Zahara Jolie-Pitt visits birth country with trip to Ethiopia
September 15, 2009 by Sherry
The other day, Angelina Jolie visited Dadaab, a refugee camp on the Kenya-Somalia border to do some humanitarian work for the UNHCR, but the trip to Africa was a personal pilgrimage as well.
After the camp visit, Angelina flew to Ethiopia with Zahara and Shiloh, marking the first time that Zahara has been back to the country of her birth since her adoption in 2005. Both Brad and Angelina have always said they wish to maintain connections to their children’s birth countries, helping them to remain aware of their cultural backgrounds.
While they were in Ethiopia, Angelina was looking for a good location for a TB clinic which will be built in Zahara’s name, much like the clinic named for Maddox.
Angelina, Zahara, and Shiloh were in Ethiopia for two days and during that time Brad Pitt remained in Kenya with Maddox, Pax, Knox, and Vivienne. People.com sources a quote saying, “The family has been having a wonderful time. The children are having so much fun.”
I love that Angelina was able to bring her family with her to Africa. Some of her work locations with the UNHCR are dangerous and she’s not able to bring the kids, so I’m glad this time was different. It’s such a great way to keep the kids immersed in the importance of charity, activism, and empathy for those in need.
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I really respect them for keeping the family together the way they do and to give their children such meaningful experiences all while doing good work themselves. I get the feeling they are all enjoying their time together as a family without long separations. Africa is a special place for them, so it is great that all of the family has now been there.
I find it so very interesting that the most sought after couple and their entire family travelled without one single photograph. They have really found ways to do things without any knowledge until after the fact. It proves that they probably have taken the twins out many, many times. They just do it carefully without any paparazzi around. Brad has radar, so he always knows. Great story, thanks.
Nice to be back with the Pittwatchers. My computer has been down for the last month. And its especially nice to see the Jolie-Pitts doing their thing. The world is a better place because of this family. God bless the JPs.
Nice for them that they can get away. Bad for us no pics!!!!
It is so nice that this family always goes back to where their children were born. It would not surprise me that they will take Pax back to his country next year. I wonder if while they were there if there was any thoughts of adding another child to their family. I agree with most of the Pittwatcher’s that 6 is alot of children and alot of work, but I think that Brad and Angie will adopt another child soon. I also would love to see pictures of Knox and Vivi.
The Jolie-Pitt family give the world its feel-good factor!! People need good and honourable role models. It’s a great piece of news; thanks Sherry!
My girl Angie is God sent and so is Brad. They both compliment each other. Their six children are blessed to have them as parents. May God continue blessing all the endeavors of this amazing couple. Keep up the good work Angie and Brad. Love yoy
When I read UNHCR’s anouncement of Angie’s vist to Kenya I supposed she might drop in Ethiopia to check their project on the way back to France.
http://www.cambodianhealthcommittee.org/news_graftarchitects.html
I even thought she might check her projects in Kenya. One is skill traing project for Kenyan children who could not have opportunity of attending school because of poverty. Another one is an educational program for refugee girls from Sudan.
But never thought whole family was in Kenya. Kenya was the place Brad made a sand castle with Maddox( and showed him their future house). Angie later said their making sand castle in Kenya is ‘forever’ thing.
So nice to know that the whole Jolie-Pitt family are in Kenya, that’s an opportunity for the children to see & learn what their parents are doing, at their early age, that will last forever & they will also in the future, will follow their parents’ footsteps helping others & do good things to mankind.What a lovely & kind hearted people Brad & Angie. They are good role models to others. God bless them.
I`m so proud of them!!! I`m proud to be a fan.
The girls do spend a lot of time together and I’m glad the whole family is in Kenya. Here, in my country, Romania, rumor has it that Angie will attend in Bucharest, the capital, a charitable event regarding child sexual abuse. This morning, because here is 9 am, all the news channels were saying that Angie’s PR had confirmed her presence here. The event will take place at the end of october. I hope this is true but you cannot trust the media, still it might be possible. They said that she’ll stay only for 2 days and that Brad and the family will not be here. And that is very likely to happen because if they are in France, and if they will be in France by that time they will not be apart for too long, because the flight from France to Romania is only about 3 hours long. I sure hope this is true and maybe, maybe I will have the opportunity to see her just a little bit. Have a very nice day Jolie-Pitt fans.
