November 21, 2003
Dear Bono,
Please accept the following letter as my thanks for all of you work with DATA and your efforts and concern towards Africa. As well as my commitment to do my part, to do our part in Canada
I want to thank you, for coming to the Liberal Convention in Canada. I know you have probably heard from many people and had lots of feedback, but I am sending this just as well because you genuinely have my utmost thanks. Speaking with Carla Walker at DATA Office in Washington I know they have been overwhelmed by the e-mails and calls from Canadians. It?s created a ripple effect of people wanting to get involved and this is great news, truly greatly news. Of course thanks goes to Paul Martins as well, he allowed you to give us a history lesson in Canada on what has been going on in Africa. Even with my prior knowledge and interest in the situation I too was caught up in the power of you speech. I thought yes this is really going to do it, this is going to set Canadians hearts afire on this and it did. It was like you were whispering this dreadful secret in the ear of millions of Canadians. But this has never been a secret has it. For many Canadians there has been an imaginary border protecting us shielding us from our responsibility as moral and global citizens. The distance for some Canadians has made Africa and this emergency seem worlds apart for to long. You know the statistics and numbers and figures as well as anyone so this letter is not to regurgitate that.
Even with Paul Martins best intentions, and I do believe his desire to act on this to be true, he will get caught up in the games of politics. We know this is not just on the shoulder of politicians. It is our job as civilians in Canada as those that hold the votes and their fate to step up and take action, to not let our government off the hook. Paul Martin has said it is a worthy objective but not a commitment. We will be as much a pain in the ass to him as you promised to be Bono. We know it will be difficult, but it is not impossible and it should have been done long ago. We have much more work to do and miles to go before we sleep on this in Canada.
It is our conscience that leads us from the safety of doing what is popular and politically correct into doing what is morally right. We sit and through stones until the day our conscience tells us not one of has the right to even throw a grain of sand let alone a pebble. Being global citizens, being morally responsible means taking action and taking responsibility for what we do and how we treat others not just those in our own Country. My family and friends sometimes look at me with that ? you can?t change the world? I am not nearly naive enough to think that, but who am I not to do my part. The guilt for me comes in not paying enough attention before. To you I owe a sincere debt of gratitude I saw the interview you gave on Oprah and for whatever reason it lit a greater fire under me. After my emotions calmed down I was left with a aching ball in the pit of my stomach, I knew why it was there, its that feeling that continues to drive me to do something and to do more. The statistics became more then numbers they became faces and people for me. The orphaned child became the face that needs their mother every bit as much as I still need mine at 27.
I was raised catholic but can?t claim to be very good at it. I do have great faith and what I am is very grateful for the lessons it has taught me that transcend organized religion . I believe in ?love thy neighbour? not as a religious ideal but as a guideline for humanity, that an African life is every bit as
valuable as a mine or any Canadians. Herman Melville said ? We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibres connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibres as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to effect us?. I know if we neglect this emergency in Africa, the fall out will effect our children?s, children?s, children. I am just as guilty as any politician with their fake promises if I sit back and do nothing, I know that and many Canadian know that as well. I promise you we will not sit still with this.
Look I know people aren?t going to line up to hear me speak, and god help everyone if I start to sing. But I have passion and a little bit of that irish charm and I will use all the potential in me to make a difference that I promise you. I am fortunate to love what I do, everyday working in public relations in the non profit sector I see the power of the human spirit . So I will take what I am good at , what I know I can use and do something with that, I can only hope it helps My idea is this,
Building on the momentum and success of your speech at the convention and the publicity that has been created around it. Now is an opportune time to create a program in Canada similar to your Hearts of America tour in the United States. It will give us the opportunity to create awareness, in schools, in churches and in variety of places to educate and to unite our efforts to really turn the tide on this. I have been in touch with many organizations about this and there is much interest. I have in the past couple of months been in touch with your organization DATA, especially Carla Walker.. great group pf people by the way. As well as with people like George from Much Music, students, churches, NGO?s. So I am really confident that we will get something together. Of course if you have any ideas on this feel free to pass them my way, I of course value your input and always could use the help.
I am sure that you do not my help Bono, but if there is anything I can do on my end I am right beside you on this. I know the work that goes into doing what you do and I greatly admire your genuine care and concern and your determination. It can?t be easy when you have so much else in your life.
I have to thank you to for the kind words on Canada as well on a side note. I have always been very proud of where I come from and the ideals our Country represents. I will be in Ireland in January and look forward to that famous Irish hospitality, hope they have the Guinness ready ( ha!).
The wisdom of the heart can be found at any age. It is a temper of will, a quality of the imagination, a vigour of emotions that sometimes prevail. Sir my greatest respect and thanks to you. I wish you and U2 all the best with the record and with all your endeavours. And I wish you and yours good health!
Godspeed,
Kate
Excellent idea, Dave. 
