What are you thoughts on issues in Africa? How can we help?

Question

Africa faces AIDS, poverty, and genocide in Darfur, not to mention the amputations and killings in Sierra Leone over conflict diamonds. How can a land so blessed with natural resources, be the poorest in the world? I believe that Europe and the USA have been a major contributor to this turmoil and poverty, through slavery, colonialism, and politics.

How can we help Africa, which I believe is the cradle of life, the land we ALL came from many years ago... What can we as Americans do? It goes beyond throwing money at the problems, because we all know like Somalia, many warlords intercept money and food.

So we must take an active role in aid. Ourselves. Our US government, the pharmaceutical industry, teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers.. anybody who can enrich the lives of Africans and help our fellow human beings in need.

This isn't about religion or politics, but a cry for help we have to answer. Why? Because we have the capacity to do so.
Any suggestions?

And please, NO inflamatory comments or racism.

I really thought more people would answer this question...

Answer 1

Humanitarian aid is about all we can do. Wish there were something else we could do.

Answer 2

It is very difficult to root out a society where corruption is the cultural norm and a way of life. Even 'modern' China experiences corruption embedded into its culture. The task is monumental. How do we provide humanitarian aid without reinforcing a welfare state? How do we dislodge a corrupt system without going to war, which might only make things worse? How do we send our peace corps over without risking their lives or risking kidnappings?

The main answer is lots of prayer.
Other practical ways would be to identify a 'beacon of light'...an organization that you know is reputable with integrity, spends its money well, and is held accountable to other 3rd-party auditors, or has an unquestionable internal auditing system (look at Mormon organizations that work overseas for example...but this is not a promotion for Mormonism, I use them only as an example.) Once you identify this beacon of light...invest into them. Keep investing into them as you keep them accountable.
The main things to invest in are food and education...they go hand-in-hand. Don't expect to see results in the short-term...it may take a generation before you can glean encouragement. Continued corruption should be expected to continue, but the hope is that with advanced education, they will move above it someday.

There was an ex-terrorist that spoke at Stanford recently. He said he became a terrorist BEFORE he learned to read.

Answer 3

Africa brings a lot of its mess on its own. The regions are run by independent leaders who are corrupt. They know that they can impose heavy taxes and fees to any country who offers to help or try to commercialize their lands or resources.
Until a middle class can be developed and a stable, accountable government in place, the people are used for cheap labor that can involve inhuman treatment with no recourse.
Other places in Africa have already chosen to align themselves with muslim idealists, and will overthrow stable governments with militia's.
Africa should be held accountable for their deeds to their people by, if no other committee, the U.N. There should be some measure in place so that their own people should have access to grow economically.
It is one thing for a commercial venture to go into Africa and try to make a living, but the U.S. government should be very careful to be involved unless it is for the lives of Americans that choose to venture that commercial path.

Answer 4

I don't have the answer, but when I read today's news on at&t yahoo.com re: Mass grave, memories feed fear in Darfur, I cried, these people are suffering so. The U.S. can't do it all, Please, we need other Countries involved in order to help these people. The majority of these killings are done by the Sudanese army and the janjaw militamen backed by the Sudanese. Now the Islamic militas are fighting for control. The women and some of the children are raped for hours by these demonic spirits!

Answer 5

Money is is important but most important is how it is spent. Missionary zeal is required to tackle such issues. Christian missionaries have a very good record.in the past centuries.

Answer 6

the govt need to stop lie about cruse for aids and start save lifes

Answer 7

Africa is just cursed, hun. We have come to accept it. No one can help us infact no one cares. I don't even blame them. It's just a hopeless case.