Mary Ann- I was just thinking the same thing! I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they did some adoption business in Ethiopia as well (obviously they didn’t finalize an adoption or actually adopt a child yet, as there’s virtually no way they could have done that without the media finding out. Plus, they usually announce it when they’re adopting again.). Maddox, from what Angie has said, was quite involved in the process when they adopted Pax, so I can easily see them involving Zahara this time around (assuming they are indeed adopting an African sibling for her).
I’ve speculated a few times this year that J-P kid number 7 will be adopted around November of this year. It’ll be interesting to see whether that prediction might just turn out to be correct!
All of that said, I love that Zee and Shi seem to go a lot of places together. I’ll bet they’re very close!
Oh, and this just makes me laugh at the tabs once again. Generally, couples who have just seperate don’t go traveling together!
UNDER MOD- Agreeing with Mary Ann, and some other thoughts.
Oh, and I have to admit that I’m hoping that we’ll get to see some pictures of Zahara and Shiloh in Ethiopia in a day or two (all of this did, apparently, just happen over the weekend, so it’s possible pictures of the outing exist, but just haven’t been released yet). Also, I, too, want to see Knox and Viv again!
Speaking of which, I agree with Mary’s comment about how they’ve probably taken Knox and Viv out several times. Likewise, they probably also took Shiloh out more often than we knew about when she was a baby and a young toddler!
Thanks for this story, Sherry! I had a feeling that the whole family could be in Kenya and it turned out to be right. Now the rags will be once and for all proven wrong. IF Knox and Viv were nearly as sickly as they (=rags) made them to be why on earth would Angie and Brad be taking them to Kenya or France or anywhere outside the US? This trip to Kenya proves that they´re perfectly healthy little toddlers. It was beautiful thing that Angie took Zahara and Shiloh to Ethiopia. This was Zee´s first trip to her native country. It must have been quite a beautiful experience for her. After all she was just 6 months old when her mum (and dad) adopted her. She has no recollections of Ethiopia. Hopefully Brad and Angie will take her there more often now in the future. Maybe they will take Pax back to Vietnam one of these days so that he can visit his home country. Mary & joliepittfanatic – I agree with both of you. I´m pretty certain that Angie and Brad have taken Knox and Viv out several times but we just haven´t got pics of those outings. And I really appreciate it. As much as I want to see new pics of those two cutie pies it´s only right that their mum and dad are protecting them as much as possible. We´ll see plenty of pics of them later. Still wish that some pics come out really soon. They must have grown really much since last January when they were last seen at Narita Airport in Tokyo. God bless the JPs 4ever!
they’ve taken the twins out but we see no pics of them! nice to hear! it means their enjoying everything with just themselves.. having quality time together..
thanks!
and i really admire Angie and Brad for retaining the culture of their kids.. Pax still know his Vietnamese and Madz still know his Khmer and Zee! for the first time she’s back again in her birth country.. Angie and Brad are not selfish with information about their kids.. they know that it’s important to let them know who they are and where they came from.. i just love them so much!
off-topic.. Angie won the Guinness World Record 2010 edition for the “Most Powerful Actress”! this is her second year! yehey! last year she also won with Brad being the “Most Powerful Actor”.. but this year edition, sadly Brad didn’t won.. the record goes to – i think he deserve this too – Johnny Depp!
congrats! Love the JP’s so much! God Bless them more!
read the full article on this site..
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS70781+14-Sep-2009+PRN20090914
OT
http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2009…t_18534431.htm
Survey: Angelina Jolie is China’s most loved int’l star
Who are China’s most loved international stars? Global Talents, a magazine based in Beijing, purports to have the answer.
The magazine conducted a public image survey of 500 artists from the US, Britain, France, Japan and South Korea earlier this year, in terms of their morality, professional achievement, public behavior, social influence and commercial value. About 573,409 Chinese people at home and abroad were surveyed through questionnaires, online talks and telephone interviews.
Angelina Jolie has the best public image, while her partner Brad Pitt ranks 13th. The late Michael Jackson is believed to have had the highest commercial value. Sharon Stone, who said the Sichuan earthquake in 2008 was karma, scored the least.
