The African Well Fund is launching its second Build a Well for Bono’s Birthday auction, this time a “The Joshua Tree” LP signed by Bono, Adam Clayton and The Edge is up for bid. The auction will take place on AWF’s eBay page from Sunday, March 22, World Water Day, through Wednesday, March 25. Bidding will start at $70 to coincide with the “70 Days to Change the World” Bono’s Birthday Well theme.
The LP was donated by a U2 fan who got Edge’s signature in New York on March 6 when U2 played Fordham University for “Good Morning America,” and Bono’s and Adam’s signatures when U2 was in Los Angeles on March 9 for the first night of the “U2 3 Nights Live” radio broadcasts.
“At first, I had no intentions of donating my autographs,” the donor said. “I am a huge U2 fan, so to have a Grammy-award-winning album signed by three members of the band was the ultimate treasure. But I kept feeling God tug at my heart and he led me to the scripture in Matthew 6:19 about not storing treasures on earth. I believe that when God blesses us beyond our needs, those additional blessings are for the purpose of meeting the needs of others.
“A friend sent me the link to the African Well Fund auction of U2’s ‘Under a Blood Red Sky’ CD and that’s when God prompted me to donate my ‘Joshua Tree’ album to help build a well for Bono’s birthday,” the donor continued.
The closing bid for the “Under a Blood Red Sky” deluxe CD/DVD reissue signed by Bono, Clayton and The Edge was $449. AWF volunteer Ayesha Marcel got the CD/DVD autographed by the three U2 members.
“I was thrilled to see that the auction was so successful, especially during these difficult economic times,” Marcel said. “Many thanks to everyone who bid on the reissue and to the winner: your generosity will go a long way toward helping the AWF fund a water project in Liberia, so cheers to you.”
Proceeds from both auctions will benefit Build a Well for Bono’s Birthday projects in Liberia. Learn more about the fundraiser.
Just a note to Aussies: there’s a new Mars chocolate bar called Mars Red — it has NOTHING to do with the (RED) Campaign. Nothing. It’s a horrid commercial cash in to fool people. Hopefully a representative of (Red) will be in contact with Mars Confectionary soon.
Just a note to Aussies: there’s a new Mars chocolate bar called Mars Red — it has NOTHING to do with the (RED) Campaign. Nothing. It’s a horrid commercial cash in to fool people. Hopefully a representative of (Red) will be in contact with Mars Confectionary soon.
Hmmmm… great idea but how long do these wells last. When the wells break down after a while, is there a contingency fund to assist the “Africans” to repair them? Is anyone of the “Africans” trained in pump repair? Also, is there a measure put in place to ensure that the pumps do not become controlled by a local person or group, thus extorting people for clean water – this type of stuff happens and is rarely thought through by the ngo responsible.
Hmmmm… great idea but how long do these wells last. When the wells break down after a while, is there a contingency fund to assist the “Africans” to repair them? Is anyone of the “Africans” trained in pump repair? Also, is there a measure put in place to ensure that the pumps do not become controlled by a local person or group, thus extorting people for clean water – this type of stuff happens and is rarely thought through by the ngo responsible.
Esperago, I’m curious: why the quotation marks around Africans?
Esperago, I’m curious: why the quotation marks around Africans?
Hi Esperago,
Good questions that we get frequently from prospective donors. See our well progress reports (http://www.africanwellfund.org/ourwells.html), for answers to your questions or email us directly at info@africanwellfund.org. Thanks
Hi Esperago,
Good questions that we get frequently from prospective donors. See our well progress reports (http://www.africanwellfund.org/ourwells.html), for answers to your questions or email us directly at info@africanwellfund.org. Thanks
@ U2soul…
I put quotations around the term “Africans” for two reasons. The first being that I am quoting from the “African” in “African Well Fund” and secondly, as a way to make a social/cultural comment.
Africa is a continent – not a country. It’s a place which has over fifty countries and hundreds and hundreds of vastly different people and cultures.
To be blunt, I am critical of people or organizations which refer in general terms (i.e. “Africa” or “Africans”) to a place which is so immensely diverse.
