Actress Angelina Jolie, who is also a UN Special Envoy and Goodwill Ambassador, has announced that she has opened an all-girls primary school outside of war-torn Kabul, Afghanistan. The school educates between 200 and 300 Afghan girls, many of them refugees whose homes and villages have been destroyed in the years since the Taliban regime came to power. But now that the Taliban’s stronghold over the country has collapsed, people are hoping to resume normal life. Getting kids back to school every day is one way to do just that.
To fund this venture, Jolie is releasing a personal jewelry collection, designed alongside jeweler Robert Procop, for sale to the public beginning in April through Kansas City-based, high-end jewelry shop, Tivol. A full 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Jolie’s newly-created foundation, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. Co-Chaired by Jolie and Gene Sperling, Director of The Center for Universal Education at the Council on Foreign Relations, the foundation will oversee and distribute all funds.
“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 said.
“We launched this collaborative collection with the intent that 100 percent of the profits will go to charity,” Jolie’s long-time designing partner Procop said. “The beauty of these creations is matched by the beauty of spirit behind Angelina’s most heartfelt mission — to empower children in crisis.”
Tivol is holding a special launch party to drum up awareness of the new collection called Style of Jolie, as well as emphasize where proceeds will go when customers purchase items from the line.
“Tivol, with their historic reputation and dedication to family values is a wonderful retail partner to launch our collection in the U.S.,” Jolie added.
If this business model proves successful, Jolie and actor husband, Brad Pitt, hope to fund more schools and educational initiatives in the places that need them most.
– Jordan N. Hunt