Mountain of Education Day 3

The summit on education, moderated by Pastor Didier Habimana, commenced with prayer and a session of praise and worship. On the third day, the speakers included the highly renowned Dr. Charles Muligande, who offered insights into the African diaspora's role and contributions to advancing education. This was followed by a song performance by primary students from the International Authentic School and an enlightening message from Professor Vincent Anigbogu on creating an environment that enables the diaspora to make a meaningful impact in their African countries.

Speaker: Dr Charles Muligande

One of the disappointments that has been hurting me for the past few years is that many intellectual university students don’t attend such conferences as Africa Arise in the sphere of education. There is no thirst for knowledge in this decade among university students. Our role in the contribution of Africa references the theme for this year’s Africa Haguruka which are Nehemiah 2:17 and Ezra 10:4.

Mathew 24: 7-10 talks about nations fighting against nations, which is conflicts, terrible earthquake; natural disaster, famine and horrible epidemics(COVID-19) and yet the church was unaware of this as the whole world. Increase in deception, epidemics, natural disasters, and persecution of Christians. We should teach church leaders not to view from the religious perspective but rather informing others and grow intellectually which has health, education implementations. Proverbs 22: 3 shows that as the church forsee this to call for strategies against it and if we prepare as Noah did, we will float and build an arc in the health, economy, and education if we are going to survive.

Matthew 25 where Jesus is showing solutions for the problems that are rising in Matthew 24 where there are nations fighting nations which will result in family dispersing. Looking at about 70 Million of the refugees in Africa,  the social interventions that are needed include health care, housing and clean water but the church can be the solution by addressing these issues. Across Africa they are brothers and sisters in the Lord fighting for their lives yet there are some Africans seated in worship other than helping their brethrens.

At the same level as Africa still lacks development, Africa’s HDI(Human Development Index) is 0.53 which is lower than the global HDI which is 0.69. Yet, Africa is the wealthiest continent in the world. Africa has 30% of minerals, 40% gold, and 90% of platinum worldwide. It is more painful when we think that Africa has the largest agriculture and has the second largest river yet it is still dependent on Ukraine which is ⅕ of Africa when it comes to sustaining its population.

After more than 60 years of independence, still dependent on colonial powers and the infrastructures that they had established, such as the World Bank and IMF it is time to rise up as the word in Ezra, there is no one we should ask for development but rather we should take the responsibility as Africans to serve and develop our continent.

We have to rise and take part in building our continent Africa as it is the theme for this year’s Africa Haguruka in all the spheres of influence. Taking Nehemiah and Ezra as a reference to rising in the spirit of celebrating the Africa Haguruka’s silver jubilee that Africans are called to build Africa. Nehemiah and Ezra were taken in captivity in Babylon but they continued praying for their nations and when they got the opportunity to build they didn’t hesitate to rise and build, they left the comfort they had acquired in the exile. This attitude is the same one that African diasporas should have when it comes to restructuring and building our continent Africa. The stories of Joseph, Nehemiah, and Ezra serve as examples to show that they had an impact on the structure of their nations. There are many historical articles written showing the investment of diasporas in Israel for its development, building Israel’s international image, and preserving the resources of the nation which allowed and advanced the economic and security development of Israel. Over the last decades, China has seen significant development, largely driven by investments from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese diaspora. Since advancing its focus on STEM in 1976, China has emerged as a leading force in science and technology, now ranking second only to the United States in research and innovation,

We can model the approach of countries like China and Israel to create an environment enabling diasporas to have an impact in the development of their nations. In 2023, remittances from the diaspora amounted to $95 billion, exceeding the typical donations and grants received by African countries. This amount serves to increase the standard of life in the families that are sent to and reduce poverty, this amount is said to help at least 2 Million African inhabitants.

It is crucial for us who are in Africa to create an enabling environment for African diasporas and establish a collaboration that advances the education system. Through welcoming research practitioners and collaborating with local teachers to assess the knowledge and education system transferred to students that is of value on the market.

