Three weeks ago, Pope Leo XIV challenged youths to be “Witnesses of Hope’’. Addressing over one million young men and women from more than 150 countries, Pope Leo affirmed that there exists "the sign that a different world is possible.”

A different world is undeniably possible. It is not only possible but most desirable, especially in Africa where hope is a sustaining factor amidst monumental obstacles. Pope Francis, while proclaiming this Jubilee Year, reminded us that Hope in God never fades.

Our hope is focused on a future that separates our children from the harrowing experience of leadership by deceit, and of daylight thievery of the commonwealth. Societies have moved from a mantra of life more abundant to a regimen of pillage. A world in which a man purchased two airline tickets; one ticket for his corrupt self, the other ticket for a seat on which he placed a large bag filled with currency, handed to him by patronizing robbers masquerading as leaders.

Leadership in many cases is restricted to the wielders of weapons turned against the people they claim to lead and the ones who have stolen the most from the people’s kitty. African streets are littered with twenty-five-year-old grandmothers whose mothers have known no other leader than the one who was in office at the time of their own birth. Four generations born under the same “elected” leader.

Young men and young ladies roam our streets ten years after graduation from universities. No employment, no opportunities for self-employment; no enabling environment for actualizing their potential. Dark clouds hang over the lives of young adults at the time that their stars should be shining brightest.

Children with no access to the minimum standards of good life are enticed into lives of crime and indecent activities. Honest work is discounted for corner-cutting. Some parents support such choices both financially and morally.

Africa’s best and brightest are forced to seek decent livelihood away from the land of their birth. They are all over the world excelling in various fields of engagement. Some work hazardous jobs and extended hours to eke out a living. Yet, others risk their lives in an attempts to cross physical barriers to get to the lands of their hope. Families are separated, while parents spend endless hours at their jobs, away from the role of supervising their children.

Trees planted by past generations to provide shade for future generations are fast reaching the end of their leaf lives without having provided shade for intended generations. There has been little respite for the current generation. Not that they do not see the trees. Not that they do not wish to sit under its shade. They just do not have any respite from their labour.

Of course, there are those whose earthly rest comes before they ever break a sweat. They are the scions of dubious privilege. Raised in odious indulgence, and obscene consumption, they have no need for shade under trees. They step out of air-conditioned houses to be chauffeured around in air-conditioned cars. With no visible means of livelihood, they junket around the world seeking fun, food and favours.

But there is hope. Hope of a future of limited obstacles to the actualization of possibilities. We are already seeing signs that tomorrow will be better from the very presence of over one million leaders of tomorrow travelling to Rome to attend the Jubilee of the Youth. Their pilgrimage saw them participating in a vigil, a prayer service, and a closing Mass.

They returned home filled with passion to illuminate the world with the message of Hope in Christ Jesus. Youths all over the world are inspired by this engagement. They, in turn, will participate in the extension of Christ’s promise and fulfillment of Hope for humanity.

There is hope in the many manufacturing plants and processing plants established by private individuals who are untainted by the tarbrush of corruption. There is hope in the elders who continue to stand firm on the side of civility. There is hope for Africa and for the world.

This is our Jubilee of Hope.

 

Ayo Fasoro

Non Sum Dignus