Self Help Africa

Self Help Africa (SHA) is an Irish based international development organisation that supports rural poor communities to grow more and earn more from their small farms. Our vision is for an economically thriving and resilient rural Africa. In Ireland, Self Help Africa’s education team work with the post-primary school sector, teachers and local communities to engage them with the issues, and raise awareness of global social injustices, and the role that Irish people can play in effecting change.

Our team comprises experienced Dev Ed / Global Citizenship facilitators based in Dublin, Wicklow, Cork and Galway. Fully funded school workshops, presentations, photo exhibitions and continuous professional development (CPD) training modules are available for 2nd level students and staff.

SHA offers specifically tailored content to assist teachers in their delivery ofJunior Cycle, TY and Senior Cycle course content. In particular, we offer engagements suited to Junior Cycle (JC) Science, Geography, CSPE, Home Economics, Business and Art classes.

Our workshops help realise many of the new JC key skills and statements of learning. We also focus on building awareness and involvement in the UN Global Goals 2030, which Ireland is committed to realising.

Self Help Africa participates in the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, where we run the Irish Aid sponsored ‘Science for Development Award.’ This award is designed to encourage students of science subjects to develop projects that address challenges faced by communities in the Global South. The award winner receives a travel bursary to sub-Saharan Africa, funded by Irish Aid.

Self Help Africa also has Teacher Toolkit resources available for online download, to support school teachers who might wish to present their own workshops on social justice issues including climate justice, gender and sustainability, in the classroom. More details on our resources and the Toolkit on: https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/education/

Specific areas of focus are: Sustainable Agriculture, Climate Change, Gender Equality and Ethical Trade.

Our education programme is fully funded by Irish Aid, so there is no cost to the school. To organise a visit or for more details regarding the Toolkit email: dorothy.jacob@selfhelpafrica.org or schools@selfhelpafrica.org

Video link:

'Two ways to look at Africa.' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptZu2s9BXT0 (short SHA promotional video)