When I read the name “African Well Fund” it makes me think “Gee, can you imagine an organization called ‘North American Well Fund’, which titles itself as such, but only serves seven small villages in north-western Mexico”
The name “African Well Fund” homogenizes an entire continent and hundreds of millions of people found in unique cultures, cities and countries. The term African, because of its overt-generality can almost never be used in an accurate way.
Who is the African Well Fund building wells for? A white, Afrikaans in Pretoria, South Africa who has safe drinking water from his faucet in his top floor condo? Are the building wells for the Tuareg of the Sahara who, despite living in the largest desert on earth, have always had access to clean drinking water. Are they building wells for people in rural Brazzaville-Congo where, through the traditional collection of rainwater, have daily access to decent drinking water? I could go on and on.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am sure that the wells which have been placed in villages by the AWF have helped out the locals. I am not slagging an effort that actually helps people. I am not putting “Africans” in quotes as a suggestion that they are not real people.
I am doing the opposite – drawing attention to the fact that almost 100% of the time when a person says “African” they are actually making an ignorant statement which in itself is prejudiced. Whether they are aware of it or not.
This type of thinking helps perpetuate all the negative stereotypes of Africa that already exist. If people knew Africa wasn’t just “Africa”, then they wouldn’t ask stupid questions like:
“Are you going to see the pyramids?” – asked in regard to my most recent trip to Tanzania.
“Be careful of the tigers.” – stated upon news that I was going on Safari in Kruger National Park.
“Be careful, Africa is pretty dangerous. Isn’t there a war going on?” – said to me when planning my trip to Botswana.
See my point?
@ U2soul…
I put quotations around the term “Africans” for two reasons. The first being that I am quoting from the “African” in “African Well Fund” and secondly, as a way to make a social/cultural comment.
Africa is a continent – not a country. It’s a place which has over fifty countries and hundreds and hundreds of vastly different people and cultures.
To be blunt, I am critical of people or organizations which refer in general terms (i.e. “Africa” or “Africans”) to a place which is so immensely diverse.
When I read the name “African Well Fund” it makes me think “Gee, can you imagine an organization called ‘North American Well Fund’, which titles itself as such, but only serves seven small villages in north-western Mexico”
The name “African Well Fund” homogenizes an entire continent and hundreds of millions of people found in unique cultures, cities and countries. The term African, because of its overt-generality can almost never be used in an accurate way.
Who is the African Well Fund building wells for? A white, Afrikaans in Pretoria, South Africa who has safe drinking water from his faucet in his top floor condo? Are the building wells for the Tuareg of the Sahara who, despite living in the largest desert on earth, have always had access to clean drinking water. Are they building wells for people in rural Brazzaville-Congo where, through the traditional collection of rainwater, have daily access to decent drinking water? I could go on and on.
Don’t get me wrong here, I am sure that the wells which have been placed in villages by the AWF have helped out the locals. I am not slagging an effort that actually helps people. I am not putting “Africans” in quotes as a suggestion that they are not real people.
I am doing the opposite – drawing attention to the fact that almost 100% of the time when a person says “African” they are actually making an ignorant statement which in itself is prejudiced. Whether they are aware of it or not.
This type of thinking helps perpetuate all the negative stereotypes of Africa that already exist. If people knew Africa wasn’t just “Africa”, then they wouldn’t ask stupid questions like:
“Are you going to see the pyramids?” – asked in regard to my most recent trip to Tanzania.
“Be careful of the tigers.” – stated upon news that I was going on Safari in Kruger National Park.
“Be careful, Africa is pretty dangerous. Isn’t there a war going on?” – said to me when planning my trip to Botswana.
See my point?
So Esperago, do you have a problem with “African-American”? Ironically, you’re digging your hole even deeper.
So Esperago, do you have a problem with “African-American”? Ironically, you’re digging your hole even deeper.
I can actually see your point Esperago, there are huge differences between the African people and countries, biologically as well as culturally. To refer to them simply as ‘Africans’ could promote stereotyping, especially in combination with projects like these.
