Bill Gates, the famed founder of Microsoft now spends his time as one of the world’s most active philanthropists in his capacity as co-chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This week Gates traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington to plead with the United States Congress to continue funding aid programs aimed at alleviating global poverty even during the present fiscal crisis that America is struggling with.
Gates challenged his listeners to take "courage" despite the enormous Federal debt and to continue investing in the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, saying it was the right thing to do.
"Yes, we have to watch the deficit," Gates admitted. "But a financial crisis should become a crisis of courage – and it should not force cuts in programs that pay huge returns."
The multi-billionaire also mentioned the importance of increasing aid to assist poor African farmers in becoming more productive. Farmers in these situations do not have access to the resources they need to make the most of their farms, and also struggle to afford to transport their produce to markets.
World Vision's international news manager, Geraldine Ryerson-Cruz, said that Gates was an extremely valuable ally in spreading a "very important message."