A New Hope for Africa
Posted: 10:55 p.m., MST, March 29, 2007
AFRICA - The seed of what may grow to be the worlds most expensive, largest, and most beneficial philanthropic endeavor in recorded history has been planted in a small village in Africa. Africa has been caught in a deadly maelstrom of disease, starvation, war, political corruption, and rising pollution for years; but two multi-billionaires are coming together to help the people gain a better quality of life. Ted Turner and Bill Gates with his wife Melinda stepped off a private jet in a small town in Africa on March 21, on a mission to start a new charitable program. Bill said, “we want educational institutions throughout the continent … too empower the children.” From the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation website it also reads, “Every life has equal value, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequities and improve lives around the world.”(Gates Site) Clearly a venture of this magnitude has never been attempted before, but the Gates and Ted Turner did seem like a bit of an odd pairing, because Turner mostly focuses on wildlife conservation and protection. However with both of them working together, along with many other wealthy philanthropists, it can be assured that this new idea will be a great benefit to the world.
The village where the Gates and Turner began negotiations is a clue to just how serious they are about this new endeavor. Mayor Malik Ok said that the greatest need for his people wasn’t just money or clothes, it was education. “My people don’t need fish, they need to be taught how to fish.” According to Ok the Gates and Turner mostly talked about what new opportunities their idea would bring to the people of Africa, but no concrete ideas have been set in place. One of the main goals according to Gates is also to help the World Health Organization. Director General Dr. Margaret Chan said, “The generosity of philanthropists … is facilitating the programs we have. They drive the goals of the WHO.” We can only hope that their great generosity will come to fruition.
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