Kyiv – Hollywood star Orlando Bloom (46) visited the Ukraine. On site, the UNICEF ambassador informed himself about the situation of the children in the war-torn country. When meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (44), things got emotional.
Hollywood star Orlando Bloom (46) traveled to Ukraine in his capacity as a UNICEF ambassador. The children’s suffering touches the father of two very much. © Instagram/unesco
Orlando Bloom has been involved with the UN children’s charity UNICEF for years, helping to collect donations and drawing attention to important projects.
Now the actor (“Lord of the Rings”, “Pirates of the Caribbean”) was in Ukraine for a three-day visit, where a tight schedule awaited him.
On the very first day, Bloom went to a subway station in Kiev that had been converted into a kindergarten.
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The father of two talked to educators there, exchanged ideas with parents, played with the little ones and simply listened. It is a place of security, the star then emphasized Instagram and demanded: “The children in Ukraine need their childhood back.”
The next day, Bloom visited a restored school in the town of Irpin, which had been particularly hard hit by war damage, and met with other educators.
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In an underground daycare center in Kiev run by UNICEF, many children can forget the horrors of war for a few hours. © Instagram/unicef
When talking to parents and children: The actor was particularly pleased with the creative offers in the underground daycare center. © Instagram/unicef
Things then got emotional for President Zelensky
On Sunday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyj (44, left) then received Orlando Bloom (46) for talks. It got warm. © Instagram/orlandobloom
The meeting with President Zelenskyj on Sunday then dealt with humanitarian issues and aid projects. Zelenskyj was particularly concerned with the question of how the reconstruction can be successful without losing sight of the needs of the children.
Then it got emotional. The actor read a poem by his spiritual mentor – a Japanese monk – and immediately presented the President with a translation in Ukrainian.
Bloom to Zelenskyj: “You have a strong heart. And I thank you for everything you do.”
Orlando Bloom then met the Ukrainian First Lady Olena Selenska (45). © Instagram/ orlandobloom
The President pointed to the still very difficult situation and stressed that more than 2.7 million school children in his country do not have proper access to education – online education is the sad reality for many Ukrainian children.
Zelenskyy also warned that up to 1.5 million Ukrainian boys and girls could be affected by depression, anxiety and other mental health problems as a result of the war.
It is important to “give back a happy childhood to Ukrainian children,” said Zelenskyy.
Then Orlando Bloom came with First Lady Olena Selenska (45) who has to live in a secret place with her two children.