Comments on: Celebrity stunts of altruism are killing livelihoods in Africa

By: reconfigure

reconfigure — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 02:21:47 +0000

I posted this Proj Diaspora link to the Earth Intelligence Network (501c3) Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/earthintelnet

An online documentary called "The Malaria Parasites" is an interesting portal into the roll of the counterfeit drug trade affecting the resistance of malaria to genuine drugs

http://www.booserver.com/projects.php?ProjectID=2...

By: Telling our own stories | News.com.gh

Telling our own stories | News.com.gh — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:46:35 +0000

[...] interesting conversation occurred around my comment and in reply the author of the post TMS Ruge [...]

By: Safaritalk

Safaritalk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:23:57 +0000

The cause and effect of mosquito nets, and feel good altruism is discussed by Zambian conservationist on www.safaritalk.net at http://safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1532 in which the negative side of mosquito nets are discussed, something which is swept under the carpet when it comes to your donations.

By: Holton

Holton — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:32:59 +0000

Great post!!! Thanks for shaming the publicity stunts the West continues to cloak with meaningless compassion and do-goodery. The only thing I would change about the post is in the title. Celebrities, et al are wrecking havoc not because of their altruism but due to their messianic complex. If we help out of a need to be a hero, then we are not helping. Let me also thank you for giving a nod to Artemisia. The world needs to be learning about this plant that African farmers can have in their own backyards...either for selling to pharmaceutical companies or (even better) creating local, indigenous pharmaceutical co-ops where the plant is used organically to fight malaria. I live in Mozambique. I heard the uproar when Madonna stole that baby boy. I hear over and over new projects the west can initiate to save Africa. Please, let's empower those who suffer from malaria with tools to resist. Western development can so easily turn into a new form of colonialism. Can I shamelessly plug Artemisia? For more information on using Artemisia in a local-sustainable way check out these two sites: www.anamed.net and www.kujilana.org (go to the MGK Resources tab and check out the Artemisia page) there is good information on both sites.

By: jongos

jongos — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:35:49 +0000

'Coming off as a snob'? Are you kidding me, try to see it from the perspective of Africans who have dealt with 500 years of 'snobbery', paternalism and worse from people all over the globe trying to convince them they know what's better for them than they do. The fact is there are companies here who sell bed nets, now they have to compete with the free one's from the star of Punk'd. Great intentions, but it could have been executed better. What you've said here implies that people can't mistakes because they 'meant well'? Sure they can, we all can.

If it means thinking of solutions for your own problems, challenging authority and being self-reliant, In my opinion there need to be more African 'snobs'.

Lastly, bad international aid gives int'l dev workers a bad name. To argue this point is to say that all int'l aid is the same, which it clearly isn't.

By: tms ruge

tms ruge — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:39:05 +0000

Project Diaspora exists because there is a \"will to do so\" If you look at our new \"Diaspora at Work\" series, it's nothing but Africans doing for Africa. Not what the West is doing for us.

We'll continue to showcase those solutions being developed for Africans by Africans, however small or large. We'll stay out of the political failures and concentrate instead on what we as individuals are doing to change our Africa. Please read our mission statement to see what we are all about.

By: LJK

LJK — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:03:28 +0000

Now that is the truth. Africans ( and I am one!) may have 'solutions' but they are surely not exercising them. The reason for not doing so has nothing to do with ability and everything to do with the will to do so. The greed of the leaders and the complacency of the citizens are the culprits. Those are the issues that 'project diaspora' needs to be at war with not the NGOs and 'good-willers'!

By: Brian Bunyan Ngwiri

Brian Bunyan Ngwiri — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:54:14 +0000

Celebrity intentions might be good, but it is depressing at times to have to watch aid and charity issues being driven or fronted by a celebrity. It would appear that an issue requires a celebrity to direct it, ie: the maltreatment of the Gurkhas veterans and the focus on Joanna Lumley, who admittedly does a personal involvement as her father served, but we hear little of the actual veterans.
Malaria has become the big bugbear of late as new vaccines are being developed. Having caught numerous times, I hope that a vaccine/cure can be found, but watching people get involved and send donations, because a celebrity has decided to do so or has made a statement, just makes a mockery of the whole process. Unfortunately, becoming a celebrity is now a job: book, tour, tv show, marathon, perfume, twitter, patron…..Activities and thoughts that would otherwise be treated with respect are now transformed into little more than 'job skills' and comparing oneself to others.
But we must acknowledge the perception that society has of fame/celebrity, and how it should be seen but not heard. We do not think that intelligence and care can also be there.

