at last we are exposed to a journey of compassion and love. Bono is truly a front man for the ones who have nothing and his actions creates hope where it has been lost for too long. God bless you and regardless of the negativity some say about you, press on most kind man "YOU ARE THERE" doing what others have not, and that is all that matters.

Brian and Campbell,
I need to remind you that africa is a continent with more than 52 countries. As poor as those countries may be, they are different and independent entities..
Bono was in Mali yesterday and will be going to Ghana.He isn't in the entire Africa. You are misleading the students here who are already poor in Geography.Mention those countries by their independent names and NOT as Africa. You do not generalise other continents when covering VIPs to their member countries. So please correct this an apologise to the humble citizens of that continent.
Bravo though for the good work, and keep it up.
Zack Mokaya, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Brian, thank you for covering this fantastic story of Bono in Africa, his dedication to see Africa do better. Bottom line, if it was not for Bono, many more africans today would not be here. That is a powerful thought. He says what needs to be done and he does it. Bono inspires, more than that, he accomplishes the mission. He is the difference that Africa and the world needs.

To the person from Franklin, Wisconsin---How is Bono stealing from the poor exactly? The fact that Bono is worth a lot of money--that and being a Christian(a fact by the way)is why he is trying to help people less fortunate than himself. He doesn't have to do a darn thing if he doesn't want to. He could stay home and count his money--he earned it---But he has chosen to help--to make a difference and I respect him so much for that. Keep up the good work Bono and God Bless you.

Great coverage on AFrica and its challenges and opportunities - nice to see something on the news that isn't motivated by simple geo-political interest, or national security interest, but rather HUMAN interest...Thank you Brian and NBC. And thanks to Bono for using his fame and celebrity and money to make a difference - through such actions, there does seem hope that we are all "one" on this planet.

to the people above who are making negative comments regarding what BONO's mission is here and the point he has been trying to get across for 20+ years. I have been following the progress from the early 80's when we first heard from u2, remember LIVE AID in the 80s and now the ONE project which BONO himself help found to make awareness and help to AFRICA. The comments I have read are from obviously people who need to further their information before they make a comment about someone whom they obviously know nothing about or for what this person has represented himself for over 3 decades and 30 years. If you know him you would know all of this thru his music, and beliefs.

How ironic. It seems that before we have someone tour through third world nations to bring aid and relief from poverty, we first need someone to take the cause (emergency) of touring through first world nations to bring aid and relief from ignorance. To everyone who doubts the intentions of good people, I hope your cynasisms only reaches as far as you do. To Brian, I wish more people had your initiative and insight. To Bono, I wish more people had a heart like yours. You are truly a light in ever dimming world.

Thank you Brian and all who help to make the change in Africa happen in what ever way they can. We have to, as the most powerful, generous and compasionate nation in the world, do the best we can and help to advance progress and global prosperity. Bono understands that you reap what you sow so let it be love, caring and compassion. Compromise is not a dirty word (Bono)He is right.

Brian - Thank you for covering the very important work Bono and the ONE campaign are doing in Africa. This is the first organized effort that has given ordinary citizens real strength and a way to voice their concerns for the poorest of the poor. As Bono has said many times, "this is not a cause, this is an emergency. 6,500 people dying every day from is an EMERGENCY. This is not a question of charity, it is a question of justice and equality."

Yes, we have to take care of "our own" as others have commented, but billions of people are living on less than one dollar a day, and dying from preventable diseases. How can we stand by and let that happen? With our voices we can change the policies that keep African countries from becoming partners in the global economy. They want to help themselves, they want to win. We just need to let them play the game - fairly.

To James of Ohio and "thinker" in NY - I pray that your hearts will change.

Dear all,

Thank you Bono and Brian et al,... countless others!!! What you do is an inspiration and is much needed. For those who criticize. First, learn how to spell. Get a good education, and then become a thinker. It's easy to criticise, but harder to stand up and do something. Take the plank out of your eye before you talk about the speck in anothers'... If you have questions about something, get information. Get your questions answered with fact. If you still have something to criticize, go for it. Please remember however, if we were to examine your lives, I'm sure we would have something to say. When does it stop? When do we go forward together as one?
God bless you guys!
With love from one

TO all the folks who think Bono's mission is full of it and self promoting. You should not speak if you know nothing of the cause. Money does not go to just feed the people it goes to help them farm. To produce a profit so they can be self providing. Schools are ment to educate so the (yes slowly) children when older can do more and better then their parents could.WHat he is doing is not charity it is responsible. We as human beings must help our brothers and sisters no matter where they are or their sation in life. He is not running for office he does not even have to do this, he cares and has made a difference with that love. You all sit there and judge a man beause he is taking action for change. You sit behind the computer and complain. WHo is the better person? IF you want change be the change you wish to see in the world. Otherwise stop putting down thoses who see the world for what it could be.

Brian,
thank you for heading over to Africa, for taking the risk that some of your viewers would turn it off or tune it out before hearing the facts, for taking the risk that you yourself might be forever changed. People in America, Canada, talk about charity beginning at home, but although there are people living on the street, and children that go hungry, we still have food banks, welfare, salvation army soup kitchens... a way of existing if need be. Africans are starving to the point of dying, but thanks to the ONE campaign, Bono, the G8 leaders, and people in the media like yourself who are keeping this in the public eye, things are happening on a scale never seen before! We have short attention spans... we need to be reminded, often. Thanks for reminding us.

Bono specifically slammed corruption in Africa here, by the way:

http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1936872,00.html

It is great to see a story like this and for the naysayers and ignorant jerks like this guy from Franklin ,Wisconsin.Bono and his band have millions of dollars of their own money to various charities over the years including ones to fight poverty and AIDS,but they choose to do these things privately not publicize it and by bringing attention to these causes it may wake somepeople up in this country that there emergencies going on outside the U.S. maybe if we can get our heads out of other countries oil wells and stop being so materialistic,we can move on to more pressing human matters in nations that could use every developed countries help.

