcus Garvey. For the benefit of those who don’t know, Marcus Garvey was a national hero of Jamaica, who wanted all black men in the USA and all other parts of the world to return back to Africa. He is seen as a prophet by the Rastafarians (Bob Marley and others).

In many of these multicultural families, the children grow up speaking both English and Swedish. Most of the Ålandic natives, speak English to their foreign wives/husbands and this offers the children the opportunity to pick up the language so quickly. There are some children, who just don’t want to try English after being exposed to Swedish at the Dagis and primary schools.

‘When ever I speak English to my son, he responds in Swedish. It’s so difficult to get him speak English, although he understands the language.’ A British national on Åland told me. He has been living here for more than ten years and he is one of the successful immigrants on Åland.

There are some children, who are exposed to more than two languages, especially if both of their parents are immigrants on the Island. I have two very young friends of mine, who have parents from Russia and Scotland and therefore they are exposed to English, Russian and Swedish.

Multicultural marriages and relationships are converting Åland into another Island with diverse cultures. This why the Multi Cultural Society is becoming very important and the monthly cultural cafés at Café Bönan is doing a lot in encouraging cultural appreciation on the Island. I have always suggested the need to expand the cultural cafés and targeting a larger audience.

Medis celebrate Finland’s National Day

On Friday, 5th December 2008 (the eve of Finland’s national day) the students of Svenska 1 in Medis, converged to observe Finland’s national day. It was done in the form of a power point presentation by a Finnish student, Maiju and also a question and answer session.

During her presentation, Maiju gave a brief history of the country and some of its cherished cultures. She also talked about the president Tarja Halonen and her family.
One of the students suggested that she shouldn’t run again for the presidency because of her age. This was not supported by some of the students and teachers.

‘What about John McCain, who wanted to be the President of the USA and he is older than Tarja? Chima from Nigeria questioned.

‘…and Ronald Reagan’ added Mats, one of the teachers.

Finland is now 91 year old and there were series of activities on Saturday, all over the country to mark this important event. The president hosted the annual Independence Day Gala at the President’s residence in Helsinki. In attendance were ministers, members of parliament, Finnish members of the European Parliament, high ranking government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

There was also another separate Gala for the poor at the Helsini’s Hakeniemi Market Square. The event was organised by Heikki Hursti, a charity worker and it involved the distribution of food to needy people.

Racially motivated attacks in Savonlinna

According to reports monitored from YLE, several incidents of young men ambushing immigrants in Savonlinna have recently come to light. However officials say cases of racially motivated violent crime are rarely reported to police.

Police Lieutenant Jounni Väisänen has indicated there are no organised gangs that target immigrants. Most of the cases are isolated and in Savonlinna it was a dozen of young men who were out attacking immigrants that were walking the streets alone.

Savonlinna is one of Finland’s most popular tourist attractions, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is situated 335KM away from the capital, Helsinki.

The most common racist abuse in Finland is in the form of taunts and insults. Violent incidents are not as common as in other parts of Europe. An immigrant activist in Savonlinna has urged the town to admit that racist attacks are becoming a problem. According to him they should do more and that they must find the tools to combat racist harassment.

Åland's Tony wins Singing Bees Contest

Finally!!

As i was preparing for the 3rd edition of my blog, i got a call from the Åland Tidningen. Yes, it finally came!!. The editor-in-chief surprisingly informed me that, my colum with them, will start in the coming days.
The first edition of my colum, talks about myself, my native country and also my current engagements on the Island. In my subsequent articles i wish to focus on the Swedish course for immigrants at MEDIS, the potentials within the immigrant community, initiatives on the Island geared towards supporting developing countries, among other things.
In a similar development, i am working so hard to get my online magazine off the ground. I have been to the local government, the chamber of commerce and the justice chambers to work out the registration. At the Chamber of Commerce, i had a very fruitful meeting with Sanna Boman. She offered me all the guide lines i need in getting Hej Åland registered.
My plan, is to get its started as early as possible and one of my great areas of interest is the International Island Games, coming to Åland this summer.

