Angelina Jolie slipped away on Grammy Weekend – because why would she attend the Grammys?! – with all of her children, apparently. Jolie took her kids to France, and then she took Zahara and Shiloh to a refugee camp in Jordan. Jordan has taken in thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of refugees from Syria and Iraq over the past 15 years or so. The Zataari refugee camp is populated with Syrian refugees. Shiloh has spent time in refugee camps with her mom before, but this was Zahara’s first visit. Jolie has said in the past that she talks to her kids about her work with the UNHCR, and that they are curious about all of it, and she tries to find opportunities to expose them to life beyond their cloistered Hollywood environment. So while some parents would balk at bringing a 13-year-old and an 11-year-old to a refugee camp, I have faith that Zahara and Shiloh were there because they wanted to be there, and that Angelina prepped them about what to expect and how to behave.
Angelina Jolie is passing on her passion for humanitarian work to the next generation of her family. The actress was joined by daughters Zahara, 13, and Shiloh, 11, during a UNHCR trip to the Zataari refugee camp in Jordan on Sunday. There, they met with Syrians who fled the violence of the ongoing civil war in the country, including girls around Jolie’s daughters’ ages who were part of the TIGER (These Inspiring Girls Enjoy Reading) project, which focuses on education and empowerment even in displacement. The trip was Shiloh’s third visit to a refugee camp and the first for Zahara.
One girl told Jolie and her daughters, “We believe if the adults can make peace now, we young women will build on that peace and help.”
The project, in partnership with International Relief and Development, is designed to fight the epidemic of refugees dropping out of school, with only 20 percent completing a secondary school education. TIGER works with Syrian female coaches to help the girls build confidence. Girls at the Zataari refugee camp wrote their dreams on small pieces of paper, which they put in balloons and released. One said, “I want to be one of the balloons outside of the box.”
Jolie, 42, spoke to the refugees about how they inspired her and gave her hope.
“After seven years of war, most Syrian refugees have exhausted any savings they had. The vast majority of them already live below the poverty line, on less than three dollars a day. Imagine what that would mean for your family,” she said in a speech. “Here, it means families going without sufficient food; children unable to get medical treatment; young girls vulnerable to early marriage; and many Syrians facing their seventh winter without proper shelter.” The actress added, “Humanitarian aid is not a long-term solution. And to be clear, no one wants to get off aid relief more than Syrian families.”
“For such an educated, capable people, it is soul-destroying to be made this dependent. So I would urge the Security Council members to come to the region, to visit the camps and the urban refugees, and find a way to finally bring the full weight of the UN and international community to bear to solve this conflict.”
Jolie’s daughters asked to join her on the trip. Their siblings, 9-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, stayed in France with their big brothers, Maddox, 16, and Pax, 14. They will spend time in Europe together when Jolie, Zahara and Shiloh return from Jordan.
The TIGER program sounds interesting – one of the things Jolie has been concerned about for years – and to be clear, she’s not the only one – is what happens to the children who are now growing up in refugee camps around the world. How are they educated? How are they given any sense of stability?
Also: where are they staying in France? Brad is selling the chateau, right? Are they staying at Miraval?
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Thanks for the encouraging words Angie but the world is gone to shite and there is little to no help for people or countries that are considered poor or third world. The other countries and people just DO NOT CARE and it is all political now. WIll there ever be a solution: No I don’t think so.
Did anyone see the pic of Shi on this trip. A side profile where she is her mothers twin. I’m seriously wanting her to do a remake of Tomb Raider when she is old enough.
I saw only this pic of Shiloh and is totally unreal how much she looks like Angie, at first I tought it was photoshop.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BegUZlunia8/
Kaiser, the last I heard THEY are not selling the property but keeping it as investment for their kids. It’s a joint property and Brad can’t sell it. I am surprised that you would imply he makes all the decisions as if she doesn’t matter.
RESPECT.
+1
Since issuing Trump’s executive order in October, the US has taken in two Syrian refugees. Two. Out of five million.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/01/there-are-more-than-5-million-syrian-refugees-the-trump-administration-has-admitted-2-of-them/
The US has had an abysmal history of accepting refugees, since before Trump. When you look at the numbers taken in my Pakistan, Turkey, Jordan and now Bangladesh etc – where numbers run into millions – what the US (and Europe) do to help is shockingly little. Especially given that in many cases the people displaced are displaced as a result of Western intervention (not always, obviously).
