Despite Africa’s beautiful sunsets and landscapes, many Africans are depressed. Depression is feeling of despondency and is a hurtful factor for the development of countries. Economic prosperity is good, but pointless with out happiness. Sadly, depression is wide spread throughout the world, but seems to be centralized around Africa. Happiness levels can affect ambitions, virtues, and health. Love and happiness is what people live for and to see it stolen from war, greed and ignorance is truly despairing.  

According to “Forbes” Africa is home to 14 out of the 21 saddest countries including, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda, Cameroon, Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and Central African Republic. The Central African Republic being the saddest due to their infant mortality rate and their lack of hope. More than 10% of children die within the first year of life, according to “World’s Happiest and Saddest Countries.” Most of these countries are either split by political violence or are in need of resources. Of course giving these nations money, food and protection would make them happier. But, this is not the only solution. Boosting moral and making people lives more enjoyable through education, sports, and the arts will make people happier too. It will start the path to a better nation. As happiness and ambitions rise so does the economy, trading, protection and stability. 

Ambition drives the world. The desire to achieve, can be cruel and beneficial. The desire for money has been merciless for centuries, but the desire for happiness has been beneficial since mankind has existed. But, both of them have been beneficial for developing nations. Ambition has led to great entrepreneurs, inventors, scientists, writers, musicians… All of which have shaped the world. Happiness leads to confidence which then leads to ambition. It’s sad to think that many people in Africa, such as the people in the Central African Republic feel hopeless. This hopelessness has deprived these people of their dreams, denying them of prosperity. 

Virtues are shaped through childhood and education. Things such as abuse and conflict are widespread in Africa, and give some of Africa’s children low moral standards. Ethical standards are key in the development of a nation. Low standards lead to more conflict and more abuse, whereas high standards lead to less abuse and less conflict. As I said earlier many African Countries are sad due to conflict. Conflict meaning fighting as well as abuse. Higher moral standards can help fight against these horrific things and instill a sense of peace and stability to a nation. When people feel safe they are happy. Feeling safe eliminates stress and worry, allowing your mind to think freely and more efficiently. Feeling safe allows people to dream, giving way for confidence and ambition. 

Stress and depression affect are health in more ways then you think. Laura Kubazansky is a Professor of social and behavioral sciences at Harvard. She has been conducting research on feelings such as enthusiasm, hopefulness, and the ability to overcome lives stresses. According to her research, emotional balance appears to reduce the risk of coronary hearty disease. This is one of the many things that emotional imbalance can lead too. Depression can cause insomnia, muscle aches, decreased appetite, and chronic fatigue, according to “Depression Physical Effects. Happiness will help boost the health of Africans. Laura Kubazansky says “State of mind equals state of body.” Do not mis interpret this, being happy does not guarantee one from getting sick.

Depression is all across the world, but is flourishing in Africa. Everyday the depression levels rise. The only way to fix this problem is to make there lives more enjoyable, whether that is encouraging sports, art, and education or providing aid. Happiness has been defined many different ways. But to me, happiness is a necessity for all living things. To take someone's happiness is the cruelest thing anybody could do and is what is being done in Africa. Happiness travels far, so share happiness with the people around you, because you never know where it may go.

"Depression Physical Effects: Weight Gain, Fatigue, Pain, Insomnia."WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 20 May     2015.

"Happiness & Health." News. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2015.

Poverty. Digital image. Our Africa. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 1015.

"World's Happiest and Saddest Countries." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015.