Island Games comes to Åland

More than 1,700 participants from 25 Islands all over the world, are expected to take part in the forthcoming Inter-Island Games, to be hosted by Åland, an autonomous Swedish speaking Island in Finland.
These games started in 1985, with the sole intention of uniting different Islands, through sports. Apart from participating in the sporting events, participants are offered the opportunity to interact and get to know each other’s culture.
It has just been revealed by the 2009 Island Games organising committee that Janne Holmen might grace the event. Janne, who is a very popular Finnish long distance runner, was born in Jomala, Åland. He now lives in Sweden with his wife and two kids.
Talking to people on Åland Islands, one will obviously realise the excitement in them, as they eagerly wait for the games to kick off. The sporting organisations on the island, are currently busy trying to scout talents and making sure they emerge victorious in the games.
Below we bring you the programe guide for the games

Friday 26th June
Nat West Warm Up Party at Games Street
Saturday 27th June
Opening ceremony at 18.30
Nat West reception
Get together at Games street . Music & food & fun
Sunday, 28 June
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Monday, 29 June
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Tuesday, 30 June
AGM
Åland reception
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Wednesday, 1 July
Isle of Wight reception
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Thursday, 2 July
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Friday, 3 July
Fun’n’Games at Games Street
Medal ceremonies will take place at Games Street
Saturday, 4 July
Closing ceremony at 19.30
Final Night Party follows the closing ceremony
Fun’n’Games at Games Street before the closing ceremony

Interview with Minister of Immigration Astrid Thors

This interview is culled from The Helsinki Times

Helsinki Times (HT): Does the government have an overall policy dealing with all aspects of immigration?

Astrid Thors (AT): We are in a transition period with regards to migration to Finland. Previously, immigration was due to family reasons and protection issues, i.e. refugee resettlement. But now it is changing and we see the gaps in services, the Labour Ministry and various municipal organisations and those who supply services.

HT: You speak of gaps in services. What does this mean?

AT: Most of the services concentrate on those people who cannot live on their own devices. The gaps I am talking about are information gaps, service gaps and the right and availability of language education.

HT: What is the government doing about this?

AT: We are now having a review of the integration policy. The intention is for the government to present a white paper to parliament for debate in the autumn. Many regions and municipalities need closer cooperation between employees and authorities of different sectors that are responsible for migrants.

HT: Do you believe that the current Finnish language training programmes are sufficient?

AT: In Finland, Finnish and Swedish are constitutionally recognised languages. We have more protection of Finnish because of the historic traditions of the language. We are able to receive knowledge of the domestic languages, but we are stuck with some errors in the system of language training.

HT: What do you mean by that?

AT: We have a system that looks at people who are not employed. Additionally, there is no linking of past experience of students to the type of course they take. Such linking with things like knowing at least one foreign language, tertiary education levels, and also teaching students from the same language groups, rather than mixed in with all different language groups, have to be considered.

HT: Immigrants have indicated to us that it is difficult to get into language courses. Would you agree with this?

AT: A large part of newcomers are simply not eligible for state supplied education. There is a shortage of approved courses. Also, there are other problems, like if you get employed and lose your right to government sponsored language training as a result of it.

HT: Many sources talk about the recruitment of foreigners to come work in Finland. What about those who are already here, what is the job picture?

AT: When looking at employment statistics of migrants, in the 2005 EU statistical review Finland had the highest rate of unemployment of non-Finnish residents amongst OECD nations. What are the obstacles for employment of non-Finns? I have considered three major possibilities: the immigrant’s education is not recognised due to it being a long and time consuming process, other kinds of discrimination, and the language barrier being too high.

HT: Migrants think there are improvements that can be made to government services relating to getting jobs. What is your view on that?

AT: We are worried that the human resources capabilities of the Labour Ministry are insufficient to work properly with immigrants. We need to look to use our resources more effectively.

HT: As Minister of Immigration, what is your role?

AT: My role is interesting. I have over-arching responsibility for integration policies. Resources for these policies are in one department, and the operators for these are in another one. Despite discussions, for many years we have not been able to find a better structure.


Risto Haataja - HT
John Palmen - Lehtikuva

More refugees and asylum seekers in Finland

According to information i gathered from the YLE news, the Finnish Interior Ministry is boosting funding to cope with a projected rise in the number of refugees and asylum seekers.

The news website went further to indicate that, the Ministry has reserved about 14 million euros in extra funding for municipal costs and reception centre maintenances.
Among the many people seeking asylum in Finland are underage children. The website revealed that, the ministry officials expect that 500 will arrive this year. Last month, according to them, 144 underage asylum seekers arrived in Finland.


On Åland Islands, majority of the refugees are from Iran/Kurdistan. Some of them are currently undergoing a state sponsored Swedish course at Medis, in Mariehamn.

A New World

Barack Obama voted as the first black president of the USA. America has made history!!!