It is the first survey on the popularity of international stars in China.
(China Daily September 16, 2009)
Oh Sunny, that’s sweet to know re your post:
“…But never thought whole family was in Kenya. Kenya was the place Brad made a sand castle with Maddox( and showed him their future house). Angie later said their making sand castle in Kenya is ‘forever’ thing.”
This is the first time I’ve heard about this. I mean, the sand castle making is “forever” thing! How I wish I could read an article or link regarding this.
OT
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32801672/ns/entertainment-movies/
Can ‘it girl’ Megan Fox actually act?
‘Jennifer’s Body’ star is compared to Jolie but doesn’t have her talent
By Tony Sclafani
msnbc.com contributor
updated 11:45 a.m. PT, Tues., Sept . 15, 2009
……Hot or not
Fox seems to like to draw comparisons with Angelina Jolie, by copping elements of Jolie’s style, such as the many tattoos. But style is where the comparisons begin and end. Jolie was an actress who became a tabloid fixture. Fox is a tabloid fixture who hasn’t yet earned her stripes as a serious actress.
Before Jolie developed the “Tomb Raider” tough girl persona Fox seemed to draw from in her “Transformers” role, she won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her turn in the 1999 drama “Girl, Interrupted.” A year before that, she wowed critics and audiences with her gritty portrayal of doomed supermodel Gia Carangi in the TV biopic “Gia.”
Playing tough in “Tomb Raider” was just one element of Jolie’s acting style. Since her personal life has started to draw more attention than her acting in the past few years, people tend to forget how much range and skill she had as an actor.
………As previously noted, Jolie’s talent provided the springboard for her hype. Fox’s talent seems to be in generating hype itself. This is why she’s becoming known more for the continuous stream of outrageous things she says in interviews than for any of her on-screen work.
There’s an old saying that goes “Looks get you in the door — personality makes sure you stay.” Fox’s looks have obviously opened a lot of doors for her. But unless she shows she can be a compelling on-screen personality, she’ll stay around only until the next “it girl” with a hot body arrives.
Good morning everyone just checking if they have pictures of the family in Kenya. God bless this beautiful family.
Much as I love that people are in awe with Angie going to kenya and finding a case of cholera makes me sad at how much all of yu still dont realise the extent of some humans suffering in africa. Look at Zimbabwe we dont need an international star coming over to saythings about cholera we have had close to 3 000 – 4000 deaths of cholera last year only and even now we are about to experience another outbreaak of cholera. What can we call it. Yes Zimbabwe is a beautiful country etc but look at the polictics that have reduced people who leave in houses and huts shelters dying of cholera all because of a situation gone wrong and very wrong indeed. The raining seasons are about to approach us but nothing substantial has been completely done still burst water pipes fresh water in the roads sewage and dumping areas not corrected. We not in war but for us what do we call it. I admire everything that Ange and Brad do. But please people when you write on this site dont be so in awe about the things she does she is bringing media attention to the most critical but what about us the ordinary Humantarians that work 24hrs 7days a week without recognition. Pray for all of and thanks to Ange for showing the world that africa is in dire straits.
Wonder if Angie took Zee to the orphanage she was adopted from? If she did it must have been quite a memorable experience to those people who work there. Maybe some of those people worked there when Zee was there as a little baby. IF they visited the orphanage those workers there sure were amazed how much Zahara has changed. That little, sick baby girl has turned out to be a beautiful, healthy 4-year-old young lady. It´s great that Brad and Angie want Mad, Pax and Zee to have a connection to their native countries and cultures. Maybe when Shi is a little bit older the whole family will visit Namibia because she was born there. The twins will always have a connection to France since the family spends so much time at Miraval. But all those children are also Americans just like Angie has mentioned many times. They all have American passports and speak English as their main language. Still Mad also has a Cambodian passport, Pax Vietnamese, Zee Ethiopian, Shi Namibian and the twins French passports too. God bless the JPs!
micheliky – I get what you’re saying but you’re kind of preaching to the choir here. Of course we’re aware that there are other places in need, and it doesn’t mean anyone is oblivious to that just because we’re admiring that Angelina visited Kenya. She goes where the UN sends her and there will always be another place that is worse and in need of more help. It comes to a point where you can’t win, if she’s helping people in Kenya someone will say “well what about the people in [insert country here]?” She’s helping, that’s the point. And if you read her book that details her first missions with UNHCR, she is very clearly in awe of the people who work there all day every day with the refugees.
