Tom Hiddleston writes about his UNICEF experience in West Africa

 

As he writes on the UNICEF UK Blog, he explains that the trip has changed his life forever.  He says, "In the west, we take our simplest privileges for granted. Many have said this before me; and many will say it after me. It's still true....I am no saviour. I'm absolutely the last person on the planet who can practically help. I don't know how to make the different types of therapeutic feeding milk. I'm no chemist. I'm no doctor. I'm no engineer. I can't manufacture polio vaccines or organise their transportation to the health centres in Saramoussayah or Bissikirima..."

 

He adds, "The people who are really helping are those on the ground. They are heroic, and mostly if not entirely unsung. Julien Harneis, the resident representative of UNICEF in Guinea and our guide, is a man of extraordinary learning, experience, energy, curiosity and kindness."

 

He also writes on a new profile in Harper's Bazaar, "I learned in Guinea that we are all responsible for the state of our world, particularly for the most disadvantaged women and children in it, struggling to survive simply because they do not have enough to eat. All I can do now is help make people aware of what is happening, of what they are doing. Help me spread the word."

 

He continues in this vein, giving thanks to the many people who work for UNICEF on the ground and who do more for helping these people than anyone will ever know. It's absolutely true that most people in the West take basic necessities for granted, but maybe with awareness raising from celebrities like Tom, more and more people will be inspired to do something to help those who don't live in comfort.