Alleviating Poverty in Third-World Countries

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I read with utter frustration and bitterness, almost on a daily basis, about incidences of death resulting from malnutrition, hunger, diseases and poor hygiene on the African continent. As a young african professional, i am grieved about this seemingly hopeless situation. My reasons are not far-fetched. Growing upi from a very poor background myself, i have been able to overcome several odds in life to get to my present level. Through sheer determination, hardwork, FOCUS, discipline and prayer, i have gradually but steadily climbed out of the poverty enclosure (prison), to get to ehre i am today. I am the 4th child in a family of seven children, and the very first university graduate from my home, graduating near the top of my class with honours. However, looking around i stiil feel largely unfulfilled, because i cannot seem to be able to achieve my future goal, as it were. I am convinced that a life of service and contribution to make others better, is the best one can live. Therefore, helping to alleviate poverty has been one of my major goals in life. To do this, I aspire to study overseas, in one of the developed countries of the world, where i can further improve myself professionally, and also acquire skills and competencies that would make me better equipped to attack these hydra-headed monster called poverty, that is making life alomst not worth living for so many of our people. I wonder: in a country of plenty, like mine, why do people still suffer hunger and depriavtions? I think it all boils down to LEADERSHIP. However, the cost of studying overseas is so alarmingly high, that my dream of achieving this goal appears to be a mirage! In the developed world, like America there is to a large extent, justice,fairness and an equitable distribution of wealth. This is totally non-existent in my country. Therefore, Africa, nay my country needs leaders with a global mindset and proven integrity to steer our economic ship in the right course of development. As this, is the first part of discussion on this subject, i wish to close it by proposing that foreign Governments, Corporations and philantrophists in partnership with their Universities should organise Young Professionals Training programs tailor-made for young african professionals where they can develop skills and acquire knowledge that can make them better leaders of africa's future tomorrow. I welcome your discusion and suggestions on this! Austin ausnol2@yahoo.com