You want to write about Africa?

My friend Emilie wrote this and I can't agree more. You may also want to read more here.

You want to write about Africa?
Be humble
Because it will take time
Don't go in it like young men eaten away by ambition, to make a name for themselves
Go in it because you care
Over many years and not in a fortnight
You cannot do Nigeria in a week, nor any other place
If you attempt it, you'll be so fooled, you won't even realise it
People will feed you stories, and you'll write them down, without understanding that this ''African'' is just a person like any other - with an agenda
Don't be fooled, unlike a President said, Africans have an history and you should learn from it
Can you 'get' France if you do not know its revolutions?
Why do you think you can get Congo, if you don't know Kongo?

Be humble because you know nothing and be humble because you care.
These stories you put down, they will be read, and some will believe them.
And many will be wronged because of them.
Because of your arrogance, your impatience, your ambition
Because of your ''white'' power, you'll be listened to, and you'll be acknowledged.
And you will be cheating those whose voices you did not listen to

Africa is not 'mysterious' for those who take time
Africa is not 'dark' for those who listen
But Africa is wronged again and again because of people who care only about themselves.

If you want to ''do'' South Africa in a year, stay home.

Emilie Serralta has worked as Campaigner on Conflict and Natural Resources in several countries in Africa.