There is no doubt that diasporas need to play a vital role in the advancement of all mountains where they possess knowledge from their resident nations. They should fully relate to and understand the locals in Africa, without judgment or prejudice regarding their reasons for leaving their home countries, recognizing God's purpose for their homeland as illustrated in Jeremiah 29:11. Just as Joseph, despite being betrayed by his brothers, seized the opportunity to contribute to the development of his continent, the diaspora should be ready to use their skills and influence in their resident countries to serve Africa’s development.

Formulating and establishing quality education is a mindest. Singapore and South Korea have took advantage of its diasporas. Coming back to Africa from the US in 2006 when God called me, having a house I still had to come for the purpose of God. There is a force that is forcing us to reform the education system.

Learning is learning from the past, preparing for the future, and managing the present in the light of the past and the future. Traditional leaders have their eyes on the past and keep seeking to get back to the good old days, conservative leaders have their eyes on the present and seek to maintain the status quo but we need strategic leaders who have their eyes on the future and their hands feeling the pulse of the present.

“We must adapt to changing times whole holding on the unchanging values” by Jimmy Carter, values don’t change but how they must be communicated because of time. We are in the “Changing time”, what kind of future is Africa sailing? The US global trends 2025 that came up in 2008 this reform came in 2005 looking forth what the world will look like in the 20 years to come, they then established systems to cop up with those times.

From now on, we should design our future and train to take prominent roles in it. Teaching children to play role in the future that we have designed and not the future that anyone else has designed, Using the US curriculum in our education system has a set role that they know they are going to serve. By asking how are syringes, and drugs manufactured instead of only knowing how to prescribe an already manufactured drug.

Mathew 24: 7-10 talks about nations fighting against nations, which is conflicts, terrible earthquake; natural disaster, famine and horrible epidemics(COVID-19) and yet the church was unaware of this as the whole world. Increase in deception, epidemics, natural disasters, and persecution of Christians. We should teach church leaders not to view from the religious perspective but rather informing others and grow intellectually which has health, education implementations. Proverbs 22: 3 shows that as the church forsee this to call for strategies against it and if we prepare as Noah did, we will float and build an arc in the health, economy, and education if we are going to survive.

Matthew 25 where Jesus is showing solutions for the problems that are rising in Matthew 24 where there are nations fighting nations which will result in family dispersing. Looking at about 70 Million of the refugees in Africa,  the social interventions that are needed include health care, housing and clean water but the church can be the solution by addressing these issues. Across Africa they are brothers and sisters in the Lord fighting for their lives yet there are some Africans seated in worship other than helping their brethren.

In this end time, agriculture and feeding the poor is an apostolic calling, engineers with understanding of water supply as their provide clean water to the , real estate owners who take initiative to use their skills to build houses for the homeless. This ministry is not for raising people to stand on the pulpit but rather for them to go on the field and be competitive and active on the market.

In the past 3 years, I have focused on youth growth agriculture, those who are lawyers take first initiative for human advocacy. In the last few days, we must respond to the call of God for social development. Using skills and knowledge to serve God, where our profit as business man serves as a vehicle with the use of our expertise to serve the African community.

If the church doesn’t raise professionals with strategic thinking, we won’t be able to attract the government for collaboration. We should move from an education system where professors are focussing on publications, teaching, and research. Luke 13: 31 shows that Christianity is progressive, there is Christianity that is acceptable on the first day such as casting demons and evangelism, and on the second you don’t dismiss it you add discipleship to build sons and on the third day is the day of perfection, to do Christianity over and over again is stagnation and what is perfection which is the day of restoration which is in Isaiah 61:4

Cambridge hire used to be one of the poorest counties, but with the establishment and influence of Cambridge University, it has now become the second most developed. The shift from education for knowledge to education for social impact played a crucial role in this transformation.

