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Madonna's interview about Malawi and her journey to change the world


Mat.Guy

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Madonna: join me on my journey to change the world

Author: Rahim Kanani

Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

“My commitment has never wavered. And here we are about to embark on our biggest project yet with the pediatric surgeryproject at Queen Elizabeth Hospital,” explained Madonna, as she discussed her latest effort to help the children of Malawi. In an interview following her recent visit to the country, we talked how she initially became involved in bringing attention and awareness to the plight of children in Africa, how the decision came about to build and donate a new pediatric intensive care unit in Malawi, her new Goodwill Ambassador position bestowed upon her by President Mutharika, and much more.

What was the moment or experience that led to your incredible passion and interest in making a difference in Malawi?

When I discovered that there were over a million children orphaned by AIDS, living in one of the poorest countries in Africa, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility to get involved and do what I could to help bring awareness to the situation. I ended up making a documentary about Malawi called I Am Because We Are and adopted two children. Going on this journey made me more determined to use my platform in the world to do what I could to make a difference.

On your most recent trip, it was announced that you would be building and donating a two-story, pediatric intensive care unit at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital--the first of its kind in the country. How did that decision come about and why did you decide on pediatric care in particular?

I decided to do this most of all because of an amazing human being named Dr. Eric Borgstein. He is my hero. He is one of three pediatric surgeons in the entire country and he has devoted his life to saving the lives of children seven days a week, 365 days a year. I witnessed him make miracles happen with little support or financial backing. After spending time with him it became clear to me that many lives were lost because of the lack of an intensive care unit in the hospital. That, coupled with the fact that half of the population of Malawi is under the age of fifteen was all the incentive I needed to agree to building this much needed facility. The new pediatric surgery unit will serve more children and will provide a world-class training center for more pediatric doctors and nurses in Malawi.

Also on this trip, President Mutharika named you Malawi's Goodwill Ambassador for Child Welfare. How will you use this newfound recognition and platform to further your work not only for the children of Malawi, but Africa more broadly?

It is an honor to be named Goodwill Ambassador by President Mutharika. I have been committed to helping Malawi for many years, so the President’s support of my work is extremely meaningful to me. There is a great deal of hardship in Malawi, but I also see great opportunity, resilience, and joy—even in the face of extreme poverty. As Goodwill Ambassador, I intend to make helping the children of Malawi a global priority. While there are already a number of generous donors and organizations working there, I welcome new partners to work with me in the “Warm Heart of Africa.”

What have been some of the challenges you've had to overcome over the years when it comes to advocacy and awareness on these issues, and how have you pushed through some of those barriers?

It is important to remember the expression “no good deed goes unpunished.” This saying has kept me going during the many challenges I have faced. I set out on this journey to helpchildren orphaned by AIDS, not to win a popularity contest. However, nothing prepared me for the level of doubt and suspicion aimed at my intentions. Nevertheless, seeing the results of Raising Malawi’s work and watching peoples’ lives change for the better haskept me going. When you believe passionately in a cause, you find a way to break through the noise to make an impact in other peoples’ lives, despite the criticism. I made many mistakes in the beginning, hiring people that were not effective and dealing with a lack of operational efficiency. However, I have learned from my mistakes and I have strengthened many long-standing relationships and programs that we started. My commitment has never wavered. And here we are about to embark on our biggest project yet with the pediatric surgeryproject at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

When it comes to philanthropy, what's next for Madonna?

I am passionate about education in general but specifically for women and children. Knowledge is power! Access to education changes lives, especially for girls. Outside of Malawi, I have a foundation called Ray of Light, whichprovides this type of support in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mali, Haiti, Palestine, and Detroit. I will continue to partner with brave individuals and organizations fighting to empower women and children around the world. I want to wake people up to what is happening outside of their comfort zone and inspire them to join me on my journey to change the world.

http://www.trust.org/item/20141218000017-xd47j/

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Outside of Malawi, I have a foundation called Ray of Light, whichprovides this type of support in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mali, Haiti, Palestine, and Detroit. I will continue to partner with brave individuals and organizations fighting to empower women and children around the world. I want to wake people up to what is happening outside of their comfort zone and inspire them to join me on my journey to change the world.

http://www.trust.org/item/20141218000017-xd47j/

Love her so much

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It's awesome how she is trying to help Detroit which shows she's in touch with her roots!

It's also unfortunately funny how she names Detroit in the same sentence as Afghanistan, Palestine, and Haiti.

