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salami adewale
Joined: Jan 23, 2003
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Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
February 8, 2003 - 02:01 AM
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Only God will convince me that African are not completely in poverty now with HIS divine intervention in our lives.Africans wake up daily to eat what they see and not what they want to eat , they work anywhere under any condition to earn aliving.Is this suppose to be for the continent endowed with so much resources and human intellects?Let all African youths see and decipher on what can be done to save our continent.
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Lauren
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
February 8, 2003 - 02:22 AM
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With the rise of capitalism, it's understandable that this would happen to Africa. Although that doesn't make it right. Personally,it seems to me that there are abuse issues here in which Africa is being wrongfully depleted of its resources and necessities. Personally I want to see my country and others give back to Africa, instead of take away from it. We owe you so much, yet we've given you so little. It's not right.
I recently saw a political cartoon that outlined it all perfectly. It says:
You have a world with enough food being grown to feed 6 billion people daily.
And then, you have 6 billion people.
What would you choose to do?
A: Choose to have 6 billion well-fed, happy people.
or
B: Choose to allow famines, death and hunger in some parts of the world, while in the other parts (for example the US), hoard food and resources.
I think this concept invokes some interesting thought.
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shoks
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
February 17, 2003 - 09:43 AM
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Unfortunately, this is a very sad scenario in our global village to-day. Very true, poeverty is still rife in Africa and by saying Africa, South Africa (often seen as some self-sufficient exemplary country) is indeed starving. Africa is still hard hit by poverty. Capitalism and its greed cousin have played a major role indeed...
Lauren, I think that cartoon you're referring to just sums the situation. If you know of any "politicos" or powers that be, just raise basics like these. It's such a pity that once people are in power all they obsess about is more power.
Walesalami, I'm sorry but may we not to entertain religion at all otherwise with the same breath I'd ask: When Africa, Asia, America and Australia were invaded by Europe where was God? When the rest of the world suffered in the hands of Reagan and other fascists where was God. When millions of people died in SA, Angola, Sierra Leone, Mocambique etc of hunger, genocides etc where was He?
What we need to do is pull ourselves towards ourselves! We need to make Nepad, among others, work. We need to think and act, before we're all dead!
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Ayodeji Thomas Adewunmi
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
February 17, 2003 - 10:26 AM
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Thanks Shoskm, Walesalami, & Lauren...Africa needs change.
I think the solution to our problem will always be engendered by people like us. We need to start getting involved in all streams of decision-making & policy making processes.But how do we really get involved?
Young people in Africa remains one of the most marginalised group in the continent. As the young people of today a link between today & tommorrow, we should not expect to be given a perfect country but we should strive to make it that way.
I believe NEPAD, AU, WorldBANK, UNDP among others will never provide us with the solutions to our pressing needs: Poverty & Chronic Hunger, Insecurity, Diseases among others; the change lies within each of us. But this is the problem. Why dp our Governments find youth involvement in various ventures too resource pooling & demanding, and without much value.
I think the time as come for Africa to take Youth Involvement in decision-making processes seriously. Youth need to get involved to craft a more informed alliance, to become better leaders of tommorrow, & to bring their intriguing, compelling, & exciting ideas to the tabel.
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Mike
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
April 11, 2003 - 09:01 AM
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I believe change is manifested from the desires of ordinary, unremarkable people.
That is why we cherish it so much.
Africa is not a lost cause. But it does need help, and it needs lots of it. Organisations can help all they want, but the best (and perhaps only way) to save Africa is to save the people just enough for them to take the task upon themselves.
Continental unity would be nice, but change starts small. It starts with those who want to see it the most, and I believe that is the young people of this planet.
- - -
Pred.
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shoks
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profit first - f* health & lives!
April 11, 2003 - 10:21 AM
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Pred I'm sorry I didn't try but I think even if I tried this is too precise and spot on. I do appreciate your observation and informed opinion.
My views might not be in sync with the (mainstream) west's. Practically though Mikael, we the young people of Africa (outside assistance appreciated) should be thinking ahead to unite ourselves etc. Unity, however, brings no food, no cure for disease... peace yes.