" If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things
are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who
still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. ”
~ President-elect Barack Obama excerps from victory speech

Mass immigration becomes an issue in Finnish politics

Mass immigration in Finland is becoming an issue that is dividing Finnish politicians apart. The Ministry of Justice is seemingly becoming so disturbed about it and news reaching Hej Åland has indicated that they have now taken it upon themselves to instruct all newly city council officials from the recent municipal elections as to what constitites hate speech.
According to Europe News, the Finnish political elites are dumbstruck that the average Finn has voted into power, in sweeping numbers, politicians who will address the people’s concern about mass immigration. Some politicians have said that, those of them who continue to raise a serious complaint about mass immigration, are either being called a racist or entertaining racist thoughts.
Some of the politicians have indicated that they are not racist and that they are not against immigrants or immigrant groups, but against the current government politicies in regards to mass immigration as being the only solution in solving the supposed crises in the work market. They also expressed concern with the government turning a blind eye to the criminal activity amongst Finland’s immigrant community.
News monitored from YLE revealed that the minister of Justice said, anti-immigration attitudes are now presently a problem, but council leaders will be trained to censor all kinds of slander.
In this year’s municipal election there has ben a huge participation by Finns with foreign backgrounds. In Finnish law Foreign residents are entitles to vote in municipal elections and run as candidates.

Overwhelming support for Hej Åland

I was overwhelmingly happy with the many emails i received, following the publication of my blog’s first edition. It clearly manifested the willingness of the people to see new things surfacing on the Island.
A brillient youth activist on the island called Petra Granholm has this to say:-
‘ I have already spread your blog among everybody here at the Peace institute and my friends in general, and the feedback already goes along these lines: ‘the most interesting English-speaking blog on Åland I have read so far and the most interesting African on Åland’ SO KEEP BLOGGING!’
Carina Aaltonen, a renwoned woman on Åland, who i mentioned on my previous edition has this to say also:-
‘I read about your blog in Nyan and wanted to check it out. It was a great surprise to find my name on your Obamaism on Åland-post. Good luck with your aim to establish an internet-magazine and with your stay on Åland.’
Many other Åland natives and immigrants has also emailed me similar complimentary and encouraging messages.
With the positive messages i got, i have now been challenged to transform this blog into an online magazine, as mentioned in my previous edition. I have already secured a web master and he is currently working on it.
Luckily for me also, a popular young photographer on the Island has expressed her willingness to join me, in making it happen. She is prepared to volunteer and help with all the photos i may need when the online magazine hit the internet.
I am still looking for more people, to support me with my initiative. Incase, you are interested you can email me at xaritnexna@gmail.com or call 0408795270.

Free service for some Africans

Many people have been have been wondering, why some Africans don’t pay to repair their bicycles on the Island. There is a funny story attached to this, but again for some one like me, it shows how supportive some people can be.
Some where in Mariehamn, a bicycle repairer ( name witheld) has assured some African immigrants, that frequent his place, that as long as he continue to fix bicycles, he will always offer them FREE SERVICE. His main reason for doing so, is because he felt they need support in steadily settling down on the Island and becoming full flege members of the community. This sounds absolutely funny and Hej Åland intends to run an exclusive interview with the bicycle repairer, on the first edition of the online magazine.
Watch out for it!!!

A new association to support an Aids Orphnage in Kenya

A new association is in the making in Mariehamn, to support an AIDS orphanage in Kenya. As you might all know, children in Africa has been severely neglected in the response to HIV/AIDS.
According to UNAIDS estimates, last year 2 million children between the ages of 0-14 were living with HIV . Again, it has also beedn disclosed that 12.1 million children have also lost one or both parents to the AIDS epidemic.
These figures clearly shows that AIDS still remain a major problem in Africa and this is why a native of the Island, called Heidi, decided to mobilise some support in offering a helping hand to some of these children.
Heidi was born and brought up on Åland. She went to school in Norway and the United Kingdom. In the summer of 2005, she was in Kenya and worked as a volunteer on Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria. According to her, that region of Kenya is the worst affected by HIV/AIDS. There are lot of orphans on that Island and some of them live alone, without any adult to support them.
She was involved with an organisation called Kanyala Little Stars Women’s Group. This organisation is all out to support AIDS orphans by gathering money to pay their school fees, medicines among other things. The group also runs a day care centre for the youngest children.
On the 1st December is World AIDS Day all over the world. Heidi and her team intends to organise something in Mariehamn to raise some awareness about the association and getting the Island people to show solidarity to the many children in Rusinga, who needs happiness and a smile on their face.
The Red Cross and the Åland Multicultural Society has promised to support them, in organising a World Aids Day Cafe. This event is taking place at the Red Cross Building and the general public is higly invited to attend.