I’m going to reply to you so people can see this comment up high. I spent 4 months in Jordan and the country is under enormous strain. What we must remember is that they also took Palestinian refugees for generations (many of whom have gone on to be incredibly successful), Iraqi refugees throughout the various wars and now Iraqis and Syrians. They have taken in something like 2.2 million refugees in total and they are a tiny, resource-poor nation. They have the second lowest water reserves in the world and this refugee camp is sitting on top of their largest underground source of water with no proper drainage or real sewerage system in place. The refugees are really struggling but Jordan is doing their best by them. They have committed to ensuring that all the children continue to receive educations in the camps so that there isn’t a “missing generation”. What Jordan needs is business and investment. Their borders with Syria and Iraq – two of their biggest trading partners – remain closed. Much international business has slowed or stopped due to a perception that the country is not safe. It is safe and secure. I never once felt unsafe in Jordan. We all need to do business with them and invest in them – help boost their economy and in doing so help the refugees relying on them until they can return to their own country (which they most definitely want to do). The Levant region is a beautiful, wonderful place. It has much to offer in terms of tourism and business. It needs international support if it is ever to stabilise – and if an incredibly important stabilising force like Jordan is to remain stable.
My admiration towards Angelina has no bounds. I applaud her for showing her children that there is a world out there behind their gated community. To show them that what a privilege they have. We need more compassion,empathetic and a global responsibility thinking people, especially now.
agree, I am reading a book about the Bosnian conflict and the ethnic cleansing of the Bosniaks and Croats and remember seeing it in the news when I was young. It did not impact me then because I was in my own secure, happy world and could not relate to it. I believe that you need to open your eyes to the suffering in the world to understand and help those in need. I think that is what Angie is doing with her children, showing them a world beyond their secure privileged life. Empathy is just as important as math and science. Some of our current leaders should have been taught it.
What I find interesting is that she always looks the happiest, the most comfortable when she’s doing this work as opposed to being on the red carpet. People have doubted her motivations for taking on this work for a long time, but seeing her interact with people, especially kids, makes me believe that she is very genuine in her efforts.
Beautifully stated, AIMS.
When I was their age, I was in school every day with my friends, learning math, history, science, etc. These girls are lucky to see so many interesting things around the world, but going to school, not moving to different houses so often, and only taking these trips during summer vacation might be a better way to grow up
The kids likely have tutors that travel with them. Stability isn’t always a house, but consistency and loving parents and extended family. Military families move around a lot and they’re just fine. These kids will likely be okay.
Former military kid here: agree!
Military kids still have a stable home and schedule. Do you legit think fathers’ are taking their children to base instead of being in school? LMFAO
Andrea, are you really not familiar with the concept of “military brats?” It’s pretty common knowledge that many people in the military move often. No one is saying the kids are going to work with them, but non-combat assignments usually take them to many different cities, states, and even countries to live for relatively short periods of time. The Jolie-Pitt kids have home bases that don’t change.
She looks good here… I like her better with no fillers in her cheeks and minimal makeup
@fff
Please. Enough with the nonsense. I’d like to see this ‘filler faced’ Angelina. Are you getting get confused with swollen faced Aniston?
Angelina has a broad, wide face not unlike her Dad’s – which is why she still has a wide faced look despite being slender. Give it up lady. Accept reality. She’s a beauty, and she’s not effing with her face. Sorry that fact infuriates the usual suspects.
Now back to focusing on what is truly important, her good works, paying it forward, making the world better not worse (like some) and setting amazing examples for her kids. We all should try to follow her example. You first.
What the hell does Aniston have to do with this?
It’s going on 14 years.
Very creepy.
Lol the fact that your 20th name Is Letitgo is hysterical.The irony is off the charts.
You know they all get fillers,right?
Jen,brad,Angie,etc.
Sometimes I think some of these posters are straight up trolling.Smh.
One thing Jolie is known for, is NOT having fillers in her face because people are always saying how gaunt she looks. I don’t think she has ever, even once, had a filler in her face. Ever. She could do with it though.
Jordan has taken in over a million refugees officially and by some estimates up to 2 million.
I feel for these girls. They are so brave and have faith in the “adults” while the same adults are financing a war, and are also interested in keeping it going for the profit of just a few, to me it’s outrageous.
She continues to bring awareness to these poor victims of wars and she deserves to be applauded.
I love the fact that the children are soo involved in her humanitarian work and that are there by choice.
Angelina was also in Paris for the new release of Mon Guerlain – the previous divine so hopefully this second will be good.
