David Cook is giving back: how about you?

Girl power isn't necessarily what you think of when you think of David Cook.

But the Season 7 American Idol is spreading the word about the need to educate girls worldwide as part of Idol Gives Back.

He spent some time on the phone with the media Wednesday afternoon from Ethiopia. He had been in Addis Ababa for a couple of days as a guest of the United Nations Foundation, visiting a project called Biruh Tesfa (Bright Future) that provides informal education to girls.

Elizabeth Gore was also in on the call on behalf of the foundation and explained that of the 130 million youths around the world who aren't getting an education, 70 per cent of them are female.

"Girls that don’t get an education here are immensely more likely to fall into the sex trade or domestic servitude," said David. "I mean HIV is one of the main killers here..."

David said he had been itching to get involved with Idol Gives Back ever since, as a contestant during the Idol episode devoted to the charity, he snuck out from backstage to watch Annie Lennox perform. "It was just her on a piano. In the background they were showing images of children and it just, it tore me apart ...  it really puts you in a position where you want to help ...

"I wanted to be involved with this program specifically because women are the backbone of society in my opinion. Every family has a matriarch and they are ... the glue that holds that family together, so you have to give these girls a basis, you have to give them a platform with which to start from. I don’t think anybody can deny that education plays such an important role across the board ..."

There's no question these girls have a lot stacked up against them. One reporter mentioned the prevalence of female genital mutilation in parts of Africa. Elizabeth noted that many girls in Ethiopia are promised in marriage before they're 18 (although child marriages have recently been outlawed there).

"I think, just having been out here for the short time, you immediately kind of perceive the bubble that you’ve built for yourself. I feel kind of guilty for the bubble that I’ve built for myself...

"What the people here have to deal with on a daily basis, it’s real and it’s heavy and, you know, it’s something that truly deserves our attention."

Still the trip wasn't all guilt and gloom.

David met children like 7-year-old Mekdes who, despite losing both her parents, is "one of the most vibrant joyous girls I think I've ever met. I mean the girls at the school genuinely want to learn, they want to have that education, they want to have that opportunity and ... it’s inspring to see a 7-year-old girl want to build a better future for herself."

Without minimizing the challenges the students face, David said at heart they're like children anywhere. "You see these girls smile and laugh, you realize very quickly it’s not that hard to help them, it’s not that hard to empathize, it’s not that hard to want to help."

There are a number of ways to do that. Idol Gives Back airs on April 21 at 8 p.m. Donations can be texted in or made online at www.IdolGivesBack.com or www.unfoundation.org

The foundation is also on Facebook and Twitter.

"This has been one of the most enlightening and fulfilling experiences I've been able to be a part of," David said. Even donating just $2 to the cause "makes just a world of difference. I'm extremely excited to come home and really drive home what I've seen here because it is something that needs immediate attention."

Footage of David's trip will be seen on the Idol Gives Back special.

(The photo is of David with Mekdes and was taken by Stuart Ramson of the UN Foundation.)

 

Comments

[kathyblack]

Thank you David Cook for bringing attention to this important issue. An obviously grounded and intelligent young man, he is a wonderful ambassador for the developed world. And it looks like they had fun!

[sylvanaire]

This is such an important cause. I am so glad the UNFoundation has seen the need and is doing something to help these girls. I am amazed at the attitude of hope and determination the girls have in the face of such staggering odds against them. My admiration and respect for Mr Cook knows no bounds, that he wants to be involved in shining a light on such an important issue. These girls are the future of our world. We need to take care of them.

[Casey]

He's a great guy!

[Debra Yeo]

I was really impressed listening to him speak during the call. He seems really grounded and genuine and without a rock star ego.

[Darlene McCrary]

This is truly a worthwhile cause. I'm glad David said that even a few dollars means a lot because most people can do that much. David Cook is perfect as a humantarian representative because he obviously deeply cares about other people and especially children.