It was at an international conference where Sam was invited to deliver a speech about African children, being someone who had struggled to survive. There was a clapping ovation as he mounted on the podium and observed the necessary protocols.He smiled and said, "An African child is a bird scouring the branches of a tree until it finds a comfortable perch to build its nest upon; however, if the branch does not suit its quest, it will fly to another.
"An African child is a bird in the evening that will not sleep deeply at the roadside, lest it becomes prey in the hands of market women. An African child cannot speak without using proverbs. When an African child sets a goal, he will jump into the Mediterranean Sea to reach it. If he is drowned, he becomes food to all sea creatures; his family will cry and mourn for him and his lineage may close. But if he succeeds, he will make his generation proud.
"It does not give an African child joy when he sees how poverty has robbed him of his future. An African child wants to be like all others; he wants freedom and wants to express his feelings. An African child is not afraid to speak his mind, no matter what the leaders and the politicians may do to him.
"An African child wants food, shelter and good healthcare. He does not retreat if he faces danger but if he does, he"ll look for an alternate strategy. Let an African child know his opinion counts. An African child wants to smile, give him a reason to. He wants to stand, help him. He wants to stop crying don"t keep him crying. He wants to try, give him a chance. An African child wants a cup of water, don"t give him a bottle of acid.
"If I tell you that an African child drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to cross to Europe in search of greener pastures, what comes to mind?"
Sam paused and looked at the audience to observe their reaction. Some were numb, while some were mumbling their opinion.
"Foolishness, I guess?" he asked and continued, "Don"t judge an African child for taking such egregious risk until you hear his story.
"When I was little, I used to blame people for taking such dangerous risks until I grew up and experienced what pushed them to do so in the first place, then I became less judgmental. Those who live in the gla.s.shouse or mansion do not know what people who live in the mud house go through, especially during the rainy season.
"An Africa child has an invisible sign written on his forehead: "Life is a risk, take it or die in poverty." Each time sweat streams from his face it reminds him who he is, where he comes from, where he is going, and the struggles that await him.
"Africa is so blessed to feed the entire world, but the greed, corruption and selfishness of our leaders and politicians have robbed us the opportunity. Now, the princes are forced to walk barefoot while slaves ride on horses. The sweat of the poor brings riches to the politicians.
"When will the struggle of the poor African children end; until they go to their eternal homes or until life decides to be fair?
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"Before the rising of the sun, an African child wakes to face the challenges of the day. At sunset, he rejoices over his struggle. In the dark, he laughs at his fear and at dawn, he welcomes the day with a fresh mind because he had forgotten yesterday"s torment.
"Tradition and culture have also contributed to poverty and suffering in Africa. A poor African child may sell his land or borrow money only to bury his dead father. Most often than not, what an African child inherits from his father is debt; he"ll pay that acc.u.mulated debt until he grows old and dies, leaving his own children with debt.
"Some female African children are forced to marry at an early age because of poverty. A poor father who cannot pay his debts may forcefully offer his daughter"s hand in marriage to his debtor to cancel all he owes. While some will be promised a better life overseas, when they are trafficked they will be forced into prost.i.tution. The oppression of the poor is the pleasure of the rich.
"An African child is proud of his skin, his ident.i.ty and his origin. Let the world appreciate the courage of each African child..."
Looking at the partic.i.p.ants again, Sam said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I would appreciate it if you could stand up and observe a minute silent for all the poor African children who have died in this struggle." The partic.i.p.ants stood, and after observing the silence, almost everyone in the crowd broke down in tears. Touched by partic.i.p.ants" sympathy, Sam said, "I would like to end my speech by leaving with you food for thought. When a child inherits poverty from his father, he transfers it to his own children."
Sam quietly stepped down from the podium to a continuous clapping ovation.