Have We Forgotten How to Take Care of Ourselves?

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Regarding the article More Funding Needed to Fight Deadly Cholera Outbreak in Guinea-Bissau

Immediately I started reading this article, I was wondering if I understood the core of the message - cholera outbreak!
It's true, among many other diseases, it is common within the sub Sahara though in my opinion some of these diseases could be reduced to be less prevalent.

Africans can control waste, eutrophication, sludge etc It is just the individual willingness that is lacking.

I am not an educator, though I understand, our home-grown philosophical and political systems are often seen as part of the problem not the solution.

Most often when we hear preaching about the environment, many citizens may take it for state posturing, ignoring the fact that it is our responsibility to take proper steps for sanitation of our surroundings.

If I may ask, how many of us fear to litter public places after eating biscuit or plums or think of white washing our houses yearly?

Be your own judge!

Imagine each and every one shouldering this as a responsibility to never throw trash, except in garbage bins or a little white washing of his home, with compound flowers planted. If we had such a culture built into our system, outbreaks would not be as deadly as they usually are now.

Back in the recent past, or even now, in most of our places of abode, we don't see a lot of litter in our yard. Neither do we see homes with garbage along the path to the main house. This shows that most of us appreciate nature, unknowingly.

These things don't need cash, nor government approval before conducting any sanitation. Herbs, a normal water leaf or bitter leaf can play that role.

We have ended up in a situation where culture and history have been completely ignored or misused. Yet we complain about malaria, typhoid, cholera. We can control these diseases if we so desire.

Meritocracy should be your principle

Zoneziwoh