My involvement for social change in Africa started when I was only 7 years old. I think I was 13 or 14 years old when I truly believed and felt that Africa was beautiful. You may think, especially as an African, it took me too long to become aware of the beauty of Africa. But I can assure you today there are millions of Africans over the age of 50 who do not see what I saw at the age of 13. When I get into a discussion with them, all I get from them is a negative surreal picture of Africa. It creates sadness in my heart. Every African in the western world is an ambassador for his or her country in Africa. You are the voice, the eyes and the body of Africa.
You have to make your voice strong to combat the negative picture that exists in the western world. I understand why the general public is sceptic about positive change in Africa. The images that come before their eyes are hungry babies and AIDS victims. But it is so untrue and at times ignorant to think in 2011 everything that comes out of Africa is negative. Africa is beautiful, but if you say something is ugly long enough people will start to believe it. Therefore my African brothers and sisters, and also all the white brothers and sisters who work and live in Africa, please educate the people about the beauty of Africa and the progress we are making. And if you dont know for yourself let someone educate you so that, perhaps, together we can change the general view of Africa.