EXCLUSIVE: Angelina Jolie – and daughter Shiloh! – visit refugees in Lebanon #WorldRefugeeDay http://t.co/XLUK3KXx7g pic.twitter.com/KpLoZuAibs
— People magazine (@people) June 20, 2015
Last weekend, Angelina Jolie attended a conference in South Africa on behalf of her campaign to end sexual violence in conflict zones. She gave an incredible speech before the African Union summit. Following that, Angelina and Pax went to Namibia, where they checked in on the work of the N/a’ankuse Foundation, which works on conservation and wildlife protection. They saw some baby cheetahs! Go here to see.
Then on Saturday the 20th, World Refugee Day, Angelina took Shiloh to Lebanon to meet some of the hundreds of thousands of Syrian people (men, women and children) displaced by a one-sided “civil war.” Apparently, some of the refugees were so grateful to see Jolie (again, because she has visited the refugee camps many times in the past five years) that some were bowing to her and kissing her hand. People Magazine posted one exclusive photo (the header photo) of Angelina and Shiloh spending time with a 12 year old Syrian refugee named Hala. Jolie told People:
“Shiloh is very aware that I hold refugee families in high regard and has been asking to come on missions and meet them for many years. She had heard about Hala since my last visit to Lebanon, and has been wanting to meet her and her brothers and sisters. It was wonderful that they were able to meet, play together, and make friends. So many refugees are children. I’ve often heard them say that the most painful thing is not that they have lost their homes – it is that they have lost their friends.”
Well, that just broke my heart. This is a good “mom thing” to do, especially with “first world” kids who experience “tragedies” like their parents not buying them a new phone – Jolie is exposing her kids to the larger world, to people less fortunate, and the way she frames it for Shiloh is that… there is no real difference between Shi and Hala. Kids are kids. The only difference between Hala and Shiloh is luck – the luck for one child to be born to wealthy Americans.
Jolie also traveled to Turkey, a country that now hosts the most refugees in the world – 1.77 million refugees reside in camps within Turkey’s borders. In Turkey, Jolie made a lengthy speech – go here to read.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet, People Magazine and WENN.
i admire this woman so much. i firmly believe her children will be caring adults. i see such irony in the article about Angelina being posted with the other 3 women.
She is amazing. Very few people, famous or otherwise have the courage to do what she is doing. Many rich & famous people live self indulgent, self absorbed lives, and feel nothing but disgust & disdain for those less fortunate than themselves & particularly for those trapped in desperate situations.
True. Hopefully the people who sing her praises follow her example and sacrifice some of their own privilege to give to those in need.
Fortunately for the rest of us/unfortunately for you perhaps, Mispronounced, life is not a zero sum game. Look it up.
So that’s a no from you then, Dottie. Got it.
All the comments on here focus on how great you all think Angelina is; I haven’t read one comment about Refugees and how there situation came about, if you don’t discuss this fundamental issue; then there is absolutely no way you can conclude whether she is a success or not. What real value are these visits? Except to give her publicity.
A few months ago she held an event in London about rape and war. Again she was praised. The event cost a lot of money and had zero impact on the issue.
Do you really thing the event had ZERO impact.. that is such a broad statement. ZERO impact.
Change doesn’t happen in a day. I’m so grateful that the people waking the walk for Civil Right and Women’s rights didn’t say their efforts had ZERO impact when they had to wait years and years before laws and attitudes change.. And even today there is still so much to do. But to claim it had ZERO impact is you trying to shade her and what she and many many others are working hard to do. This is not going to be fixed over night. Why would you think it would.
I think most of us knew how it came about. This is a pretty intellectual bunch of people on Celebitchy compared to other gossipblogs coughDListedcoughJustJaredcough and the issue/s have been discussed many times on here. Perhaps people overly praise Angelina because people automatically diss her for trying to do something good and use the old, ridiculous but well-worn furphy that she does it for ‘publicity’, rme as if she needs it. Many times people who have worked along side her in the field and people that were affected have come on here and said how tremendous a difference Angelina made, but people don’t want to hear that because it interferes with their pre-conceived opinions of her. I dare say even if we had a long discussion on the issue as we did awhile back Japanese treatment vs American treatment during the wars on one of the Unbroken threads and posted many reasons, examples and issues, that your ilk still would be cynical and negative and it wouldn’t change your view anyway. Claiming something had ‘zero’ impact (when research shows how false that is) as if that ‘zero’ impact is a certainty – a statement of fact, is pretty immature and ridiculous and silly. Posts like yours are why I think many celebs do not do much charity work. Posts like yours are counterproductive and only causes high profile people to be too scared to do anything lest they be accused of nefarious reasons for doing so. And you same people then wonder why rich people don’t do much and are so self-absorbed and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. But you don’t have the faculties to realise this. Posts like yours can cause more harm than good, especially for those organisations who need it the most.
