---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 13 Mar 2000 16:24:36 +0300 From: Abdul-Rahim Dewo <[log in to unmask]> Reply-To: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [african2000] Re: Greetings from the Pearl of Africa Hi brother Alfred, Thank you for addressing the issue about news from Africa usually being just about suffering and disaster. However, at LifeInAfrica.com, we believe we can change this grimness, but only with your help. Africa and its diaspora are on the verge of a positive trend towards emancipation and your idea of " The best way to get out of our world to the world of our dream is to show the outside world the great potentials we have." I agree with you whole heartedly because we have got to potray a genuine sense of pride for who we are, what we do and what we can offer. The potentials we have are countless, but we could begin with rebuilding our "Global African Family" through initating ties of kinship amongst mainland Africans and those in the Diaspora. I think this will extend the element of African identity to our huge African community in the diaspora. "Like you rightly pointed out in your article, a major goal of africa2000 should be to bring to light the positive sides of Africa." We must be organised as a People with a common destiny. I call upon Africans abroad, Africans of descent and friends-of-Africa to realise that since "The whole world (especially the western world) is highly capitalistic, no body wants to associate his/herself with a dying man." Our destiny is now in our own hands. The centuries of deprivation can not make us give up now. The mineral and human resources are enormous, but the TRICK is to evenly distribute them to suit the needs of every African, be it on the main land or in the Diaspora. 'For those of you who don't know, about 70% of the goods sold in Europe today are manufactured in Asia.' So why don't we rebuild and sustain our own African domestic market, which must be well over 700 million people. From time memorial, our ancient parents lived in harmony with their environment, but the present day scenario is shocking and absurd. What are we to do? We could adopt a Afro-Eco friendly (A-EF) system that will avoid 'engineering our way back to distraction.' In Africa we must begin by campaigning agaisnt "dumped" goods and services which are inconsumable by the 'developed' world. Our comsumption behaviour must be spontaneous with issues of equality and optimisation. Much us our wealth is Enormous, but also depletable. I will keep you abreast with the African Dream. You can visit our African Dream Gallery at: http//www.LifeInAfrica.com/dreams/index.htm Enjoy the dreams! Abdul Bringing you back home to your rich culture and heritage -----Original Message----- From: Alfred Okele [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, March 10, 2000 2:10 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [african2000] Re: Greetings from the Pearl of Africa Hi brother Abdul. It was really nice to read your mail. I Had really been wondering if the only news that come out of Africa is news of suffering and disaster. In fact I have read quite a number of articles written by brothers and sisters and more than 90% has talked about the short comings of mother-land. Like you rightly pointed out in your article, a major goal of africa2000 should be to bring to light the positive sides of Africa. I don't know how many people will agree with me in this, but I strongly believe that a positive way to get rich is to portray your self as being rich. We can not grow by crying to the western world that we are all dying and need help. The whole world (especially the western world) is highly capitalistic. No body want to associate his/herself with a dying man. The best way to get out of our world to the world of our dream is to show the outside world the great potentials we have. For those of you who don't know, about 70% of the goods sold in Europe today is manufactured in Asia. You might want to take a moment to think about the benefit that the Asian countries are deriving from this. I an not presently based at home but I think people abroad can be of use in a few areas if there is good contact with home. For example, I am presently conducting a research in the field of environmental management. If we get ourselves well organised, companies or authorities in Africa that has specific environmental problems can communicate this problems to me. If I can be of help in providing advice based on studies that had been carried out in Europe on this issue, I will be glad to help. Professionals in various fields will also be willing to corporate. On the other hand, if our colleges back home come up with something interesting (which they always do), they can communicate this with brothers and sisters abroad who are normally in better position to make the world know of the new developments. Please do think about this issues and make comments --- Abdul-Rahim Dewo <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > Hi 21st Century African Youth, > > Greetings from the Pearl of Africa. I am new to the > list and > are very happy for the messages that have been > posted to me. > Most importantly, I am very pleased with the great > work you > are doing for Africa at Africa2000. > > The Life in Africa Foundation (LiA) started in > October 1999 > when we realized we'd stumbled upon a unique way to > harness > the power of the internet for positive change in the > world. > LiA is an entirely volunteer run organization with > an army > of wonderfully dedicated volunteers in Uganda, as > well as a > growing number of on-line volunteers who believe > strongly > in what we're doing, and are helping in a variety of > ways > to increase our web-content and outreach around the > world. > > Our mission is three-fold: > > * To promote an increased International > understanding of > Africans and the realities of the contemporary > life in > Africa through the dissemination of African-human > interest > stories, facts and cultural information, primarily > via > e-mail publications and the internet. > > * To improve the quality of life in Africa by > providing for > Africans opportunities to take control of their > own future > through technical and financial support to > innovative > programs in Microfinance. > > * To promote Microfinance to the global public at > large as an > effective and sustainable development for African > nations > and peoples, which respects the individual > priorities of the > African people, and to facilitate dialogue within > the > Microfinance industry in Africa on issues relevant > to > industry practices, governance and innovation. > > In February 1999, we launched a new website at: > http://www.LifeInAfrica.com. I invite you to visit > and take a > good look at it. I know you will enjoy every bit of > it. > > The site is a showcase for : human interest stories > about Africa > and Africans, which present a more positive side of > Africa than > is normally seen in the media; contemporary African > art; Africa > relate books and music, Photos from around the > African continent; > and short stories, poetry and articles from > unpublished African > writers. > > As you might observe, we have gathered a lot of > information about > Africa. However, due to connectivity being so low in > Africa, we > have had a very big problem of getting African > writers to > contribute original or previously published short > stories, > poetry and articles about life in Africa towards our > Voices > from Africa section. > > We are in serious need of African writers who can > significantly > boost our mission of promoting increased > International understanding > of Africans and the realities of the contemporary > life in Africa > through the dissemination of African-human interest > stories, facts > and cultural information. > > If you have any idea of someone who can help us in > this quest, we > shall be more than grateful. Please let us know what > you think > about the newsite. I wish you peace and good health. > > God Bless! > > Sincerely, > > Abdul-Rahim Dewo > Web Promotions Manager > The Life in Africa Foundation > Kampala, Uganda. > http://www.LifeInAfrica.com > Bringing Africa and her people > on your screen > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Swirl, sniff, sip, celebrate. Toast your next > tasting with party > supplies and entertaining ideas from > GreatEntertaining.com. Wine > glasses, flutes, cheese spreaders, candles, > chargers, and more. > http://click.egroups.com/1/1747/3/_/30559/_/952553093/ > > -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the > group calendar! > -- > http://www.egroups.com/cal?listname=african2000&m=1 > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cooking up a storm? 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