Interlude : A little deviation...

After watching the news last night, and hearing (once again) about how Africa has been (nearly) let down by the G8, I wondered what "mammoth-sized radical change" we would need to prove that the G8, Paris club etc etc can never take away our problems. In other words, we are signing ourselves up for unecessary debts... Nigeria, for one has more resources than many countries which aren't so dependent on aid. We simply keep "needing" external aid because our resources are mismanaged. I guess this is a practical example of how (Like my friend, apekanuko says) you can give a man a fish for years and nothing comes out of it, as opposed to just teaching him how to fish.

I believe that, at this point, we can longer live our lives based on what we get from others. If interested parties do want to help like they say they do, they should be invited to invest in providing resources with which to learn new skills. If these resources are available, people could learn to fend for themselves and take care of their families. For a start, motivational and entrepreneural talks and resources to light the fire, just like Smeresources (but for free). Funding for business ideas could act as an incentive for people, (young people, especially) to set their already-made plans in motion... There is a wealth of ideas out there, which are crippled by lack of funds. However, on the positive side, there are a few little-known opportunities out there, helping people make their dreams a reality!.

On a practical note, touching Africans at the point of their needs would go a long way. We don't need luxuries yet - we are still talking about basic amenities. Amenities like : Clean, constantly running water which would a.)Provide jobs for many people who are competent, and who really need these jobs. b.) Reduce the infection rate of typhoid fever and other water-borne diseases, hence prevent people dying unnecesarily. Other basic amenities, we need are stable electricity, a proper, national waste disposal service, good or even free education for children (at least, children under a certain age) and the list goes on.

Like I always say, we are not at all powerless. If the government cannot step up to their rold and do what is required of them, then I believe individuals can take some of these projects up. Yes, they are not a days - or even a years job but if the will is born, and the determination is there, then resources would be all that we need.