Can you tell us what you have done to help make poverty history, as an individual & share with us & Bono ?

Question

It has been very interesting reading the responses positive and negative to Bono's question, which gives a snapshot of attitudes.Most of which have been concentrating on either having a go at Bono,or supporting him,plus natural concerns about problems which either affect us personally or our neighbourhood,or city, or just down right ignorant,bitter and jealous comments.There are problems in many countries to do with poverty,inequality,lack of resources etc and yes we should be concerned.But those that point this out have they tried to help in any way closer to home?I expect some of you have, but some people just used this forum to be down right negative.To start the ball rolling about individuals efforts to help make poverty history, for the record.I am probaby Joe average in that yes, I have donated money as and when I can afford.Bought and worn the white wrist band,written to my Prime minister Tony Blair.Not huge amounts,but I still care and want to do more.Your turn,tell the world.

Answer 1

You know I try to stay away from these questions, but here I am, again.

First of all, like you I am just the average everyday person. About 15 years ago, I "adopted" a child in Ghana through "Save the Children." Since then, I have done the haphazard style charitable work, (volunteer at the local nursing home, donate cash to food banks, etc.) I did purchase two bundles of the white wristbands, I carry a few extras to give out if anyone asks about my band ie: I don't push it on anyone, but if they ask, it is handy.

The one thing I have been fortunate enough to do simply because of my geographic location: I can make it known that I am available to help individuals in need right here in my community. It is only because I am in an extremely rural area that this works. This is my "niche" for helping those who are in need. People in a crisis situation will call or come to my house and ask for what they need. I have specific rules and limits (learned the hard way), I will pay for emergency diapers, formula, gas money, etc etc etc. Some of the stranger things that have occurred: Once helped a mom hire an attorney in a child custody case, bought a mentally disabled couple a new transmission for their truck, have allowed people to barter property for cash (got a very nice set of homemade arrowheads rotting in the basement), caught lice more than once doing this, been threatened by a couple of drunk hubbies.....

The truth is, people in need are everywhere. I know there are those who refer to me as a bleeding heart. I don't take it personally, they have to live with themself and I, myself. I find it hard to look the other way. As for the negative comments some sling at Bono and other celebrities for being vocal about the issue of global poverty, they have a louder voice, a bigger audience, and more cash, that's their niche. It would be irresponsible if they did not use it.

Answer 2

DON'T GIVE UP BONO. EVER,EVER,EVER. And you lot stop having a go at Bono. He's already doin loadz to try and help make poverty history which is more than most other people with a lot of money can say.

I have written/ e-mailed lot's and lot's and lot's of people in the government (including Tony Blair) and such and made my say heard. I did this with www.makepvertyhistory.org but they don't do that sort of stuff anymore (by that i mean the whole e-mailing me and asking me to e-mail different people)which is a shame but hey.

I have also gone out and brought a white band. (cuz i rock--I wear it everyday--)

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanted to go and see the live 8 but i couldn't. You won't believe what i would have done to be there.

I have also given money. Although not very much as i don't really trust a lot of the charities because i don't know if all the money i give will actuall go to places where it matters.

Anyway it's not money that will fix the problem. That will just help.

I also did a small speech on it at school with my friend.

And that's about all so....

bye, God bless, stay safe, best wishes.

*Sami*

Answer 3

I really agree with you and to demonstrate this I salute BONO with my favorite U2 song :

Little sister don't you worry about a thing today
Take the heat from the sun
Little sister
I know that everything is not ok
But you're like honey on my tongue

True love never can be rent
But only true love can keep beauty innocent

I could never take a chance
Of losing love to find romance
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman
No I could never take a chance
'Cause I could never understand
The mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

You can run from love
And if it's really love it will find you
Catch you by the heel
But you can't be numb for love
The only pain is to feel nothing at all
How can I hurt when I'm holding you?

I could never take a chance
Of losing love to find romance
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

And you're the one, there's no-one else
You make me want to lose myself
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

Brown eyed girl across the street
On rue Saint Divine
I thought this is the one for me
But she was already mine
You were already mine...