I am an adoptive mom of two African children and so was very touched by the little girl cooking dinner in this piece. I agree with the above commenter who believes we Americans are incredibly spoiled. I wrote more about that here: http://ethiopia.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/growing-up-too-fast

And to the poster who thought the effort should be concentrated in America-- that's great that you are noticing there are needs. Now, jump in and do something. All of us, not just the rich, should be reaching a hand out and helping someone out. it's just fine that different people are led different places.

Brian, great story-- and good job covering it.
mary, mom to many, 4 adopted

I honor Bono for bringing shedding light on the economic and social problems Africans face. However, I was more impressed with the Chinese President's tour through Africa. The Chinese President had more economic “Juice” than Bono.

Brian, you are on a trip with a delegation that i extremely envy of you. for all my friends in zootopia (bono's fan club) who travel around the world to see him in concert, this would be my Vertigo tour, to be with him at the cotton plants, the schools, the kids, the sewing facilities, the teachers. with some of the most brilliant forward-thinking minds on the planet by his side. you've all taken my heart with you. thank you so very much, you have no idea. thanx for the postcards.

stay close,
sammi fredenburg
seattle washington usa

1st Brian, thank you for your coverage on the issue of AIDS and Poverty. Be carefully about Mosquetos. That little girl who seemed about 7 or 8 who where preparing food for her family has the same God as the 7 or 8 year old girl here in America or any other county. Lets just pray that may God ease their lives.
2nd I have not yet quite figure it out why Mr. Bono(a rock star that is!)has the intrest of going to African country(ies) to promote what? I do ansderstand from his own words when he said " They love America, They love England, they love Irish...and rock stars". "In Madarasa (where Islamic knowlege is tought)few blocks they are teaching children of the same age to "hate us" pointing the fingers other guys who where standing with him; Brain(American Journalist) and Brown, G.( A next prime minister in England)I don't thing that Bono's mission is to help some african nations to overcome proverty or AIDS butpolitical ways! And one more thing where is the money going to go after we make a donation????? a blank account! Yap!
I am blaming africa's proverty for its leader. They are nothing but leaders! Lets not help Africa and let natural selection and nature do its thing.
by the way Bono is nothing but a rock star!

Brian, Bono, Ali and all others who have hope for Africa:
Thank You Bono for caring. Thank you for reminding us that there others who are less fortunate and dying from lack of food, nutrition, medical care, lack of clean water and medications. Thank you for making us think about Africa and what we as individuals can do to make a difference. Thank you for speaking out and calling for change. I'm not going to sit back and watch quietly as this`(African)country and its people die because nobody spoke up for change. My voice will be heard and I encourage others to do the same. Thanks Brian for covering this story.

I attended the Amnestly International event 20-odd yrs ago, followed with Live Aid & viewed the Live 8 broadcast last summer, every moment inspired me! I am so proud of all those who give voice, strive & beleive in making a difference in ppl's lives, especially here. In this world, we are one!
The broadcast events bring us a better understanding & it will help justify & make important global changes. I have faith, keep up the works!

What some of you commentors don't understand is that the reason for Bono (and other celebs too) making his good deeds so public on television for us Americans is that, we do not fully, nor can we ever unless we actually see it for ourselves, understand what the people in Africa are going through. I am leaving soon to volunteer in Africa, and while I haven't even actually gotten there yet, I realize that those people NEED our help. The reason these influential, rich people are trying so hard to publicize what they are doing is because that is the only way we Americans will realize what is going on and actually pay attention or want to help. Before these stars began the ONE organization, how many Americans do you think really knew, or even cared, what the situation was in Africa?? Not enough. It's very sad that it takes famous people like Bono to wake us all up and realize that it is time we stand together and do something about this situation. Bono, and NBC, thank you so much for all of your coverage. Peace and love to all.

This in response to Brad from Seattle and others questioning Bono's intentions:

First of all, Bono has been to African - and other impoverished regioins - many times over the years without photographers following him. He and his wife Ali worked for 3 weeks at an orphanage back in the late 1980s. Secondly, if the cameras WEREN'T following him, the Africa cause likely wouldn't be getting NBC's attention this week that it is getting with him in front of the lens.

Isn't his agreeing to do these interviews better than doing nothing? It certainly will draw more attention than if an "unregonized hero" was doing the same.

Bono has said many times he will allow people to use him for his celebrity to promote a cause, but he's "not a cheap date."
My wife and I are headed to Ethiopia later this year to adopt our second child, our second trip to Africa. Photographers will not be following us (and I am glad), but I am also glad we have people who are willing to step into the limelight - and be criticized for their motives.

Thank you to Bono-- for selflessly bringing attention to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Africa. It goes to show that one person CAN make a difference. I'm inspired!

For all those Bono bashers...please...this man has more than enough media coverage, so the poster who posed the question, would he be doing this tour without a camera following him? Yes...he would...and does, many times. The work he and his foundation has done since 2000 has eclipsed in effectiveness just about all done before it. Enough with your naysaying...learn the facts before you bash people of legit goodwill and that are making a difference in the world.

Thank you Brian and Bono for doing this. I watched the broadcast tonight (I usually get my news from the internet), and I wanted more. The story is not how awful things are in Africa; we should all know that it is soul destroyingly horrible in many places in Africa by now. The story is the hope that debt reduction and the one campaign bring, what the people of african communities are doing with that. There was the briefest mention of organic cotton. Can you focus on "is it working and how" tomorrow, Brian? Thanks and thanks for covering this--Bono is an inspiration of mine--I love his lack of cynicism.