AFRICA : The land that needs Don Bosco the most!

It has been generally agreed that the first human beings evolved on theAfrican continent more than 1 million years ago. Archaeological excavations at various sites in eastern and southern Africa have produced evidence for this theory. If this is correct, all human history began with a series of migrations from Africa to other world regions.
It is also surprising that in to the continent from where human beings migrated to the rest of the world, many also later migrated to explore the potentials of Africa. Thus the African continent was colonised.
Perhaps the most important legacy of colonialism is the division of Africa into more than 50 states whose boundaries were set without regard for where the people lived or how they organized their own political divisions. The present boundaries often divide single African ethnic communities among two or more nation-states. For example, although most of the Somali people live in Somalia, there are significant minorities in Kenya and Ethiopia, many of whom would like to become citizens of Somalia. This has led to tension, and on occasion to border warfare, among Kenyan, Ethiopian, and Somali governments.
A second important legacy of colonialism was its effect on the economic life of the African people. All the colonial systems disrupted existing economic patterns, though the extent of the disruption varied from area to area. The benefits of these new patterns usually went to the European countries rather than to the African colonies. This history of economic exploitation has played an important role in shaping the way independent African governments have attempted to develop their own economies.
The third important legacy of colonialism was the introduction of ideas of European racial and cultural superiority. The colonial powers attempted to convince Africans that effective participation in the modern world required them to discard their own identities and cultures and become more like Europeans. Schools in colonial Africa taught African children about European history and European literature, while neglecting the history and cultural heritage of Africa itself.
The experience of colonialism in Africa, also generated a powerful desire among the colonized to be free. This feeling was strengthened after thousands of African soldiers fought for France and Britain in World Wars I and II. They returned home with a renewed spirit of freedom and desire to build independent countries that would take their proper place among the global community of nations. While the colonial authorities first resisted these notions, by the late 1950s they had become too strong to be denied.
At the same time, due to many reasons, there is political instability. One important cause of political instability in Africa is the inability of governments to meet the rapidly growing demands for more schools, roads, hospitals, and other expensive services that were denied by the colonial powers. The people thought that political freedom would bring quick changes in their standard of living. When such hopes are not fulfilled, these people lose faith in their government. That was the time, the Salesians intervened again in the name of ‘Project Africa’.
While the African people have much to dream of and the governments have much to achieve, the Salesians did play a crucial role in the reconstruction of the African identity. In doing this, there was a serious call to reconstruct and give special emphasis on Sudan. Rector Major dedicated this year too for the development of Sudan.
In the message sent by the Rector Major in view of the centenary celebrations in India, Fr. Chavez wrote thus, " This centenary is not only an occasion for thanksgiving, or for celebrating a memory; it is above all an occasion for taking a pledge – a pledge to imitate those early pioneers in their love for Christ and his people, a pledge to be faithful to Don Bosco and his charism. The early missionaries brought the torch of Don Bosco’s charism to the Indian shores; thousands after them have kept it burning bright through the century; today it is in your hands and in your hearts. Keep it burning ever brighter; light them in the hearts of as many youngsters as possible; hand it over to the generations after you, still bright and shining."
Many regions in Africa are celebrating the silver Jubilee of the launch of ‘Project Africa’. The contribution of the west is over with regard to offering dedicated Salesians missionaries. Now, it is a clear call to the Indians to go out as missionaries in support of the land that needs Don Bosco the most.
Perhaps the message of the Rector Major still holds good even for the Indian confreres to support Africa. While we are happy that the charism of Don Bosco is kept alive in Africa, can we join in solidarity with the African mission and the people who need our care and concern? Can we offer our service to the African mission particularly for Sudan?