The African Child and Poverty in Africa

" I Have a Story to Tell,

 a story of lost hopes, dreams and aspirations of the African child in relation to Poverty in Africa".

Numbers are one thing, we see statistics and often do not stop to think that behind the numbers, behind the statistics, are living beings that are now on their own.  Children who lack most everything, deprived of hope, deprived of family, unable to live out a meaningful existence unless help comes fast but it takes years to reverse the present trends of AIDS infection .

One in 10 sub-Sahara African children are orphaned at the present time.  Orphan rates that are over 5% means that the local community, the family, extended family units are unable to help due to the overwhelming numbers.

 The only practical solution for the present and future situation is to enlist thousands of African families into providing foster care for such orphans.  Giving them the money needed for the basics for that child or children and allowing these orphans to grow up in a family structure where they are catered for, make a home and find the reasonable security and peace necessary during their growing up years. 

There is poverty in Africa but Africa has almost all it takes to be the richest continent on earth. The major problem facing Africa today is corruption and poor leadership.  There are greedy people in Africa including our leaders who don't care about their poor mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.

Some people are too greedy and that is why Africa remains poor. People are killing their own brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers just to make money. People didn't care about yesterday and people don't even care about tomorrow. All they care about is money and money and that is why Africa remains poor.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of progress and more is achievable.  Importantly, Africa’s development agenda is increasingly African-led.  Improved partnerships between African and donor nations have resulted in increased aid flows being used more effectively.

The African Union (AU), supported by the donor community, is helping to deliver many of Africa’s pre-requisites for development; particularly in the areas of peace and security and governance.  The AU are developing the necessary structures and institutions to allow Africa to better prevent, manage, and resolve conflict in the region.

There has been a recent major shift in African effort to address the continents problems. The New Partnership for Africa’s development (NEPAD) and the AU aim to tackle HIV/AIDS, reduce poverty and sustain long-term economic growth. It’s committed to governance and promoting peace and security. Many countries are showing signs of progress towards democracy and governance. The African Union has established the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as a voluntary self monitoring mechanism for states to conform to the agreed political, economic and corporate governance values. 24 countries have so far signed up to participate in the APRM.

“I know poverty because poverty was there before I was born and it has become part of life like the blood through my veins.

 Poverty is not going empty for a single day and getting something to eat the next day. 

Poverty is going empty with no hope for the future. Poverty is getting nobody to feel your pain 

and poverty is when your dreams go in vain because nobody is there to help you. 

Poverty is watching your mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters die in pain and in sorrow just because they couldn't get something to eat.

Poverty is hearing your grandmothers and grandfathers cry out to death to come take them because they are tired of this world. 

Poverty is watching your own children and grandchildren die in your arms but there is nothing you can do. 

Poverty is watching your children and grandchildren share tears in their deepest sleep.

Poverty is suffering from HIV/AIDS and dying a shameful death but nobody seems to care. 

Poverty is when you hide your face and wish nobody could see you just because you feel less than a human being. 

Poverty is when you dream of bread and fish you never see in the day light.

Poverty is when people accuse you and prosecute you for no fault of yours but who is there to say something on your behalf?

Poverty is when the hopes of your fathers and grandfathers just vanish within a blink of an eye.  

I know poverty and I know poverty just like I know my father's name. 

Poverty never sleeps. Poverty works all day and night. 

Poverty never takes a holiday"            

(One Poor African)