Face of Live Aid appeal graduates


Birhan Woldu studied agricultural science and
graduated

04 August 2006

An Ethiopian girl who became the face of African famine when she was filmed starving and in tears in 1984 has graduated from college.
Birhan Woldu appeared as a healthy young woman at the Live 8 concert in London last year alongside Madonna.

She has now gained a diploma in agricultural science from the Wukro Technical and Vocational College in northern Ethiopia.

Birhan was sponsored by the UK-based African Children's Education Trust.

'Never again'

The charity's chief executive, David Stables, said he was "very proud of Birhan's academic achievements".

He added: "This epitomises much of what we are doing. Whilst it is important to feed starving people during famines, it is equally important to try to make sure famines do not occur again or so often.

"By educating the youngsters and particularly in Birhan's case, whose father is a farmer, for her to get a diploma in agriculture should help."

The money made from the original Live Aid fund-raising efforts of the 1980s had helped Birhan's family survive the famine.

After appearing on stage at Live 8, in Regents Park, in July last year, she said: "The crowd roared and I realised the world wanted to save my continent.

"It was Live Aid that helped to save my life - and now I believe together we can save the lives of millions more."

Organisers said three billion people had watched Live 8 on TV.

Six days later, the world's richest nations announced measures including $50bn (£28.8bn) extra aid for Africa, plus measures on debt, trade and health.

BBC NEWS