By: simon monk

simon monk — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Having travelled a lot, I couldn't agree more. This doesn't just apply to Africa … that continent is perhaps its most telling example. African entrepreneurs are the ones who will make a difference; aid is largely just a bandaid (and this comes from someone involved in it). Here is a much better example of the market making the difference from India: http://www.surecan.com.au/archives/2007/06/05/the...

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 03:31:19 +0000

Nice job promoting the facts and keeping a level head, Grace. I tweeted @malarianomore to check whether this mega-donation will be produced by Olyset Nets in Tanzania, and they responded in less than a day.
http://twitter.com/MalariaNoMore/status/156052014... "Thanks for asking! Sumitomo (Olyset) is in fact one of our main net partners. Many of their nets are produced in Tanzania!"
So, it's clear not ALL the nets are produced in Africa, but I'd bet that that's due to limitations in A to Z Textile Mills' production capacity and not due to some Westerner plot to keep the money at at home.
I agree with you that this article jumps to conclusions biased by negativity, without than checking facts first. It's irresponsible and a shame that so many other sites have linked to it, just seeking more fuel for their anti-celebrity negativity.

By: caribbeanmind

caribbeanmind — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:44:47 +0000

At first when I read this I thought wow…… but with further thought I began to reject the tone and the unfair nature in which Westerners are judged……there are millions of africans living in the Western World who have done nothing to represent Africa except for wearing their traditional garments once in a while and scoffing at long lost African descendants…they are to share some of the blame for the ignorance that envelopes the western societies….how typical! It is everybody's fault but your own…. In my part of the world being a beggar and a chooser is frowned upon….if their help is so damaging refuse it and do it on your own…have some pride!

By: Clement

Clement — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:29:07 +0000

There were lots of retweets such as KillCreek: RT @kevinrose Help @aplusk reach 1M followers, he’s buying 10,000 anti-malaria mosquito nets if he beats CNN to 1M (great cause). I know a few people who followed Kutcher simply because of these retweets and I am sure there are many out there. Unfortunately, the Twitter system prevented them from unfollowing him.

By: tracy1314

tracy1314 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 05:55:54 +0000

Grace, I'm looking for the information regarding where they manufacture their nets on their site and am not finding it. Can you share a link? If they are making nets in Africa they are to be commended. I have asked them directly as well and hope to get a response soon… but if you have a link, we most certainly will share it. We are not interested in tearing down good programs, but pushing for better more thoughtful solutions… Bed nets are PART of a malaria prevention/eradication program. In order to REALLY eradicate Malaria there has to be a layered approach, and Ashton had an opportunity to let people know about that and he did not take it. He was more focused on his own fame and PR than using the chance to its fullest potential. Just like so many other celebrities before him, he is using the very real and complex issues of Africa to his own benefit. I am sure the nets will do some short term good but what is needed is long term solutions and 10,000 bed nets are not going to cut it.

Correction: You did share the link… Thanks

By: Sheeroh

Sheeroh — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 01:15:19 +0000

Grace, the rant is not specifically about "the locally-produced, treated, 5-year guarantee nets that are available" It is more on the use of synthetic (man-made) pyrethroid as opposed to natural grown pyrethroid that can be extracted from the pyrthrum flowers….

The use of bed nets is a perfect option in your eyes, however are you aware that synthetic pyrethroid is known to be a potent neurotoxic agent in mammalsm (barnes 72,74), the same one used in the in the bed nets.

This is especially quite detrimental to kids under five and pregnant women, Why? the kids immune system is not as developed as you and I and the syn Py, is lodged in the kids brain. Please note, the syn P is not biodegradable and once in a kids system, cannot be broken down using the body's natural processes…….and by the way, the U.S government recommends only the use of natural pyth products for the army….

By: tracy1314

tracy1314 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:59:40 +0000

Thanks! Great link.

By: tracy1314

tracy1314 — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:57:10 +0000

The harm is that band-aid solutions can only take you so far. Short sighted solutions that don\\'t consider all the multiple layers that are needed to solve a problem for good are the norm. Ashton\\'s stunt is more of the same and the same is not getting the job done. I don\\'t think his goal has anything at all to do with Malaria either… it is just something he used to get attention. Which is bad enough in and of itself, but he also had a chance to tell a better bigger story. I did watch him a bit on Larry King… and the fact that he said outright that if we get enough nets out there Malaria can be eradicated shows how little he has educated himself on the matter. It is completely irresponsible to say something like this. Bed nets do help and they need to be out there… I think they are a good thing. They however are not the only thing. Women and children are bitten by malaria carrying mosquitos at dusk around cooking fires, nets cannot protect them there. A layered solution is needed. So YAY for more bed nets, but shame on Ashton for using the suffering of others to build his own ego. I hope that people take the time to find out more but we all know that they will just remember the silly contest and something about malaria and Africa.

