US YouTuber and philanthropist Mr. Beast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has generated a mix of praise and criticism following his announcement about building 100 wells in Africa.
His video, which has garnered over 49 million views since its release on Saturday, features the construction of 52 wells in rural Kenyan communities and an additional 48 wells in various locations, including Zimbabwe, Uganda, Somalia, and Cameroon.
Many individuals have commended Mr. Beast for his efforts in aiding rural communities, while also highlighting the issue of corruption in some African governments, which often misappropriate funds intended for such development projects.
Mr. Beast, boasting a massive following of 207 million subscribers on YouTube, holds the distinction of being the most followed account on the platform.
“I know it’s weird that a YouTuber has to do all this stuff, but someone’s got to do it. And if no one else is, we’re going to do it. It really does change the lives of the communities where we build them,” Mr Beast said of his motivation for the project.
However, Mr. Beast’s initiative has faced criticism from some Africans who argue that his video reinforces the stereotype of Africa as a poverty-stricken continent. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential environmental impact of the wells, with suggestions that they might contribute to the depletion of groundwater resources.
In response, Mr. Beast has defended his philanthropic efforts, emphasizing his commitment to using his platform to assist individuals and motivate others to engage in similar acts of generosity.