I also add, I dare say if so many poisonous and bitter people weren’t attacking her all the time for being a do-gooder, her fans/supporters wouldn’t have to praise her so much in DEFENSE to right the pendulum. But, people who are so critical never think about their role in it, do they?
I am with her 100% on this. 99,9% of actors wouldn’t allow their children to be with poor children let alone refugees in Lebanon. She is raising her children to know all the realities of the World and not just the HW one. And that child of her is absolutely beautiful. And despite the boy clothes absolutely feminine in her body language.
“99,9% of actors wouldn’t allow their children to be with poor children let alone refugees in Lebanon”……
.
And you know this how? There are many celebrities that do charity work that none of us hear about. Jolie is part of the UN convoy which means this is what she signed up for. Yes, she is doing great work, but she also gets great PR when she does it. And to say that they, actors, would not allow their children to be with “poor” children or, refuges, is mind boggling.
.
She is not the first to do this, and will not be the last.
Reese Witherspoon took her daughter to Africa for a charitable cause.
I’m going to get my thoughts before some things begin.
I think her taking Shiloh was wonderful.. Just like when she took Maddox or Pax. Children don’t know the differences in people until they experience it. When I was teaching it is such an eye opener. Children don’t understand because their experiences are limited. And they need to know the world is bigger than their own backyard. Brad said in an interview that Shiloh was very affected by what her mother does and wanted to get right in and start helping. Not surprising that she has been given the chance to SEE..
I saw on another site someone say the ignorant thing of why won’t Angie and Brad give up their homes to these people.. And again you just shake your head at how people need to find something.. YET they never ask that of their elected officials. People that are hired by WE to make these situations better. No one calls for the Mayor, Governor, Senator, Representative, or anyone in office to give up anything in order to show they care. But Angelina and Brad are expected to give all when they are volunteering their time and assistance. No one calls for firemen to give up their homes to people whose homes are lost in a fire.. or such silliness.
Angelina is not required to become poor to prove she cares. She has worked for what she has just as anyone that volunteers. It is amazing how ridiculous people can be just to say something.
I applaud her for trying and caring. It must be exhausting and emotionally draining to see so much suffering and it not be getting better but worse. ,
I agree with all you say and congratulate Brad and Angelina on how they seem to be raising the awareness in their children and doing what two people can to make a difference. Brad had said that Shiloh had showed an interest in Angelina’s humanitarian work and it is good she finally got this experience.
(to correct the time line–they were in Lebanon on Thursday/Friday, went to Turkey on Friday/Saturday).
“Angelina is not required to become poor to prove she cares.” Oh yes I see plenty of that here and elsewhere. I am stunned by how spiteful, petty and small-minded people are. I’ve come to believe that people who believe Angelina should be living in rags in a 2 bedroom house to ‘prove’ she does care about others are driven by a guilty conscience and attempt to drag her down to their level to make themselves feel better about their own lack of effort. I think its sad that anyone that tries to do anything good has their motivations questioned. If I were rich, I would do nothing for charities. I’d just down margaritas on a beach or something. Because it seems trying to do something nice only results in shyt being thrown in your face. NO WONDER not many other celebs do as much as she does. Who needs that abuse? Better to just be selfish. At least you will never have your motives questioned. 🙁
Why don’t they give up their homes to these people? Hmm. Let’s see. Oh yeah, they couldn’t even if they wanted to. Are people really that dim? Individuals don’t get to decide who gets to live and where. Human smuggling, no matter how magnanimous the motive, is illegal. Even if the government signed off on it, it doesn’t fix the problem. She is doing what she can on a broader level to keep attention on this issue. Even if you don’t like her, this is not a passing fancy. She has truly dedicated herself to this effort and it should be commended.
Agreed, and I am glad you wrote this.
I agree with everything you said. And Tarsha, I also agree that it’s sad that anybody who tries to do something good has their motives questioned, Part of it is because some people think that being an A-lister means not caring about anything other than money. And I hate to say this, because I’m not someone who throws the “jealous h8trs” card around casually, but I do genuinely think that some of the people who criticize Angelina Jolie for getting involved with issues like this are just that. Some people can’t stand to see someone who has so much going for them get attention for doing good, especially if it’s someone they dislike. There’s some hypocrisy to it too- a lot of times the people who try to throw shade at her and other celebrities for getting involved in anything are people who likely haven’t done a thing to try to contribute to society themselves. Isn’t that silly?
