In 2007 Unicef in germany launched an ad campaign to raise awareness about the lack of education in "Africa." This is how it turned out.
"In Africa many kids would be glad to worry about school."
"Some teachers suck. No teachers sucks even more."
"I'm waiting for my last day in school, the children in Africa still for their first one."
"In Africa kids don't come to school late, but not at all."
This obviously was not received well by "Africa" or advocates for education in Africa. People felt patronized, betrayed and belittled by the campaign. Not all people in Africa are uneducated, I need not explain this statement. Also, we don't walk around with mud on our faces. And the list goes on and on. I think this campaign may have done more bad than good, it didn't highlight the potential of "Africa" and the many children who want an education. What it did was reinforce the opinion that Africa is a different planet where no one knows what's good for them or what progression is.
Having said this, the intention of the campaign was good (but let's say this again...ill advised and grossly uninformed). I think it's good that people want to develop and enhance Africa and improve what needs improving. But while doing so, we need to remember our own primitive roots and that at one point our ancestors thought that taking a shower once a week was high class. To help Africa, we need to see the potential and the good that already exists. Patronizing and mocking won't ever help.
So when talking, writing or even thinking about the many countries or peoples in Africa, be respectful, honest and objective.