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It turns out the man who created Zoo TV and made mirror balls cool again is pretty at ease in front of a camera in Africa. After his performance last week at our afternoon editorial meeting (noted by Brian in his Friday post), we asked U2 front man Bono to tell our cameras why he's so inspired by the continent and raising millions of dollars and awareness to forgive debt, fight HIV/AIDS, and end poverty there.
Click here to watch Bono's video blog from Tanzania. It's 3 minutes, 22 seconds, straight from the heart. For those of you who don't have Windows Media Player, I've included a transcript below.
Brian will join up with Bono Monday and travel to Abuja, Nigeria, and Bamako, Mali, as the humanitarian rock star assesses the progress of the relief organizations, DATA and ONE, with whom he is working in Africa. For more about the trip, including briefings about each country they will visit, click here.
TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO BLOG
This is Bono here at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, if you can believe it, and I’m on NBC and that’s very cool. Let me tell you this, not every network has a camera crew trekking across Africa for the right reasons. And so I’m very pleased about being on NBC.
I’m a little worried about Brian Williams coming out next week. Uh, it is a bit of a worry because you know he thinks he’s cool and I’m going to take him to some very hot, sweaty places and we’re going to be real close and that, so I hope he’s prepared, because we are going to make him sweat. But I will introduce him to some very, very, very cool Africans. And very cool things are happening in Africa, actually. It’s a whole new mood on this continent that really fight backs.
So for those people in the heart of America and the coasts of America who got us up and running, this is a message from the heart of Africa.
Since debt cancellation started, we have an astonishing statistic. There are 15 million more kids going to school since the "drop the debt" campaign. Since we got busy on HIV/AIDS, since President Bush’s historic AIDS initiative, 800,000 Africans are on these drugs.
When I was here, whenever it was, three or four years ago with the United States treasury secretary, there was none to speak of –- only wealthy people. Malaria, which is like the number one killer disease in the world, we’re going to chase that out of town with the right insecticides and bed nets. I think there is something like 5 million bed nets that have gone out since politicians in D.C. heard this was important.
So some very cool things happening. Africans are getting busy. Because there’s hope I suppose. And they’ve heard that you’re with them in this struggle. It’s a monumental struggle. We’ve seen some terrible things over there the last while and I guess we will the next week.
I had the most sickening experience watching people three in a bed, well actually six in a bed if you can imagine -- that’s in one hospital there in Rwanda. Three mothers, three children, same bed.
So there’s a lot to do. I don’t think we should take our foot off the gas or anything, rather I think we need to accelerate. But they love Americans here now and I’m in awe of what you’ve done, so let’s see what happens over the next week.
Over and out from Tanzania. Probably can’t see it over my head, it’s a big head, it could even block Mt. Kilimanjaro. But stay tuned (flashes the peace sign).
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Long day's journey
Thank you for your humanity & compassion. May the divine keep you safe & blessed
Jabari
(Sent May 22, 2006 11:25:16 AM)
It's simply magnificent what BONO is doing for needy places like Africa. Its too bad other Celebs. cannot use this platform to help these people instead of pushing POLITICS, May GOD bless him for his compassion but I know that GOD has.
(Sent May 22, 2006 11:22:23 AM)
Thank you for continuously hammering away at the monumental task of raising awareness and help for Africa. One man can't do it all, but he can make a helluva impact. I'm no rock star with a big head, but I am one person with a big heart and a willingness to do what is right for every human being. Thank you to Brian and NBC for putting forth the resources for global news that is not glamorous but very deserving of coverage.
The Spirit is with you. It is so inspiring to see the Spirit flow in and through you. For Africa...
Sissy Evenson, Eagan, MN (Sent May 22, 2006 11:05:51 AM)
Its not a wonder that Bono could pull all of this off and still front the best rock band in history. Thank you, Bono, for giving my kids a rock star to look up to. Your efforts are truly amazing and make me wish I could do more.
(Sent May 22, 2006 10:50:51 AM)
It goes beyound the faith to see what inspired people like Bono,Brad and Angelina doing in the continent of Africa.You guys see a vision the world is still at sleep to comprehend.
Solomon Magbegor,Atlanta,USA (Sent May 22, 2006 10:49:10 AM)
By the way, natural born idiots, fix this response link to wait until all the slots are filled in before booping out.
We a sorry set of NBI's you are. Why don't we just send the money (my money included from my taxes) direct to the Swiss bank accounts of those dumb face African leaders.
William Haggerty, Richmond, Texas 77469 (Sent May 22, 2006 10:47:41 AM)
Bono,
Rock on dude! Way to go. Keep on shining your LIGHT of hope and love in the name of Jesus Christ in Africa. We are with you and praying that the world would recognize the gift and treasure the African people are to the World. God bless you. Way to go NBC for sending Brian.
Peace.