Completely agree with everything you wrote.
When I read that some people wanted Angelina & Brad to donate their full wealth, all of their properties and use their houses as a refugee camp to be able to be taken sincere – well my blood was boiling.
What a sanctimonious and pathetic bunch of people. How about they stop paying for their internet and instead give that money (usually £10-15 per month) to charity instead? How about appreciate the fact that Angelina & Brad has donated millions to various charities across the world and that every little helps?
Do these people attack the other well known philanthropists like Bill & Melinda Gates, Oprah, Bono, Hepburn etc? In fact even the great Mother Theresa didn’t live in the slum/orphanage during her time – she lived in a big house with servants and other facilities.
Seriously people’s hatred for Angelina is making them vile and disgusting human beings.
It’s partly because society doesn’t really care about the poor and needy and doesn’t value those who help them. Just look at how poorly social workers and the like are paid and how low status that type of work is in the eyes of society compared to a whole slew of other high profile professions.
It’s nice that she is helping her children see first hand the situation in which millions of people in the world are forced to live. The kids are old enough to understand that now.
To whom much is given, much is expected. She gets it.
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Y’know, this is a pretty sentiment and on its surface, I subcribe to it. But it strikes me that except for those fortunate enough to be born into families where they inherit their “much”, others whom we look at and see their material wealth, had toiled (often thru blood sweat and tears) to earn their “much”.
While Angie is not the perfect example of those who toiled thru blood sweat and tears to earn their “much” (given that there are many others, I’m sure, who went thru much worse than Angie did in her youth and young adulthood) the fact remains, we know for sure that Angie did not inherit her wealth.
Oh…………y’know, even as I was writing the above, it occurred to me that the saying: “To whom much is given, much is expected” might not even be referring to material “much” at all. It could very well be that by “much” is meant those intangible qualities that make an exceptional human being: love; knowledge and understanding of oneself and others; love; compassion; love; empathy; love; a big heart; love; a giving Spirit; love;…….etc.; etc.; etc.
If thats what is meant by “much is given” then yeah, Angie has an abundance of “much” and therefore, it is no surprise that she is doing what is expected of someone who is so blessed and has such a highly developed sense of obligation to her fellow human beings.
Her mother taught her well. As she is now teaching her kids.
Angie toiled and earned her way, she started modelling at sixteen, and doing music videos
When her mother died, she was owed almost 200 thousand in child support, which tells you, that child support was not paid often. Jon was very picky in choosing roles that meant he was off more than he was working.
So no Angie was not brought up with a silver spoon in her mouth, and her father was in and out of her life growing up.
Angie’s dad name could open doors, but if she can’t produce, the open doors are closed, so no her dad did not go out of his way to help her, it was her drive.
She wasn’t poor either, Jolie has admitted that herself in earlier interviews. I think it was tough but not in a way that they were borderline homeless. Jolie studied at Strasberg and took a course for funeral director. If you can afford education, you’re not broke.
It reminds me of the Gyllenhaal family, both parents worked in the entertainment industry yet they were barely middle class. One would think that having a semi-steady income in that industry means you’re good but nope. They worked consistently hard and still lived modest (with a shitload of debts, poor money management). Famous people just like to project an image of success (wealth) but unless you’re A-list and courting mainstream films, you’re not making big bucks that set you up for life.
No excuse for Voight to not provide for his family with the little income he had. Jolie, on her own, made a better life for herself, her family and others so good for her.
More on topic: It’s just wonderful what she’s doing and taking her kids with her. She has mentioned in an interview that if she saw what really went on in the world, she would not have been as self-destructive but I think it was meant to be. And she turned out great so the pain was worth it in that way. Her kids will hopefully not have to go through what she has been through. I think those kids have it really good with parents who let them be individuals. That’s the best way to gain confidence. Probably the most stable family in Hollywood.
That’s right. No good deed goes unpunished.
So true.
I don’t think she’s being punished. A few (or even a few hundred) internet trolls can’t diminish the work she’s doing. I’m sure she’s not losing sleep over whatever criticism might comes her way. It’s just part of the territory for anyone in a high profile position.
