You are a powerful witness and have a great opportunity - Go to them, again and again if necessary. The web has made the world more immediate and change may be possible - I can only hope. This is a story that needs to be told.
Do invite them to the Outpost! Invite them to the real Africa. The story about the Blood Diamonds made quite a statment and hopefuly there has been a change since that movie debuted.

Another related topic - what is your opinion of KIVA.org? Micro-finance - small loans made directly to entreprenuers. Is this as good as it is cracked up to be?

Peace!

Iota. I know. And you’re right. Awareness of any ugly situation is always a good thing. There is always hope, the thing is it often isn’t realised. Largely, I think, because quite often the job isn’t being done by those who are well informed enough. It’s not just about knowing Africa’s geogrpahy and language and problems, it’s about understanding her soul, her vulnerability, her cunning. And I don’t think enough of those involved know her intimately enough to make a difference. Some do - of course - but not enough. I have approached funders with ideas of how to Make Poverty History, but I’m a mother of three in Africa (with a nasty colonial history to boot), what would I know.

Primal Sneeze - I think that’s a wonderful - and horrible - story. And it absolutely highlights what I’m trying to point out: Aid pays well. So it attracts the well educated with glossy resumes. so they’re hired for the job of Making Poverty History, not those who might actually really care, really be prepared to get down and dirty with Africa’s issues. As opposed to enjoying an expense account at the Sheraton in Addis.

SAHD - Good God! ain’t that the truth?

Anyway, many years ago, while doing my primary degree, a professor (yes, not just a regular lecturer) of mine was a patron of an NGO. He went to Ethiopia during the (world-televised) famine to see the situation for himself.

My friend was Country Manager - Ethiopia for that NGO and arranged to have him tracked. He spent the full stay in a fine hotel in the capital and never once came face to face with the situation on the ground.

On his return, there were questions asked … but never answered.

I love this post, and all the nuggets of your thoughts on the realities of aid in Africa. You are so close to the issues, that I feel I am reading a very informed opinion. I wish you were allowing a bit more optimism, though. Of course celebs, one suspects, can’t help but be interested in their own image, first and foremost. But the optimist in me thinks, it’s better than nothing. These people know they are huge role models, and if they are trying to encourage an interest in the deprived of our world, then that’s better than what a lot of their fellow celebs are up to.

I know, I know. You’re going to say we need less awareness raising and more action. But maybe the action will come, and in the meantime, awareness raising can’t hurt, can it? Or do you find it patronising?

MissyM - well you know how it is when you bumb into celebs; all the things you mean to say fly out of your head in the excitment of the moment!