Letter to my African Brother (and Sister) by Christina MUKONGOMA

My African brother or sister. It is with a heart full with love and hope that I decided to write this letter to you today. It is extremely probable that you do not speak French, but it is also sure that one way or the other, this letter will reach you. Dear brother, it was necessary that I write this letter to you - to share with you a subject in which I am passionately interested for a while. I am writing it to you,  not to the others, quite simply because you are sufficiently informed, educated and sharp enough to understand the challenges of your city and change them into opportunities. Moreover, these are matters that we discuss about in family. 

By this letter, I just wanted just to remind you that the authorities (policy makers) of your city will give you credit only by the way you will react to the various circumstances that occur to you - depending on the context. They will not change anything if you do not ask for it, neither will they give you a place in decision making, if you do not prove your deep desire to change things in your surroundings.

  Dear brother, I did not say that it will be easy. There will be period of discouragement and despair, but during these dark periods, always remember that you are not doing it for yourself; but for your grandfather at the village, who once believed that with the departure of the White Man, Africa would be a paradise... For your father, who really wanted you all to be at school... For your mother, who dreams to satisfy your hunger every day; your brother, which would like to study in good conditions, and your sister who would like to walk everywhere without fear of being raped. Remember that it is for that twelve year old lad, who is fed of being a “kadogo” (small soldier). It is for those families that lost their loved ones in meaningless wars, and that it is for your child and all your generation to come that you are doing it. Continue...