Ask an Expert

As a returning volunteer, you are faced with a number of real-world issues which remind you of your experience overseas. Perhaps these issues raise questions that you’d like to ask a specialist familiar with the challenges of international development. Use the “Ask an Expert” forum to ask a real expert, or comment on an answer that has already been posted.

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October 30, 2009
My family met a 15 yr old orphaned boy in Kenya who is homeless and has no parents who can help him finish highschool. We would like to bring him to Canada and wondered if your organization knew of how we could get funding to help him. Would he qualifiy as a student refugee?
specialist Answer from:
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)


First of all, we would like to commend you and your family for taking an interest in the issue of basic education for children in Kenya. Many children in Africa are not able to attend primary school and high school remains inaccessible for many more. Countries such as Kenya and Uganda have taken steps to provide more opportunities for youth by introducing free universal primary education. However much still needs to be done so that all children are able to obtain a good quality basic education.   

A student from another country who wishes to study in Canada must meet Canadian immigration requirements. You may find more information concerning these requirement on the Immigration Canada website :  www.cic.gc.ca If the boy that you met in Kenya is of Kenyan nationality, then he would not qualify as a refugee student.   

Some international highschools in Canada offer scolarships for foreign students. You might try doing a web search to see if there may be any scholarship opportunities for your young friend. You may also want to consider looking at options for helping your young friend to continue his schooling in Kenya.  There are boarding schools in Kenya, some of which offer scholarships for disadvantaged students. You may find a boarding school run by church groups in Kenya and make arrangement for covering a part of the expenses while he may be able to provide some work for the school in return for having the rest of the expenses paid for. There are also a number of organizations that offer sponsorship programs. While we are not in a position to make any recommendations concerning which organization to approach, here are a few suggestions of organisations that you may wish to contact to ask for further information: 
www.kenyaeducationfund.org 
www.childrenofkibera.org 
www.schoolaidnetwork.co.uk 
www.thegoodcause.nl 

We hope that you will find this information useful


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June 1st 2009
I recently heard about a bill before Parliament that would facilitate getting medicines to people in developing countries who have HIV/AIDS. Can you tell me more?
specialist Answer from:
Richard Elliott, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network


Five years ago, the legislation creating CAMR passed with unanimous support from all political parties in Parliament.  Canada thus became one of the first countries to implement in domestic law the World Trade Organization decision to enable developing countries to obtain lower-cost, generic versions of medicines by making use of compulsory licensing.

Unfortunately, the legislation is seriously flawed with unnecessary restrictions and regulatory requirements.  In five years, it’s been used only once for a single shipment of medicines to a single country, Rwanda.

The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and other Canadian NGOs within the Global Treatment Access Group (GTAG) coalition have been campaigning for Canada to streamline the legislation by adopting a 'one-license solution.'  The one-licence solution, as proposed by Bill S-232, would allow export of the drug to qualifying developing countries and provides flexibility in quantities to be exported. It would no longer be necessary to determine in advance a maximum quantity of drugs.

The Government of Canada says "more time" is needed to assess CAMR before making any reforms.  But the problems are clear and people needing medicines can't wait. They are literally dying for drugs in the developing world, waiting for affordable antiretroviral (ARV) medicine.  In particular, ARVs for children with HIV are critically needed. Half of all children with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa die before the age of two because they don't have access to affordable medicines suited for children.

We encourage all Global Citizens for Change to get involved in our campaign.  For instance, join our Facebook page or write to your MP.  For more information, go to www.aidslaw.ca/camr.


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