People in the supposed developed world often allude to Africans as if they were from a single mono-cultural country rather than a continent of 54 separate, richly diverse nations, each with its own unique mix of cultures, dialects, and ethnic groups. Nigeria alone has over 300 ethnic groups, and 200 dialects. The size of Africa is also under-estimated: it is truly vast. This cradle of humanity has deserts the size of the USA, a forest the size of India, countries three times the size of France, and contains all, and more, of the resources it needs for its 1.2 billion people. It is immensely rich in natural resources and it helps to feed and water the world. Without it the developed world would barely function. Yet the overwhelming majority who live there, live in poverty. Official figures show that 48 of the 54 African countries are amongst the poorest in the world and, astonishingly, despite its riches, 19 out of 20 of the poorest countries on the planet are in Africa.

It isn't chance that keeps the peoples of Africa trapped in poverty. It is man-made factors like a debt burden that prevents recovery, a lack of control over land and resources and the impact of climate change - despite the selfless generosity and efforts of an army of active citizens in Africa and around the globe who support humanitarian good.