She’s bringing attention to people who need it and that should be applauded. Maybe next time it will be Zimbabwe, who knows? But like I said, she doesn’t just hop on a plane and visit, it’s work she’s doing with the UN so it’s where they send her. Does the UNHCR have any camps they’re involved with in Zimbabwe? If they do, then she’ll probably get there eventually.
As someone who is very interested in the UNHCR’s work, I personally have so much admiration for their workers and wish that I had done something like that when I was younger, before having kids.
In my opinion, AJ is being admired not necessarily because she’s helping a particular place. It is the ACT OF HELPING that the public is praising her. Her efforts, time & resources are appreciated every time she goes to unfortunate places (not just one). And this act is worth emulating.
Sure, not every place has the same level of needs if we compare it to another place. However, a HELP is a HELP regardless of what country or race.
Besides, AJ considers herself a CITIZEN OF THE WORLD. She gives assistance to wherever place she is brought to, especially in her capacity as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. As what she said, “I am the kind of person who doesn’t recognize borders. I don’t understand why we think it is okay to keep someone within one border when they are unable to feed their family when they could be getting help somewhere else. I don’t see people as different so I don’t understand the idea of borders in this world.”
Sherry I agree you, why praise and condem at the same time. Angie cares about the workers in the field too she expresses that all the time, but we do know about Angie because she is high profile, we also appreciate the workers in the field for doing what they do.
She adopt and bring attention to Africa, some don’t even know where Africa is or even care. Angie open a lot of eyes and will continue to do so for along time. She work with the UN not on her own.
OT
http://www.ahlanlive.com/14918-emmy-special—giulianas-red-carpet-predictions
After six years working the red carpet for the hottest events on the showbiz calendar – including the Oscars, the Emmys, and the VMAs – E! host GIULIANA RANCIC is on first name terms with the biggest stars in Hollywood. From George Clooney (“an absolute gentleman”) to “idol” Oprah, you’re nobody in T’town, unless your fashion credentials have been assessed by the style savvy host on the red carpet. We cornered the 35-year-old during preparation for next weekend’s Emmy’s to get her style predictions for the stars…
Who’s the best dressed celeb you’ve ever seen on the red carpet?
“The best dressed I’ve ever seen is Angelina Jolie. She always looks great…her style. She always looks amazing. Nicole Kidman is another one who looks so elegant. Kate Bosworth has a real classic, simple and elegant style. Helen Mirren too. For an older women, she is the best dress over 60 on the red carpet.”
Thank you Sherry, Sunny, Kimmy, & Neer for the latest JP articles. I’m glad to see the family is able to enjoy their stay in Africa without the paparazzi on their tail.
Christy – I totally agree!!!
I love the fact that Brad and Angie want their adopted kids to meet their birth countries and learn about their culture!So now it was Zahara’s time to visit her’s!And Shiloh wes there too!!!They must be very close to each other!And of course with their other brothers and sister too!I hope they had a wonderful time!!!
Thanks for the info Sherry!!!
Off topic but I saw this tonight on tv, Family Feud Hollywood look alike, one of the contestants really look like Angie. She is so pretty.I hope, Angie can join Brad in Spain for the premiere if IB. God bless them.
Okay, this is going off the subject just a bit, but….A few of us mentioned how they probably take the twins out even though we don’t see them. That made me remember something that I’ve been thinking about for awhile. Why is it that we haven’t seen Knox and Viv since January?
This isn’t a critcism of the J-Ps by any means. I’m just wondering why they’ve been keeping the twins even more under wraps than they kept Shiloh when she was younger? I mean, people used to complain that we never saw Shiloh, but we actually saw a lot of her right before and after her first birthday (on walks with Angie, Brad, and Z, playing in Prague, on the CCOBB set with Brad, getting on and off planes with the rest of the family, etc.). Yet we only saw the twins once in their first year of life (not counting their first photos in PEOPLE or the photos in W, in which we couldn’t even see their faces.).
