One of my greatest passions and, at the same time areas of concern, is Africa. For more than three years, Hechos, an organization I founded in Spain has been working with Unaccompanied Foreign Minors, children and adolescents from Africa, who risk their lives to cross the thousands of miles of ocean that separate Africa and Europe in small boats called "cayucos," to find the so-called "Lost City of Gold" in Europe. They dream that their journey across this oceanic border will open up a new world of economic opportunities.  

These days, people like Bono of U2 and other artists are mobilized to promote change in Africa. But what is Africa, and why the fuss? Isn't it a forgotten continent? Yes, it was and could still be...

To understand the unique history of Africa, we must know who has the power to write about it.  In the Igbo language there is a word, "Nkali," which means in English "to be bigger than another." Hence, a story is told depending on who has the power to write it. If we begin the story with the failure of African society, and not with the colonial establishment of the African state, we will have a completely different ending. So I believe the message that many people and organizations, including One International, are transmitting about "The Decade of Africa" and the need for justice, not charity, is the cornerstone of change. Even so, we must not forget that we do not live in Africa, so ultimately it is African citizens who have the right to decide the future they want. How easily it is to forget our insatiable urge to impose Western civilization through our model of international aid.

On the other hand, we have Dambisa Moyo, African economist and author of "Dead Aid." The main thesis of her book is that the support of Western countries is killing Africa. Her stance rejects the pleas of Western media stars, such as Bono or Bob Geldof, to mobilize direct aid to Africa so that Africans can get out of the extreme poverty in which they are immersed. Moyo concludes that US$50,000 million in international aid is sent to Africa every year; yet there is overwhelming evidence that this aid has not only made the poor poorer, but in some cases, it is even used for military purposes.

Despite this, there is a palpable feeling in Africa that possibilities for real change are on the horizon. Local activists and the business elite have begun to pressure their governments and give hope to the people. People like John Githongo, Youssou N'Dour, Luisa Diogo, or Mo Ibrahim transmit energy and positivism and have provided concrete strategies for change.

If you think that Africa is a place of beautiful landscapes and animals; people waging incomprehensible, senseless wars; and people in poverty, dying of AIDS and unable to speak for themselves, who are waiting to be saved by the white Westerners, then you may be surprised to find that the peoples of Africa are drafting new rules. But what is the right intervention on the part of the West? I firmly believe that Justice as a concept is a must for the West at this time, but I also think we should respect Africa in its growth. To witness Africa's growth is encouraging. If one by one we stand together, something wonderful will happen on the African continent.

What will be the final chapter of this story and our role within it?  Will the "West," which boasts civic and humanistic values, be able to let Africa shine with its own light, while at the same time supporting the growth process? Or could the African continent be devoured once again by our "precious" democracies, by our supposed "help?"

Simón Menéndez Sadornil

Asociación Hechos

Simón Menéndez Sadornil is Director General of Asociación Hechos and was honored in 2009 with the Universidad Europea de Madrid Prize for Young Social Entrepreneurs in Spain.

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