The critics who say Madonna’s presence in her film about Malawi’s orphans is a distraction are missing the point, says the director of “I Am Because We Are.”
And that point is we’re all connected – and that includes mega-celebrities.
“It’s easy to point your finger and say, ‘Why should she be telling me about people who are suffering?’ And I think she’s really tried to curb that attitude and say, ‘I have a responsibility to live a life that’s going to help people,’” says Nathan Rissman, who’s in Traverse City for the film festival.
Rissman says Madonna was encouraged to show her emotions in the documentary by festival founder Michael Moore, who saw an early cut of the film.
And in several scenes, she does open up, at one point sharing details of meeting the child she eventually adopted, her two-year-old son, David.
Madonna appears briefly in several scenes and provides narration.There also are interview with famous figures like Desmond Tutu, Bill Clinton, and world-renowned expert on fighting poverty Jeffrey Sachs (who's a Detroit native).
According to Rissman, the film has gotten picked up by an international distributor and by the Sundance Channel. He expects more details soon about possible theater showings in America.
Asked to compare Traverse City’s festival to the famous one in Cannes, he gives the Michigan one high marks for the camaderie of the filmmakers and fans who’ve gathered here.
But Cannes, which he attended with Madonna, was pretty cool, too, what with “100,000 clapping as you take the red carpet.”
He adds,”Of course, it was for the blonde lady next to me.”
Saturday, 2 August 2008
Chaka Chaka distributes 1 million treated nets in Malawi
Mangochi, Malawi - South African song-bird Yvonne Chaka Chaka, has embarked on a two-week campaign to distribute 1.1 million insecticide-treated nets, free of charge, to children aged under-five and pregnant women across Malawi.
Chaka Chaka, of the 1980 hit songs "I Am In Love With A DJ", "I am Burning Up" and "Umquomboti" fame, is now the United Nations' Children's Fund's Regional Good w ill Ambassador for malaria.
She told PANA she decided to take on the killer disease head-on, because she had a personal tragedy.
"In 2004, I travelled to Gabon to play music and coming back, one of my musicians had contracted malaria and she died of that," she said.
"So that really prompted me to want to know more, to learn about malaria and to want to do something about it, because it was just hurting to know that malaria is preventable and curable and why did she have to die?"
The singer said since then, she decided to be an advocate for the prevention of the disease.
According to her, as a UNICEF ambassador for malaria and roll back malaria, she goes around countries, drumming up support for malaria cause.
Although she praised US President George W. Bush's Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI), she said the world should know more, to fight the disease.
"We still need more money because although everybody is talking about HIV/AIDS, malaria kills more people," she said, adding that "malaria is a disease without borders; it doesn't matter whether you are young or old."
Chaka Chaka said the campaign she launched in Malawi will ensure that all children under the age of five and pregnant women sleep under insecticide-treated nets to prevent them from contracting malaria.
"I am delighted to be associated with the campaign in Malawi because of the many children lives that will potentially be saved," she said, pointing out "I am also happy that Malawi has managed to reduce children deaths, making it one of the few countries in Africa that are on course towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal on reducing child mortality by two thirds."
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali, who accompanied Chaka Chaka to the launch, said the Malawi government was committed to fighting the disease.
"The campaign is a major step in our continued efforts to combat malaria and provide better health to all children in Malawi," Kachali said, noting that "ensuring that every young child and pregnant mother sleep under a treated mosquitonet is an important component of our public health interventions."
Malaria remains a leading cause of death among under-five children in Malawi, accounting for 18 per cent of all hospital deaths and 40 per cent of all hospital visits.
Malaria also contributes to anaemia in children and is a common cause of school absenteeism in older children, according to UNICEF.
Malawi embarks on a large-scale distribution of treated nets once every two years. The first mass campaign was in November 2006, when 600, 000 insecticide-treated nets were distributed to communities countrywide.
Since 2003, more than 5 million nets have been distributed, resulting in an incr ease in the percentage of households owning a treated net from 6 per cent in 2000 to over 60 per cent in 2007.
In 2007 there were 4 million reported cases of malaria in Malawi, where 7, 000 people died.
Chaka Chaka, of the 1980 hit songs "I Am In Love With A DJ", "I am Burning Up" and "Umquomboti" fame, is now the United Nations' Children's Fund's Regional Good w ill Ambassador for malaria.
She told PANA she decided to take on the killer disease head-on, because she had a personal tragedy.
