Orlando Bloom Visits Underprivileged Children in Africa: 'This Is Not Something Any Child Should Experience'

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UNICEF/Tremeau

Orlando Bloom is using his celebrity to raise awareness for underprivileged children in Africa.

The 40-year-old actor and UNICEF ambassador recently returned from a visit to Diffa, Niger, where he spent time with children who have had to leave their homes because of Boko Haram violence.


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"As a father, it is hard for me to imagine how many of these children are caught up in this conflict," Bloom shared in a press release on UNICEF's website. "During my trip, I have heard dreadful stories about children fleeing on foot, leaving everything behind, including the safety of their homes and classroom." 

"It is extremely hard to comprehend this situation when you are not there," he added. "I saw the depth of the pain and suffering these kids are going through. This is not something any child should experience."

"This visit has been extremely moving. Every single child I met is affected by this conflict and in desperate need of basic services such as clean water, psychological care and education to help them recover from the atrocities they have suffered and witnessed," he said. "They deserve a childhood."

Bloom also took to Instagram to share photos of his visit, encouraging fans to make donations to UNICEF to help save these children's lives.


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ET caught up with Bloom at UNICEF's 70th Anniversary Event in December, where he opened up about how his "level of compassion" has grown since welcoming his 5-year-old son with ex-wife Miranda Kerr.

"Being a father, you know, you kind of have a new sense of responsibility," he said.

"I've seen the work that [UNICEF] does to actually make a difference in communities around the world and I couldn't be more honored to be a part of it," he added.


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See more in the video below.

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