By: Grace

Grace — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:49:35 +0000

Tracy, following up on your query about implication versus action, I found this: http://www.olyset.net/resourcecenter/news/101807/ That at least shows one instance where MNM used 1.4 million Olyset nets: "Through the support of Idol Gives Back and The Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, Malaria No More is funding education, distribution, and logistical support associated with the nets. Additional partners in the campaign include the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative, UNICEF, and Red Cross of America and Canada."

By: Grace

Grace — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:46:02 +0000

Sheeroh, feel free to fix the gears of the machine until everything's perfect. It's a noble cause. But right now, you're apparently rejecting locally-produced, treated, 5-year guarantee nets that are available IMMEDIATELY because they're not 100% perfect in your eyes.

I have a hard time with that.

By: Grace

Grace — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:31:47 +0000

Tracy, I'd guess they're inundated with calls at the moment — I wasn't aware Ashton had any involvement with malaria before this Twitter thing, so they're probably getting a lot of questions.

This is the organization they link to on the site: http://www.olyset.net/resourcecenter/news/020808/

To be honest, I'm not sure that Ashton's goal in his Twitter war thing was primarily bednets; if you watch the Larry King interview he did last night, Ashton seems a lot more evangelical about the benefits of collective content through things like Twitter.

Then again, I'm not ready to knock Ashton for involving a malaria charity either — it's timely, what with Malaria Awareness Day coming up, and this is the most chatter I've heard about malaria in a very long time. There are plenty of people out there better-suited to explain the intricacies of malaria (and who I'm sure are ready and willing), but there aren't many who could drive so much attention towards a donation page.

In the long run, how will this damage things? I understand the position of disliking celebrities who attach themselves to causes for their own gain, but I don't think most people knew there was a malaria element to this when they heard of the feud — I certainly didn't know there was a bet involved, I thought it was just a silly little contest. So where's the harm?

By: Sheeroh

Sheeroh — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:03:13 +0000

Grace, perhaps you are the one who needs to get your facts straight!!! Where is the raw material coming from for this nets? why cann't WHO encourage local farmers to grow natural pyrthrum, as opposed to using synthetic pyrthrin…….and F.Y.I the pollen from naturally grown pyrthrum, the will also act as a mosquito repellent, ………..Think about it if Africa grew pyrethrum and the pollen kills the parasite, WHO and sumitomo will be out of business!!!!!!!

The Arusha net factory is a 50/50 joint venture between Sumitomo Chemical, a multi-national Japanese company headquartered in Tokyo, and A to Z Textile Mills, a locally-based Tanzanian company. ….http://www.olyset.net/resourcecenter/news/020808/

By: Grace

Grace — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:29:19 +0000

Hold on. The centre of your premise seems to be that Ashton Kutcher's an asshat for promoting donations for bednets through Malaria No More. But from what I see on their site, MalariaNoMore get their (treated!) nets via a factory in … Arusha, Tanzania: http://malarianomore.org/blog/?p=622

So how is the current drive in any way bad? It's Western money, sure, but all manufacture and distribution via that particular charity puts money right back into African pockets via the local economy. Are you seriously saying that getting the malaria issue under control is a detriment to Africa, despite the drug-resistant malarial strains that have been popping up? It seems to me, local nets to local people as fast as possible is the way to go.

At the very least, you should correct your article, which currently implies that the very organization Kutcher is partnering with is importing Asian nets. That's just wrong, misleading, and if it dissuades people from giving based on your poorly-researched assertion, it's a shame.

By: Sheeroh

Sheeroh — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:38:39 +0000

http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_cont...

By: Twitter Popularity Contest and Social Justice – FusionLife

Twitter Popularity Contest and Social Justice – FusionLife — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:11:24 +0000

[...] Celebrity stunts of altruism are killing livelihoods in Africa is an interesting article (as are the comments) to help us start thinking of better ways to use the money the God has blessed us with and find more helpful ways to bless others with (which of course was at least part of the idea of the race and what millions of others are doing each year regardless of any attention). [...]

By: Fortuitous Bouncing « man.of.depravity

Fortuitous Bouncing « man.of.depravity — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:21:21 +0000

[...] “Celebrity stunts of altruism are killing the livelihoods of Africans.” Great article. [...]

By: Clement

Clement — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:24:37 +0000

I never knew him before as well. I tell you, he is right now making even much more than what he will spend on Africa because of this foolish self promotion.