victim of extreme "wealth"

I have seen poverty in quite a number of undeveloped countries, but none so shocking, contrasting and victimized to this extent. Victimized, as someone mentioned corruption is a major cause for these people misfortune. They are said to be left in the have-not condition by others who robbed them of the resources which are meant for their welfare.

Bare-footed, the children just stand around the road side. The adults are no better. Their hair, face , clothing, in fact whole body gather dirt, dust from the clay road. I wonder if cleaning is something missing in their life. Even the trees are like clay statues. People idling around, noting to do or do not have anything to do?!! The blank look of their expression........The over all picture is a starkling desolate hopelessness. My friend told me they were born and live under such environment, and it became a norm to them! Just how do they live by!?

Their ancestors had shown the world a great civilization. The influence of this civilization were felt in many parts of the world, as discovered by archeologists. Even the legendary Greek culture was found to have a little trace of its beauty.

How then the children of such great culture have become and left to be in such backwardness?! Isn't decades of independence from previous colonial power provides sufficient time for nation building? The wisdom of its people we do witness and due respect given in international arena. What happen then?

Too much expenses in military built up? in space exploration program??

May God shower His wisdom upon the leaders of this once great nation, and retrieve the people from this desolateness that they don't deserve.

a way to cover up!

A friend had returned from a trip to a country rich in ancient civilization. He expressed the extreme disgust of his experience while touring there. Walking along a street, he was pursued for a distance of about a kilometer by a man. This man wanted to shine his shoes for a fee. As he just had one such service half an hour ago, along the same street, he declined the offer. Failing to get the opportunity to make a little cash, the man resorted to an uncivilized act. From the bag he was carrying, the man scoped out some cow dung, and splashed on my friend's shoes. In such shocking and unreasonable circumstances, my friend had no choice but to agree to let the man clean his shoes! More shock came to my friend after the cleaning work. The man demanded about 10 times the normal charge! When my friend refused to pay the amount, two other men appeared as a signal was flashed. Confronted by three fierce unreasonable men in a foreign land, my friend paid as demanded to avoid being possible physical hurt.

I remember a same situation of mine. Only in my case, the uncivilized man was slandering and smearing my name with all kinds of false stories and lies, quite similar to throwing cow dung at people but with more filthy acts. The demand from me was not money but : to keep quiet so that all the shameful behavior of his past would not be revealed. What a pitiful act from a man !