To harness the impact and role of the diaspora, it is essential to identify and address social issues, inviting the diaspora to contribute their expertise and introduce the latest technologies for the development of the education system.

In a program I started in Nigeria, we collaborated with the university and government to teach students. This initiative was later implemented in Uganda, where we train students in agriculture programs. This collaboration has significantly impacted the community, changing the economic status of Ugandan society

You were professors back in the US. What prompted you to come back, and have you achieved the goals that motivated your return?

Prof. Dr. Charles Muligande: After the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda was in dire need of rebuilding. Our country had just lost thousands of lives. I decided to quit my job in the US and move to Rwanda, even though my employers told me I could come back if I couldn't cope. I chose not to keep that safety net, moving from a comfortable salary of about $4,000 to a much lower salary, embracing the challenge. Just like Joseph, who left the comfort of being called the son of Pharaoh's daughter to suffer with his people, I felt it was my duty to help. After 30 years, I am deeply satisfied with the contributions I have made to Rwanda's rebuilding.

Prof. Dr. Charles Muligande: After the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, Rwanda was in dire need of rebuilding. Our country had just lost thousands of lives. I decided to quit my job in the US and move to Rwanda, even though my employers told me I could come back if I couldn't cope. I chose not to keep that safety net, moving from a comfortable salary of about $4,000 to a much lower salary, embracing the challenge. Just like Joseph, who left the comfort of being called the son of Pharaoh's daughter to suffer with his people, I felt it was my duty to help. After 30 years, I am deeply satisfied with the contributions I have made to Rwanda's rebuilding.

Prof. Vincent Anigbogu: During my morning devotion in 1998, I heard God’s voice telling me to move from the US to Africa, promising that I would be a blessing to Nigeria and Africa. At that time, I was a Chemistry professor. I didn't move until 2006 because I needed time to prepare. Initially, I moved alone, leaving my wife in Atlanta, just as God had directed. I had $15,000, which I invested in real estate, but it didn't yield results. Eventually, I started the Institute of National Transformation in Uganda, focusing on helping youth in the agricultural sector. I am now satisfied that what I have taught has been productive and impactful.

There is a policy that encourages students to produce goods that are used in the market during their learning phase. This policy is applied in universities and consultancies to leverage resources from market products, rather than relying solely on student fees and government funds.

Many members of the diaspora are already returning to invest and share their skills, thereby advancing job opportunities. Governments are encouraging them to be economic advocates, fostering a patriotic desire to contribute to the social and economic development of their home countries. The goal is not necessarily for the diaspora to return permanently but to remain pro-African and actively seek opportunities that can benefit African nations.

In the early days, only 15-20% of students progressed to secondary school, and merely 10% made it to universities, with institutions selecting only the top performers. Today, education has been democratized, leading to a more diverse job market. While the previous system produced highly qualified individuals, the current system accommodates a larger number of students, resulting in varied levels of knowledge. Despite the increased facilities, the higher number of students presents challenges. The education system hasn't declined; instead, it has undergone dynamic changes to include a broader spectrum of learners.

One effective approach is to find ways to use professional skills to impact, change mindset and employing our talents and nurturing our ability to influence change in our communities. on how to use your skills to influence change and impact your communities. By collaborating with ministries like the Authentic World Ministry, you can offer leadership courses that educate church members on how to leverage their skills to make a meaningful difference.

Through implementing social ideas within the teaching community. In Africa, conversations often revolve around the need to work hard to find a job. Teachers have the power to change lives by instilling expectations and aspirations in their students. Words are powerful and can plant the seeds of change, impacting the future and fostering a changed mindset in the children you teach.

Day three’s message on the mountain of education was truly awakening, offering profound insights into how diasporas can significantly contribute to the development of education systems in their African countries. Additionally, we gained a valuable understanding of our role in creating environments that facilitate meaningful collaboration between diasporas and local communities, paving the way to build Africa.