"In 2004, I travelled to Gabon to play music and coming back, one of my musicians had contracted malaria and she died of that," she said.
"So that really prompted me to want to know more, to learn about malaria and to want to do something about it, because it was just hurting to know that malaria is preventable and curable and why did she have to die?"
The singer said since then, she decided to be an advocate for the prevention of the disease.
According to her, as a UNICEF ambassador for malaria and roll back malaria, she goes around countries, drumming up support for malaria cause.
Although she praised US President George W. Bush's Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI), she said the world should know more, to fight the disease.
"We still need more money because although everybody is talking about HIV/AIDS, malaria kills more people," she said, adding that "malaria is a disease without borders; it doesn't matter whether you are young or old."
Chaka Chaka said the campaign she launched in Malawi will ensure that all children under the age of five and pregnant women sleep under insecticide-treated nets to prevent them from contracting malaria.
"I am delighted to be associated with the campaign in Malawi because of the many children lives that will potentially be saved," she said, pointing out "I am also happy that Malawi has managed to reduce children deaths, making it one of the few countries in Africa that are on course towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal on reducing child mortality by two thirds."
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali, who accompanied Chaka Chaka to the launch, said the Malawi government was committed to fighting the disease.
"The campaign is a major step in our continued efforts to combat malaria and provide better health to all children in Malawi," Kachali said, noting that "ensuring that every young child and pregnant mother sleep under a treated mosquitonet is an important component of our public health interventions."
Malaria remains a leading cause of death among under-five children in Malawi, accounting for 18 per cent of all hospital deaths and 40 per cent of all hospital visits.
Malaria also contributes to anaemia in children and is a common cause of school absenteeism in older children, according to UNICEF.
Malawi embarks on a large-scale distribution of treated nets once every two years. The first mass campaign was in November 2006, when 600, 000 insecticide-treated nets were distributed to communities countrywide.
Since 2003, more than 5 million nets have been distributed, resulting in an incr ease in the percentage of households owning a treated net from 6 per cent in 2000 to over 60 per cent in 2007.
In 2007 there were 4 million reported cases of malaria in Malawi, where 7, 000 people died.
Random cultural nuances
Oh, how I love certain things about Malawi that always challenge me and cause me to have internal conversations with myself. For instance, today I went to get my eyebrows threaded and was told very blunty and almost accusingly “you are very hairy.” What is the proper response? It pretty much stops the conversation with “Yes, yes, I am.” Or the other thought that I had was to ask the woman how her mother is doing b/c last time I was in there (2 months ago) she was sick. However, this isn’t an easy or simple question to pose because the woman’s mother may be even sicker or possibly passed away and then will I be faced with a question about donating money for her medicine, seeing a doctor, or funeral services b/c I asked and basically am now somewhat responsible to help. That’s basically how things work.
Monday, I was coming home and walked through the gates greeting the guards with the usual Mwaswera bwanji, tdwasera bwino, zikomo evening greeting routine, when one of them stops me to give me an envelope. In my head, I’m thinking damn, please don’t be a love note. No better, it’s a request for money for his brother’s funeral with an opening sentence implying that I should be flattered by the note (WHAT?!). These situations constantly put me in an uncomfortable position in which I would like to help but also need to be weary of the situation and cautious as to the effect it will cause.
Issues around money here are a constant challenge and often an annoyance. And being taken advantage b/c of my skin color is just a fact. Some days I handle it better than others.
The issues about being called hairy or fat are simply issues of culture that may be compliments or not depending on the person who says it and the situation :)
Gotta love all learning experiences and growth opportunities :)
Monday, I was coming home and walked through the gates greeting the guards with the usual Mwaswera bwanji, tdwasera bwino, zikomo evening greeting routine, when one of them stops me to give me an envelope. In my head, I’m thinking damn, please don’t be a love note. No better, it’s a request for money for his brother’s funeral with an opening sentence implying that I should be flattered by the note (WHAT?!). These situations constantly put me in an uncomfortable position in which I would like to help but also need to be weary of the situation and cautious as to the effect it will cause.
Issues around money here are a constant challenge and often an annoyance. And being taken advantage b/c of my skin color is just a fact. Some days I handle it better than others.
The issues about being called hairy or fat are simply issues of culture that may be compliments or not depending on the person who says it and the situation :)
Gotta love all learning experiences and growth opportunities :)
Madonna's new project: a girls school in Malawi
You probably feel as if you know plenty about Madonna, at least when it comes to her clothes, her career, her marriage and, let’s face it, her every move.
