Janet Kabue (Area Reference Person for Nairobi, Kenya) recently led a Zoom meeting on climate change. 


We need to work together for all our goals. We can “live beyond” the pandemic while we are still embattled with it. There is no lockdown in RC—life must continue irrespective of what is trending. 


We have internalized the oppressions of colonialism. We were labelled “Third World” and “backward,” so we try to shake that tag by catching up with the development of the Western world. This has meant technology, buildings, the general “rat race” of imperialism, prosperity-driven ventures, and “survival of the fittest.” 


When other countries poisoned nature with their factories and industries, they moved production to Africa—and we’ve mistakenly seen this as being “developed” and a source of pride.


It is important that we not blame ourselves but instead ask, What have we lost? To make a difference and correct the situation, we need to be aware of what we have lost. What is the price we are paying for being called “developed”? We need to notice the things in nature that were in place but are no longer there, so we can mourn them. We need to discharge and then fight to protect what we have left, as well as stop the destruction. 


Africa is our own, and we can make it a better place to live with our collective efforts!