Is your job a joy or pain?

What kind of work do you do? Is it a source of pride, grief or the only means to put food on the table?

Is driving a satisfying job?

We want to hear from you whether you are a mine worker, doctor, watchman, tailor, coffin maker, preacher, waiter, florist or teacher?

Whatever your job is, share your experience with us. How does it contribute to the development of your community or country?

Do you get recognised for the job you do or does it simply go unnoticed?

Join the BBC's Africa Live debate Wednesday 05 May at 1630 & 1830GMT.

Use the form to send us your comments - some of which will be published below.

If you would like to take part in the discussion, e-mail us with your telephone number, which will not be published.

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Your comments:

I am a lawyer working with the Ministry of Justice as a Principal State Advocate. My job involves prosecuting all kinds of criminal cases from homicides to thefts. I also represent the government in civil cases. My job is both a joy and a pain but I have learnt to do it with joy. We have meagre resources but we are expected to perform. My salary isn't very much but I praise God for all I have and the profile I have managed to build within a short period. Being single, I never run out of potential suitors!
Pacharo Kayira, Malawi

My job is a pain. I work hard but still don't get appreciated for the good work I do. Instead we get retrenched due to some manager who does not posses the necessary skills for the job.
Victor, South Africa

I have just come in from work, it was a long shift today. I left Nigeria, came to the UK thinking it was a land of immense and endless opportunities. I found my niche working in a hospital as a hygiene assistant. Hence my fate remains wiping bottoms and emptying bedpans for peanuts. My reward for this joyful task barely covers the expensive rent I have to pay for my tiny room, that is before bills and there is little left to indulge in any social activity in my free time. A far cry from the high hopes I had upon leaving my motherland.
Afwiong, Nigerian in London

For Terry Charles in St Lucia, a lot more Africans have access to the internet than you imagine. It all depends on the country. Today even jobless Kenyans have access to the internet through cafes and mobile phone technology. As for my job, I currently don't have one I like, but it pays the bills.
Wairimu, Kenyan in USA

Though I went to school in the Austria and even took some extra courses for more qualification, I still work as an unskilled worker. The job I am doing is a source of grief and is only a means of survival. My social and professional competence is not inferior to the natives but my co-workers look down on you only because your origin is different from theirs. I have to fight to proof myself all the time.
Daud B., Austria

I have been an automotive and production Mechanical Engineer for over 15 years. I am fed up, ignored and passed over even though I really make a difference. Don't bother with engineering, what a waste of time. Work from home.
John, UK

BBC what difference does it make whether one enjoys one's job or not? There are thousands of jobless individuals all around Africa, so anyone with a job is lucky to have one.
L. Isang Akpan, Nigeria/USA

I am a broadcaster and while I think salaries are not what they should be, I say with no hesitation that I enjoy my job. I sometimes work up to 15 hours a day but I would not trade my job for anything in the world, except maybe for farming which I grew up on and still do part-time. Job satisfaction means more to me than money and it just makes me happy each day to know that I play a key role in keeping the population abreast of what's happening in the world. I think my work impacts on the society because through our media we shape public opinion.
Odette, African in Grenada

I am a Yoruba traditional priest, artist, dancer, drummer and director of a Yoruba Cultural Centre in Germany. I lead a team who work for the official recognition of Yoruba traditional religion in Germany. I am happy with the jobs I do because I promote my people's way of life and put Yoruba culture on the world stage. I am happy with what I am doing because it allows me to live my dreams.
Adigun Olosun, Nigerian/Germany

Getting a job in Africa is a case of availability and not on choice. You can choose to be happy or sad with the job depending on the circumstances. Like Shaila said, job satisfaction is not highly regarded in Africa. It is mainly seen as a means of putting food on the table.
Chinedu Ibeabuchi, Lagos, Nigeria

Dear brothers and sisters, I just want to make few things clear. A job is a job and you make it easy or hard on yourself. I am a bus driver and my job helps me look after my family. I enjoy my job even though it has its ups and downs.
Sallu Kamara, Sierra Leone/ UK

I work in a government parastatal as a clerk. The cost of living is high in my country but I don't really feel it because I am staying with my parents but I pity those who have large families on such small incomes. I love my job because it is not that demanding.
Aladesanmi Adedoyin, Nigeria

I graduated some years back but cannot get a job. I make do with a contract job in a consulting firm to make ends meet. Inspite of my dedication my work goes unnoticed and worst of all, there is no talk of taking me on as a full time worker.
Sylvester, Nigeria

I am a student currently studying in Belgium for my masters. Since I don't have a scholarship, I have to survive by doing odd jobs like washing dishes and cleaning. This has made me appreciate the office job I had back home, even if I was earning peanuts.