Anyone have any idea why this might be? Again, I’m not criticizng Angie and Brad. I’m just honestly curious.
joliepittfanatic – honestly speaking i’m beginning to get curious to as of WHY they haven’t shown the twins yet, but i don’t blame Angie or Brad for not showing the twins to the public. and we saw them before they became a year older, when the JP’s went to Japan. i think they just wanted keep them for awhile since we all know that when Shiloh turned a year older and they went out with her, the public (special mention to the papz and tabloids) went wacko for this! about them selling her first baby pics at the highest bidder.. you know stuff like that.. and papz tend to stuck their cameras on the face of the kids and it scares them a lot. maybe their avoiding this, or maybe their taking the twins out now but no pics of them.. we know that they are good at moving to places w/o us noticing them.. like now, we thought their just in France, but next thing we know their in Africa..
Back in July there were sightings of the twins at their 1 yr checkup Access Hollywood and Life And Syle mentioned it . The article said Angie was holding the twins while Brad held hands with the other kids sans Mad. I’m glad they haven’t had to deal with screaming paps.
This picture isn’t brand new, right?
yoco- I remember hearing that, too. Brad was actually carrying Zahara, and Shiloh was walking beside Angie. There was no mention of where Pax was in the group, just that he was there.
Anyway, I know they’ve taken the twins out since January. I’m just referring to the fact that they’ve been apparently avoiding the paps with them since January.
joliepittfanatic – I´m also kind of curious to know as why Brad and Angie haven´t brought the twins out more often now that they´re over 1-year-old. They sure have their reasons. As much as all of us JP fans would love to see new pics of Knox and Viv I also respect their choice for keeping them out of public eye. And those reasons have nothing to do with their “poor” health. Angie has told many times that both Knox and Viv are perfectly healthy little toddlers and I rather tend to believe her than some stupid rags. As parents Brad and Angie know about their children´s health better than some stupid rags. Since Knox and Viv are twins it means that when they finally bring them into public eye the amount of paparazzis and fans will be double. Everyone will want to know what they look like and how they´ve developed. It´s a great thing that the whole family is keeping low profile at the moment and enjoying their time in France. God bless the JPs 4ever!
Something else I’ve been wondering about, and forgot to post earlier…Why did Angie and Brad wait so long before bringing Zahara back to Ethiopia (Pax hasn’t been back to Vietnam either, that we know of, but that I understand. After all, it’s been just over two years since his adoption, and he was already 3 when he was adopted. Therefore, it’s probably a bit too soon for him to go back to visit, if that makes any sense.)? I mean, if I’m remembering correctly, Maddox has been going on visits to Cambodia since he was a toddler (in fact, I believe he and Angie actually lived in Cambodia for a little while, in a house in the jungle).
So why did they wait until Zee was 4 to bring her back to her birth country? Again, not critcizing, just curious.
joliepittfanantic – I´m also curious to know why Angie waited this long before taking Zahara visit Ethiopia. She sure had her reasons. Maybe she wanted to wait until the younger children (Shiloh and now the twins) are a little bit older. Also her and Brad´s busy working schedules may have been another reason. There could be many other reasons too but these are the ones that come to my mind. And one could always speculate with many other reasons. Still it´s great that she took Zee to Ethiopia now. Maybe Angie thought that now Zahara is old enough to visit her home country and really appreciate her true identity. She sure has asked many questions about her origins during these years and now she got some answers. It´s also great that they (Angie and Zee) took Shiloh with them to this memorable trip.
hi Sherry
Thanks for bringing me into focus . We get there when things are hopeless but please here me out Angelina is my number one Favourite Actress and no one can beat that for me. I love her family and everything she does so. I with her all the way through.
by the way why doesnt anyone one do an update on the pitt and jolies families find out what uncle Haven is up to these days and the kinds aunts and uncles and grand parents etc. After all its the Jolie Pitt watch now and then it wouldnt offend us at all.
I have a question to ask has anyone ever mentioned the similarities of the Closer actress Gina Ravera to Ange. I know she is dark skinned and all but hey no harm in mentioning it