Bono:
rock star & humanitarian

Bono

The African man offered Bono his young son, and said "'Please, you must take this boy, and you must take him with you to wherever you live. Because if he stays here, he will surely die. But if he goes with you, he will live.’ And you have to walk away from that moment, and know he’s probably right,” explained rock star legend Bono, trying to put into words to his 20-year effort to bring justice to Africa. Bono has consistently used his fame and fortune to reduce disease and poverty in Africa, before it was glamorous to do so. In the self-centered celebrity world, Bono stands out as a star who tries to improve global conditions.

Bono in Africa

Bono has done many unique things to end poverty and deadly diseases, primarily in Africa. In October, 2006, Bono launched Product Red to raise money for AIDS drugs in Africa. Product Red is an assortment of apparel, shoes, and electronic products, which all bear the red symbol. Approximately 40% of the profits from these products are used to help pay for AIDS drugs in Africa. Bono began his commitment to Africa about 20 years ago, when he and his family spent a month in Ethiopia, working at an orphanage. A few years ago, Bono renewed his commitment to Africa by helping get richer nations to forgive 40 billion dollars of African debt. Because of that effort, Bono was named, along with Bill and Melinda Gates, Time Magazine’s 2005 Person of the Year.

Activist Bono is probably best known for his music. His band, U2, has had enormous success for over twenty years. Bono was born May 10, 1960, in Ireland. His real name is Paul Hewson. He and fellow band members created U2 in 1978. Multiple hits later, he and all the original band menders are still together. Irish singer Bono is married, and has four children. He and his wife, Alison Stewert, married in 1982, now live much of the time in Southern France.

Bono in Africa

Bono is important to me because he is a celebrity that, unlike many others, uses his fame and fortune in good ways to helps others. His band appeals to all kinds of audiences, both young and old. Bono is a Christian, and is raising his children Catholic; nearly all of his songs have some type of a Christian reference. Bono does not announce his religious convictions to the public, but he does put some of his views in his songs. In the early years, Bono and his U2 his band mates quarreled about his public discussion of his political views. That argument could have ended the band. Luckily, they always found a way to work things out. Bono now openly shares his views and convictions. As he explained, he is sharing Christian convictions with Africa through his actions.

Bono speaking on Africa

Bono has impacted my life by setting an example, that even though I probably will not be rich or famous, I can still use my talents to help others. When I first saw his interview on the Oprah show, I admired what he had done. Bono is a person that thinks about how he can help people, and does so in new and creative ways. He started Product Red not to raise one-time charity money, but to ensure that his cause, as well as the participating companies, will make money over time. Companies sign on for five years at a time. This approach is different and creative, benefiting both the companies, and Africa. I realized I could use creative ways to earn money, and also help others at the same time.

Rock star Bono could have chosen the easy life of buying cars, houses, and fancy televisions. Instead, he did more. He has helped others through his convictions and activism. It is no doubt that Bono will continue to help more in the future. Yet Bono acknowledges that it is not his politics, but his music, that will live on 100 years from now. Bono explained, “It’s not my work in Africa that will be remembered, it’s my music. Hopefully by then, those problems will be gone.”