Gloria, Belgium

I grew up in Africa, went to school in the US and currently live and work in the US. I own a house-cleaning business. This way, I am able to visit home every year and can assist those I left behind in Africa. If I worked in Africa, I may not be able to afford the standard of living I now enjoy nor the annual travel back to Africa. I however miss my family and country very much.
Kenya/USA

What makes a job painful in Africa is when you earn little and have a family to cater for. At times I used to ponder how people succeed. The cost of living is hard to come by. The only time when a job is a joy is when you are single and nobody is looking up to you for help.
Sheku M. Jalloh, Gambia

I am a porter in a hospital. Whilst the pay is not good the job is very rewarding. I get on well with the professional staff as well. I love my job!
Mike, South Africa

I work in customer service & technical support for rich folk who connect to the internet via satellite. It pays good and I enjoy driving my new car (Ford Expedition) but is my job a joy? Easy answer - NO. I have to listen to people whine about why they can't connect to the internet using their sophisticated equipment and such. In Zimbabwe I used to be a teacher, I taught in primary school first. My students were a blessing. They looked up to me and thought I had all the answers. I also taught in high school and the students were probably 3 years younger than me. It made me feel good and important. But I could hardly afford to buy new shoes every month. I lived with my parents and I drove a car - only in my dreams. In most cases it's Catch 22: a job you like and enjoy; or a salary you enjoy. In rare case you get the two together, but very rarely
Tulani, USA - Zimbabwe

Currently I work as a missionary in northern Tanzania. My job is not much appreciated neither recognised by the community or fellows Youths. But I chose the job because I thought it's my duty to serves mankind. My parents also doesn't understand why I chose a volunteer job while I still need much in life.
Ngobei L.Shamata, Arusha,Tanzania

BBC, stop being so patronising. Your average educated and privileged African has little or no access to the internet. The "uneducated" classes who make up the majority of drivers, fishermen, waiters and the other zero pay jobs you point out have even less access to web communication. How do you expect to gather their opinion?
Terry Charles, St Lucia

The job I do is something that brings joy in my life, because it is a dream, most of the time it is like I get paid doing something I love, but most people can't say the same because they can't get their dream job due to lack of skill.
Dada Olamide, USA

My job is just that, a job, which serves as a means to put food on the table, to provide shelter & cover the skin of my wife & kids, not to mention myself. But beyond that and this is very important it serves as a main source of grief, both mental & psychological. My work requires me to be perfect, no less. No mistakes are tolerated. I'm under constant scrutiny. You know, about five years ago I had my own computer-based business & it might seem like I thinking about regressing, but I want to go 5 years back to my old situation.
Morie Sandi, Sierra Leone/USA

I grew up in Kenya but came to the USA more than twenty years ago in 1980. In 1991, I went back home and worked in marketing research in Kenya for an international company where I barely made enough to live on. Despite the racism at work under an expatriate management where Kenyans are treated like trash, the work was very satisfying and I loved being home surrounded by family and friends. However in 1996, I decided to return to the USA to make extra money to support my family back home. Since then, it has been an uphill battle between paying my living expenses and trying to assist those at home. Presently, I hold two jobs for a college and as a part-time baker. I am confused about whether to return home or stay fixed and only retire back to Kenya in a few years. One thing though, home is home: one sweet experience with friends and family and excellent weather!
Kungu Munene, Kenya/USA

I would not be doing it if I did not enjoy it. I think job satisfaction is important or else you will die spiritually and just be going through the motions. Some feel they have no choice but stick to something they hate doing for years, but that I feel is due to fear. People are afraid to let go of security even if it is not really that secure and hang on. Options are always there, even in Africa. Especially in Africa.
Zwena Z, Swaziland/Florida

I love my job. It is a joy to me.
Abbathun, Ethiopia

Due to the long running civil war in the Sudan, thousands of Southern Sudanese have resettled in Northern America as refugees. Most of them have jobs but not like the jobs mentioned on this page. Eventually, the most important thing I have seen here in the U.S, many African immigrants do not care which work they do provided they get paid for it. They need only money because everyone has a plan to do something when she/he returns to the country of origin. Some Somalis and Ethiopians who live in Northern America have opened businesses in East Africa and the Horn, so those businesses are really benefiting people there.
Peter Tuach, Minnesota USA

I enjoy my job. It is all about sitting down and operating computer and chatting with my client. I really enjoy it.
Scott Odiase, Nigerian in Italy

I am a hawker. I sell fried groundnuts, ripe sweet bananas, fruits and some few incidentals. I am always selling to people at the bus park and taxi park. I like what I do. I hope one day I will save enough money have a market stall.
Juwa Kali, Uganda

I am a University graduate of Geology with an upper class degree complemented by sound knowledge & skills in Computer Technology. However I am well underemployed as an administrative secretary in a small growing Electrical/Telecoms company in Abuja, Nigeria. I still choose to be happy with my little job. I am working hard to improve my skills and to have the chance of a brighter future where my contributions to the society will not only be recognised but are heavily needed by my community and country at large.
Emmanuel Maiyanga, Nigeria

I am currently doing programming work for a web-design company in Kenya. Previous to this I spent four years working in California after getting my undergraduate degree. Although the work is not as fiscally rewarding, I love it! I love being home and being able to get up in the morning to see the sun, a rarity even in California! I also further enjoy being in a community that understands me and the way I think. I wouldn't trade for the world. East or West, home is best.
Jerome Isaiah, Kenya

I was educated in the USA but grew up in Zimbabwe. Once, during a visit home, I asked my father if he enjoyed his job. He has worked in the same clothing factory for the past 17 years, has had little increase in pay and has gained little respect despite his dedication. My father looked astounded that I would ask such a question. He hesitated for a long while and then responded "Yes, I think I enjoy it". I asked if he would consider moving to another job, and he answered that with Zimbabwe's high unemployment rate, he was just grateful to have a job and to be bringing home even meagre amounts of money. I don't think job satisfaction is as highly regarded in African countries as it is in the West. People work not to fulfil some inner desire for achievement but rather for sustenance. Work, I think, is a duty and a chore, rather than something that one enjoys. People are unlikely to complain about dissatisfaction because jobs are so scarce and livelihoods so difficult.
Shaila Bhajee, USA/Zimbabwe