Karmajungle

    "A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history" Mohandas Gandhi

 Matt Damon humbly hosts an evening of passion and giving through a showcase (the Academy awards could learn so much from these guys) of talent and "karma awards" that leaves anyone in this audience appreciating that we can know and do so much more for the Africas of planet earth. Like Damon has said: comparing our lives with the people of the desperate conditions in Africa is "outrageous". Its like a Parallel Universe or another planet where people wonder if they will drink water tomorrow. Will the well be dry or contaminated and will I be thirsty again? Thats why he created h2oafrica.org which is a bucket of hope for people in desperate need. One man trying to make a difference.

And the theme of the night is set. We hear acceptance speeches from "OneXOne making a Difference" awards that make me want to walk on water and carry Africa on my back to the land of hope and muse. This was so good that I thought Gandhi might be resurrected and lead us out of the Four Seasons Center and take us on a pilgrimage to nirvana. Yeah, I`m getting a little carried away but this night felt pretty special. And I`m thinking that I need to make this the best inspirational moment of the rest of my life. There`s a lot of good to be done and the message is that we can do it "OneXOne".

 Listen to Wyclef Jean sing about Rawanda and his hope for a "United States of Africa" with the African Children`s Choir. This was the best moment of so many! Listen to Richard Gere speak of American supported horrors of 1980`s El Salvador and of the need for each of us to take responsibility for the world around us and to try and make some change "OneXOne". Listen to Matt Damon`s rendition of the powerful hope he sees in visits to African Millennium Villages and the difference it makes in the lives of thousands of Africans. He`s seen a scientific process that rises above corruption and neglect to make a life saving difference. (see Jeffrey Sachs vision)
Listen (and gawk at) to the stunning supermodel Petra Nemcova speak of her need to rebuild the lives of children in devastated Asia. The Happy Hearts Fund    She barely lived through the Thailand Tsunami of 2004 and needs to give something back.

And just when you`re struggling with your conscience and searching for a cheque to support everything or diving for an exit,  the Gala producers pace the night of emotion and inspiration with a performance from a 13 year old Jazz singer who leaves us breathless with her absolutely phenomenal talent. Nikki Yanovsky is a voice we`ll all know very soon. A truly righteous talent!! And then Wyclef Jean and Shakira team up for Latin passion and Haitian rhythm that has people dancing in the aisles. Karma Party till you drop in the land of Wyclef.

This event and its promise are the creation of a "KarmaDawg" named Joelle Adler. She`s a model of hope wrapped in the form of an obviously intelligent and compassionate woman that Matt Damon introduced as his favorite "ball buster". A lady who has found a true reason for affluent people to party. Party for a better world.

And the stage heart of "OneXOne" is clearly Wyclef Jean, a Haitian born American rapper, humanitarian whose talent and mojo ability to move a crowd with his music is only surpassed by his need to make a difference for people that can`t do it themselves.

So, whether its Damon`s H2oAfrica, or Wyclef`s Yele Haiti,  Sachs` Millennium Villages or Petra`s Happy Hearts Fund this is about building Karma, OneXOne. And You don`t have to be a Celebrity to make a difference as shown with the award given to Bonnie and Fred Cappuccino ringing loud and clear. They raised 21 children (19 adopted overseas) and started a foundation for children in India. And Fred is still wondering how he pays for Bonnie`s muse?

I partied like a fool to the music of Wyclef Jean and his Gandhi band of promise and I came away believing that I can make a difference and be part of a "revolution of hope". Now I can`t wait to be part of OneXOne 2008 and ride that party train of karmadawg`s and dreamers that might just make a difference!