Why? She's just naming the places her foundation gives money to.

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I set out on this journey to helpchildren orphaned by AIDS, not to win a popularity contest. However, nothing prepared me for the level of doubt and suspicion aimed at my intentions. Nevertheless, seeing the results of Raising Malawi’s work and watching peoples’ lives change for the better haskept me going. When you believe passionately in a cause, you find a way to break through the noise to make an impact in other peoples’ lives, despite the criticism. I made many mistakes in the beginning, hiring people that were not effective and dealing with a lack of operational efficiency. However, I have learned from my mistakes and I have strengthened many long-standing relationships and programs that we started.

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Why? She's just naming the places her foundation gives money to.

It's tricky. Technically, you're right. But from a philanthropic point-of-view––particularly when the media outlet is international––it's a no-no. Sentences like that may read like someone is equating the situation of a city/metropolitan area to those of entire nations. It's certainly going to read like that to the audience of the Reuters Foundation. (To be precise, it should have read something like, "...and Detroit City in the U.S.".)

I'm surprised her PR didn't catch it. Perhaps Madge changed it at the last minute :)

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It's tricky. Technically, you're right. But from a philanthropic point-of-view––particularly when the media outlet is international––it's a no-no. Sentences like that may read like someone is equating the situation of a city/metropolitan area to those of entire nations. It's certainly going to read like that to the audience of the Reuters Foundation. (To be precise, it should have read something like, "...and Detroit City in the U.S.".)

I'm surprised her PR didn't catch it. Perhaps Madge changed it at the last minute :)

You have no understanding of this. If she says it it is said lol. "PR" can't undo or catch it!

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That's what's wrong with society today. You say something totally normal and heartfelt, and people search for reasons to be offended where no offense was meant. She's talking about all the places she gives money to help the education of girls. I"m glad that Madonna's not a PR type of person in giving interviews. She says what she thinks and feels.

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i think she is helping by beginning a foundation so the people can help themselves. She empowers others to help do the same. The people then can save themselves!

shes truly doing great work just like she said she would. She has kept her promise to Malawi and should be praised for that. She also takes her children back there as well. They also had taken language classes too. I mean, come on media, give her credit when its due!

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That's what's wrong with society today. You say something totally normal and heartfelt, and people search for reasons to be offended where no offense was meant. She's talking about all the places she gives money to help the education of girls. I"m glad that Madonna's not a PR type of person in giving interviews. She says what she thinks and feels.

In this particular instance, I'm with you. I don't think "anyone" was offended by it, though. When I said someone might think "eh, she said Detroit after naming a bunch of countries" - perhaps like the poster above did - I don't think it goes beyond a shrug. So what?

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You have no understanding of this. If she says it it is said lol. "PR" can't undo or catch it!

I'm afraid you're the one with no understanding "of this." Where does it say the interview was live, or even in person? By how perfectly controlled those answers are, I'm willing to bet they are more or less scripted. As I said, she probably has the last say though in whatever the final draft is - as she should.

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I'm afraid you're the one with no understanding "of this." Where does it say the interview was live, or even in person? By how perfectly controlled those answers are, I'm willing to bet they are more or less scripted. As I said, she probably has the last say though in whatever the final draft is - as she should.

Yawn. ^amateur

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Madonna is one of the few celeberities that puts their money where there mouth is. The fact that she continues to support Malawi after all the negative press she received over Mercy and David is only to be applauded. If I was a member of her family I would be so proud of her. The philanthropic work she is doing now will leave a lasting impact long after her death.

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Madonna is one of the few celebrities that puts their money where there mouth is. The fact that she continues to support Malawi after all the negative press she received over Mercy and David is only to be applauded. If I was a member of her family I would be so proud of her. The philanthropic work she is doing now will leave a lasting impact long after her death.

:clap::clap::clap:

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It is extremely sad that an article like this is completely and utterly ignored by the world's media, but Madonna posting an emotional yet unfortunately-timed comment about her work being stolen makes world headlines.

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It is extremely sad that an article like this is completely and utterly ignored by the world's media, but Madonna posting an emotional yet unfortunately-timed comment about her work being stolen makes world headlines.

Always been that way with the mainstream media regarding Madonna. Every little incident that they can turn into a critical piece on her, they will use such as the whole Hydrangeas incident. Yet, her work for charity is either ignored or ridiculed by them. Regardless she keeps on going and giving.

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