A Poor Person Will Give Birth to a Pauper

Adeladius Makwega – MBAGALA

“You know, the issue of money is very difficult. Just think—if someone comes to you asking for money, how do you look at them? Even if you have that money, or even if you don’t, money doesn’t come easily.The biggest problem facing young people today is that they don’t have money. Young people want money.”

This was a morning discussion on February 9, 2026, in Musoma Municipality between Fidel Balagaye, the Mara Regional Youth Developmnent Officer, and Rachel Lazaro, the Bunda District Community Development Officer.

“In truth, young people don’t want many words. Young people have physical strength and mental energy, and that is why when they come to you, they want you to give them money and nothing else. You may say that we must change young people’s mindsets, and that is correct, but the distance from youth to adulthood is very short. The longer distance is from childhood to youth. That is why young people must love quick things and intense efforts to struggle so that they can be secure as adults and even in old age.”

This discussion continued while Mwanakwetu listened step by step.

“Money, at present, is everything. If a young person lacks money and we are not careful, they may get involved in various bad and incomprehensible things in order to obtain illegal money. When money is in use, can you recognize whether it is legal or illegal?
Therefore, vigilance is required to ensure that young people reach their goals, to understand where they are, and to help them on time so that they do not fall into illegal hands and illegal activities. Because once they get involved in illegal activities, removing them from there is very difficult.”

These conversations were very good for Mwanakwetu; they were like breakfast—spiced tea accompanied by a plate of rice and beans—for Mwanakwetu, who had gone hungry for two days. When these brothers finished their discussion, Mwanakwetu decided to write this article.

What does Mwanakwetu say today?

A few days ago, Mwanakwetu was on a motorcycle taxi (bodaboda), and the rider spoke many heavy words about the lives of Tanzanian youth today.

“You know, elder! I regret being born in this period because I see things are hard and confusing. Day by day I see no light. How long will I ride this bodaboda? I work for the owner of the motorcycle, and I only earn money for food. Will I be able to get any real life from this job? Brother, I have no hope at all…”

Mwanakwetu remembers this story of the bodaboda youth in order to urge the resolution of the challenges facing young people in Tanzania. Truly, people of wisdom must address this issue of Tanzanian youth, because the weakness of many young people is dangerous for the nation. Youth issues must be worked on urgently. There is no weak young person who will later have a stable family—such a person does not exist. A pauper will give birth to a poor person; there is no pauper who has given birth to a rich person.

 

Mwanakwetu, are you there? Remember:

“A Pauper Will Give Birth to a Poor Person.”

I wish you a good day.

makwadeladius@gmail.com
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