A talk by Chimamanda Adichie
There is so much that is missed because we listen to a single, yet compelling story. In order for us to hear the voice of the people in South African communities we must be present and willing to not just listen but to hear. We can then collaborate to enable people to create the environment and circumstance they want or at least have the opportunity to create their circumstance. Aid as aid is now is ineffective and a handout that creates a debilitating dependancy. What support is supposed to create is self-determination and the ability for people to take care of their own needs because they have received support and had skills transferred so that they can make sustainable and long term changes in the lives, their families and their communities - themselves!.Africa is an amazing continent, South Africa is an inspiring and beautiful country that deserves to break the chains of past prejudice simply because each South African has their own story and collectively have huge inner resources evidenced by what they have already endured and over come. Our job is to enable them to see and to be able to choose which opportunities they would like to take on and succeed at, even if that success is purely the experience of trying. The people of South africa, each and every one of our people, is worth it!
