of children bearing the responsibility of
providing for their extended families and
they were taken aback by the heavy burden
young Kenyans have on their shoulders.
In Singapore, like in many developed
countries, parents plan their lives well.
They start by having children they can
provide for and invest in the education
and development of those children, as
well as ensuring that their own retirement
is planned. Of course their economy
is developed and opportunities are
numerous, but there is the aspect of the
mindset, which we luck in our case.
If we are to build wealth in our African so-
cieties, there is need to discard the thinking
that a child is an investment. Bridging the
class gap cannot be achieved with children
being born into debt. Parents need to have
as many children as they can provide for
without depleting their own retirement re-
sources.
A change of mentality is very much
needed in Africa, as much as we need to
have proper functioning governments. A child providing for their parent should
not be an obligation - it should be
voluntary - more of a gift. Children should
not pay their parent's debts, they should
focus on putting together a life of their
own. Only this way shall we begin to get
to a point where a child can find a ready
foundation as opposed to a deficit.
If we are to build wealth in our African
societies, there is need to discard the
thinking that a child is an investment.
Bridging the class gap cannot be achieved
with children being born into debt.
Parents need to have as many children as
they can provide for without depleting
their own retirement resources. I am addressing you fellow bottom-of-
the-pyramid Africans. How do we expect
mind-blowing inventions in Africa when
our children cannot take the risk of being
innovative? How can we make the next
Facebook or Amazon in Africa if we, the
young Africans, are worried about what
the 10 or more people depending on us
Change of Mentality
will eat? It cannot be done. We must
change.
George Mbithi is a Communications
and Public Relations professional
who has a keen eye on Authentic
Leadership. He has worked in
mainstream media, the private
sector, as well as in the development
sector. He is currently the
Communications Manager for
Population Services International,
Somalia. You can reach him via
mail on: [email protected].