David Cook and Kris Allen in Africa

Can we send Kris Allen and David Cook to Africa every couple of months or so? Because they both seem to be quite skilled in the role of  goodwill ambassador.

After reading a transcript of David Cook’s press conference about his recent 3-day trip to Ethiopia on MJ’s Big Blog, I was struck by Cook’s intelligence and willingness to help do whatever he can to increase awareness to the plight of young women in this country. My bullshit detector did not sound the red alert. This guy got more than a photo op out of his trip, part of this year’s Idol Gives Back.

Will the experience find its way into the music he’s writing?
“I think anybody who isn’t completely self-absorbed—it’s impossible to come into this situation and not be completely moved by it, or changed by it. To really drive home the fact of what these girls are dealing with, the girls who don’t receive an education here are eventually more likely to fall into the sex trade, or domestic servitude, and that opens it up to so many other things—HIV is one of the main killers here. To see that first hand, I would almost say it’s a definite, that I’m going to bring that back, and it will find its way into my career path.”

This week, before departing home for the states, Kris Allen performed for the President of Rwanda, as part of his trip with TOMS Shoes and Bridge2Rwanda. This is the second charitable trip for Kris since winning American Idol; he visited Haiti in February, footage of which was shown during his Top 24 Result Show performance of Let It Be. Let It Be was also available for iTunes download for over a month, with all funds going towards the earthquake victims in Haiti.

While in Rwanda, Kris handed out TOMS shoes to children who may otherwise not have any. TOMS philosophy is simple, for every shoe purchased, a pair of shoes is donated to a child in need.

Taking part in mission and/or charity trips since his teens, traveling to Rwanda and Haiti is something Kris Allen would have likely done even without his involvement in American Idol. It is simply part of who he is. Cook has always been active in cancer-related charities and for the second year in a row, is participating in the Race for Hope to fight brain cancer in Washington, DC on May 2nd. So far, Cook’s Team for a Cure has raised over $75,000. It was at last year’s event that Cook tearfully announced the death of his brother, who had been battling brain cancer for a decade.

While Cook’s trip to Ethiopia will be featured on the upcoming Idol Gives Back, and maybe more of Allen in Haiti for the April 22 telecast, it is still impressive that these are two men who launched themselves into charitable endeavors almost immediately following the release of their first album, or hell, in Cook’s case, while he was extensively touring across North America and the Philippines. More than anything, it’s just nice to see two, by all accounts, genuinely good guys actively involved in the charitable endeavors they believe in. Cook has also supported the troops  by performing on tours organized by the USO, just like fellow former Idol contestants Bucky Covington, Elliot Yamin, Daughtry, and Carrie Underwood.

(Hey, and if you’re in the military in Hawaii on April 11th, please go see Nigel Barker for me. It seems he is part of the Celebrity Education program. Please go be educated by Nigel Barker if I cannot.)

So why can’t you people [Cooktards, Plaid Mafia] launch a ridiculous hashtag and spam Twitter so it makes the illustrious list of Top Trending Topics? These guys just got back from Africa in a concerted effort to draw awareness to the problems facing those in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Shouldn’t they be welcomed home? Ok…I was being facetious in that last remark. Getting something to trend on Twitter takes more than effort. Most people don’t have that sort of time luxury in their day. Which is a very, very, very good thing.

I’m just happy these two guys are actively trying to make a difference in our world. Success isn’t measured by Twitter. Or Google Trends. Its measured by the positive differences we make in the lives of others. I don’t think David Cook or Kris Allen can save Africa, but I do think increased awareness may help our country wake up and finally realize all of us can choose to make a difference outside of ourselves. There’s a big world out there. And it does not revolve around anyone.

ETA:

Kris Allen will share his experiences in Rwanda on April 7th at the Heifer Village in Little Rock

Ticket’s for Wednesday night’s show are $25.

American Idol and native Arkansan Kris Allen recently returned from Rwanda where he helped place shoes on the feet of Rwandan children on behalf of Toms shoes and Bridge2Rwanda.

He will share his experiences and some of his music as Bridge2Rwanda, Heifer International and Toms Shoes celebrate the meaningful partnerships all three organizations have with the people of Rwanda from 5:30-8 p.m. April 7 at Heifer Village in downtown Little Rock. Tickets are $25; to purchase click here.