A. Angelina Jolie, a well-known Hollywood actress and human rights activist, is recognised not only for her film career but also for her tireless humanitarian efforts. One of her most recent and extraordinary achievements involves protecting wildlife and animals' habitat – the natural environment in which animals or plants usually live. Jolie carried out this project in Cambodia where she bought 610 square kilometres of land. This was the start point of the positive changes for local hunters, as well as for the nature and the wildlife.

B. The region Angelina chose to protect was once one of Asia's most important wildlife reserves. It was home to a wide variety of animals, including rare and endangered species such as tigers, lions, leopards, elephants and migratory birds. The land had splendid forests and rivers. However, years of uncontrolled hunting and exploitation of nature caused a dramatic decline in animal populations. The area, once rich in biodiversity, now faced huge environmental problems. This harmed not only wildlife but also the local communities, who depended on these natural resources for survival and bringing income to their families.

C. Jolie wanted to ban hunting in the region but she didn't want to harm hunters, whose income depended on it. They actually faced poverty and hardship. Instead of simply banning illegal hunting, which would have left local hunters and their families in extreme poverty, Jolie took a completely innovative approach. She decided to transform local hunters into forest rangers who would protect the wildlife in the area. Rather than simply banning hunting, Jolie offered the hunters new opportunities and, therefore, a new way of life.

D. Jolie worked with wildlife experts to provide training for the hunters, teaching them skills that would help them protect the animals they once hunted. This training programme included learning how to patrol and protect forests and stop illegal hunting. Her plan was simple - the men who once hunted, would now become the protectors of the nature. In this way, they would help preserve the environment for future generations. Jolie believed that this idea of giving a new knowledge to former hunters would bring a huge change to their lives. This plan would also protect the diversity of animal species in the area.

E. Jolie didn't just give these men jobs - she helped them understand the importance of conservation and sustainability*. Teaching them how to protect and conserve natural resources was not only a kind act, but also very important for keeping a long-term balance between people, animals and the environment. The former hunters were no longer viewed as enemies of nature, but as its guardians. By educating them, Jolie opened up many possibilities for their future. Their new tasks included protecting endangered species* and saving habitats from being destroyed.

F. In her strong wish to make a difference in peoples' lives, Angelina Jolie follows in her mother's footsteps. Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was more than a celebrity parent. She began her career in Hollywood and worked in television and film. However, a true turning point in her life came when she co-founded the All-Tribes Foundation which donated over 800,000 USD to Native Americans. Marcheline dedicated years of her life to humanitarian projects, including the production of the well-known documentary Trudell, leaving an inspiring path for her daughter to follow. And this is a good example for us to follow as well.

* sustainability: მდგრადი განვითარება   * endangered species: გადაშენების პირას მყოფი სახეობები

This is a personal story told by Ryan Hreljac - a boy who saved half a million Africans from dying of thirst*.

I was born in Canada in 1991. When I was six, my teacher told the class about the difficulties children in Africa faced. Many of them had no clean water, and some even died of thirst. I was shocked. I realised that while I could simply take just ten steps to get water in my classroom, many others couldn't. That contrast moved me to act. I asked my teacher how much it would cost to bring water to Africa. She told me about an organisation called WaterCan, which could drill a well* for 70 dollars. I went home and asked my mother for 70 dollars to build a well for African children. My mother liked the idea and told me that it would be better if I earned the money myself. So, I started doing small jobs to make a few dollars each week. I washed cars, did some housework and asked friends and neighbours for help. After some time, I finally saved 70 dollars and went to WaterCan. However, I was told that the real cost of drilling a well was 2,000 dollars. My mother couldn't afford that much, but I didn't give up and decided to keep working until I could collect the full amount.

In January 1999 my first well was drilled in the village of Akan in northern Uganda, East Africa. The village school and my school began to communicate. We started to send books and other materials to help the children in Uganda. The villagers were very grateful for the well as it brought clean water and improved their health. In 2000 I visited the Ugandan village. I knew life was not easy there – people had very little food, there was no electricity and the roads were terrible; still hundreds of people came to greet me. They sang songs and praised me. I was surprised and asked how they knew my name. The villagers replied: 'Everyone in the area knows you.' This experience showed me how important my work was and what a positive change charity could bring. It also shaped my future path.

Today, at age 35, I'm the founder and director of Ryan's Well Foundation, a charity, which provides clean water, sanitation and hygiene education in developing countries. The Foundation has built more than 1,800 wells and helped over 1.6 million people in 17 countries. This makes us so proud! My motto could be summarised as: 'You don't have to wait to be grown-up to make a difference. Find something you are passionate about, then take steps to act.' I started as a small boy with only a few dollars and a big heart and through determination and hard work I grew my project into an international foundation. I travel a lot, speak to schools and encourage young people to take action. I hope that my story shows what I believe in - one person can make a difference! I'm also trying to prove that age does not matter when it comes to helping others. People often tell me that I'm a role model for children and adults around the world. I feel happy that my efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally. I've received many awards for my work, including the Canada's Volunteer Award – Emerging Leader, and Planet Africa Nelson Mandela Humanitarian Award. All this motivates me even more to keep doing things that make people's lives better.

* thirst: წყურვილი   * well: ჭა