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But did you know that, like Oprah Winfrey, she’s involved in a project to promote girl power in an African country?
The pop diva’s charitable ventures are mostly a private matter, according to Philippe Van Den Bossche, who manages Madonna’s philanthropy around the world.
An exception, of course, is her involvement with Malawi, the AIDS-ravaged country that inspired her to make the documentary she’ll introduce in person today at the Traverse City Film Festival.
During an interview after a press screening of “I Am Because We Are,” Van Den Bossche said Madonna is “extremely excited” about a new project to build “a replicable model for a girls secondary school to promote gender empowerment and gender equality in Malawi.”
It sounds reminiscent of Winfrey’s leadership academy for girls in South Africa, only the emphasis will not be on creating a one-of-a-kind place, but a model “that any educator can look at and say, we want to replicate that.”
Madonna’s people aren’t working with Winfrey’s people on the project, but they are getting input.
“We have consulted with Oprah’s team to learn from their successes and their challenges,” said Van Den Bossche, who’s executive director of Madonna’s foundation, Raising Malawi.
Van Den Bossche said proceeds from the Traverse City screenings of Madonna’s documentary -- an estimated $25,000 -- will help with the project.
Advertisement
But did you know that, like Oprah Winfrey, she’s involved in a project to promote girl power in an African country?
The pop diva’s charitable ventures are mostly a private matter, according to Philippe Van Den Bossche, who manages Madonna’s philanthropy around the world.
An exception, of course, is her involvement with Malawi, the AIDS-ravaged country that inspired her to make the documentary she’ll introduce in person today at the Traverse City Film Festival.
During an interview after a press screening of “I Am Because We Are,” Van Den Bossche said Madonna is “extremely excited” about a new project to build “a replicable model for a girls secondary school to promote gender empowerment and gender equality in Malawi.”
It sounds reminiscent of Winfrey’s leadership academy for girls in South Africa, only the emphasis will not be on creating a one-of-a-kind place, but a model “that any educator can look at and say, we want to replicate that.”
Madonna’s people aren’t working with Winfrey’s people on the project, but they are getting input.
“We have consulted with Oprah’s team to learn from their successes and their challenges,” said Van Den Bossche, who’s executive director of Madonna’s foundation, Raising Malawi.
Van Den Bossche said proceeds from the Traverse City screenings of Madonna’s documentary -- an estimated $25,000 -- will help with the project.
Madonna to introduce film at Michigan festival
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's Cherry Capital city is getting ready for the Material Girl.
Fans are getting ready for Madonna to make an appearance at the Traverse City Film Festival founded by her pal Michael Moore.
She is to introduce her documentary — "I Am Because We Are" — before a screening Saturday night. The movie deals with the orphans of Malawi, the African nation where she and husband Guy Ritchie adopted a son.
Madonna is not expected to make any other public appearances and might not even stick around for the showing.
Her appearance comes amid the release of a tell-all book by her brother and speculation about her relationship with New York Yankees' star Alex Rodriguez. Madonna and Rodriguez both deny an affair.
Fans are getting ready for Madonna to make an appearance at the Traverse City Film Festival founded by her pal Michael Moore.
She is to introduce her documentary — "I Am Because We Are" — before a screening Saturday night. The movie deals with the orphans of Malawi, the African nation where she and husband Guy Ritchie adopted a son.
Madonna is not expected to make any other public appearances and might not even stick around for the showing.
Her appearance comes amid the release of a tell-all book by her brother and speculation about her relationship with New York Yankees' star Alex Rodriguez. Madonna and Rodriguez both deny an affair.
Malawi on course to reducing child mortality rate
APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Malawi is one of a handful sub-Sahara African states on course to reducing its child mortality rate by 2015, UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for Malaria, South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka, has said in the southern lakeshore district of Mangochi.
Speaking Friday to kick-off a campaign to distribute Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) countrywide to pregnant mothers and under-five children, Chaka Chaka said the mission by the government to promote the use of ITN, especially among the poor, has saved millions of young children from death and also put Malawi on heights to attaining the reduction of child mortality.
The ITN campaign is intended to provide 1.1 million treated mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and under-five children in the country.
She said the use of ITN was simple and an important life saving tool from the dangerous malaria disease which kills a lot of under-five children in the region.
