"mama africa"

It's so beautiful this belly,isn't it?

uomo di colore

Caro fratello bianco,
quando sono nato, er nero,
quando sono cresciuto, ero nero,
quando sono al sole, sono nero,
quando morirò, sarò nero.
Mentre tu, uomo bianco,
quando sei nato, eri rosa,
quando sei cresciuto, eri bianco,
quando hai freddo, sei blu,
quando hai paura sei verde,
quando sei malato, sei giallo,

quando prendi sole,vuoi diventare nero,
quando morirai sarai grigio.
Allora, di noi due,
chi è l' uomo di colore?(by cocchina10)

"AFRICA"- A great problematic word.

Most people (including myself) frequently use the word Africa, not only for the continent, but also as a common denominator for 50 countries, 720 million people and 1000 languages. We say "Africa" when we don't remember the names of the countries and many people wrongfully believe there is a common language called "African". We also use terms like "African culture", "African music" or "African religion" even though there is no single culture, music or religion for all of the countries/regions. A first step to understanding "Africa" is to acknowledge that it consists of a huge number of religions, tribes and groups of people each with a very different history.
Quite describing for our view on Africa and it is history, "Africa" is not even an African word. The origin of the word is still a little uncertain, but it is credible to see a connection from Latin (Africa = sunny) and Greek (Aphrike = not cold). The Romans were the first to use the name. For them it covered Tunisia and the most northern parts of Algeria and Libya. They could also have been inspired to the name from some of the first people they met on the continenent: The Afri, which were a berber tribe in the Carthage area. Egypt was already known territory, but further South was unknown land. Around 2,000 years ago "Aethiopia" seems to have been used to describe the land found south of Sahara, but Europeans later used "Africa" to describe the entire continent. This is why we began to see Africa one land with only one kind of people. Strangely enough it changed from the land of sunshine and warmth to "the dark continent". The story is much more complex than that: a more fulfilling explanation can be found in the excellent book "Wonders of the African World" by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr, which is also my source (see "shop now" box elsewhere on this page).
It has always been comfortable and easy for Westerners to see Africa as a whole. Africa used to be somewhere far away with dark skinned people, having customs so different from our own: A land of fairytales or sometimes horror. Today we are a bit wiser, but it still seems like an impossible task to really understand the amounts and numbers we are dealing with in Africa... the cultural diversities – and the social disparities.
The African continent is so vast, varied and rich in every way. It is fantastic and completely incomprehensible. Nothing compares to all this and yet we try to make it all fit into a small word of 6 letters. It is almost an insult! It is Impossible! No word can hold so much ...but in some way it does.
When used to generalise and simplify the word can be harmful, but most people on the continent proudly describes themselves as Africans. Sometimes the African identity is even stronger than the actual nationality. Historically this could be due to the fact that most nations and borders in Africa are a European-colonial invention. Before colonialism there were around 10,000 kingdoms, but no countries called "Kenya", "Ghana", "South Africa" or "Ivory Coast". Independence gave birth to the nations we know today, but also to a pan-African feeling. Generalising again, I risk saying that Africans all over the world calls each other "brothers and sisters". Obviously the colonial exploitation had given the Africans some kind of a common history. But long before any white man sat foot in Africa the tribes and people had already been mixed together and switched homelands several times. Obviously there ARE similarities between tribes and people in Africa.
The name of the rose
The word might have a shady history, but it seems we have agreed to use it anyway. I love the word "Africa" and everything it carries along. In some strange way the small word has come to fully describe my passion - something that has actually changed my life. I guess only people who share my passion will understand the word in the same way. I know I am not the only "Africa aficionado". Is there any other place in the world that attracts and spellbinds people in the same way? Maybe it is the magic, juju, voodoo or whatever name we give it. For me it is probably the fantastic combination of the light, the heat, the brutal history, the rich nature, the rhythms of life and music, the strength and openness in people, the future possibilites - and not least the most beautiful and graceful women on earth.
I maybe closer attached to some African countries than others, but it is still about "Africa" and not a single nation. In spite of the differences I hold on to the word. But let's use it with caution, not to forget that Africa, it's countries, people and cultures all deserve proper attention for the details that makes each one unique.

positive africa,what is africa?

