Oprah Winfrey opened another school in South Africa on March 16.
Seven Fountains Primary School, funded by Winfrey’s Angel Network charity, has 25 classrooms, a computer center, three multi-purpose rooms, a library, a playground, a recycled water system, two sports fields, solar power and a vegetable garden.
Winfrey first visited Seven Fountains Primary School in 2002 when it was located on a farm, and she visited in 2004 after it had been moved to an under-equipped building with no windows.
She decided that the children needed a new facility.
The $1.6 million school caters to as many as a thousand students, whereas her other South African school—Oprah’s Leadership Academy for Girls—only serves 152 students.
Is Winfrey trying to see how many schools she can build for poor South African children this year? What about poor American children over here?
How much does someone have to do to prove their humanitarianism before it crosses the line and becomes a publicity stunt?
You be the judge.
7 comments:
I wonder, as you do, India, why Oprah seems so fixated on helping those in Africa instead of folks in her own backyard in the USA.
Maybe she's helping Americans but we just don't hear or read about it?
I think that Oprah is a great example of humanitarianism. I think she's also a great example for other celebs who say the want to help and never do. Ultimately we're all connected to Africa. I believe that it is our civic duty to help those in need, but I also believe that it is our civic duty to help our people befor we can reach out to anyone else.
Prof. Timbs,
Every move Oprah makes, people can't wait to tell about it, so I don't think she's doing as much in the U.S. as she can and should do. Maybe it's something we non-celebrities can't understand...lol...
Ashlee,
Yes, she is a great humanitarianism, and maybe the reason why she's so stuck on helping Africa is because she traced her roots back there...But, she seems to have forgotten about the ones who made her the celebrity she is today: the people in her own backyard....
I agree with you. Oprah is doing a lot to help people in Africa, and I feel that her heart and motives are genuine. But with so many Underprivileged children in our own country, why is she doing nothing to help them? And if she is, why wouldn't we hear it? People constantly call for change in our schools and if she were helping affect that, people would probably be eager to call attention to that.
India, in your previous blog you talked about celebrities such as Paul Wall visiting Africa and not doing anything to help the conditions of that country. I think that it is important to realize that Oprah is atleast doing SOMETHING with her money. Opportunities in the United States compared to Africa are far greater, therefore more aid is needed in Africa. I always wonder why people dont "take care of home first". But I believe that as long as good is being done, don't try to "knock" it. Our own government doesn't take care of their people first. The governments spends a billion dollars a day with the war in Iraq. And look at our un-employment rates, and proverty standards. At least Oprah is not funding death missions.
Jessica,
Believe me-I am in no way "knocking" Oprah for her efforts in Africa. She also helps people right here at home, but the main point or question of my blog entry is for the reader to decide for him or herself what makes celebrity humanitarism genuine. Many of them do things just for media recognition...Jumping on the bandwagon to help Africa: why there? For what purpose? It is altruistic? This is all I'm trying to figure out...
I believe Oprah is on point. Americans have all the opportunity in the world but never want to take advantage of it. I think that she know that the kids in Africa will value the education more. Many kids in America do not care about their education. These kids want to be cool, and that is it.
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