Goodwill in the Land of Smiles

BANGKOK, Thailand (UNHCR) – Braving monsoon showers, UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited the Tham Hin refugee camp in Thailand on May 19. This day-long visit marked her first visit to a refugee camp in Southeast Asia.

Accompanied by the UN refugee agency's Regional Representative, Jahanshah Assadi, she toured the camp and was briefed by the Thai authorities in the camp as well as the refugee committee and refugee elders. She visited the clinic, spoke with medics and health workers and met many refugees.

At the camp school, Jolie was welcomed by a traditional Karen dance performed by refugee children. Later, at a simple ceremony in the school, she donated a television set, video player and generator for educational and vocational training purposes, along with sports equipment. She also donated a sarong to every refugee woman in the camp.

In return, the refugee community presented Jolie with an embroidered traditional ethnic Karen dress, which she wore, much to the delight of the group. Sitting on floor mats, she distributed soccer balls to the throngs of excited children.

news source : http://www.unhcr.org/news/