Little sister
I've been sleeping in the street again
Like a stray dog
Little sister
I've been trying to feel complete again
But you're gone and so is God

The soul needs beauty for a soul mate
When the soul wants...the soul waits ...

No I could never take a chance
Of losing love to find romance
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

For love and faith and sex and fear.
And all the things that keep us here
In the mysterious distance
Between a man and a woman

How can I hurt when I'm holding you?

Answer 4

Well, being a single Mum of 3 who works part-time, there have been numerous charities that I've donated to in the past, with the understanding that it will be put to good use and help the history of poverty. However, it has recently come to my attention that a percentage of the donations given, are actually kept for paperwork, admin, etc, within the organizations, instead of going to these poor people. So now, I'm reluctant to donate, give or help these so-called charities, when it's obvious after many years, and thousands of people around the world donating, the poverty stricken countries will be ripped-off of their riches.

Answer 5

Even though Bono is wealthy, so is Angelina Jolie, I'm sure there are other anonymous givers. That's not enough to change the entire world of poverty. The Governments will always control their nations. Yes I realize I'm stupid. But I don't know the answer. I'm considered at a poverty level myself. From what I've observed of people most only care for themselves. The minority are the ones who care, or pretend to care. Now I'm going to drink two cups of coffee, and drink a large glass of orange juice. And watch Hendrix and Mercury rock.

Answer 6

Since finding out about ONE a year ago I have volunteered as time and resources allow. Here's the list so far. First, I have taken the time to learn about the issues. It took awhile but was necessary. Next, I emailed friends and family about ONE. Then I volunteered and gathered signatures for ONE at various events. I attended Live8 in Philadelphia as a ONE delegate and lobbied politicians in Washington D.C. with CARE. Though never published, I have sent several letters to my newspapers and frequently let my elected officials know the issues of extreme poverty and fighting HIV/AIDS are important to me. I've also tried to get children thinking globally through my writing, school and Scouting. I've had mixed success. It seems like most of the people around me aren't thinking about the global community only the local. People are so busy it can be difficult to get them to do one more thing.

Answer 7

I have been supporting the One Campaign for over a year now. I vouleteered to be a lead voulenter for my area, trying to coordinate and run local meetings. Very dissappointed by the turn out usually, but I continue to get signatures here and there and send them on. I send letters to my representatives. Over the year, I stopped getting action items due to my field coordinator moving on. We really do need those action items to get us all moving in the same direction. Of course, I always wear the One Band. People ask what it is and sometimes it leads them to the website where they sign. Recently, I went to Washington and attended the CARE conference. We lobbied on Capitol hill. There were almost 400 of us. Many were delegates at Live 8 with me last year. We all spent our own money to go to Live 8 to volunteer and to Washington to lobby. We did it beacuase the issues are important to us! The trip to Washington was amazing. I think that more Americans need to meet with there representatives. It feels like the issues are slowly getting out there, becoming more mainstream. It's been slow though. I still encounter people who don't even think about Africat. I think that Americans have become so desensitized to the issues of Africa that we really need to hit it home and reach them. For me, the turning point was when someone posted an article about what it feel like to be a mother in Africa. I would love to have that article to share with the naysayers. In America, we all take so much for granted. Medicine is just a drive thru away. We obviously have enough food here. It is somewhat discouraging reading some of those posts, but every little step counts. I never feel like I have done enough! I wish that everyone felt that way.

Answer 8

I donate time and money to our local church to help people here at home. I also donate alot of non perishable food items monthly to the local food banks. I live in the United States and I have a hard time accepting that with a free country with so much, there is still homeless and starving people on the streets here. The president should do something to help these people.

Answer 9

I give $ at church when I attend for local causes, My family also participates in the "Feed The Hungry" campaign through our church, which benefits the homeless in our local area. Whenever there is a major catastrophe I contribute to the American Red Cross. It's not much...but it's what I can do. Hopefully if more do what they can do to help it will help stave off some of the suffering of those less fortunate.

Answer 10

It is one thing to ask a question it is another to do something. I want to know what Bono has done to help poverty? If him and the rest of the wealthiest people donated 25% of their net worth than there would be less of a problem.

ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS.