Discussion Forum

When you provide an employment to an African, you shall not have sponsored one person to a better life; you would have empowered
a whole village.

A piece of follow up correspondent with Ms. Veronica again.

From: Veronica
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 9:49 AM
To: africainfo@africawecare.org
Subject: another question

Greetings Dr. Obiajunwa!

Hope all is well with you! In talking with my husband about sponsoring someone to come work with us, he was asking me some questions about how this would help the person. In your words from your last email:

When you sponsor an African man or woman to a better life in Canada, you are, like they say, using one stone to kill many birds. You will not only be giving one person a chance to a better life; you will be empowering a whole village in Africa. Believe me; I know what I am talking about.

Would the person benefit because they would be earning money and could send money home so that the family could invest in things to make their lives better? This is just a guess, but we want to make our decision based on facts, so when you have a moment, can you describe in what way they would benefit.

Thanks so much!

Veronica

(below is my response)

Dear Veronica:

Thank you very kindly for your email. I hope you did receive the tax receipt for your magnanimous donation of $1,000.00 to Africa We Care, and our letter of thank you and gratitude.

The short answer to your question is that your guess is right on the money. And let me expatiate a little further. You perhaps have noticed the army of Philippino ladies in Edmonton mostly working as nannies; house keepers; in group homes for the disabled; retirement homes; and other care-giving facilities. This phenomenon is repeated in many cities around the world, including the rest of Canada; United States of America; Europe; Asia; Australia; and the Middle East. I was an International Trade Broker and Consultant for 23 years. In that capacity I traveled extensively the entire world. And I did see them in these countries and regions of the world. The Government of the Philippines has a large department in their ministry of External Affairs that is responsible for their citizens engaged as foreign domestic workers. They have institutions and programs in the Philippines responsible for the preparation, training and engagement of these women to work in the care-giving industry overseas. Their embassies around the world have large departments dedicated to the well being of these women.

Why are these women important to the Government of the Philippines? Because 65% of the foreign currency earnings of the Government of the Philippines comes from the remittances from these foreign domestic workers. Foreign currency is of extreme importance to every country in the world. Without foreign currencies a country can not carry on the commerce and industry necessary for development and the welfare of its people.

The Philippino women working overseas earn their wages in foreign currencies. They remit more than half of their earnings to their families and relatives in the Philippines. Most of these women have children and husbands back in the Philippines. They get these foreign currencies exchanged for their own domestic currencies with which they look after themselves; engage in gainful productive economic activities; regain their basic human dignities.

The culture and mentality of the Third World countries is alike; different from the Western World. A person is not an entity / individual unto just himself / herself but belongs to the extended family, the clan, the village. Let me give you an example with myself. I came to this country in 1974. I was only 18 years old. I attended the University of Regina, and later, the University of Alberta; in all for 9 years. I worked full time and attended classes full time: winter, spring, summer and winter. I was blessed to get academic scholarships. I remitted most of my earnings back home so that my siblings could go to school, which was very important to me. From the time I was finishing graduate studies I have sponsored to Canada 15 of my brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and friends. These are in various professions all across Canada and the Unites States. They in turn have sponsored, and are sponsoring various members of the extended family, clan, and village. It feels so wonderful to be an instrument of empowerment to many people. It was my birthday on May 5th. I must have received more over 40 birthday cards (some even arrived only yesterday) with the common theme as to the difference I have made in their lives and many people.

I do not think I have done much. I want to do more, because a lot needs to be done; and can be done; and should be done. I want to do something for Africa, but I can’t do it alone; hence Africa We Care. Africa needs conscientious, well-meaning people of good-will like you, Veronica, whom Africa has called. Every little bit from people like you will go a long way towards alleviating the suffering in Africa, and empowering the African people. Every little brick layed upright upon another, rather than flat on the ground against another, builds the highest tower. The world knows this. But why it is not being done in Africa and for Africa is a topic for another time and another question.

Please forgive me if I have rambled on too long, and may be strayed from the wonderful simple question you asked.

May God continue to bless you and your family.

Sincerely,

Chukwuemeka Obiajunwa
Executive Director
Africa We Care