That said, ignorance isn’t necessarily the same as prejudice. Not everybody knows that there are no tigers in Africa, that the pyramids are in located in Egypt and that not every country in Africa is at (civil) war. Ask the everage American (if indeed there is such a thing in your opinion) about European countries and capitols and they’ll probably tell you that Amsterdam is the main city in Denmark. Ask a Dutchman about the American states and he won’t be able to tell you where to find Iowa or the difference in mentality between a New Yorker and a Texan. They’re all ‘Americans’. Not everybody has traveled the world or is even interested in these matters. That’s their prerogative. And their loss, ofcourse.
I’m sure the AWF, to the best of its ability, is trying to help, to make a difference, to educate the people they are building the wells for as well as the people who are willing to donate their money. Perhaps they should change their name to Society For Building Wells In Those Countries In Africa That Are In Desperate Need Of Clean Drinking Water, to steer clear of stereotyping. But I’m afraid even that wouldn’t change peoples ideas about this amazingly beautiful continent.
I can actually see your point Esperago, there are huge differences between the African people and countries, biologically as well as culturally. To refer to them simply as ‘Africans’ could promote stereotyping, especially in combination with projects like these.
That said, ignorance isn’t necessarily the same as prejudice. Not everybody knows that there are no tigers in Africa, that the pyramids are in located in Egypt and that not every country in Africa is at (civil) war. Ask the everage American (if indeed there is such a thing in your opinion) about European countries and capitols and they’ll probably tell you that Amsterdam is the main city in Denmark. Ask a Dutchman about the American states and he won’t be able to tell you where to find Iowa or the difference in mentality between a New Yorker and a Texan. They’re all ‘Americans’. Not everybody has traveled the world or is even interested in these matters. That’s their prerogative. And their loss, ofcourse.
I’m sure the AWF, to the best of its ability, is trying to help, to make a difference, to educate the people they are building the wells for as well as the people who are willing to donate their money. Perhaps they should change their name to Society For Building Wells In Those Countries In Africa That Are In Desperate Need Of Clean Drinking Water, to steer clear of stereotyping. But I’m afraid even that wouldn’t change peoples ideas about this amazingly beautiful continent.
Esperago, thanks for clarifying and I do see your point, though I’m not sure it applies to the AWF as they have projects in not one but several African countries, and those countries are not in just one part of the continent either.
Esperago, thanks for clarifying and I do see your point, though I’m not sure it applies to the AWF as they have projects in not one but several African countries, and those countries are not in just one part of the continent either.
Hi Esperago,
I just wanted to speak to the questions you had about the sustainability of the water projects funded by AWF. I have just returned from a trip to Ghana where I visited AWF funded projects there. AWF works with a partner organization, Africare, which has offices throughout the continent. Africare’s approach to development puts the emphasis on sustainablity. The community is involved from the very beginning of the process, the very first step is for the community to identify and prioritize its needs. A water project is initiated where a community has prioritized water as a need. Next, the community is asked to form a water and sanitation committee (with the caveat that at least 40% of its members be women) to help implement the project and then to oversee education and maintenance once the construction phase is completed. Sub-committees are trained in maintenance procedures, sanitation education etc. The committee also receives instruction in how to set up a fund to save for maintenance costs. The wells I saw in Ghana were manufactured in Ghana so that parts were readily available. I hope this answers your questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have further concerns.
Diane
dyoder@africanwellfund.org
Hi Esperago,
I just wanted to speak to the questions you had about the sustainability of the water projects funded by AWF. I have just returned from a trip to Ghana where I visited AWF funded projects there. AWF works with a partner organization, Africare, which has offices throughout the continent. Africare’s approach to development puts the emphasis on sustainablity. The community is involved from the very beginning of the process, the very first step is for the community to identify and prioritize its needs. A water project is initiated where a community has prioritized water as a need. Next, the community is asked to form a water and sanitation committee (with the caveat that at least 40% of its members be women) to help implement the project and then to oversee education and maintenance once the construction phase is completed. Sub-committees are trained in maintenance procedures, sanitation education etc. The committee also receives instruction in how to set up a fund to save for maintenance costs. The wells I saw in Ghana were manufactured in Ghana so that parts were readily available. I hope this answers your questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have further concerns.
Diane
dyoder@africanwellfund.org