Celebrities with big hearts

Nowadays, every charity organization is not complete without a celebrity or two joining in and fighting for a cause. Whether it’s the fight against global warming, saving dolphins, feeding the hungry or educating orphans, most charities have one familiar face participating in the good of the nation. It does not have to be celebrities or anyone with a deep wallet who can contribute to saving the world. Each and every one of us (or at least a lot of us) can find a way of living green or saving the environment. By recycling, buying organic products, doing volunteer work or donating the little we can to charities everywhere, our job is done. Some people think charity is only for rich people and therefore do not see the need in participating. Looking at our very own Africa, it has proved to be the neediest of continents. But how many of us get up in the morning and think of growing a plant or recycle whatever can be recycled? The late Steve Irwin famously known as ‘the crocodile hunter’ started an organization called the Steve Irwin Wildlife Conservation. Currently known as Wildlife Warriors Worldwide, this group’s main aim is to protect the environment and push strategies that will continue to preserve and protect it. In addition to that, they are involved in research, public education and protecting endangered species. Singer Justin Timberlake is an ardent supporter of this group and so is the rest of Irwin’s family. Contrary to what some may think, charity is not just about saving people. It is tragic that one might think of saving endangered species as a colossal waste of time and money. Rwanda is famous for its mountain gorillas among other things even though it is feared that the species maybe going extinct. This very wildlife some people look at as a liability is what attracts tourists and everybody else who is more than willing to save something they find so fascinating.The Humane society and National Parks Conservation Association work to celebrate animals and confront cruelty with NPCA working to protect national parks and preserve the United States’ cultural, historical and national heritage. Carrie Underwood, Ellen DeGeneres and Pierce Brosnan are all firm supporters of this group. Africa should borrow a leaf and learn to protect what could just be the pride and glory of the nation. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, as many people as possible swept in to fix the damage. People were left homeless, without so much as a change of clothes. All one needed to do was donate whatever clothes they didn’t need. And some people did (God bless them). From Oprah Winfrey to Will.I.AM, everyone just had to do something. It is a shame though, that when tragedy hits home, few of us work up the decency to donate or help out in any way we can. The best we do is stare at the television when the news is on, shake our heads and say ‘what a pity’. Then go back to our everyday business like the problem ends as soon as the television goes off. Without NGO’s like the World Food Program and USAID, three quarters of Africa would have starved to death by now. Somalia is under a crisis, Ethiopia went down the same road. Ben Affleck, Deborah Cox, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Kelly Rowland have all engaged in charity work across the globe from Cambodia to Ethiopia. In the words of Michael Jackson, ‘If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and then make the change.’ rachelgaruka@yahoo.co.uk