“One child lost to malaria is one child too many,\" the singer said. \"We need to spare no effort in ensuring that every child has a chance to celebrate its fifth birthday and to grow up healthy and become a productive adult.\"
Apart from saving lives, she noted, the country will save millions of funds spent on importing expensive drugs to treat malaria. In addition, no child will miss school because of malaria, she noted.
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali said the campaign was yet another milestone in the noble objective of improving the lives and the wellbeing of Malawian children.
“This effort would further reduce related malaria deaths among pregnant mothers and the under-five children in our country,\" he said.
In 2007, Malawi registered 7,000 malaria deaths and four million malaria cases, a situation he said was possible to roll back if pregnant mothers and under-five children were encouraged to use ITN.
Speaking Friday to kick-off a campaign to distribute Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) countrywide to pregnant mothers and under-five children, Chaka Chaka said the mission by the government to promote the use of ITN, especially among the poor, has saved millions of young children from death and also put Malawi on heights to attaining the reduction of child mortality.
The ITN campaign is intended to provide 1.1 million treated mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and under-five children in the country.
She said the use of ITN was simple and an important life saving tool from the dangerous malaria disease which kills a lot of under-five children in the region.
“One child lost to malaria is one child too many,\" the singer said. \"We need to spare no effort in ensuring that every child has a chance to celebrate its fifth birthday and to grow up healthy and become a productive adult.\"
Apart from saving lives, she noted, the country will save millions of funds spent on importing expensive drugs to treat malaria. In addition, no child will miss school because of malaria, she noted.
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali said the campaign was yet another milestone in the noble objective of improving the lives and the wellbeing of Malawian children.
“This effort would further reduce related malaria deaths among pregnant mothers and the under-five children in our country,\" he said.
In 2007, Malawi registered 7,000 malaria deaths and four million malaria cases, a situation he said was possible to roll back if pregnant mothers and under-five children were encouraged to use ITN.
Malawi on course to reducing child mortality rate
APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Malawi is one of a handful sub-Sahara African states on course to reducing its child mortality rate by 2015, UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for Malaria, South African musician Yvonne Chaka Chaka, has said in the southern lakeshore district of Mangochi.
Speaking Friday to kick-off a campaign to distribute Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) countrywide to pregnant mothers and under-five children, Chaka Chaka said the mission by the government to promote the use of ITN, especially among the poor, has saved millions of young children from death and also put Malawi on heights to attaining the reduction of child mortality.
The ITN campaign is intended to provide 1.1 million treated mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and under-five children in the country.
She said the use of ITN was simple and an important life saving tool from the dangerous malaria disease which kills a lot of under-five children in the region.
“One child lost to malaria is one child too many,\" the singer said. \"We need to spare no effort in ensuring that every child has a chance to celebrate its fifth birthday and to grow up healthy and become a productive adult.\"
Apart from saving lives, she noted, the country will save millions of funds spent on importing expensive drugs to treat malaria. In addition, no child will miss school because of malaria, she noted.
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali said the campaign was yet another milestone in the noble objective of improving the lives and the wellbeing of Malawian children.
“This effort would further reduce related malaria deaths among pregnant mothers and the under-five children in our country,\" he said.
In 2007, Malawi registered 7,000 malaria deaths and four million malaria cases, a situation he said was possible to roll back if pregnant mothers and under-five children were encouraged to use ITN.
Speaking Friday to kick-off a campaign to distribute Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) countrywide to pregnant mothers and under-five children, Chaka Chaka said the mission by the government to promote the use of ITN, especially among the poor, has saved millions of young children from death and also put Malawi on heights to attaining the reduction of child mortality.
The ITN campaign is intended to provide 1.1 million treated mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and under-five children in the country.
She said the use of ITN was simple and an important life saving tool from the dangerous malaria disease which kills a lot of under-five children in the region.
“One child lost to malaria is one child too many,\" the singer said. \"We need to spare no effort in ensuring that every child has a chance to celebrate its fifth birthday and to grow up healthy and become a productive adult.\"
Apart from saving lives, she noted, the country will save millions of funds spent on importing expensive drugs to treat malaria. In addition, no child will miss school because of malaria, she noted.
Health Minister Khumbo Kachali said the campaign was yet another milestone in the noble objective of improving the lives and the wellbeing of Malawian children.
“This effort would further reduce related malaria deaths among pregnant mothers and the under-five children in our country,\" he said.
In 2007, Malawi registered 7,000 malaria deaths and four million malaria cases, a situation he said was possible to roll back if pregnant mothers and under-five children were encouraged to use ITN.
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