Tag Archives: Africa

A Far Off Place (1993)

“A Far Off Place” features Reese Witherspoon, already a very mature and well-grounded actress at the age of 17. She easily carries this film over some potentially rough spots in plot and script. Her character is Nonnie Parker, born and raised in Africa on the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Her father has been working for some time to help bring an end to the poaching activities taking place in the area. Elephants are being slaughtered right and left, their tusks being chopped off and stolen. Colonel Mopani Theron has been tracking these men down and giving them as good … Continue reading →

Celebrity Activists Go “Red” and “Green”

While Oprah and Bono paint the town red with their “Product Red” initiative to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa, hip-hop and fashion mogul Russell Simmons announced he’s going green to raise green for the development and empowerment of Africans. Simmons unveiled his “Green Initiative” jewelry to reporters at a news conference yesterday. According to the 49-year-old musician-turned-entrepreneur, 25% of proceeds from sales will go toward the Diamond Empowerment Fund, which “will support institutions, like schools and colleges, in South Africa and Botswana and help boost economic development.” So why is Simmons who is well known for his popular … Continue reading →

Helpful Safari Travel Tips

When talking about adventure travel, many people look at overseas destinations. One of the top choices is taking an African safari. Without doubt, a safari offers a look into a completely new world, one of excitement and new adventures. If you want to take a trip like never before, then I recommend you consider a safari. You will have the trip of a lifetime. However, to make your safari the best it can be, I wanted to provide you with some helpful tips. Know Where to Go – Although you could take a safari in several locations, I would recommend … Continue reading →

Ashley Judd Joins War On AIDS

When you hear the words “AIDS,” “Africa,” and “celebrity,” do you instantly think of Oprah and U2’s Bono. I do. And for good reason. The mega-stars have been heavy hitters in the battle against the disease raising millions of dollars to offer relief to residents living in communities that have been ravaged by the disease. But, now the talk show queen and the Irish rocker can add a new celebrity do-gooder to their list of soldiers: Ashley Judd. Despite having a new film in theaters (“Come Early Morning”) and another on the way (“Bug,” due in early 2007) –it’s Judd’s … Continue reading →

Interview: Adopting from Ethiopia and Liberia

Nancy Sanderson, from Champion, New York, is a single mom of 9 adopted children. Five were adopted domestically from American foster care and four from countries in Africa. Nancy took time out of what must be a very busy schedule to answer some questions about her experiences in adopting form Africa. Me: Why did you decide to adopt from Africa? NS: When I decided to pursue an international adoption I was amazed at the price differential and decided that it made the most sense to adopt 2 or 3 or 4 kids from Africa for what it would cost me … Continue reading →

Interview: In Process for Liberia

I love to hear the experiences of people who are involved in the world of adoption. This week I will be interviewing people who are adopting (or who have adopted) from countries in Africa. This interview was with Sue Richardson of Bloomington, MN. Sue and her husband are in the process of adopting a sibling group from Liberia. Me: Please introduce yourself. SR: My name is Sue Richardson, I am married to Scott Richardson. We have been married for 5 years and have a 2 year old daughter named Annie. I am a television news reporter. My husband runs the … Continue reading →

Spotlight on African Adoptions

This week I want to specifically focus on adoptions from Africa. Why Africa? Because there are currently 14 million orphans in Africa and by the year 2010 there will be more than 25 million. This one continent holds more than half of the orphans in the world. The purpose of the next few days is to put a spotlight on Africa and the huge need of the orphans there. While the number of children waiting for adoption is very high, the continent of Africa also has a fairly low incidence of adoption. Compared to countries like China, Russia and Guatemala … Continue reading →

Matt Damon’s New Mission

Add actor Matt Damon to the growing list of Hollywood do-gooders. The “Bourne Identity” star joins pals Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, members of the band Hootie and the Blowfish and rapper Eminem (to name just a few) who are lending a hand to those in need. The Academy Award winner’s new mission has him fighting poverty and AIDS in Africa. According to PEOPLE Magazine, Damon took up the cause in May after spending more than a week visiting the impoverished country. And, just a few days ago he hosted a fundraiser in Toronto to raise money to fight … Continue reading →

Madonna Makes Like Oprah

Last week, numerous entertainment magazines were a buzz with the news that Madonna wanted more children. A few days later clarification came via an announcement that said the superstar was considering adopting a child. Now, in a preview of a soon to be published article in Time magazine the Material Girl finally sets the record straight: she’s not planning to have more children right now, rather she is committing her time, money and energy to helping orphans in Malawi, Africa. “Now that I have children and now that I have what I consider to be a better perspective on life, … Continue reading →

Travel Deals—Special Rates On A Summer Safari

Lions, and tigers, and rhinos, oh my! No, I’m not talking about what my family saw on our recent visit to the zoo. I’m referring to the animals that you can come face-to-face with while you and your family treks through the jungles of Kenya. I will be the first to admit that when someone says, “safari” I immediately think, “Whoa, no way I can afford that.” Safaris are reserved for people like Oprah, Brad Pitt, and Prince Charles, right? At least that’s what I was led to believe by mainstream media. So imagine my surprise when I discovered there … Continue reading →