Eat Bitter: Striving for a better life in the Central African Republic - BBC Africa Eye Documentary

[@BBCAfrica]

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[@frost6471]

Here, take your subscription gift 🌭🌭 colonist scccccumms

[@EyeoIsis]

The Chinese in C.A.R. are the new Europeans, although they do seem to treat the people in their HOST COUNTRY a bit better....Colonialism never dies, it just gets reinvented.

[@dimakatsodavid6696]

These men work so hard to feed their families they are the real heroes..

[@BBCAfrica]

💯

[@laurymakesaway6695]

This is what men do

[@jabuntuli7415]

Real heroes when these poor people are being robbed in daylight. Seriously😢? Just shows how human rule will never solve the problems in this world.

[@rose-b6u5e]

It should be equal because they work same

[@laurymakesaway6695]

@@joegibbs448 No they aren't. It's there own people doing that. Stop being full of hatred.

[@MariaKimbowa256]

Seeing the guy's happy face after purchasing the canoe melted my heart

[@dgrahamwithers604]

Saw this film at Hot Docs in 2023 - such a beautiful, intimate and fascinating window to a rarely seen corner of our changing world. The artistic rendering of their stories from a Chinese as well as CAR perspective is a really nuanced gift. Thomas' songs & Jianmin's easy humour truly warmed my heart. Great to see it here.

[@chikauzoekwe3086]

Why didn't we get to see the journalist who did this amazing job. Thank you BBC. I didn't want to pause the video for one bit

[@petexii]

This piece was phenomenal! Unbelievable narrative, the juxtapositions, it's like a Steinbeck novel. Hard to believe it's documentary.

[@doreenasiimwe]

His starting song had me crying like a child 😢

[@ntsika777]

Unlike many African stories, this ended well. I wish all the best to these hard working man!

[@ckordiolis]

This was one of the best BBC Africa documentaries!

[@bosirejoseph9026]

That young man is very hardworking. Always Appreciate what you have. I fear how his mum is sick at home not gone to hospital for treatment. I feel sad. I wish him a good life. I also wish her mum speedy recovery. Africans lets support and love each other.

[@Syndicate_official]

The way that guy threw that sand back into the river 😭😡, after the guy spends so much time underwater fetching that sand..life is sure painfull

[@dionysiostyranofsyracuse2031]

as always, bbc deliver more than expected! this is pure journalism

[@katlehomooka7608]

Bro is like "Tongbo you don't want me coming to work tomorrow, I see your game." 😂😂 That's Africans for you. There's always a brighter side man. Thomas is such an inspiration. ❤

[@karnmarriott2349]

He was a lovely boss man

[@susanwaweru2734]

Even though the africans dont have money...even in deep struggle you cant beat their happiness!!!

[@pietrojenkins6901]

Are you sure of that Sue? I've seen 000s dying in Niger and Libya desert or drowning in the Mediterranean sea to escape extreme poverty.

[@jimfast-official]

No... that's not true

[@Yvopowerfitness]

May God help these young mens putting their lives on the line, just to be able to feed their families. This documentary made me appreciate what i have and where i am at.

[@BBCAfrica]

Thank you for watching and sharing. 🙏

[@deobiho]

If you speak chinese and hear what that Chinese man was talking about,you will get heart attack. His mouth is full of insults to Africans

[@johnchimbani8473]

I don’t understand how a mother can leave her kids 😢

[@manofjinjacity]

" on this earth, you must struggle to survive" what a powerful message!!

[@4kmoviesandtrailers67]

Despite the hardship, the resilient men keep on grinding and providing the least they can afford for their families. Kudos!

[@saviourmukuka9780]

What a documentary, thank you BBC Africa.

[@Riverside-m2l]

Some of this guys come to Africa with less than 1k usd and they are being worship and see as investors whereas some of us go to their country with millionaires and get treated like trash

[@husseintumusime7647]

Thank BBC for such a refreshing documentary, it's remind us not be lazy and not always taking things for granted ❤.

