Improve the system for determining the apparent age of children attending primary schools without a birth certificate.
Content:
Ages fraud scandals have tarnished African sport at the international level. In 2009, FIFA adopted MRI as an age determination tool for its youth level competitions but recent studies show that bone age assessment has a very large margin of error and cannot be a standard for determining apparent age when we know that environmental factors greatly influence the development of the child. There are populations in which the disappearance of growth cartilage is 4 to 5 years earlier than in another. The ugly face of the problem is that many children are born out of the healthcare system. In Cameroon, approximately 1.7 million children, or 66 %, do not have a birth certificate. These children are said to be "invisible" In other words, they live without being recognised by the country whose citizenship they claim. According to a study carried out by Unicef, 40,000 children, in the Far North region alone, will find it difficult to present their end of year First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) for lack of a birth certificate. To establish these birth certificates, it will be necessary to make an estimate of their apparent age in a complex process which discourages parents. It is evident that the determination of apparent age should not only be seen from a clinical standpoint. Instead, socio-cultural and environment factors must also be taken into account.
To remedy this situation which has reached the alert level, it is urgent to propose a simplified and open system for determining Apparent Age to turn invisible kids to visible ones based on available Data and Machine Learning techniques.
The aim of this project is to develop a solution that will reduce the birth certificate delivery process.
We look forward to a situation where every child has a birth certificate. Where they are protected, cared for and given the opportunities to act as citizens. Where they grow strong in communities full of promise. Where families are aware of the necessity to protect their children by declaring their birth to authorities. Where kids become responsible citizens of a well-led nation. Where peace and justice reign and all have the right to contribute. Communities and municipalities would help by sharing valuable informations and data in order to help predict apparent ages. Education and constant communication with parents will help solve the problem and decrease proliferation of fake birth certificates called “Kumba” in our national landscape.
Open and multy faceted contribution to this project are highly encouraged! Contributrions of any form following personnal interest, availability, or skill can be made through this project repository on GitHub. All participants are expected to follow our project's code of conduct and check the Contributions Guidelines.
If you want to report a problem or suggest an improvement, feel free to send a pulled request to this Github repository or contact a project's team members following details below.
- Jafsia elisee Personal info: JAFSIA Elisee is the head of the Electromechanical and Artificial Intelligence department at MboaLab in Cameroon. JAFSIA is holder of a MSc in Material sciences from the University of Yaounde I as well as a MEd in Physics from the Higher teacher’s training college of Yaounde. He is currently member of the DIDA (Digital diagnostics for better healthcare in Africa) network and the technical lead for the OpenFlexure Microscope project in the MbaoLab.
Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Cameroun Contact info: Personal email: "jafsia elisee" jafsiaelisee@gmail.com Username on community forums or chat: Elja GitHub profile: https://www.github.com/jafsia GitLab profile: https://gitlab.com/jafsia Blog: https://www.linkedin.com/jafsiaelisee Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/euclude
- Stephane Fadanka Personal info: Stephane Fadanka is a Molecular Biology researcher and a fervent advocate of Open Science in Africa with a particular interest in plant and synthetic biotechnology. Carrying a long-standing passion for agriculture and plant biotechnology, he conducted a study on microbial host interaction for integrated pest management to Masters level. His current research interests include (1) developing and adapting modern Biotechnology tools and methods to be used in low resource settings and (2) screening of novel, cheap and environmentally friendly biologically active compounds from microorganisms and (3) the development of cost-effective and widely accessible plant propagation methods. Stephane is currently the Executive Director of MboaLab and has close to two years of professional experience as a researcher then research manager for the UK-based social enterprise Beneficial Bio Ltd.
Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon Contact info: Personal email: "Stephane Fadanka" stephanefadanka@gmail.com Username on community forums or chat: Stephane Fadanka GitHub profile: https://github.com/Fadanka GitLab profile: https://gitlab.com/stephanefadanka Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/StephaneFadanka
- KEDMAYLA Nathanael personal info: Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon Contact info: Personal email : nkedmayla@gmail.com
- DIAPA Yanick Personal info: Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon Contact info: Personal Email : Diapayanick2016@gmail.com
- NDEGHALA Hilary Personal info: Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon Contact info: Personal Email: hylaryemma@gmail.com
- BARBARI A BARBARI Michelle Personal info Timezone: Africa/Douala Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon Contact info: Personal Email : michellefreddia@gmail.com