Gina Marie
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
Like the article says, he's going back this month.
BONO'S ON A MISSION
STAR RUSHES AID TO NUNS AT FAMINE HIT HOSPITAL
ROCK STAR Bono took time out just hours before receiving his four Grammies
to pledge his help to an Irish-run mission in Africa which is battling famine.
The U2 singer was visibly moved when Sister Anne Carr brought him to visit a
hospital full of AIDS patients in Malawi during an African trip in January.
The Irish nuns also brought the world famous musician to visit impoverished
families struggling to survive in the community.
Since his visit two months ago the small southern African country has plunged
into crisis and they have sent out a desperate appeal for help. It is estimated 70
per cent of the 10 million population will be affected as the country slips into
famine.
A Government official in Malawi announced his country on the verge of starvation
on the night Bono picked up four Grammy awards in Los Angeles.
Spokesperson for the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Sister Isabelle Smith, said
they were grateful for the support of the campaigning singer.
She said: "He was waiting for the awards but he made a call to his office to send
help to Malawi.
"Much of the world's media ignored this information but Bono didn't miss it. Within
hours they were on the phone to the Medical Missionaries of Mary community in
Lilongwe offering assistance for the villages Bono had visited a few weeks earlier."
Bono was in Malawi with the Director of the Harvard Institute for International
Development, Jeff Sachs, to address a summit meeting about debt relief for
southern Africa.
He insisted on seeing the scale of poverty and illness in the country before
attending the meeting.
Bono promised to return with politicians so that decision makers could see the
effects of policies on the people of poorer countries.
And after a meeting with the US President this week Bono admitted that he was
a "pest" of the White House.
However, President Bush praised the star for doing everything he can to "achieve
what his heart tells him and that is nobody - nobody - should be living in poverty."
Bono, who has already met former US President Bill Clinton, questioned George
Bush about the AIDs epidemic sweeping Africa.
On a visit to Africa, later this month, the singer will add treasury Secretary Paul
O'Neill to a lengthy list of world leaders - Tony Blair, Nelson Mandella, Kofi Annan
and the Pope - who have his ear.
In Malawi Sister Mary Doonan, from Co Meath, took the U2 frontman to the home
of a widow with seven children who had gone without food for three days.
The one-roomed mud hut in which they lived was already starting to cave in due
to the rains which had just started.
Sister Mary had discovered a second family close by who were desperately
struggling to survive after their mother had been seriously injured.
She was waiting for more than six years for a wheelchair or crutches to help her
move around.
Sister Mary said: "They had little idea of the fame of their visitors, but they had
grasped that they were 'friends from Ireland'.
"We are glad Bono and Jeff came to see us, because they are not only talking to
us but are also going to talk to the people who have power," said Sister Mary.
"It was a simple and friendly visit. I was deeply touched by his sensitivity and
astuteness as he met the people, and by his sense of compassion and how he
listened."
Now the Medical Missionaries are calling on Irish people to put pressure on the
Department of Foreign Affairs to help the starving Africa nation.
Sister Isabelle said: "The situation is desperate. One of the sisters in the hospital,
Anne Carr, said they fed 600 this week from the Chaplain's funds.
"The patients were so hungry. The food the hospital provides isn't adequate to
meet the needs.
"The hospital resources are not reaching all the patients.
"The police are saying they are picking up bodies every night.
"The priests in the dioceses say imprudent management, drought and dictatorial
practices of the World Bank are at the root of the crisis."
She said Bono showed a deep understanding of the situation in Malawi during
his visit.
"When Sister Anne Carr brought him around the hospital they wanted her to take
him to see the private section. She was saying to herself 'Why are we going to the
private floor?' but that was where they wanted her to bring him.
"When he came out Bono turned to her and sighed and said: 'This is what it could
be.'
"He meant it was the way it should be for all the people. It was semi-private and
reasonably comfortable," Sister Isabelle said.
"The homes he was brought into were chosen by the local people before he came.
"A lot of them would never have heard of Bono but many were deeply touched by
Bono and Jeff."
The sisters felt he was a great listener. He was asking the right questions and his
whole style of being with the children was great.
Sister Isabelle said there was a need for international action.
"It's a national disaster. Bono offered his help and told his office to get food out
there but it needs much more than Bono," she said.
"There have been many attempts by popstars to bring attention to world crisis and
it is very welcome.
"In a few weeks time they will be talking about a disaster."