I agree with you, @Esmom. Jolie and Pitt do not care what “the Internet” thinks of them. They are very very good at focusing their efforts on the lawmakers and policymakers and government orgs and officials as well as NGOs that might actually make different decisions if they hear the information and the emotional pleas that Jolie and Pitt make regarding people in need. They are trying to make governments and NGOs do more, and if they can mobilize ordinary citizens to put additional pressure on those entities, great. But in their humanitarian efforts, they are not trying to win over the masses or be better-liked. (They do plenty of PR when they want that — I’m not saying they don’t want to be liked, they want that for the success of their film — but their humanitarian work has a very different goal.)
It’s clear she wants her kids to do more than act, and they just might carry on her work.
She’s so amazing and inspiring, and it’s wonderful that Shiloh is getting involved now too. I don’t understand how anyone could doubt Angelina’s sincerity and commitment, or fault her for the work she does.
It’s so great for those kids that will grow up with every advantage possible and hangers on because of who their parents are to get exposed to this side of the world this young. Also how wonderful is Hala’s smile? ❤️
I happen to live on the Greek island of Lesvos (mostly known as Mitilene-even though that’s just the capital of the island). Thousands of people do end up here, it’s heartbreaking. I live in the northwest part and I see everyday groups of people walking, and walking to get to Mitilene for a chance at a ship to Peiraias, the Athens port. I am talking mothers with newborns, walking under the hot greek sun. And we are not even allowed to legally help them! If you take a group in your car and get them where they want to go you face charges. In Greece we are having a tough time as well, but we try not to lose perspective. The whole world needs to take action for these people, and in that cause Angelina is doing a great job .
You are not allowed to take them in your own car? In your OWN car? What kind of law is that? You want to help somebody in dire need and you are not allowed to? I am mind-blown in the worst way possible.
How very tragic. It is a shame that nobody is allowed to help them. It is nice of you to care.
Here in the US if we feed homeless in some states/city we can be arrested. It must be terrible for you to see that and be aware of the laws
What a palate cleanser after that Kardashian story. It’s a shame more isn’t being done for these refugees. But what a tremendous, life-changing experience for the Jolie-Pitt kids, to see firsthand what others experience in life. They are incredibly fortunate. I hope this is the legacy they continue as adults. Not becoming actors, but becoming humanitarians.
I am really hoping that the Jolie-Pitt kids follow in their parents’ footsteps as humanitarians, working for human rights and crisis intervention and global aid. The world does not need more models or actors or DJs. The world needs more prominent people working hard for the most impoverished and most vulnerable people.
I think Brad and Angie’s children may actually make the world a better place one day. All I can say is…she is an amazing mother. And a hell of a woman.
One of the best teachings that AJ can give to her children… that “no man is an island”. That those who are blessed can help those who are in need. That not because you are privileged, one cannot care… yes you can. AJ is teaching her children by letting them witness how hard life is to most people.
They have always said that they hope their children will continue doing this sort of work around the world when they get older, glad they’re starting early with these important trips. Hope they got back safely (assuming they’ve now left)
Refugees are people who not only have their lives violently uprooted but they remain nationless, homeless, and forgotten for years, decades even. The international community needs to step up and find a way to deal with this or they’ll be yet another generation of children growing up in the face of poverty and despair and subject to slave labor, sex trafficking, or extremism. So go on Angie (and keep ignoring all the haters and critics, cuz girl, you know what’s best) — keep speaking about this, because they need someone like you for their voice — seeing as if their cries alone are not enough to move others.
You are right — the world really needs to address the issue of refugees. There’s way, way, way too many of them for us to look the other way.
Angie has created 6 children who will hopefully go on to continue her work when they’re adults. And that is great.
I admire Angie a lot. What a great example she’s leading for her kids. Sympathy for the world’s anguish can be taught and she’s doing the right things in teaching them to have a heart for those less fortunate. I look forward to seeing how they carry on her mission as they get older.
Good job, Angelina! Hala’s story is heartbreaking (but what a great attitude this child has)- here’s the short film Angie made about Hala & her 5 siblings last year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLpj9u_QXjk
Those baby cheetahs are ADORABLE- so nice that Shiloh watches them online, too. Happy Father’s Day!
My mom helped build a school in Rwanda. Having a mom who makes a difference on this scale is so cool, I think the Jolie Pitt kids are going to grow up to be far more empathetic people than most celebrity offspring. I would much rather have that than another Jaden Smith/Conrad Hilton/Emma Roberts etc.
Shiloh is already a very interesting person in her own right and I think all of her experiences with living in different places and cultures have had a big part in that.