Popular Åland painter talks to immigrants about her work

Eva Maria Mansnerus is one of the rare painters you will find in Scandanavia. She lives on the Island in Föglö. Her works are quite brillient and unquestionably brings a smile to your face.
On Tuesday, 5th November 2008 the immigrants on the Island, learning Swedsih at Medis, were invited to an exhibition of Eva Maria’s paintings. The event was held at the Åland museum and Eva herself was there to explain the stories behind her paintings. The immigrant language students, were amazed to realised that there are lot of oral stories of history that go with each of her paintings.
Throughout the Island , EvaMaria is known for her higly crafted drawings and paintings. Some of the students described her as a well talented painter, whose paintings have lot to tell.
During a classroom discussion, majority of the students disclosed that they found the exhibition very useful. The class was divided into groups to discuss more about the paintings, focusing more on what they have learnt about Eva Maria and her work.
PS: The painting ( photo ) attached with this story was done by Amanda Chanfreau, another popular painter on the Island.

Reggae is alive on Åland

Be your own DJ, was the big event at Indigo on Saturday, 8th November 2008. It was more like a sound clash and more than ten DJs were involved. It was really an amazing event and almsot all the DJs did their best.
I was one of the DJs and guess what? I dropped some reggae tracks by stars like Morgan Heritage and Kelvin Lyttle. I was surprised that the people at Indigo, that night, enjoyed it and some of them even requested for me to burn the songs on a CD for them.
I caught up with a devoted reggae lover called Mirjam Christensen ( Queen of the Galaxy) and we had a brief chat. She is absolutely one of the wonderful peopl on the Island, who are so nice and welcoming to the foreigners living here.
Hej Åland: When did you start listening to reggae?
Mirjam: ( laughs) I dont know really. I think i’ve always like reggae, but during the last five years i’ve been a real fan.
Hej Åland: How did you get attracted to reggae?
Mirjam: I thinks it’s the feeling in the music. The flow......its makes me happy.
Hej Åland: Who are your stars?
Mirjam: I listen to many different ones and i am really bad at names ( laughs). But i can say Diego Jah, Governor Andy, SOYA...its hard to say my favorite.

I would like to thanks Mirjam and her wonderful guy Dyk for the CD and also coming to Indigo to see my performance.

Alistair
Alistair is a British living on the Island. He is also going to MEDIS learning Swedish. He was also one of the DJs at Indigo on that day. He dropped some amazing drum base and it was just thrilling. Her girlfriend was there to support and the girl friend’s brother.

First time in Indigo
It was my first time in Indigo, since i moved to Åland a couple of months ago. I have been to Dinos many times, but not Indogo. To be honest it only took me very few minutes to fall in love with the place. Its so decent, there is enough space and every thing is so organised at Indigo, BUT it can be expensive for a student to frequent that place.

Obamaism on Åland

”Obama is Åland’s man” was the lead story on the Åland Tidningen, 23rd October 2008 edition. The story, which was jointly written by Erika Elfsberg and Petter Lobråten, clearly indicated the presence of Obamaism on the Island.

Like all other parts of the word, the USA 2008 elections is also a subject of discussion on Åland. A couple of months ago, I was at the Paf Casino in Mariehamn. Surprisingly, an old man came to where I was standing and said to me;

“A black man is going to be the president of America. That is great and I am sure you like it”

With Obama, as the President of the USA, the world will surely succeed in overcoming the issue of race. Bigotry and racism among people, will become a thing of the past and as Bob Marley said, “ people will no longer be judged by the colour of their skin.”

On Åland

Not many Africans are living on Åland compared to other regions on the mainland ( Finland ). Currently there are more Kenyans, than any other nationality. Some of them are from the same tribe as Obama. They are called the Luo and are also found in Eastern Uganda and Northern Tanzania. The Luo are the third largest ethnic group in Kenya and they became so popular with the emergence of Obama and Raila Odinga, as the Prime Minister of the country’s national unity government.

Obama’s African connection

Obama’s dad was the main subject in his memoir, “dreams from my father.” He was born in Kenya in 1936 and at the age of 23 he moved to the USA to attend Hawaii University. On the 21st February 1961, he married a fellow student Ann Dunham. It was in the same year, 4th August that Barack Obama Jnr was born. In 1963, his parents divorced. It was at the age of 10 that he was lucky to see his dad again.