[@chadhiggenbottom4460]

The point I'm not seeing addressed in this comment section is that the manager's narionality is key to business. The money to build these projects sadly is not coming from CAR itself. These are projects paid for by loans from Chinese development banks that presumably CAR will repay over time. If chinese guy wasn't the manager then the banks would select whoever the other chinese construction manager in Bangui is. Unfortunately this is and will for the forseeable future remain how development in much of sub saharan African takes place. Obviously we all hope the money (demand) for these young men and their labor (supply) starts originating more locally sooner rather than later.

[@chiboy_speaks]

couldn’t have been said better

[@agentle7]

Thank you. This was a really good show. I really enjoyed watching.

[@BBCAfrica]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@Flower-ck2bs]

This is not a show and it is not funny.

[@abdirahmansheikhhussein1424]

lesson to learn: Always appreciate the little that God gave you ...with hardwork and patience you can make it in life great documentary

[@debbie355]

Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Fabulous new canoe!!!! Sending love to your community from the UK. xxxxxxx

[@bonfacewachira3297]

So the Chinese man has never held his birthday in china ,his first birthday celebration was in Central Africa,after making money in Africa.. Africa is indeed not poor 😮😮😮

[@goodhealthgoodlife1994]

Happy the guy ended up buying a new canoe for himself and RIP for the one who lost his life

[@rahallivex]

Excellent documentary. Thank you for providing it for free.

[@samanthahenry6904]

Amazing documentary ! Thank you :)

[@edmundmawlong9116]

A Chinese man in Africa as a manager back in his hometown he is nothing but a hawker,even if he is doing construction work he will be just a helper,common African youth wake up you are better than him.

[@lenniefei6710]

Same thing with European when they came around

[@OpinionatedNomad]

I don't see any problem with him managing these sites though. The young men are also getting experience. Plus he seems like a good boss. Enjoyed their parties whenever there was something to celebrate. Not seen that in the USA

[@LAFwisdom]

But the Chinese man has a government who is supporting him with investment thru the Banks. Well he seems fair, let him work. Why not

[@jayy_lyrics]

The language itself is a heritage 😊😊😊😊. Who else enjoy listening to them speak

[@positivevibesonly1976]

Me❤

[@stephenchiname8975]

Top-notch documentary kudos BBC Africa

[@carolgoergens9275]

Thanks to CC for taking care of the dog!

[@b.alejandres8230]

great filming i enjoy it like no other in a while

[@t.r.m1698]

The story ends on a positive note, but unfortunately, the cycle of war is continuous on the Central African Republic and everyone has to start again from scratch.

[@cho_ny201]

West sponsored wars

[@Stirlingshirecastle]

​@@cho_ny201 Which West is sponsoring the war in CAR?

[@YatzarEL-17]

​@@cho_ny201 even if that's true the africans are the ones who are fighting and choosing to kill, a man cannot stand before God and say he sponsored me to kill so I am innocent, responsibility falls on africans to change

[@VictorK12345]

this is beautiful, my advice to the man, plant more and more cassavas and corn, take a short course in masonry, venture in making bricks also, buy more canoes. build a stone house for your family. The sky is the limit, aspire to grow always. Amazing and inspiring story.

[@AnthonyNgugi-u1p]

It's a good thing we keep our leaders in kenya on toes , otherwise it would have been worse with corruption like in the central Replublic

[@adjoahelene9203]

Good for you

[@empirecreators3488]

This is CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC THE TWIN MOTHER HEART OF AFRICA 🌍

[@SWiseman]

Even the business of sand is controlled by the Chinese. You mean to tell me a group of African men couldn't get together to start a sand dredging business? 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@earlenehouse1923]

FACTS ♥️🇺🇸

[@lotus9259]

How could they, when their government has rendered them useless.

[@kkoke9347]

African men can't be bothered. They just want someone else to do it.

[@grandmastersexy]

I think it's more psychological than that.

