In the small community of Butha Buthe, a two-hour drive north of the Lesotho capital of Maseru, Bono and his wife Ali Hewson have invested in a clothing factory that produces their ethnically-conscious fashion brand Edun.
For every T-shirt sold $10 goes to fighting AIDS in Lesotho, which has the fourth largest HIV rate in the world. Many of the AIDS victims work in the countrys textile and apparel industry that employs about 45,000 people.
Hewson, an activist herself, told Reuters while touring the factory on Tuesday that country’s textile and apparel industry was hard hit by the expiry last year of the Multi-Fiber Arrangement that elminated the advantages to many investors of setting up in developing countries.
To keep workers at the Clothing Zone employed, Hewson has kept it in business with the Edun line and is currently in talks with retailers to bring their business to Lesotho.
At the nearby Qalo high school in Butha Buthe, profits from the sale of Edun Live T-shirts have been used to build a water well. Bono and Hewson visited the school on Tuesday to see for themselves how the money was spent — to the delight of U2 fans at the school. We love Lesotho because we think the mountain kingdom is very cool, he said. (Pictures: REUTERS/Mike Hutchings)
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10 comments so far
Bono is a legend, in years to come Irish mothers will tell their children embellished stories about him. A true role model. Forget the begrudgers Bono, no one will ever remember them.
- Posted by Martin TierneyBono, how much money do you donate to your causes? Why do you want the taxpayers to foot the bill for you endeavors?
- Posted by Richard AllenBono is a perfect role model! Wish the world was populated with more just like him. His care and compassion is contagious.
- Posted by Jackie KiddBono, what kind of sunglasses do you wear and where do you get them? I must have them and price is NOT an object.
O’Donnel
- Posted by MIKE O'DONNELMartha’s Vineyard, MA
I am so happy that $10.00 from the purchase of my cherished U2 Vertigo shirt helped someone in a crisis. I can’t wait until the RED products are available in the U.S. Bono and Ali, blessings to you for your passion and tenacity, hang in there, we love you! I hope Bono liked his Birthday Book he received in Dallas!
- Posted by Ann Marie WycoffReply to Mike O’Donnel,
- Posted by Emmadownload the Rolling Stone podcast with Jann Wenner interveiwing Bono, its Pt 2 and he spends 2 minutes talking about his glasses. you can get it free from iTunes. And Bono, many blessings!
Bono, you are an amazing man. Someone who has done so much with the position you have been given. You have given back more than was ever required of you. You are a Noble Laureate in my book. Thank you for all you’ve done to help the world in which we live be a better place.
- Posted by Ben[…] Cool mountain kingdom and T-shirtsBono and Hewson visited the school on Tuesday to see for themselves how the money was spent to the delight of U2 fans at the school. We love Lesotho because we think the mountain kingdom is very cool, he said. … […]
- Posted by Update - Trial - Cool All Video/Audio to MP3/WAV Converter -- Centplus Tech BlogHow can I start helping.I wish I had the funds to visit Africa and help but,is there something I can do here to help?
- Posted by emilio[…] Cool mountain kingdom and T-shirtsBono and Hewson visited the school on Tuesday to see for themselves how the money was spent to the delight of U2 fans at the school. We love Lesotho because we think the mountain kingdom is very cool, he said. … […]
- Posted by Cool mountain kingdom and T-shirtsBono and Hewson visited the school -- Centplus Tech