Sister Doonan is next to Bono in this picture
BONO'S ON A MISSION
STAR RUSHES AID TO NUNS AT FAMINE HIT HOSPITAL
ROCK STAR Bono took time out just hours before receiving his four Grammies
to pledge his help to an Irish-run mission in Africa which is battling famine.
The U2 singer was visibly moved when Sister Anne Carr brought him to visit a
hospital full of AIDS patients in Malawi during an African trip in January.
The Irish nuns also brought the world famous musician to visit impoverished
families struggling to survive in the community.
Since his visit two months ago the small southern African country has plunged
into crisis and they have sent out a desperate appeal for help. It is estimated 70
per cent of the 10 million population will be affected as the country slips into
famine.
A Government official in Malawi announced his country on the verge of starvation
on the night Bono picked up four Grammy awards in Los Angeles.
Spokesperson for the Medical Missionaries of Mary, Sister Isabelle Smith, said
they were grateful for the support of the campaigning singer.
She said: "He was waiting for the awards but he made a call to his office to send
help to Malawi.
"Much of the world's media ignored this information but Bono didn't miss it. Within
hours they were on the phone to the Medical Missionaries of Mary community in
Lilongwe offering assistance for the villages Bono had visited a few weeks earlier."
Bono was in Malawi with the Director of the Harvard Institute for International
Development, Jeff Sachs, to address a summit meeting about debt relief for
southern Africa.
He insisted on seeing the scale of poverty and illness in the country before
attending the meeting.
Bono promised to return with politicians so that decision makers could see the
effects of policies on the people of poorer countries.
And after a meeting with the US President this week Bono admitted that he was
a "pest" of the White House.
However, President Bush praised the star for doing everything he can to "achieve
what his heart tells him and that is nobody - nobody - should be living in poverty."
Bono, who has already met former US President Bill Clinton, questioned George
Bush about the AIDs epidemic sweeping Africa.
On a visit to Africa, later this month, the singer will add treasury Secretary Paul
O'Neill to a lengthy list of world leaders - Tony Blair, Nelson Mandella, Kofi Annan
and the Pope - who have his ear.
In Malawi Sister Mary Doonan, from Co Meath, took the U2 frontman to the home
of a widow with seven children who had gone without food for three days.
The one-roomed mud hut in which they lived was already starting to cave in due
to the rains which had just started.
Sister Mary had discovered a second family close by who were desperately
struggling to survive after their mother had been seriously injured.
She was waiting for more than six years for a wheelchair or crutches to help her
move around.
Sister Mary said: "They had little idea of the fame of their visitors, but they had
grasped that they were 'friends from Ireland'.
"We are glad Bono and Jeff came to see us, because they are not only talking to
us but are also going to talk to the people who have power," said Sister Mary.
"It was a simple and friendly visit. I was deeply touched by his sensitivity and
astuteness as he met the people, and by his sense of compassion and how he
listened."
Now the Medical Missionaries are calling on Irish people to put pressure on the
Department of Foreign Affairs to help the starving Africa nation.
Sister Isabelle said: "The situation is desperate. One of the sisters in the hospital,
Anne Carr, said they fed 600 this week from the Chaplain's funds.
"The patients were so hungry. The food the hospital provides isn't adequate to
meet the needs.
"The hospital resources are not reaching all the patients.
"The police are saying they are picking up bodies every night.
"The priests in the dioceses say imprudent management, drought and dictatorial
practices of the World Bank are at the root of the crisis."
She said Bono showed a deep understanding of the situation in Malawi during
his visit.
"When Sister Anne Carr brought him around the hospital they wanted her to take
him to see the private section. She was saying to herself 'Why are we going to the
private floor?' but that was where they wanted her to bring him.
"When he came out Bono turned to her and sighed and said: 'This is what it could
be.'
"He meant it was the way it should be for all the people. It was semi-private and
reasonably comfortable," Sister Isabelle said.
"The homes he was brought into were chosen by the local people before he came.
"A lot of them would never have heard of Bono but many were deeply touched by
Bono and Jeff."
The sisters felt he was a great listener. He was asking the right questions and his
whole style of being with the children was great.
Sister Isabelle said there was a need for international action.
"It's a national disaster. Bono offered his help and told his office to get food out
there but it needs much more than Bono," she said.
"There have been many attempts by popstars to bring attention to world crisis and
it is very welcome.
"In a few weeks time they will be talking about a disaster."
Sister Doonan is next to Bono in this picture
