There seems to be a trend recently with regards to 20something to 30something year old Africans in the Diaspora heading home, back to the Motherland - Africa!
I have only been away from home, Mama Africa for 3 years and often, it feels like an eternity! So I can only imagine what it must feel like for those who have been here for a decade or more and my heart especially goes out to those who have not only been back home but CANNOT go home! If you are African, there is NO NEED for me to elaborate as to what that reason could be, there are unspoken issues most of us know all too well. Like the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, even if you have not been affected personally and I mean that literally, you KNOW someone who has.
It seems that one can only go for so long by satisfying the craving for Africa with music from Africa, played by African DJ's at African parties where African food is served and African languages are spoken by and amongst a group of one's African peers. Whilst it can feel surreal, like a dream as you live in the midst of it, no matter how many such parties, functions, outings, do's, gatherings, bashes, weddings, baby showers, fundraisers you go to, they END! And like an addicted drug user or alcoholic, the high fades away, reality hits you hard and guess what, the craving for her is back - AFRICA! And like a cycle, you rush in search of ways to stifle the craving again and again and again....
I will not pretend to be naive and ignore the fact that many Africans in the Diaspora have not only adapted to a life in whichever part of the Diaspora they may be, but have adopted that life as their own and feel that they are better off as such. What works for one, does not necessarily work for all. And as much as I love Africa, I am also fully aware that there are certain African countries where living conditions are unbearable. I understand. To my fellow Africans who have chosen this path, as long as you are safer and healthier first off, then happiness will follow and I wish you well.
To those whose desire to leave nags, gnaws and tugs at their hearts as constant as the air they breathe. Now what? A decision has to be made and for those afflicted by the unspoken issues I mentioned earlier leaving could result in never returning. For you, the decision weighs more heavily than for the others who can go back and forth as they please. Now what?
I believe that it is the responsibility of each and every one of us Africans to assist less fortunate Africans in order for Africa to reach it's full potential as a continent. When I say less fortunate Africans I don't mean the average Western media portrayal of our malnourished, swollen bellied, weak and suffering. I am referring to our fellow countrymen less fortunate in terms of a lack of employment, lack of understanding about how things work, lack of information about how to do one thing or another, lack of ideas about how to go about this or that...basically, as an individual there are certain qualities that you posses almost to perfection, you may be the go to girl or guy for one thing or another - but - you are not perfect, so you don't know it all! Use your skill, opportunity, fortune, mojo or whatever you would like to call your "good" to elevate your peers.
So, to answer the question I posed earlier, "Now what?" Well, now you decide and if your decision is to leave and return home to Africa, I hope that you find the support that makes that transition the rebirth of a beautiful life for you.
This is how that transition would work in my mind, I decide I am returning home indefinitely, he puts me in touch with various companies back home at which I can possibly find employment, they help me pack, she helps me find an African company that I can use to ship my belongings back home at a reasonable price, he suggests that airline and informs me that the prices are lower using this connection on these days, she provides me with the contact information of people in Real Estate who can help me find a good deal on accommodation, he tells me the best way to get a reliable, affordable car and tells me which cellphone providers are better and why and they make suggestions about how I can invest the money I earned in the land far far away and remind me what to be weary of. All those he's and she's and they's by contributing their good elevate me from less fortunate to fortunate and empowered with information, I leave and I am then in a position to help them and others when or if they ever want to come home, as they did me and on and on it goes. UNITY!!!
The truth is, whilst the masses of Africans out of Africa, myself included indeed contribute to a significant 'Brain Drain' with every return we create a collective 'Brain Gain' that I dream will ultimately be the key to us helping ourselves and helping each other fuels the process.
Myriam Makeba put it best in her song West Wind (click on the link to listen to it). "Unify us, don't divide us".
From the bottom of my heart, I wish all my fellow Africans; health, wealth and prosperity.
Call me a dreamer. LESSON LEARNED.
Love and Light,
AfricasHeiress.
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