The second largest continent in the world has an exotic ring to many people, but Africa is much more than wildlife and breathtaking nature. More important: Africa is much more than the images of famine and war we often see in the international media. Africa is not one country with a uniform culture. Africa is very rich diversity on culture, traditions, languages, history and ideas. Africa has much to offer to those who are ready to listen.
What is Africa?
A few thoughts to begin with...
Africa is the second largest continent in the world. The area of Africa can contain all of USA, China, India, New Zealand, Europe and a bit more. Around 748 million people live in Africa. That is only a bit more than live in Europe.
Africa is the cradle of human evolution. Contrary to what many believe, Africa has a history going much further back than the age of colonisation. Actually the African history goes further back than anywhere else in the world. Traces of humans in Eastern and Southern Africa are the oldest in the world. In 1988 scientific Mitochondria-research proved that every living human being origins from the same woman in Africa about 200.000 years ago!
Africa is the cradle of civilisation. Africa has an old and rich cultural heritage including very old civilisations in Egypt and Nubia, the Great Zimbabwe, Ashante kingdoms, Dogon people and other ancient tribes. Culture, civilisation and large cities were in Africa before ANY kind of foreign influence. Africa had the first university in the world.
Africa had religions long before Christianity and Islam came to the continent. The original religions are in many aspects social and cultural arrangements. Some rituals are very gentle or even poetic, and far less "primitive" than the dominating world religions.
Africa and many of its people has suffered a lot through times and still does in some places. The African people are strong and proud.
Africa offers many of the most beautiful places in the world. Including an overwhelming biodiversity of nature and animal life.
Africa consists of more than 50 different countries, with more than 1,500 different languages (not counting dialects). There are just as many different cultures.
Africa is far more than famine, diseases and war. Africa is a resource, not "a problem". We in the West and North are very busy exporting our ideas to Africa. We often forget to listen and learn.
(crawfurd.dk)

mustard seed charity center

I am publishing this charity in Cameroon to anyone who wishes to help us extend our work in africa.As i always say,that with very little we could do so much in Africa,if only we wish to!Hope to hear from you.

MUSTARD SEED CHARITY CENTRE
A BUSINESS PLAN PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A
DAY CARE CENTRE IN KUMBA
BY
KUMBA


COORDINATOR
NTUBA SARAH EBONG

SECTION I – Executive Summary

Company’s Profile:
In conformity with law No 90-53 of 19th December 1990 relating to freedom of Associations in the Republic of Cameroon, Mustard Seed Charity Centre was born on the 14th of March 2007. The Common Initiative Group is based in Kumba and it is a Christian faith based association. It carries out its activities throughout Cameroon and beyond. Our goal is geared towards eliminating poverty and injustice by strengthening spiritual values and supporting innovative and creative initiatives for sustainable development. Our contact address is:
Mustard Seed Charity Centre (C.I.G)
P.O. Box 455
Kumba – Meme Division
S.west Province,Cameroon.
Reg:SW/GP/29/07/6132
Account n°:0551016780011D
Bank:CCC(community Credit Company P.l.c)
E-mail: mustardseedcharitycentre@yahoo.com
Logo: A Budding Seed
In its maiden activities, the Common Initiative Group (C.I.G) seeks to set up a Day Care Centre in Kumba. By so doing, we will be providing services to the community which enhances development in the society. The Day Care will generate income into the group as well as provide job opportunities for many in and around Kumba. The CIG and the community will both benefit from the Day Care.

PLEASE COME AND SHARE OUR MISSION!

Hello felix,please post our infos in your blog,stay well and peace to all,sarah ebong,coordinator Mustard seed charity center,kumba Cameroon.

In conformity with law No 90-53 of 19th December 1990 relating to freedom of Associations in the Republic of Cameroon, Mustard Seed Charity Centre was born on the 14th of March 2007. The Common Initiative Group is based in Kumba and it is a Christian faith based association. It carries out its activities throughout Cameroon and beyond. Our goal is geared towards eliminating poverty and injustice by strengthening spiritual values and supporting innovative and creative initiatives for sustainable development. Our contact address is:

Mustard Seed Charity Centre (C.I.G)
P.O. Box 455
Kumba – Meme Division
S.west Province,Cameroon.
Reg:SW/GP/29/07/6132
Account n°:0551016780011D
Bank:CCC(community Credit Company P.l.c)
E-mail: mustardseedcharitycentre@yahoo.com
Logo: A Budding Seed

In its maiden activities, the Common Initiative Group (C.I.G) seeks to set up a Day Care Centre in Kumba. By so doing, we will be providing services to the community which enhances development in the society. The Day Care will generate income to sustain it's activities as well as provide job opportunities for many in and around Kumba as time goes by. The CIG and the community will both benefit from this project,likewise the other projects in our basket.