The world views Africa as a poverty-stricken continent, rampant with violence and AIDS.

Bella Mukonyora, a native of Zimbabwe and assistant professor of philosophy and religion, said although such perceptions may be true, she still holds Africa and Zimbabwe dear to her heart.

“I am very African, but I was always aware that everyone else lived in indigenous traditions of belief, practice and lifestyle,” Mukonyora said. “This meant I had questions of where I belonged in the world.”

Similarly, Africa struggles to find its place in our world community.
in crime, including violent crime. A nationwide fuel shortage makes internal travel difficult and unreliable, and severely restricts the response capability of police and other emergency services.”

Mukonyora moved to the United States six years ago, and came to Western in 2004. She studied and worked in England for 14 years. Her transition to the United States was not difficult, she said.

Because of her background, Western students get valuable insight into a different culture, said Arvin Vos, department head of philosophy and religion.

“Dr. Mukonyora’s international roots and perspective make her invaluable in broadening the awareness of our students to cultures beyond our own,” Vos said.

This semester, she teaches Introduction to religious studies, Christianity in Africa and women and religion.”

“A lot of people don’t know about African religion,” said Jacob Klaven, a junior from St. Louis and one of Mukonyora’s students. “She offers a firsthand account on the differences and similarities between Christianity and African religions.”

After earning a doctorate from the University of Oxford, Mukonyora thought about returning to Zimbabwe.

She said she always planned to return to Africa and help the country in which she grew up. But colleagues advised her to find a job in the United States, she said.

“I came to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar, involved in writing my first book,” Mukonyora said. “I realized it was no longer safe to return to Zimbabwe because conflict between political parties disrupted life at the University of Zimbabwe and made it difficult to continue my career.”

Mukonyora said she wants to return to Africa and help, but as a single mom, she knows she cannot take the risk.

“I care about the brain drain, but the political turmoil inhibits people like me to go back to correct the problems,” said Mukonyora, who has a teenage daughter.

Mukonyora is not alone.

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants reported that about 100,000 or more Zimbabweans remain internally displaced.

The Bowling Green International Center reported that 87 Africans from throughout the continent have been relocated to the city.

Mukonyora understands that news coverage of Africa causes alarm because it focuses so heavily on poverty, civil war and AIDS. But she said that could change if the media also focused on the gifts of the African people.

“The U.S. should be more knowledgeable,” she said. “(Americans) should go to Africa and try to understand. It is not about money. If the problems are treated with greater understanding, we can create a better Africa for tomorrow.”

Reach Ashley Belcher at features@wkuherald.com.