Angelina Jolie opens all-girls school in Afghanistan

Started by NBCNews, Apr 02, 2013, 01:30 PM

NBCNews

By Melanie Bromley, E! OnlineAFP - Getty ImagesAngelina Jolie in Kigali, Rwanda, on March 26, 2013Angelina Jolie's big heart has made an even bigger difference: The UNHCR Goodwill  ambassador exclusively confirms to E! News that she has opened a school  in Afghanistan. Jolie chose to fund the girls-only primary school  in an area just outside of Kabul, a region that traditionally favors  boys' education over girls'.

Angelina picked the village as the  site of the school due to its high refugee population — regional fighting  caused many locals to flee when their homes were destroyed, but since  the collapse of the Taliban regime, families are slowly starting to  return to the once-devastated area.)

More from E!: Angelina Jolie visits Congo rescue camp—see the Oscar winner in action

The school itself currently educates between 200 and 300 girls and  has already proven to have a huge impact on the local community.

Meanwhile,  Jolie's not stopping there, and already has plans to open other similar  institutions, vowing that this will be just the first of many. As for  how Brad Pitt's fiancée is bankrolling her goodwill gesture, Jolie is releasing her personally designed jewelry collection,  the Style of Jolie, to retail stores for the first time. She will use  the profits from the line's no doubt hefty sales to build even more  schools around the world.UNHCR"Beyond enjoying the artistic satisfaction of designing these  jewels, we are inspired by knowing our work is also serving the mutual  goal of providing for children in need," Jolie told E! News exclusively.

And  how can you get your hands on the Jolie-designed range? The newly  expanded collection will go on sale this week. And 100 (yes, 100)  percent of the profits will go towards Jolie's new foundation, The  Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.  

Follow @TODAY_ent  More from E!: Angelina Jolie sets the record straight on those rumors she secretly married Brad Pitt

Jolie and her long-term jewelry designer, Robert Procop, have spent years collaborating on the collection.

"We  launched this collaborative collection with the intent that 100 percent  of the profits will go to charity," Procop said. "The intention was to  create something beautiful but more importantly to provide children an  opportunity to have an education.

"The beauty of these creations is matched by the beauty of spirit  behind Angelina's most heartfelt mission—to empower children in crisis.  The first funds from our collaboration together have been dedicated to  the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict and we have recently  completed a school in Afghanistan.

More from E!: Angelina Jolie is one of many celebs who've given back—check out these other big-hearted stars

"For me it's an honor to have the opportunity to be a part of  creating this line with Angie, as we both believe every child has a  right to an education."

Many of the pieces in the collection are based on a unique design Jolie  created for a necklace she gifted to Pitt—a historic tablet shape. As  for the rest of the line, Angelina spent countless hours exploring  coloring, gemstones and different shapes she was drawn to.

More from E!: Angelina Jolie touches down in L.A. See the golden ring that sparked a million rumors!

"These designs are timeless; they reflect her chic sense of style and  also feminine strength," Kam Heskin, the spokesman for the Robert  Procop Design Studio, told E! News. "There are so many pieces that make  this collection beautiful and unique."

The Style of Jolie will be available exclusively in Tivol, a  Kansas City jeweler. Tivol will be holding a special event to launch the  collection this Wednesday.

"Tivol, with their historic reputation  and dedication to family values is a wonderful retail partner to launch  our collection in the U.S.," Jolie told E! News.

"Tivol is a  quality company known for carrying high-end jewelry brands that has been  family-owned for several generations," Procop added. "The Tivol family  has been so gracious and instrumental in planning this event."

Related content:

More in Entertainment:


 

NBC News