Barack visited his Kenyan relatives almost three times. During his last visit, he traveled with his family and donated $14,000 to an AIDS orphan care facility. He has used his personal connections to appeal for good governance in Kenya. HIV/AIDS in Africa, avian flu, the genocide in Darfur, the prospects of Africa becoming a terrorist haven, the impact of climate change on Africa, rule of law etc are issues that were high on Obama’s agenda during his last tour of Africa.

Veronica Thörnroos

Veronica is among the influencial women on the Island, who disclosed their support for Obama on the Åland Tidningen. One of the Africans I spoke to said, he wasn’t surprised with Veronica’s stand. When asked why, he responded saying:-

“She was my teacher and I can remember having very interesting and objective conversations with her.”

The same was said of Carina Aaltonen, also a popular figure on Åland.

Is racism an issue in Finnish Politics?

According to news monitored from YLE ( Finland) and the MTV channel, racism continues to be an issue in Finnish politics. The Centre Party leader Jyrki Katainen and Green League Party chair Tarja Cronberg has both called on party leaders to introduce measures in eradicationg racism in Finnish election campaigns.

In an MTV evening talk show, the chairman of the True Finns, Timo Soini was asked what he thinks of some of the racism tones on some of the writings of the election candidates. He revealed that he is not a victim of it, but argued that the issue of immigrants require discussion.

According to YLE he was also asked why the True Finns is fielding candidates who are claiming the right to hang flags bearing the Natzi Swastika or any similar excesses.

The Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen of the Centre Party was also mentioned claiming to have heard racist comments during the course of the campaign.

Within an Year

Within an Year is a book i am writing and to be published early next year. The book is more like a memoir of my one year stay on Åland. So watch out for it.

Reggae Night in Mariehamn

Plans are on high gear to organize a kind of 'get together' for Åland reggae lovers. Reggae is unquestionably a popular music on the Island, but surprisingly there is not much happening when it comes to this popular world music.

Café Bönan, is hosting this reggae get together. This event, which is expected to be thrilling, is scheduled to take place at the end of November and hopefully there will be a guest DJ from Sweden.

Reggea music is known to be an uncomplicated music that continues to be loved and appreciated by millions of people world wide. So Åland reggae lovers start warming up and lets make it happen at café Bönan on the 21st November 2008. The posters will be out with further details.

Jah Love!!!

Better Globe comes to Åland

Better Globe, is a Norwegian based international organization that is dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa in the next 20 years. Recently, they were in Mariehamn to introduce their organization and also pave way for the establishment of a sub branch on the Island.

During a power point presentation at Café Sollen, it was disclosed that, they are involved in tree planting, agriculture and education. Better Globe intends to plant five billion trees in Africa, within the next twenty years.

As majority of Africans continue to survive on 1 US dollar a day, Better Globe is with the strong conviction that supporting farmers to earn more money for themselves, can help a lot in improving the living condition of millions of Africans. Among their plans, is to start a micro finance bank that will make money available to poor farmers.

Better Globe also believes that if children in Africa do not get free primary education, there is no way any African country will be able to eradicate poverty.

In a brief chat, the girl behind the creation of the Åland sub branch, disclosed that they are poised to attract lot of members on the Island. Already, they are on the move and the focal point person can be reached on +46 707590171. You can also visit their homepage www.betterglobe.com.

Medis on the move

It’s now almost 2 months since the Swedish for Foreigners Course (SFI) started at Medis, the national institute of the Åland Islands.

This year, close to 92 immigrants has applied for the course, which is sponsored by the local government. Åland, is gradually becoming a popular spot for immigrants, from all over the world.

The Swedish course is divided into three levels. The first level is for people who have no understanding of Swedish. Level 1 is divided into two groups, enabling the teachers to better know their students and also be able to offer adequate attention to each of them. Majority of the students in level 1 are from Thailand, Iran and Romania. There are few others from UK, Nigeria, Philippines, Latvia, Morocco, Finland and Gambia.

The main objective of the course is to help us integrate easily within the Åland community. The focus is getting the students to speak the official language, Swedish and also getting to know and appreciate the cultures of the Island.

The students are also exposed to each other’s culture. This is more like creating the opportunity, to have an understanding and appreciation of the richness of our human diversity. Already, they have watched documentaries about Wales, Romania and Thailand.

The two teachers assigned to Level 1, are Mats and Kristina, who lives in Mariehamn and Saltvik respectively. Both teachers have been described as very effective in their teaching strategies and efforts in connecting with their students.

The course is expected to end in April 2009 and the students will hopefully be absorbed in the job market.