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News Oprah

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by e_andree, Jan 3, 2007.

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    e_andree E

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    Oprah

    We all have seen the multitude of news stories regarding the 40 MILLION dollar school that Oprah generously built in Africa. This school has only 152 students. Don't get me wrong, I am in total awe of her generosity, but I question the "purity" of her motives. I wonder how many normal schools that could have been built across the country for 40,000,000 dollars. But of course, a thousand normal schools, that could provide education to hundreds of thousands of young women doesn't have the wow-factor or newsworthiness of 1 school for an elite group of students. So when does only a small elite group of people deserve an education, but the masses don't. It just seems to me that Oprah has been up in the clouds too long and needs to come back to earth and try to promote the values and ideals she "claims" to support.

    Your thoughts?
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    TurismoDreamin ΓΡΗΓΟΡΟΣ ΟΔΗΓΟΣ

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    152 students yes, but there were also 3500 applicants. Although there are plenty of kids willing to go to school over there for anything, you n me know the sad truth that not everyone is school worthy. I honestly dont think that Africa is a developed enough continent to move to the next step of widespread free education because the support for that kind of education isnt there yet. Sure, their kids can go to the local public school and get a free education, but from there, then where...The 152 out of 3500 students she did end up picking had the "it" factor, according to Oprah. Yes, with that 40 million, its better to have built, say 80 schools at half a million each. But even thats just as newsworthy. I think she's doing a lot more than other people with the same amount of income. One 22 acre school for a handful of people is better than no school at all.
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    e_andree E

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    Its all for publicity, and I think its bullshit.

    That money could have been better spent throwing up a 5 million dollar school and 35 millions towards health, homes, hospitals, etc.

    Not developed enough for widespread free education? Who decides that?
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    Prodigy3006 Rubber Man

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    I think you take the easy road by telling her what she should have done. I think she gives more with her money than many others. I respect her decisons and don't feel she is 'bullshitting' anyone with her efforts. I also respect Bill Gates and Bill Clinton for the efforts they have recently made with their money. Many, Many people have large sums of money and do nothing Close to what these three do. I am thankful for their efforts, I am thankful and non judgmental towards Oprah's efforts.
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    vortex Well-Known Member

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    wait... did you say the school for 152 people is on 22 acres? WTF!@?
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    fishexpo101 Get Some

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    No - it is bigger than that. Supposed to be 21 hectares or closer to 52 acres. Something like 28 buildings in all. Started with 3500 applicants, then dropped to 500, and now the 152 number they have now. School only for girls aged 11-13 that show specific qualities for leadership and intelligence. Basically Oprah wants to make a bunch of clones of herself, or some BS like that. Quoted from the article:

    "Winfrey host drew parallels between herself and the 152 children chosen to study at the school who she calls "my girls". They in turn call her "Mom Oprah." = Bull$hit

    http://uk.news.yahoo.com/02012007/323/oprah-opens-dream-school-poor-south-african-children.html
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    vortex Well-Known Member

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    *rolls eyes*
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    e_andree E

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    Please read below and tell me if you feel the same way.





    I have no problem with rich people donating money.....but if youre donating money for the wrong reasons, its worthless.
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    corollarider19 New Member

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    oprah has always been this way.. i really think she could of built a school down there and build several of them in her hometown
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    Mayur Biggest trd whore in the whole wide world

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    28 buildings?!?!?!?!?! Thats like 5-6 students per building!!! Im with eric on this one. Hell she could have put up 28 different buildings in different places. Hell some colleges arent even that big. 3500 applicants, why not take more than just 152? It does not matter if the student has that extra edge to learn, you are also forgetting the hard life they probably live with. Most of their parents are probably farmers (not sure but most likely) and Im sure that they would have to help out around the farm. Both of my parents had to when they were growing up in India. My mom never even finished high school and neither did most of my aunts and uncles. My dad had done a year of college. Oprah just wants to look good. Dont get me wrong shes doing a wonderful thing, but shes not doing it right. But honestly think about it. What's better...educating 152 students or educating thousands or even hundreds of thousands with the same amount of money.
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    Vibe New Member

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    Or educating 0 students.... what's better? lol

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