The Jolie Pitt kids will grow up more empathetic than most people period.
Shannon, that is so wonderful about your mom.
I second what Liberty says. It’s just too awesome for words.
I do not to this day understand why AJ receives such vitrol on other sites. You think she ran over puppies on the highway that hate she receives.
It is like she cannot win for losing.
She showed herself to be more deep than they gave her credit for. She and Brad seem happy/in love raising their children. She has grown up and is the opposite of what they think she is. So they dig up her past or make anything she does negative. Because she can’t be a good person. She has to be what they perceive her to be. Facts be damned.
Even in the past she has revealed to be a deep person. She read complicated books (as one interviewer noted) and her ‘craziness’ was just her struggling to understand herself and the world. One interviewer totally changed his views on her when he spend time with her and went from ‘oh boy she’s nuts’ to ending with a note of admiration.
People wouldn’t know these things unless they dig up older interviews so the only thing that is stuck in their brains is the ‘crazy’ Jolie who ‘stole’ a man. Her narrative has been written over a decade ago just like Taylor’s, Monroe’s and all the other iconic famous people’s narrative.
At the end of the day, that narrative has helped establish her Moviestar image so it’s both a gift and a curse. Without her past, she wouldn’t have been as interesting. There are enough pretty faces like hers, her seemingly authentic past is what makes her unique and the others mere copycats.
Ohh it is because she supposedly stole America’s sweetheart’s husband – this despite all of the people involved (Angelina, Brad, Jennifer and 3 of Jennifer’s best friends) confirmed that no cheating took place.
The more their idol Jennifer fails in her career and personal life – the more hatred these people gets for Angelina and Brad.
These people go on and go about how the karma will take care of Angelina and that Brad will leave her, 6 children will grow up and will write a mummy dearest, career going downhill etc.
Well Brad and Angelina seem to be happily married and genuinely in love, 6 wonderful children, award winning career.
As I mentioned – the more success and admiration and respect Angelina gets – the more hatred her haters get towards her.
I think there are strong “haters” of AJ — as there are in any fandom or anti-fandom, people who are just irrational — and then there are people who mostly follow celebrity gossip but never read about AJ’s or BP’s work on behalf of refugees or other groups in desperate need. So the only information they have to judge AJ on is whatever last week’s tabloids were saying about her vs. whatever they were saying about Aniston (basically). They never get the “other” side of the Jolie-Pitts. I am on Celebitchy mostly because this site includes posts about AJ and BP’s non-Hollywood work, which I think is their most important work (and I would guess they think so, too!).
anyone who brings attention to the harsh reality of life away from hw deserves kudos. and from what i fathom abt shiloh is that she is pretty much her own person – what other kid wd even think abt going to these places? so at least that is something
My Lady!
If interested here is a video of the press conference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md4fSPn9kto
Very well done, Angelina. I have to say Angie and Brad seem to be amazing parents, so much better than those celebrities which plan exagerate and expensive parties for their kids’ “sweet sixteen”.
EXACTLY- heck, there are 30, 40, 50+ year olds throwing themselves giant, PR guest list released (filled with Z listers pretending to be A listers) birthday parties- what are kids supposed to strive for when the adults are so shallow & needy? Adults, many of them parents, are on social media and instagramming their every narcissistic move, competing with their kids for “followers” (yikes), etc. And it’s not just the Kardashians. Yes, people have the right to spend their money/time how they see fit, but it shouldn’t be confusing to adults when kids turn out to be as shallow as these self-obsessed adults. Kudos to Brad & Angelina for trying to show their kids a different path.
Angie truly inspires me not to give up, to keep trying to make my little part of the world better, even if just a little. Between this item and what i’ve been reading this morning about people coming together in Charleston, the amazing and humbling willingness to forgive in the face of hate – the refusal to give in to despair– things like this keep me going.
Likewise. I try but often it never feels like it amounts to much. I still keep doing what I can though.
Such a truly kind woman teaching her children to hold dear the same values. I wish her all the best and am glad she has used her fame to bring attention to refugees’ plight.
I don’t think I would phrase it as ‘lucky’ as it has nothing to do with it. It has a negative connotation like I’m better/worthy so I have good luck! I would say their only difference are tier circumstances.
This is amazing. I’m so glad she bring awareness to her children by showing them the injustice in the world!
Awesome, outstanding, mega applause!
I’m not so sure wether its a good idea to take your daughter with you, but I admire her passion and work.
Just love Angelina!