PS: Brad & Angelina co owns the Chateau and it was never confirmed they were going to sell it. I still think they will keep it for their children.
I appreciate that she’s exposing her kids to sadness and reality, but to what end? Those kids aren’t stupid; they have figured out that they occupy a rarefied world in which there are no consequences and no material pain ever. It’s borderline misery purn.
Hmmm. I think of it more as teaching empathy. It’s an important trait to have, and too easy to miss if we don’t look outside of ourselves and immediate surroundings..
I adore your comment, Bumble!
They each have charitable foundations in their name, so I think she is doing more than just developing empathy. She is preparing them to take up this kind of work as part of their lives, regardless of what they choose to do.
OhDear I think you are right. This all reminds me of my favorite book, Howard’s End by EM Forster, where the elusive Mrs Wilcox says ‘I think, if we could gather all the mothers of the world together, there would be no more war.’
I think she was onto something…
Whomever writes her speeches does a great job. Seriously. Kudos.
Love her!
Seriously, is anyone still buying this bs? Jesus.
lol forreal photo op to the max
15 years she has been doing this for, and she is now a UN Special Envoy, and previously lauded by Nelson Mandela. But I can understand why you NEED to believe it is all a photo op. The truth is too painful to you.
Read this “charming” story about Trump’s government:
Recently the US said that they wanted to establish a permanent US military base in northern Syria. In northern Syria there are lots of kurdish people who want some more independence and territory(ies) both from Syria as well as from southern Turkey. As a consequence of that US statement about a permanent US military base in northern Syria …. Turkey got very nervous in case the US and their northern syrian military base might support the claims of the Kurdish people. As a consequence Turkey did attack the Kurdish people again to weaken them and to drive them farther away from the turkish borders. Now that was so forseeable you really wonder what kind of simpletons do rule the US government nowadays.
The US has reacted and has recently claimed they wanted just ” a small” military base in northern Syria.
Jolie never bothers who is responsible when people have to flee their countries and become refugees, does she?
Yes, I don’t think she can go there (controversy) as she sells NATO policies and wants to keep those flattering UN roles on her resume. She’s sold aggressive NATO and “humanitarian action” (bombing) policies since at least 2011, with the Libya campaign. That’s why I think she should rethink the policies she’s selling, as she’s a big advocate for refugee causes.
Thank you!
Stop slandering humanitarians and talking out of your behind. It’s disgusting.
@Malako
Angelina Jolie is a UN Special Envoy, she doesn’t work for the US government nor is she in the batshite criminal rogue Trump admin. Even you said this just happened “recently,” so how you can even know what she will choose to speak about is baffling. She hasn’t hesitated to diplomatically discuss wrong headed policies and inaction before by her own country- so it’s a leap to just make up a scenario in your own mind that she’d do it regarding this topic.
She’s one woman, she has a high profile and some resources, and she uses them to try and bring awareness and make things better.
She, nor the UN, are not your government. You want change, follow the African American women who voted for the sane person. Don’t vote in nazis.
I think it’s odd she does so many refugee camp visits but also does pr for NATO and humanitarian military intervention, which despite the nice-sounding label is a leading cause of refugee crises. Also she often partners with William Hague, who is a proponent of aggressive military intervention (eg the Iraq War) and the same policies that have destablised the middle east, despite being sold on “liberating/saving the locals.” I’m sure her heart’s in the right place as she spends a lot of her voluntary time on these issues, but she probably needs to reassess whether she’s lending her voice to the right policies.
Why are you conflating her work to end sexual violence during wartime against women and children (calling on NATO to do the heavy lifting when conflict arises in regions makes sense..who else would do it during war? The warring armies? ) with the actual war itself?
Are you saying there is no need for military intervention of a humanitarian nature? Hypothetically, like say a boko haram type rescue?
William Hauge is involved in her UN campaign to end sexual violence during wartime, she’s not involved in whatever else he may be up to, of anything.
Maybe you need to “reassess,” why ending rape and torture of women and girls andnprosecuting sex crimes as war crimes isn’t a “right policy” for you.
I applaud Angie for her humanitarian work and for bringing her daughters with her to the refugee camps. She’s out there trying to help, effect change and raise awareness and visibility to the refugee crisis which is more than a lot of people do.
Whatever. I think she is AMAZING. And I have never been an Angie stan until the last 3 years or so, but damn…this woman…. I don’t even care. I completely love her.