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USAID AND THE ANGOLAN MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SIGNED A JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT MOU

Ambassador Efird (right) witnesses JA MOU signing between Angolan Vice-Minister, Pinda Simão (left) and USAID's Acting Director, Marvyn Farroe.

On March 29, USAID Angola and the Angolan Ministry of Education signed an MOU, launching a pilot Junior Achievement program in Angola.  The program will pair selected students from six schools in Luanda and Bengo with mentors and equip them with vital business skills necessary to succeed in business.  Beyond giving business skills and trying to ignite entrepreneurial spirit, the practical hands-on experience is expected to instill important life skills such as discipline, hard work, and professional work ethics.  The project was made possible through a private-public partnership, where USAID provided $400,000, the Ministry of Education furnished classrooms for teaching, and Esso Angola, Coca-Cola, and Odebrecht (a Brazilian corporation) contributed each $50,000.  

In the first year of implementation, the program is expected to benefit close to 200 students from six schools in Luanda and Bengo provinces -- advancing USG interests in the future economic development of Angola.