Television made history this past week. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams' report was the first live American evening news broadcast from Africa. Williams was following Bono on a six country tour of some of the most destitute places in Africa, where Bono was checking on his "investment." Over the last number of years, Bono has given his heart and soul, in addition to aid, for a continent that has needed it the most.
In the countries of Mali, Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria, Bono is not the lead singer of U2. He's not the front man of the biggest band in the world. He is a traveling salesman - an opportunist who sees the plight of Africa as the greatest chance to demonstrate real and tangible change.
The numbers are overwhelming. 40 million African children do not attend school. Over 26 million are stricken with AIDS. An estimated 9,000 people die every day. TB, Malaria and extreme poverty preside over the continent.
In 2002, Bono, along with Bobby Shriver, founded the organization Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa (DATA). Its efforts and endeavors have lessened the numerous burdens that plague Africa, offering debt relief, adjusting trade rules, and attempting to eliminate the African AIDS pandemic.
Since 2002, Bono has successfully persuaded eight of the wealthiest nations to forgive massive African Debt. He has also enveloped himself in the One.org campaign.
What Bono offers more than anything, is hope: Change is indeed possible, one person at a time.
I read his interview where he was very humble, wanting to use his celebrity to do what he could. A traveling salesman. Some skeptics in the blogosphere mentioned that he was not making much of an impact, but the purpose of being a Citizen Hunter, and Bono is one, is to use your gifts to do what you can. He is certainly doing this. Bravo Bono! Bravo Flavia! Bravo Citizens!
Posted by: BW at June 1, 2006 10:14 PM