Evaporation: When the Most Energetic Leave

When I was a teacher in Cameroon, one of the subjects I taught was physics to children in the grade equivalent to 8th in the United States. The syllabus included basic concepts; one was evaporation. This idea behind this is simple, a liquid is made up of a number of individual molecules with some having less energy and some more. Over time, the most energetic molecules are able to break free of the liquid. The effect on the liquid is to lose those with the most energy leaving the average temperature of the remaining molecules lower than before.

In class, this is a straightforward explanation. But like many topics, it is one thing to understand words spoken, but another to have something common to which they can be related. In this context I suggested the situation of a noisy classroom. What is a common technique of a teacher when the class gets out of hand? Identify the student or two who are the most disruptive and send them out of the room. What remains? A “cooler” and less rambunctious classroom.

As a teacher at a government school, my colleagues were exceptional in terms of education and training. Most had mastered a second colonial language and had reached the highest level of academic achievement on their way to becoming a teacher. Some of them knew of siblings or other family members who lived overseas in Europe or the United States. It was not necessarily their strongest desire to leave the country, but the concept was a familiar one, especially for those who desired training in an advanced technical, medical or legal field.

I realized a similarity between the effect of those people who are brightest and most energetic as ones likely to leave as that which occurs in the evaporation of a liquid. That is, when those with the most energy leave, the effect is to diminish the population of those who remain. The effect of any one individual may be small when considered on a larger scale, but the cumulative impact seems apparent when the large number of those leaving is considered.

One example that occurred to me is the areas of American cities referred to as slums. A common expression heard when people from these neighborhoods are represented in the media is the desire to leave. And it does happen that some are able to leave. But it is typically those who are most able, most energetic, who are successful in escaping. While it is a boon to them, the family and the neighborhood left behind are “cooler,” with a depressed level of expertise and ability.

This is also what happens in a country which is able to send a large portion of its population to school and which achieves a relatively high level of literacy. But when those students who are most able reach a point where either advanced training is not available or the means to utilize skills are absent the logical step is to want to leave. The effect is to effectively select the most intelligent and energetic citizens and give them a desire to escape. The result is not damaging in an obviously destructive way. But certainly, the advantage gained by schools, neighborhoods and businesses in the countries which are their destination supports the fact that the same is absent from their homes when they leave.

It has been noted that contemporary sports franchises in the United States no longer should view the other teams in their league as their competition. That what they are facing in terms of success as a business is the decision made when a person or family in their market wants three hours of entertainment. Do they choose the sporting event, whether attending in person or watching on television? Or do they choose a movie, restaurant or other social event? This change in focus is something I believe needs to happen in Cameroon.

That is, the political leadership needs to realize that hoarding over the natural resources of their country can be personally enriching but it has left the country in a position in which the most talented individuals have no choice but to leave. It is a short sight that sees this as something like “they depart and leave me to the spoils.” As if the country’s wealth is constrained only by the extent of the vegetation grown, minerals under the ground or oil beneath the nearby ocean. How does a country measure success? There may be a number of ways, but I believe one is what kind of answer can be given when a person asks where can I get the training I desire or the job I want?

I know of Cameroonians in the United States who are doctors, lawyers, nurses, CNAs, engineers, businessmen, teachers and spiritual leaders. I, personally, am thankful for them. But I also know that my jealousy at their presence here is matched by a missing energy back home. And my prayer for Cameroon is that the politicians one day realize the attitude that is missing from their country and find the desire and willingness to make the changes that will keep their people home.