The Post Zambia reported that Zambia and USAID are working together to improve literacy among the nation’s young. This collaboration recently launched “Reading Tools in a Box,” a collection of low-cost reading materials to improve early grade literacy. The box is said to help learners develop important reading skills.

Children from Lusaka’s Vera Chiluba school in Zambia. Photo credit: Sinjela Derrick

An article in Federal Computer Week reports on a rolling contest sponsored by USAID and Humanity United. The Tech Challenge for Atrocity Prevention contest, encourages innovative and technology-driven solutions for international aid. The latest batch of winners was announced on July 10th. The first place winner in the communication category created a “Smartphone software that keeps communication intact in the face of infrastructure damage.”

A publication in The Foreign Policy addressed the issue that two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa lacks access to power. During his recent trip to Africa, President Obama made a commitment to energy as a way in which the United States could help, while also creating investment opportunities for U.S. businesses. Obama is quoted saying, “Access to electricity is fundamental to opportunity in this age,” adding that it’s the “energy that allows an idea to be transformed into a real business.”