[@gudbifariinta3958]

​@earlenehouse1923 Africans with the money do not show up for business for fear of witchcraft. They can hoard their money and blend in the poor or they live in isolation with their billions

[@ucan1]

I am leaving this comment here so that after some hours, days, weeks, months or years when someone likes or comment on it, I will be reminded to watch this video again

[@madhukareunny7614]

Yes I watched this mate ! The people are so blessed with happiness aside struggles in daily life ! Tough people ..

[@limaroleonard8752]

First of all. There is no safety precautions taken here while working at heights. No safety belts, no safety shoes,no helmet,no gloves. Absurd.

[@yoveeditors5502]

They're poor where will they get that gear from? Sometimes comments made here are so stupid

[@adjoahelene9203]

Your comment is rather stupid because it's the responsibility of the site manager to provide those safety gears and not the workers. And because their hands are sealed it's either you work with all the risks or you will not eat

[@musasani4345]

You have missed the opening prayer from the beginning.

[@Flower-ck2bs]

@@yoveeditors5502You comment is really stupid. It is the managers responsibility!

[@OpinionatedNomad]

​@@adjoahelene9203 the manager said he gave them shoes and helmet but they show up to work without them

[@farhanatoerien3437]

Thomas is a real superhero. Courage and prosperity to him And his family. Please Allah let this suffering end 🤲🏾🤲🏾

[@catalincatalin587]

How awful China must be to be worth moving to one of the poorest and conflict-ridden countries on Earth.

[@Riverside-m2l]

A dwarf becomes a king in the land of the blind

[@georgeikinya2779]

What I see here , disturbs me to the core. This is slavery in disguise, utter exploitation. Africa leaders, when will we ever get our acts right?

[@keishapittman6202]

And to make matters worse, they’re destroying their land and the Chinese people don’t even like them!

[@jaijai1132]

3:40 The critical questions here are what is CBCA bank and who owns it? Like, who really owns it?

[@BIGMAMMA183]

The Chinese man expressed he provided the workers with helmets and shoes but they don't wear them. I doubt this is true; the workers have no reason to disobey the person paying them🤔

[@jerryjeo2938]

what is the name the song i they are always singing? It sounds inspiring and courageous a lot

[@buntukhumalo2819]

Beautiful docci. Can someone please tell me the name of the song playinbin the background at 32:28, wherr the workers are having a party with their boss. Its a beautiful song..

[@pharaohraheemangelofdeath]

Chinese couples are like kids even at old age😂😂😂😂😂

[@princessglandy6776]

They are so cute

[@TheDearrestFamily]

Well that was pleasant to watch.

[@melissascott5490]

Very reflective human piece as the Central African Native and the Chinese immigrant reality is totally different

[@JohnMaboko]

Beautiful piece.

[@shelbynamels7948]

nothing says i'm a safety-minded professional like flip-flops on a construction site.

[@Ascension646]

This is the kinda stuff you wake up to, to help you realize how lucky you are. To add: I think CC stands for more than just chief. Chinese chief.

[@questionpoint6923]

Silent documentary,BBC employee forget to spoke😂😂

[@missbecky-jh7kd]

i wish Boa all the best

[@katiempojer]

There videos debunk so much about Africa keep posting

[@temansem1936]

This is exactly what President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah the pioneering leader of Ghana's independence movement, wrote in his significant book titled "Neo-Colonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism." In this work, Nkrumah provides a compelling analysis of the persisting grip of colonial powers on the economic and political structures of newly emancipated African nations. He defines "neo-colonialism" as a condition where a state appears to be nominally independent, yet its economic and political system remains controlled by outside forces, specifically Western monopoly capital. Now like the Western powers, China is taking advantage of this same idea to rob the African continent dry.

[@antony6799]

Nkrumah was an ignorant leader who destroyed his country's economy due to his poor understanding of economics, a poor country like CAR that lacks it's own indigenous capital and expertise needs to import those things from abroad until its economy grows and becomes sophisticated to provide those things locally, the Chinese and westerners are actually doing their economy a big favor

[@giftndori9362]

Life inside our Continent 🌍🫡

[@mairepcod4063]

Thanks,

[@brianchileshe1801]

I felt that from the chinese guy. “Its better to work here than in China, here i can be a manager “ in a couple of years to come am going back home man to be a boss.

