USA: Jackson Backs Off Criticism Of Davis
Rev. Jesse Jackson backed off his criticism of Rep. Artur Davis last night, issuing a statement saying he has "abiding admiration" of the moderate Alabama Democrat. "I talked to Congressman Artur Davis today to assure him of my abiding admiration of him as a leader who is engaged in a huge challenge," the liberal Democratic activist said. "I offer no challenge to his integrity as a leader. Representatives should all vote their conscience in the interest of their constituency."
Mr. Jackson criticized Rep. Davis on Wednesday night for voting against the healthcare overhaul legislation sought by President Barack Obama. Rep. Davis was the only member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the bill. “We even have blacks voting against the healthcare bill from Alabama," Rev. Jackson said at a CBC reception in his honor. "You can’t vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man.”
Rev. Jackson did not refer to the comments in his statement, nor did he state an apology. But he struck a markedly different tone than Wednesday night, and even appeared to back Rep. Davis's campaign to be the first African-American governor of Alabama. "The historical Davis journey as a change agent continues and his latest quest deserves the support of the caring," Mr. Jackson said in the statement. But he did reiterate the need for changes in healthcare, saying they are most needed by "the black and the poor."
Tanzania/Britain: Dambisa Moyo: "Community Banking Helps The Excluded Poor"
Sitting, sun-dappled, under a canopy of trees, members of Vicoba - the Village Community Bank - in Tanzania are holding their weekly meeting "Pasha, Pasha, Boresha!" they cry, rubbing their hands and giving an enthusiastic clap as each member stands and hands over money. This bank is run by villagers who were trained in saving methods, credit group responsibility and business planning by the Swedish organization Orgut. It has 28 members, aged between 22 and 86. They pay in at least 50 shillings (US 4 cents) a week and after 16 weeks can apply for a loan of three times their contribution. Loans for health or education are interest-free; otherwise, interest is charged at 10%.
John Modaha has benefited from a similar scheme. Having borrowed 100,000 TZS (US$75) he bought beans from farmers and sold them to townspeople, making a profit of 60,000 TZS (US$45). This helped him expand his farming business. "My life has changed since the loan," he said. "My family are better off. It is good."
In 2006, a survey revealed that over half the population of Tanzania had no access to any kind of financial service and less than one tenth had a bank account. For poor rural communities, micro-finance is the way forward. Dambisa Moyo, the Zambian-born conservative economist, is enthusiastic. 'The important point," she writes, "is that the previously unbankable and excluded poor are now part of a functioning financial dynamic. With this comes a culture of borrowing and repayment crucial for financial development in a successful economy."
Britain: 'Black Farmer' Tells His Story At Kingston Maurward College
The Conservative Party parliamentary candidate for Chippenham said he is passionate about vocational education following his own experiences of leaving school without qualifications. He said: “I was also dyslexic and the traditional education system failed me. That’s why I’m calling for more support for colleges such as Kingston Maurward because agricultural education is so important. The most crucial thing for success is to have the courage to dream. You also need to have focus and the right attitude.”
Students representing animal conservation and welfare, agriculture and land-based studies packed into the college’s indoor arena to hear the talk. Mark Hymas, animal care lecturer who organized the visit, said: “He is a fantastic role model for our students and shows them anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
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