I am still curious: What is the annual budget of Empower African Children? How can Ugandans in US help contribute to advancing the cause? I believe it is necessary as well as expedient to include native Ugandans in US to explore how some additional resources could come from their presence. A challenge/matching fund drive may lead to resources untapped.

The missionary attitude of most western organizations to go it alone while such is commendable, continues to prove daunting because the locals are hardly involved. The 'dance and song' is old', portraying Africans as only suited for gyration and entertaining. It was the same dance and song that enthralled the early Europeans in late 16th century leading to slave trade. As a strong believer that Africans need to be mindful of their images and perception as they often seem not to care receiving aid, always needy, helpless and hapless, that tarnishes their chances of being considered capable. The 'missionary' attitude of 'we have the solutions' matches on and deceptive.

I am hoping Empower African Children http://www.empowerafricanchildren.org/; which I strongly believe should be called Empower Ugandan Children, take different attitude encouraging the recipient Ugandans that they too needs to have 'equity' in the cause. Until one is invested in an effort devoted to making them whole and attendant to their issues, they are basically welfare stakeholders. We are not lost on what welfare programs did to the mentality of African-Americans in US. Somehow by extension, Africans have bought into that. How can it be that one is not encouraged to fend for themselves instead they are encouraged to stretch their arms for alms? When Africans ask 'white' donors for something, who gave the 'white' folks what they have? God? I don't think so. But as we use the Bible to suit man's imposition on another, some see their role as 'Manifest Destiny', Ordained and or Anointed.

White folks earned their position by conquest, hard work, dedication and unrelenting leadership. Why can't Africans cultivate the same approach and never yielding an inch to anyone? As we in America stretch the world to solve everyone's problems, we are constantly reminded of mounting problems that awaits us at home. As of last count, 1 out of 7 Americans is on FOOD STAMP, and 49 million are below poverty line. If charity is to start from home, how come we in America are not addressing this? During this holidays season, many are risking going hungry and freezing to death because they are homeless. And yet, we are the 'richest and most powerful'. Well and good but it does make sense. Should one give to others what they deny their own immediate citizens?

Why must it always be Africa at the receiving end of what I consider 'Greek' gifts? My mom said to me that if I ever begged anyone for something, she would literally cut off my hands so that she take comfort knowing I don't have any hands. The lesson is that one must strive against all odds to overcome their situation and in turn prevail. The attendant benefit/result is pride and immeasurable self confidence. No doubt, we all need help. But when giving help is part of media strive to paint Africans as less capable and dependent, it becomes something genuine persons must stop.

Africans have allowed themselves to be misled thinking the trickle-in resources that comes from the West is a solution. It has never been and will never elevate the condition. Since Africans have been interacting with the West and the world, how come approaches used seems not to be making any positive difference?

I cannot wait for a day an African will adopt a 'white' kid and an African will stand in the mix of poor 'white' folks and take pictures and send such around the world. There are poor white folks but one thing I have noticed, even when they are poor, they will resist help especially from non-whites, because they are concerned about their dignity. But for the Africans shameless in their appetite for alms, they don't mind the damage done to their psyche receiving alms.

Maureen Reagan adopted a Ugandan child who kept former President Reagan company during his dying days. Well, I wonder if the daughter of an African president can adopt a 'white' kid in similar manner. I bet, the 'white' clan will be up in arms to stop such. Since we have this renewed love to assist one another, I am yet to see even in God's own America, a black family adopt a white kid; talk less a native African.

Deception: Making hapless people believe their salvation comes from those that once enslaved and colonized, using 'guilt' and hardly genuine sense to elevate them, only goes to deepen the condition. A people must be conscious of what they receive and how they receive such. Africans seem not to mind. If not, how come after independence, many African countries are still largely dependent? There is no university in the world an African has not attended. If that is the case, how come the educated African act less and despondent even when s/he may have graduated on top of their class? My take: They lack confidence and always believe until some 'white' folk bless their undertakings, they are not making progress.

Until the West and their allies take a firm stand on 'stolen' monies from Africa that are stashed in their institutions and repatriate those to the receptive countries to address and assist social programs and issues, all the 'Daniel Come to Justice' solutions are a wash.

In our attempt to cure the world of ills, we must recognize that until a person is challenged to take on their issues, no amount of outside help often couched in other ulterior motives advances the recipient. Africa makes herself a laboratory for all sorts of givers, all seeking glory to portray Africans as lazy and dependent. Before any American goes to the rest of the world and appearing to solve problems, they must show they have done so domestically. For every one person we help abroad, we must have elevated two at home. How about that as a challenge?

Charity as always must take root at home before it is exportable or exported: Anything less and else is deception.

By Ejike E Okpa II
Dallas, Texas