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Sharon: When I heard that my next guests devote their time to peace and the AIDS crisis in Africa, I knew I had to have them right here with me now. So, please welcome the amazing actor LeVar Burton, and Xorin Balbes. Yes!
(Applause)
Sharon: All right, Xorin, tell us all about the steps have you taken to promote peace.
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Xorin: Last year, right before the Iraq war, and the Academy Awards, we actually put together a non-profit called Global Vision for Peace. And, what was important to us is that we wanted to use the platform of the Academy Awards to send a message that there were Americans that were still standing for peace.
Sharon: That's hugely important.
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LeVar: I believe it is. And it is an effort that actually works in conjunction with the United Nations, which is still the most recognizable global entity that stands for and works for peace on this planet.
Sharon: How did you guys join up with the U.N.?
Xorin: Well, what happened is that, you know, last year, using the platform of the Academy Awards... this year what we wanted to do is we wanted to support the United Nations as the peacekeeping body of the planet. So we actually got in touch with the Assistant Secretary General, and she really supported our cause last year with the Academy Awards and the message of peace. And, this year, we started enrolling artists to, uh, that would support the U.N. and mandate of the U.N. as the peacekeeping body.
Sharon: So, they would be your ambassadors.
Xorin: Exactly.
Sharon: The thing is, to me, it's so important that people like LeVar, who are in the public eye, can help spread the word. Because, otherwise... it just is like a shortcut to the people out there. Because they look up to celebrities and you can help spread that word so quickly.
LeVar: I never believed that because I'm a celebrity I have to abdicate my conscience or my personal beliefs. And peace, world peace, is something that everyone should be able to have an opinion about -- no matter what your political or religious affiliation. And, you know, as Xorin says, the United Nations, no one can dispute the power and the efficacy of the United Nations as a global body. And having them be partners with us in this venture is really important.
Sharon: It's so important.
Xorin: And, you know, Sharon, I would just like to add, as an artist yourself, what you are doing here today in inviting us here, so that the message of peace can get out to the millions of people that watch your show, I feel so honored and blessed that you've invited us here.
Sharon: We are blessed, and honored. Believe me.
Xorin: So, if I may, may I ask you to become an artist for the U.N., and give you the "Dove of Peace" pin?
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Sharon: It would be my honor.
LeVar: Many people on the Academy Awards this year wore one. Peter Jackson, the director of...
Sharon: Yes, I noticed he had one on.
LeVar: He had one of these dove's on. Chris Cooper.
Xorin: Annie Lennox.
LeVar: Annie Lennox. There are a lot of artists who have been enlisted in this capacity as representatives of the cause.
Xorin: And we've also had support from Mikhail Gorbachev, the Dalai Lama, and many congressmen. It's been really phenomenal.
LeVar: So, we've got to get our government leaders to sign on to this deal, because if you're not with us you're agin us in the cause of world peace.
Sharon: Well, I am with you. Now, I want to know, tell us a little bit more about the Children of Uganda. While you put my pin on! I want my pin!
LeVar: Thank you.
Sharon: All right. LeVar, how did you get involved with the children?
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LeVar: Well, I got a call from a friend of mine, not too long ago. They were putting together a little reel, of footage, on the Children of Uganda, to make a presentation for the night they announced this sort of "artists for UN" effort, this initiative, and they needed somebody to do a voice-over. The cause sounded right. The Children of Uganda, these are all kids whose mother or father have died from the AIDS epidemic in Africa. This is a band of singers and dancers and drummers. They tour all over the world every two years. And there is an orphanage back home with 700 other kids just like them whose parents have died from the scourge of AIDS. They are bringing the world a message of peace and inner peace and spirit. Their force, their chi, is so amazing. You'll see them in a minute. This is my first time seeing them live. I've seen them on tape. They are phenomenal. I'll let them speak for themselves. I volunteered to do the voice-over, and I went and saw the footage, and it was like, "Oh, my god, these kids are phenomenal." They walk with such power and with such grace and such beauty and dignity -- in spite of, and in fact because of their circumstance, I just think that they have a wonderful... they model a wonderful essence for all of us to sort of observe and take in, if we are able. They are remarkable, remarkable people.
Xorin: I think they actually hold the possibility of peace, for all people.
LeVar: They do. Because if you can respond to circumstances in your life similarly to the way they have, then there is nothing that you cannot overcome in your life.
Sharon: But, it's too, it's such a shining example that we need our next generation, our youth of the world, to come through and show us what it's all about.
LeVar: To stand up and show up as who we are. We all have the potential to be this way in life. We all have the potential to respond from our hearts to anything that we are faced with. It's just a matter of making that choice.
Sharon: Well, when we come back, we're going to see these extraordinary Children from Uganda, and they are going to perform for us. So we will be right back.
(Commercial ad break.)
Sharon: I am so thrilled to have these terrific children here today. Despite their struggles, they show an amazing spirit and dignity. Please welcome the Children of Uganda...
(Music, singing, and dancing...)
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(Cheers and applause.)
Sharon: Thank you so much. Thank you! All right, LeVar, now you've actually seen these incredible children live. Come on.
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LeVar: Wow! I mean, you understand now who these people are. And what they have to share.
Sharon: And they just lift your spirits. It's just amazing.
(Applause.)
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Sharon: Jacinta, why is it so important for you be a part of this group?
Jacinta: It's important because we represent thousands of children who don't have a voice. A lot of children are in Uganda, being orphaned by AIDS. They don't have food, shelter, they don't go to school, and many other needs. And if I'm the one to come and help them to get something, I take back hope to them, telling them that, "You know that there are thousands of people far away from you, but they really care for you." And that brings hope to everyone. And I'm really proud to be the one to do that.
(Applause)
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Sharon: All right. Francis, what do you want people out there to learn from this group?
Francis: Our group has a message. AIDS is a global issue. Then, what people should know is that we all have to come together to fight the battle. Then we shall see AIDS no more. Couples should be faithful to their partners. The youth should abstain from sex or else they should use condoms. That's the only way to see the virus no more.
(Applause)
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Sharon: Bless you. All right, Xorin, come on. What are your plans for these wonderful children next? Come on.
Xorin: Well, Global Vision for Peace wants to support in any way we possibly can. To help fund the documentary film about these children, because I feel like their message is needed to the entire planet. To find out more about the Children of Uganda, you can go to ChildrenOfUganda.Org. Alexis Hefley, who is the founder, is an amazing, amazing light. She knows everything that's going on with these children; and her heart, soul, body, and mind is completely in it. So...
LeVar: We need to show these people that the world is a compassionate place. And Francis is right, AIDS is a global epidemic. It is our common problem. We need to address it as a global community.
Sharon: That's for sure.
Sharon: Okay. And to get involved, for peace, go to GlobalVisionForPeace.Org...
Sharon: And, I'm going to put something out to you guys. Everyone. All of you, all over America. I'm going to put in $10,000 of my own money for Children of Uganda. Okay. And if somebody out there wants to be on the Osbourne Show, with me, put in another $10,000 and you can be famous overnight. You can be on the Osbournes and the money will be going to Children of Uganda. Come on, guys. Start bidding on my web site!
(Applause)
Sharon: Thanks to all my wonderful guests today. But, we have one more great gift for you. Performing one more time, I want to hear it for the Children of Uganda! But remember, before they start, please go to my web site to bid! Come on, I need $10,000 and you can be on the Osbournes and the money goes to the amazing children. I love you all. Thank you.
(Cheers and applause)
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