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Celebrities Do their Bit for Africa

For years now, top celebrities such as U2?s Bono and Bob Geldoff have been rallying around causes that provide aid to Africa in the hope of improving the medical, social and financial conditions of this continent. After the success of ?We are the World? more than a decade ago, when Hollywood pledged support for Africa, interest dwindled to trickle. However, Bono and Geldoff?s untireless, behind-the-scenes efforts may be beginning to attract other Hollywood stars as interest in Africa grows.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie made a statement when they adopted a girl from Ethiopia and this was followed by Madonna?s (albeit controversial) adoption of an infant boy from Malawi. Actor, George Clooney is beating down US legislative doors in the hope of drawing attention to the genocide in Darfur and even ex-President, Bill Clinton is doing his bit by promoting AIDS/HIV treatment on the continent through his charity foundation.

Not everyone is convinced that the move by celebrities to the African Cause is not without altruistic motives. Helping a poor, sick child in Africa is definitely free publicity and many cynics feel that Hollywood and other celebrities are taking advantage of this publicity to draw attention to themselves. However, many relief workers say that they don?t really care what the motives are behind the aid ? all they care about is helping a continent which carries 80% of the world?s AIDS cases and is cursed with droughts, famines and civil war.