Bob Naegele, Carbondale, CO
Bob Naegele, Carbondale, CO (Sent May 22, 2006 10:47:24 AM)
Fantastic work that Bono is doing... I am ecstatic that someone of his stature has taken the initiative, and using his massive influence for good causes. I'd love to ask him about Zimbabwe. What about Zimbabwe? Why will nobody tackle that issue. It might be the worst situation in the world.
Chris Stagliola, Boston, MA (Sent May 22, 2006 10:39:51 AM)
Bono - come to New Orleans. We can use your influence here!
Sarah Kline, New Orleans, LA (Sent May 22, 2006 10:37:49 AM)
I'm so glad to see something is happening there. My daughter is in Swaiziland right now on a mission trip with Nyack college, I pray for her everyday, she is an awesome person, and it to comes straight from her heart. God will only bless those who are trying to do something for Africa so keep planting seeds, we truly reep what we sow.
Teresa McCarthy Mt. Tremper, NY (Sent May 22, 2006 10:27:54 AM)
I'm so glad to see something is happening there. My daughter is in Swaiziland right now on a mission trip with Nyack college, I pray for her everyday, she is an awesome person, and it to comes straight from her heart. God will only bless those who are trying to do something for Africa so keep planting seeds, we truly reep what we sow.
Teresa McCarthy Mt. Tremper, NY (Sent May 22, 2006 10:26:15 AM)
It is amazing what Bono has inspired in this grand effort to change the fate of Africa. He has motivated and inspired politicians, religous leaders and common people to do better and make a difference. There is no doubt he will go down in history as one of the most influencial world peace makers of this century.
Gretchen Armon, Excelsior Springs, MO (Sent May 22, 2006 10:22:20 AM)
NBC,
You know I'm at my fill of hearing people like BONO and the Hollywood types talk about Africa. I think we both know that they are just talking about it to stay in the spotlight because they might have a new cd coming out next week. If he/they really cared tell them to give up 1/2 to 3/4 of their wealth to help and send their own type of aid and not just lip service,
Tim.
Tim, Sumter, S.C. (Sent May 22, 2006 10:20:06 AM)
so great to be able to see things are really changing isn't it amazing to see we an actually change things in this world if we want to? thank you for the effort faith and commitment to everyone involved in the campaignn bono you represent so much for these people and for us i think you represent what we would only be able to dream possible in our life. Thanks it's great
giulia- Italy (born in south africa)
Giulia (Sent May 22, 2006 10:15:57 AM)
I have never really believed that in the midst of the western powers, a man can make a difference in a continent almost forgotten. I had your vision Bono, and i feel so guilty that i am yet to carry it out, yet i am very very grateful for your work. You still inspire me to follow my vision.
Tosin Ogunsile, Brooklyn, New York (Sent May 22, 2006 10:08:28 AM)
Bono,
Asante sana for visiting Tanzania. I hope you enjoy the beautiful country and its people. There is a lot of good work going on in an effort to reduce the affects of HIV/Aids on the people of Tanzania. If you are interested, here is the name of a group of former Minnesotans who are living and working in Mwanza.
http://www.ihptz.org/
Godspeed.
Kitundu (Sent May 22, 2006 9:56:00 AM)
It's amazing what one man with a hope for change can accomplish. Bono efforts in Africa have been inspirational to me and to many people I know and I hope he continues his great work. Thanks Bono!
Chris, Washington (Sent May 22, 2006 9:54:09 AM)
Thank you, Bono, for inspiring generations. My eleven year old son chose you to represent during his school's "Night of the Notables". (My ten year old son chose Bill Gates). He was able to pass along your message to people of all ages in the small town of Independence, Iowa. One grandmother thanked him for choosing someone she knew nothing about but now plans to research your efforts more. Thanks Bono...keep spreading the word.
Stacie Halverson, Independence, IA (Sent May 22, 2006 9:41:22 AM)
That's very cool what Bono is doing, he's very cool. MSNBC is also very cool, and Brian Williams is very very cool. Very cool transcript, the editor is indeed very cool. Cool.
Scott Hill, West Palm Beach, FL (Sent May 22, 2006 9:32:28 AM)
That is wonderful, inspiring news about what has been happening in Africa since the "drop the debt" campaign. I hope positive changes soon start taking place in all countries, in all areas of life--it was shocking to hear that in Rwanda Bono saw 6 patients in one hospital bed.
Would it be too much to hope that peace would finally come to Sudan's Darfur and other war-torn regions of that continent?
Olivia Elizabeth Burdon, Peoria, Ill. (Sent May 22, 2006 8:47:10 AM)
Hi Brian,
I am so glad you are going to Nigeria, I bet this is your first time over there. I hope you get to enjoy just a little bit of what my great country has to offer. And as we say in the Nigerian Language of Ibo(one of the three main languages): Nno (which means welcome) and I bet you would need to say "how are you doing ?" to a few people in Nigeria, so you can say "Kedu" (which is also in the Ibo Language).
Have a safe trip.
Ijeoma Ezeonwuka, Washington DC (Sent May 21, 2006 8:45:52 PM)
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