50 Cent moved by crisis in Somalia, Kenya


Curtis 50 Cent Jackson left Kenya more determined to make a difference after spending a few days assessing the needs of children in camps and slum areas.

He visited areas where women and children were being screened for malnutrition in Dolow, Somalia on Wednesday, before stopping over at a school in Kibera on Thursday where he danced with the children and served them lunch.

“What I am seeing is devastating — these women and children have risked everything to come to this Somalia camp, just to get food,” he said. “They need our help.”

He was however inspired by the children in Kibera, according to a statement from the United Nations World Food Programme, who hosted him on his 3-day visit.

“To meet those kids was so inspiring, they have nothing, yet they are so positive and optimistic. I want to do my part so they get food and an education. I hope more people will join me to help end this devastating situation,” he said.

50 Cent was in the country two witness first hand the work being done in the fight against hunger in the Horn of Africa region that has been going on for years.

Last year, more than 13 million people in the region most of them from Somalia were affected by the worst famine to hit the region in decades.

Concerted efforts however by the donor community, celebrities and locals have greatly improved the situation; and now famine has ended in Somalia even though the situation remains dire.

50 Cents visit was mostly without incident as officials kept it as hush-hush as possible. However, according to witnesses, he caused a stir outside the Sankara hotel where a crowd formed as he was being interviewed by an international TV station.

In September, the rapper made a public commitment to provide one billion meals for the hungry. As part of his fundraising drive, he is donating to WFP money from the sales of a new energy drink, called Street King. For every unit sold, he has pledged to donate 10 US cents, which covers the typical cost of food in a WFP meal.

50 Cent dances with the kids in Kibera. Photo by ROSE OGOLA

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