Orlando Bloom has been volunteering with UNICEF since 2008 and was officially named a Goodwill Ambassador in 2009. In his latest role, Bloom became the first celebrity to visit Liberia since the region became decimated by an Ebola outbreak last year. While the deadly disease is largely considered under control, there is still a risk of contracting the virus. Bloom spent four days meeting with survivors and learning how the communities are trying to rebuild after the crisis.

In a video released by the UN, Bloom dons a protective suit to show the precautions that must be taken by healthcare workers, who are at greatest risk. In another scene, he meets with a 29 year-old father who lost his wife and four of his children to Ebola. The dad is raising his six year-old son alone and explains that people in his village are still afraid to play football (soccer) with him. On camera, Bloom reflects on his meeting and you can tell that he is moved by the plight of the single dad and all the people he met. Here’s more, thanks to People:

“Everyone I met was determined to beat Ebola so that they can resume their normal lives,” Bloom said in a UNICEF statement after meeting with religious and youth leaders in the capital city of Monrovia. “Communities have been at the center of the fight against Ebola and must continue to be supported because of their crucial role in getting to zero cases.”

In a touching video from his trip, Bloom is shown meeting with Ansu Anderson Turay and his 6-year-old son, Abraham.

Turay – who lost his wife, two sons and two daughters in the Ebola outbreak – is raising his son alone, and says that many in his village are still fearful to come in contact with him.

“It’s quite hard to comprehend such a loss,” an emotional Bloom said following their meeting. “They’re all just dealing with loss like that at such a profound level.”

Bloom praised the efforts of Ebola-affected communities in combatting the deadly virus, and the actor is shown in a video getting outfitted in protective gear, including two pairs of rubber gloves, full body suit and goggles.

[From People]

The UN also released second video of Bloom touring a slum in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, called West Point. In Monrovia, Bloom visited with the A-Life project, which works to raise awareness of Ebola prevention. He also visited a school near the Sierra Lionne border and learned about their Ebola safety procedures.

People has two videos of Orlando’s visit, and the UN has two more that are available for download on their site. I’ve included the additional videos here. There’s a real gem of a video where Orlando visits a school, reads a story to the children, holds hands with a little girl, and gushes over babies in a clinic. He’s such a natural.

And here’s a video of Orlando talking about his visit. You can tell that he was so affected by the people he met. I have so much respect for him and the work he’s doing with the UN. You can learn more about UNICEF and help contribute to their work by visiting UNICEF.org.

photos credit: UNICEF/Jallanzo