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Period 8 - International
The Biggest Promise of the New Millennium
The USA, recognized as the leader of the free
world, has an obligation to share our riches, our resources and our
generosity should know no bounds. Millennium Promise, wants us to
follow their lead in showing what Americans can do when we give of our
hearts, time and wallets.
By: Bryant Lewis
TeenNewsNet Co-Editor
Here in New York, members of this fabulous organization, were honored for the amazing effort, the extraordinary diligence, and the powerful contributions in building Villages in Northern Africa. TNN was there on the red carpet and experienced first hand the passion that has made Millennium Promise, and Malaria No More after only a couple of years, an immediate success.
Melinda Doolittle, semi-finalist American Idol:
"I
got to go to Zambia with First Lady Laura Bush, and I got to see first
hand what the problem is, what the solution is. And that gave me a
chance to sing at the White House, doing everything I can to raise
awareness about what's going on in Africa, and what we can do as
Americans to help."TNN: What was your reaction to see Africa for the first time?
Doolittle: "I didn't know what to expect. But what I did find out is that they are the most joyous group of people you will ever want to meet. It was life-changing, because what in the world do I have to complain about? I just want to be joyful in the midst of what's going on around me."
John W. McArthur, CEO Millennium Promise:
"Millennium Promise is supporting 10 countries in Africa. We have half a million people thriving in our Millennium Villages. In the middle of a world food crisis, we are doubling, tripling our food production, malaria's coming down. What's exciting is that it's not easy, but it's not that hard. Just a little bit of help, makes a huge difference in so many people's lives."
Norbert Simmons, Executive Producer, Promises Made CD:
"I became involved with Millennium Promise after hearing Dr. Sachs speak, and he said that we will lose about 20 million people in Africa in 7-10 years to malaria, starvation, dehydration and aids. Where in this country we try to make our children's lives better, then you look across the Atlantic, and you see that it's not just about making lives better, it's about SAVING LIVES!!!!!!!! Before you can make a life better, you got to make sure that person IS ALIVE!!!! Millennium Promise, and Malaria No More is about saving lives."
Kirk Whalum, Saxophonist, Co-Executive Producer, Promises Made:
"When
I heard this line; "we can end extreme poverty" it was like someone
threw a cold bucket of water on me. Jeffery Sachs and his
organization, has done the math, and guess what, it's doable. As
far as what we can do to help, not everybody can be a
Jeffery Sachs, not everybody can dig wells, but we can do something to
help. Whether you're a saxophonist, a journalist, or whatever you are,
we have our part to play. When Mr. Norbert Simmons approached us about
making this record I thought he was doing it for profit, but when
he told me he had no intentions of recouping ANY of the money he put
into this album, and we got some heavy hitters on this record, Earl
Klugh, members of Take 6 just to name a few. But the great thing is it
wasn't just about him giving the money, he planted it in a creative
way, where it (the CD) will sprout, and bless a lot of people, who get
the help they need to survive the problems of hunger, malaria, things
like that."Jeffery Sachs, Co-Founder, Millennium Promise/Malaria No More:
"This is an opportunity for the whole world to get together, and instead of fighting with each other, actually solve some problems. And especially help the poorest of the poor.
There is no reason for people
to be dying on this planet because they are too poor to stay alive.
Yet there are a billion people who are struggling with that situation
every single day, and we've got to put an end to it. You know, its very
exciting to see something as simple as a bed net being used to protect the
child from malaria. So you absolutely want to make sure that the people
who need these tools get them!!! I'm just so energized, because I have
learned from my friends, and from my colleagues all the good things we
can do. To grow more food, to fight disease, to provide safe drinking
water. And when you see these powerful things taking place, you do want
to share with others. Angelina Jolie, along with Dr. Jeffrey Sach's show the benefits the Millennium Promise has made:
To find out more about Millennium Promise, including information about the Jazz CD Promises Made, go to www.millenniumpromise.org.