[@TongTong-rh3br]

05:02 Chinese foreman; " I gave you helmets and shoes, you just don't wear them"... Silence 14:47..same foreman with so many laborers on a site and still not a single one looks like he has any form of protective gear..he just said it for the cameras

[@OpinionatedNomad]

Hard work and also good vibes from both the Chinese and Africans. They seem to appreciate their collaboration and like to party and involve everyone. Teamwork. Shout out to the star of the documentary - good father, son, worker. So happy he bought himself a canoe in the end - that's progress. Thanks to the rest of the participants.

[@AsiaMinor12]

You can try deluding yourself as much as you want but everybody else can see what's really going on.

[@chiboy_speaks]

@@AsiaMinor12wdm ,the Chinese guy has nothing to do with this,his just trying to help himself and his family,when a soldier goes to war do you blame him or the ones that sent him

[@moseswandera928]

This is my DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR.I am greatly motivated by Thomas' courage,hard work,persistence,faith in himself and the love for his faamily.Above all i like his faith in God.He puts God before his work.Thank you BBC AFRICA EYE .This is eye opening.Almost forgot this Chinese manager.He is social and loving.This is a wow of a documentary.

[@moseswandera928]

By the way how can i access his songs.I want to promote him.

[@carolgoergens9275]

I wish these countries would get their act together so many people struggling in the world because of corrupt people in power! pure greed

[@BlackPantherrStudios]

Africa 🌍 🇧🇯🖤 is the greatest. Great video.

[@sharonelekisha2722]

Dear God bless this young mens.

[@monroviaboy8574]

I think the end of the documentary with the music said it all. It’s asked “why are Central Africans like that.” This documentary showed an unregulated society . It also showed how terrible our leaders are. The president and officials only came during the opening of the bank for photo opportunities.

[@adetokunbothaboobasa5774]

Can I ask why are the projects conducted by the Chinese in an African country

[@lenniefei6710]

Many projects have been conducted by Western European but u had no problem with that!

[@allanlubowa4788]

During the days of FRENCH and BRITISH colonial occupation it was western companies now its the CHINESE companies that are willing to get into most AFRICAN countries,plus the CHINESE government extends loans with minimal fuss. In ANGOLA,ZAMBIA,KENYA,TANZANIA, SENEGAL,GHANA,ETHIOPIA etc most critical infrastructure has been built by CHINESE COMPANIES

[@ys11-s4f]

Beautiful documentary. Beautiful people. Medieval work conditions. How long until modernization emerges?

[@Heseesme101]

how much is the canoe and is there a go fund me pls let me know thanks

[@Skincareworldwide]

From how they were negotiating it's $120. I don't think he has a go fund me

[@edwardbmurphy6378]

300,000 CAR = $500 USD

[@kremesti]

Good documentary

[@isaacnewton1516]

This guy has a very nice voice he can be a very good musician

[@diktator1889]

This is the comment I was searching, listening him singing I thought it was Fere Gola

[@AlphamanKing]

Its not just the voice. The messages in his songs is what you should be really looking out for. He has very powerful messages in his songs.

[@francoiswatson3484]

I wish this could be done with a narrator like some of the other bbc eye africa videos because the closed caption translation writing is too light to read

[@Slayer123-g6v]

Locals citizen are suffering while chinees are making tonne of money real situation in Cmafrica 🙏🙏🙏

[@Freedom20255]

They have to learn to build corporations and save money to get themselves out of that situation. My friend told me he wanted to start micro finance bank to help people in ministry. I told him gather 10-20 people save for a year together. You take that money buy one taxi it will give you another taxi through profit. In 2 years you would own two taxi’s those taxis will pay everyone that contribute salary. He doesn’t want to do it that way. Often times they just want money to consume.. sorry to say!

