The ongoing food crisis, which the United Nations described as the worst humanitarian emergency since World War II, has put Africa front and centre in our newsfeeds.
Unfortunately, it often takes extreme and tragic events for the rest of the world to turn its attention to what is happening in the world’s second-largest continent.
High levels of poverty are still experienced by far too many children and families in a number of African countries. But focusing solely on these problems can lead to outdated stereotypes that all children in Africa are “poor kids” living in traditional huts. This is not an accurate reflection – the reality is far more complex, and far more interesting.
So here are a few facts that might just change the way you think about Africa, and it’s place in our global neighbourhood.
Four out of five people in Africa have a mobile phone
It is a common stereotype that children in Africa have no access to modern technology. That’s not true – currently, around 80% have mobile phones.
In Kenya, the statistics are even higher with nine out of ten people owning a mobile phone. But this is still in stark contrast to the fact that one in two houses does not have adequate sanitation and the average school has only one toilet for every 100 children. This can lead to the outbreak of disease, many of which are particularly deadly for young children.
Actress and ChildFund Ambassador Danielle Cormack has had her fair share of nerves especially on an opening night of a play or a movie premiere. But as she drove through the small villages of remote Uganda on a recent trip she was struck by an unexpected jolt of nerves.
“It was a mixture of anxiety, excitement and anticipation,” she says.
For the last 13 years, Danielle waited for this moment, the first face-to-face meeting with her sponsored child Akullu. This is Danielle’s story.
“I had dreamed of meeting her for 13 years, and finally there she was…”
As Danielle’s vehicle made the final turn towards Akullu’s tiny village, she spotted a jubilant group of women waving branches and cheering. At the front of the pack was the 18-year-old Danielle travelled across the world to see.
“I had dreamed of meeting her for 13 years, and finally there she was standing in front of me,” Danielle says.
“I’ve seen her grow up through her letters.”
“I’ve seen her grow up through her letters. When I first started sponsoring Akullu, her grandfather was corresponding with me on her behalf as Akullu was only a little girl. Now she’s grown into this incredible young woman.”
Akullu was just five years old when Danielle started sponsoring her. Girls like Akullu in regional parts of Uganda face serious hurdles, including a lack of access to education, healthcare and nutritious food.
Danielle’s sponsorship has helped improve Akullu’s life and supported investments that will benefit her community for years to come. Akullu’s extended family and other people from her village gathered around to meet Danielle and thank her for her support.
