Seeking Information on Potential Support for Educators in LMICs

By emmannaemeka @ 2023-09-12T21:38 (+6)

Dear Effective Altruism Community,

I hope this message finds you all well. I have a question regarding a situation I'm currently facing, and I'm curious if any of you might have insights.

I am a medical Microbiologist. My passion lies in deciphering how this changing climate fosters the emergence of novel and more formidable pathogens, posing a grave risk to human lives. Employing state-of-the-art technologies, I embark on a journey to uncover the intricate molecular evolution mechanisms driving the transformation of these pathogens, all while embracing the powerful one-health framework. My research delves deep into the complex web of interactions within microbial communities, with a sharp focus on their evolutionary trajectories. I wholeheartedly support the hypothesis that climate change is a catalyst for the birth of unprecedented pathogens, poised to threaten not only humans but also animals and plants alike.

In my role as a senior lecturer in a Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC), my university has unfortunately not paid our salaries for the past four months. Despite this, we continue to fulfill our teaching responsibilities and conduct research. It's a challenging situation where we cannot easily request assistance, yet we must maintain productivity, often measured in terms of research publications.

Given these circumstances, I'm wondering if there are any existing funds, programs, or resources that could potentially offer temporary salary support to educators like me who are dedicated to their teaching and impact but are facing financial difficulties due to salary delays.

I firmly believe that the work we do as educators has a significant, positive, and lasting impact on society, primarily through the students we mentor and guide. However, the financial challenges we currently face threaten our ability to continue this vital mission.

If any of you are aware of resources, initiatives, or avenues for support that could help educators navigate salary delays in challenging environments, I would greatly appreciate your insights and knowledge-sharing. Your input could contribute to finding sustainable solutions to ensure that educators can continue their vital work without undue financial pressure. if you however want to support, I will be willing to discuss. 

Thank you for considering my question, and I look forward to any information you can provide.

Warm regards,

Nnaemeka Emmanuel Nnadi