A Letter To Privileged Africans

There are times when we must be still and thank God for all He has done. The African continent has been blessed with so much wealth yet we seem not to be profiting from it, my prayer is that we are not so blind that we allow our blessed continent to be colonized again, only this time it won't be the African people being governed, this time it will be others coming in to take away the blessings on our lands and in our waters, let's not wake up one day and discover that Africa does not belong to Africans anymore.

There are many Africans who are privileged to live a very comfortable life, many brilliant, hard-working individuals who have worked their fingers to the bone to maintain a decent living with integrity and dignity, and then if we are, to be honest, there are some rotten apples amongst us who have gotten their wealth through ill means compromising everything decent in them to attain the wealth they now spend lavishly.

My African brothers and sisters The Almighty whether you call him God or Allah did not give you this wealth, this abundance for yourself alone, when we are blessed we are obliged to outstretch a helping hand to the less privileged. Yes, it sounds like common sense but as we know common sense is not common.

For those of you who are able why not challenge yourselves, reach out and see who you can help. If I may be so bold here are a few suggestions.

When you pay your child’s school fees, consider paying the school fees for one child of your house help, nanny, cook, driver, or any domestic worker. And for some of you, how about paying for the education of an entire classroom of underprivileged children for one school term or even the full school year, I can assure you the school fees of theses children you are helping will not be a quarter of what you are paying in a term in a private school to give your child the education he or she is obtaining. Malcolm X said ”Education is the passport to the future”. And quoting Benjamin Franklin ” An investment in knowledge pays the best interest ”.

How about giving your domestic workers time off, a holiday a week maybe two, with a financial package of double their salary. There are so many charities that need assistance sometimes it's not just financial, volunteer to teach a subject, read to a class, coach a soccer team,teach a dance class, or any other activity you feel you have the skill to pass on to those less privileged ,even if it's just for a few hours in a day, give of your time, show your children examples of how to be of service to others.

Most times, one of the most difficult struggles for those less privileged is how to keep a roof over their heads and keep food on the table for their families. My privileged brothers and sisters here are where you can come in. Be an anonymous donor, donate funds for the rent of someone’s household for a month or a year if so inclined Visit a hospital and pay the hospital bill of a patient, you don't need to know the patient, be anonymous. Purchase foodstuff and surprise a family or two with the items you purchased. As we reach out to help the less privileged amongst us we are actually increasing the windfall of blessings that are being poured on ourselves. We have been told whatsoever you do for the least of your brother you are doing for Almighty God / Allah What you do in private God / Allah will reward you in the open.

Lending a helping hand to the less privileged dose, not have to be complicated, you don't have to stand on a mountain top to announce to the world what you're doing. Great examples of our African brothers who have not forgotten their roots and are silently making huge impacts on the African continent are Sadio Mane from Senegal. Sadio is a premiership footballer with the Liverpool Football Club, Mo Salah from Egypt, Mo also a premiership footballer also with Liverpool Football Club, and our brother Wilfried Zaha from Ivory Coast also a premiership footballer who plays for Crystall Palace Football Club. Why the mention of theses particular young African men one might ask, may I submit to you that these three heroes do what they do without fanfare without trying to call attention to themselves, they give with humility and a genuine love for their fellow man. In spite of all their wealth and fame, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Wilfried Zaha have not forgotten the less privileged in the motherland.

These young men have not forgotten their roots and humble beginnings. Sadio Mane has made numerous donations to his home town of Bambaly in Senegal donating money to build a hospital, Secondary Schools and financially assist those less privileged on regular bases. Mo Salah who showed his generous character when he refused to accept the villa awarded him as a gift for scoring the winning goal which qualified Eygpt into the World Cup in 2018, insisting that the money should be donated to his village in Eygpt to help those who were less privileged. Salah has also provided access to clean water and donated millions to the cancer institute in Egypt. Wilfried Zaha our Ivorian brother gives away 10 percent of his earnings to causes that will improve the lives of people in his native land of Ivory Coast. ’’Tomorrow's Hope” the orphanage run by his sister also provides educational programs to less privileged children. Zaha’s generosity did not stop there, he also reached out to widow’s, providing them with financial assistance.

Our three African young 27-28-year-old heroes do not do this for accolades, all have one belief in common which is, The Almighty whether you call Him God or Allah has blessed them, and therefore they, in turn, pass the blessing on. Sadio Mane, Mo Salah, and Wilfrield Zaha have demonstrated one of God’s / Allah’s greatest commandments which tell us to love our neighbors. This is what love is all about.

My world family to those of you who are already reaching out and giving of your time and finances, what can one say but, thank you. You are changing lives for the better. You are teaching priceless lessons of kindness compassion, and love, to others, especially to the younger generation, children, and young adults around you who will take the positive lessons you are teaching and someday pay it forward.

Much love

Abi