[@Slayer123-g6v]

@@Freedom20255 government level corruption one of the factor for these problems and another factor people are divided on tribal ethnic divisions trillions of dollars of mineral natural resources bt it helping forigen nations

[@Freedom20255]

@@Slayer123-g6v It’s sad! But as Africans we need to take responsibility. No one is coming to save us!

[@Flower-ck2bs]

@@Freedom20255yes, det must consume money on food, medicines, transportation, school for children. It is not so easy to save something. I Wonder if you talk from your life experience that is totally different.

[@get_more_clients]

That is how capitalism is.

[@Wambundo]

I have learnt a lot from this men I have even stopped taking alcohol

[@mariambaraka3353]

Which companies do they send those materials to?

[@锐闵-j6y]

Heal the world Make it a better place For you and for me and the entire human race

[@futurefarms3440]

One of the Wealthiest Countries on Earth in terms of Resources yet one of the Poorest...only 5 to Six Million people in an area the Size of Texas...But because of France the Country is left to languish in dire Poverty... Central Africa Republic has Gold..oil.. diamonds.. Uranium.Timber. fertile Soil..Rain fall..but because of Racist Policies the Place is keot isolated and poor

[@CovertOps1]

Does Thomas Boa have a contact or social media/business page?

[@maritubachia4340]

This guy can sing Lingala.

[@bhonibrian]

The guys are working very hard to feed their families may God bless them....

[@shach69]

Beautiful country land

[@lenniefei6710]

People should familiarize themselves with the post colonial history of CAR before commenting on bulshit here ?! These people have been gone thru lots of turbulence, wars, and challenges brought by external forces.......Give them a slack!

[@BlackPantherrStudios]

Africa 🌍 🇧🇯🖤 is the greatest

[@juliatripp2010]

This was a very interesting documentary. I have come to love African people even tho most I"ll never meet. They are beautiful.... their struggle? Their humble circumstances, their genetics, everything ❤

[@OpinionatedNomad]

Thank you!

[@newworldbro]

jesus. I’m not even married to that Chinese man’s wife and I already want a divorce.

[@TheSirobed]

Seems the Chinese man's wife complains alot

[@get_more_clients]

🤣. People observe different things while watching the same thing.

[@mrsgolden6526]

Because he doesn't listen🤣

[@get_more_clients]

@@mrsgolden6526 , I actually had to ask someone about this. I was told that it is a thing in Chinese culture and most women tend to talk like that. Could this be the case?

[@mrsgolden6526]

@@get_more_clients that's probably a natural development once you've been together for such a long time I've seen this in many cultures in couples that were together for a certain number of years where the wife is always scolding the husband but the husband never listens which in turn leads the wife to scold him even more 🤣

[@get_more_clients]

@@mrsgolden6526 , craaaazy. Marriage is not for the faint hearted. It requires emotional strength.

[@ff11dream]

😮

[@jairbol884]

Chinese produce poor quality infrastructures. Why do most African governments give high impact projects to these Chinese?

[@saviourmukuka9780]

Guys: please, what was the name of the song at the end?

[@nomakhwezizitha5421]

The name of the song at the end?❤

[@alexmwangi5913]

What is the title of the song at the end of the documentary

[@aroukapenn]

Just like a *TYPICAL MAN- DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH HARD TOPICS!!!* Wife is *COMPLAINING* about son being *DISRESPECTFUL* and instead he says *"PUT HIM ON THE PHONE LET ME STRAIGHTEN HIM OUT,"* he runs and hide and says, it's late, I don’t want to deal with this now!!!👎👎👎 *WHAT A JOKE!!!*There's more to life than just making money, no matter the cost!!

[@MapaloYuzya_1508]

In this world you must struggle to survive....To be able to live a good life

[@yoveeditors5502]

Aren't they damaging the river bed?

[@musasani4345]

From your side of view. You can't believe how many by-products of damages done, you are enjoying.

[@eders65410]

No. They are not damaging. They are actually doing good, removing silt from the river

[@yoveeditors5502]

@@eders65410 oh great

[@munnakarthiko1]

🙌

[@去看海-j9j]

The mindset as shown in the comment's section is worrying.