Gene Simmons is a rock legend with a large heart. It was more than 140x larger. KISS member and star in his own reality TV series “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,”– emphasized his relationship with ChildFund InternationalBy inviting viewers to watch his journey to Zambia to meet 12 his 140 sponsored children.
Gene believed he was going to Africa for a safari with Shannon. However, Shannon had other plans. Gene had been sponsored by her to meet 12 children.
Shannon and Gene shared school supplies, backpacks, soccer balls and clothing with the children. Gene sponsored a child who received a bicycle to make it easier to get to school. Shannon gave shoes to one young lady.
They met Esther, a young woman he sponsored while they were there. There are days when her family and she don’t have enough food. She loves school but it is not easy to get there. Although she has to walk for long distances, she doesn’t complain. Since losing her parents to cancer, she has had a dream to become a nurse.
Gene explained to her that he would make some sort of deal with her. He would pay her tuition for nursing school if she has good grades.
Shannon said, “You don’t owe us anything. You don’t have to pay us back. You owe us to be a good nurse.”
Gene added “We met an amazing 16-year-old girl with lots of charisma, who can change the cycle, but the odds are stacked against her.”
Gene, like millions other sponsors, was introduced through ChildFund’s commercials. The message of the commercial has not changed: a small monthly donation can make a difference in the lives and livelihoods of children in developing countries. The average sponsor isn’t a celebrity; they are just someone who cares.
“It’s our responsibility to take care of each other,”Gene. “You don’t need to be a star. You don’t need to be rich.”
