20 MAY 2002
Oscar winner Angelina Jolie took time from her latest film to visit a refugee camp in Thailand on Sunday as part of her work as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. During the visit, the new mum, who, along with husband Billy Bob Thornton, adopted a little boy from Cambodia in March, said that her Third World experiences far outshine the bright lights of Hollywood. “My heart’s more here than in the film business,” she told reporters.

The Tomb Raider star flew to Tham Hin camp in a jungle valley 112 miles west of Bangkok by helicopter, and, wearing a traditional embroidered dress given to her by the refugees, distributed footballs to crowds of delighted children. She also donated a TV, video player, sports equipment, and a sarong for each woman in the camp. “I’m always surprised by the people,” says Angelina. “They seem very happy with what little they have. But obviously, as human beings and after what they have been through – they should have more.”

Angelina, who has also visited Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Namibia with the UN High Commission For Refugees, says she often thinks of adding more children to her growing family during her travels. “I would love to adopt another child, from wherever there is a need,” she says. “My husband’s nervous every time I go to another country. For me it makes perfect sense to go to an orphanage and find a child that needs a home.”

The star is currently in Thailand filming Beyond Borders, the story about a volunteer doctor working in Cambodian and African refugee camps. “Having been to these camps, I’ve never been so nervous that a film does justice to the people involved,” she says.