In the filmTomb Raider Angelina Jolie played a young woman adventuring through the jungle in search of priceless antiquities. But while shooting the flick in Cambodia, the actress realized the real treasure was the rainforest itself.
That's why she has pledged a whopping $5 million to set up a wildlife sanctuary in the impoverished nation.
Apart from establishing the reserve, her support will also go towards helping war veterans and amputees, who will be employed there. Many of Cambodia's citizens are still struggling to rebuild their lives after years of civil and international war. An estimated 1.7 million were killed under the reign of the Maoist Khmer Rouge in the 1970s, and the area where Angelina's reserve is located was controlled by the organisation until just five years ago.
The charity Cambodian Vision in Development says they have already received the first payment of $350,000 and the project is now underway. "This is a great opportunity for us to restore deforested areas and protect wildlife," said a spokesman.
Angelina is already well-known for her humanitarian work and her efforts as a goodwill ambassador for the UN. She also donated £50,000 to a children's hospital in Britain after it treated her adopted son, Maddox, who was born in Cambodia. She will pay the money in instalments over a period of 15 years.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
