Do countries such as Kenya have institutions or legislation or Bills of Rights so that they keep on moving forward? I found it depressing how in one country I visited about five years ago that they were conducting literacy programs for people who had not attended school but now they're not paying teachers a reasonable income at public schools and seem to have a user pays attitude.
I would like to ask you why you consider that 'much of Africa looks set to escape the poverty trap of the past 50 years or more' ? A quarter of African countries are facing hunger ~ 140 million people or more. This comes down to wars, climate change, debt, inequity and the astounding greed of those in power. The West of course just looks on.
Ethiopia for example experienced loss of life and loss of income through covid. Then the Tigray conflict was so threatening that houses were abandoned and people had to flee. On top of that the government has been in conflict with local militias which didn't want to disarm in the Amhara region. For 'safety', people have needed to remain indoors. There is no aid being supplied there and of course prices have escalated for the scarce food which is available.
On either side of Ethiopia - Somalia and Sudan are also facing hunger. This is also being faced in southern, central and eastern countries of Africa.
But poverty isn't just lack of food but the state of living in an unjust society where no-one worries if you have to do work which is poorly paid and harmful to your health or that you can't access education or health services or that you have to walk kilometres to access water which then needs to be lugged back over that distance.
Do countries such as Kenya have institutions or legislation or Bills of Rights so that they keep on moving forward? I found it depressing how in one country I visited about five years ago that they were conducting literacy programs for people who had not attended school but now they're not paying teachers a reasonable income at public schools and seem to have a user pays attitude.
I would like to ask you why you consider that 'much of Africa looks set to escape the poverty trap of the past 50 years or more' ? A quarter of African countries are facing hunger ~ 140 million people or more. This comes down to wars, climate change, debt, inequity and the astounding greed of those in power. The West of course just looks on.
Ethiopia for example experienced loss of life and loss of income through covid. Then the Tigray conflict was so threatening that houses were abandoned and people had to flee. On top of that the government has been in conflict with local militias which didn't want to disarm in the Amhara region. For 'safety', people have needed to remain indoors. There is no aid being supplied there and of course prices have escalated for the scarce food which is available.
On either side of Ethiopia - Somalia and Sudan are also facing hunger. This is also being faced in southern, central and eastern countries of Africa.
But poverty isn't just lack of food but the state of living in an unjust society where no-one worries if you have to do work which is poorly paid and harmful to your health or that you can't access education or health services or that you have to walk kilometres to access water which then needs to be lugged back over that distance.
Good luck with your new pathway. It will surprise you how easily you fill up that calendar. Enjoy the freedom it gives you to say “No, not today.”