The way I feel is that much as some of us aspire to Brother Leader's (Song of the South) dream of a borderless united Africa, realistically speaking this might not be feasible. I was looking at Nigeria or RD Congo for instance and I'm thinking to myself that these countries are plagued by corruption and wars etc. Unfortunately, failures by these nations typify Africa. Some nations, like Egypt, Libya, South Africa or Botswana are - albeit pathetic attitude by the west - don't suffer the evils generally associated with Africa. Gains by these nations are never discussed.
As you mention unity - a little voice says to me "vicious circle". I know of some xenophobic South Africans. Some - political or social - refugees/aliens come to SA in their numbers and participate in economic activities. Since SA is on its own (owing to apartheid legacy) suffering economically with a high unemployment rate etc, these aliens are seen as "stealing our jobs" (a xenophobic statement... I can name many other countries and scenarios) that alone begins to upset our unity.
From struggle against colonialism to the struggle of the tummy
Vicious circle? In Angola they sell blood diamond (theft & murder) to feed themselves. In Kenya cops are super corrupt to beat low salaries so they can feed themselves (collapse of law and order). Mozambique suffers a natural disaster it tries to get up, another disaster and another disaster. On one hand World Bank & Ass have no real-terms mercy, they are helping us sink.
Africa needs lots and lots of love... with your assistance and respect (as human beings) we can rid ourselves. The more we procrastinate or ignore the problem the deeper Africa sinks...
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Mikael
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
April 11, 2003 - 12:46 PM
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If funding is not to be forthcoming from outside sources, what would you say would be the best way for African countries to work together and try to effect change on the continent, in terms of infrastructure and educational development?
That's a pretty open-ended question, so I'll focus it a bit more. If the African continent can truly take itself in hand, if I'm getting the gist of Ayodeji's messages, can African countries unite together to fight corruption, war and other problems plagueing many nations? It seems to me that internal divisions must be solved before problems such as disease and lack of resources can be addressed.
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biara
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
May 17, 2003 - 08:47 AM
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I think in africa povety origine is lack of knowledge and éducation.Because i think devepment requires this thinks.
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Chris
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Africa
May 17, 2003 - 12:08 PM
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I have to agree with a lot of you, Africa deeply needs our help. I have a friend that lives in Africa, he says that they barely get by with a dollar. Not only is their lifestyle bad, but the education also makes African people struggle. With a bad education you can't do anything. Like walsalami said, "only God can convince me that Africa is not completely in poverty." The funding is also not a problem, we can do this. Everyone needs to start raising money, because just sitting there saying that it can't be done, won't change a thing.
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shoks
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
May 31, 2003 - 09:59 AM
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Chris is right. I'm glad you've joined TIGAid, and lets get it moving. Yes, funding is not a problem even if it were - that is why we are committing to $1 towards TIGAid. $1 a day (for Africans) is sad but true.
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Ha Thi Lan Anh
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
June 1, 2003 - 07:09 AM
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Originally posted by BoNo_FaN
1 dollar a day from even just 1,000 people is aA LOT for Africans!!! But the problem with money coming from outside countries is that economic stability is not improved. If we can somehow think of a way where we can help countries in Africa get back on their feet, through the resources of their own country, we are on track to make a difference!
1000USD is a lot for african but the thing is after all the transfer process which takes days or even weeks and with transaction fee the money is not 1000 USD anymore once it reach destination.Its ironic to see how these massive global money tranfer flowing so smoothly between big corporations through huge banks in the world while it is so frustrating and discouraging to transfer small amount of money for aids that can help hundreds people in desparate need.
And you are absolutely right about helping Africa and Least developed and developing countries in general to learn fishing instead of passively receiving the fish.
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Lewis Best
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Re: Is Poverty still relative in Africa?
June 1, 2003 - 12:04 PM
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1 dollar a day from even just 1,000 people is aA LOT for Africans!!! But the problem with money coming from outside countries is that economic stability is not improved. If we can somehow think of a way where we can help countries in Africa get back on their feet, through the resources of their own country, we are on track to make a difference!
Peace
Besty
youthAID International
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