So … it was reported earlier this week that Lindsay Lohan was bound for India and for the life of me, I had no inkling what in the world for. Unless someone was opening a new discotech/nightclub in the region, I couldn’t wrap my head around the purpose of Lindsay‘s trip … but know we know the circumstances surrounding her visit to the third world. Lindsay Lohan made her way to India to participate in a documentary about human trafficking … yes, that Lindsay Lohan. Here are few photos of L. Lo in India and some deets about her work there:
She might not be the first person to spring to mind when finding a celebrity to film a documentary about child trafficking in India. But Lindsay Lohan, who is known for her partying lifestyle, seems to be having quite a remarkable effect on the country already – and is probably hoping to have a similar impact on her career. The 23-year-old is visiting India to make a BBC documentary about women and children in the country. She twittered: ‘Over 40 children saved so far, within one day’s work. ‘This is what life is about . . . Doing THIS is a life worth living!!! Oh, and I’m talking about being in India.’ That post, along with one which reads ‘Traffiking [sic] is a big issue here. I’m [doing] what I can’, has since been removed from her page. Another message which said ‘Keep telling people about what’s going on in all 2nd and 3rd world countries’, has also been taken down. The Mean Girls actress, who is as well known for her partying lifestyle as her film work, said: ‘Focusing on celebrities and lies is so disconcerting, when we can be changing the world one child at a time. Hope everyone can see that.’ She also posted a picture of an impoverished village and said: ‘Count your blessings. Please try and do something to make a difference for others.’ The star also added that the trip was the ‘most amazing time of my life’ and mentioned the work of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), a charity which works against child trafficking. Among the places she has been, Lindsay visited the SANLAAP (women and children’s charity) home in Kolkata and will also be visiting local hospitals to give toys to sick children.
To be honest, I’m not even sure what to say to this … revelation. I think it’s really remarkable that Lindsay would even deign to be a part of a documentary like this … that she would take the next step and fly to the Third World is … unbelievable. While I personally think she doesn’t really do a service to the cause by speaking unintelligently on the issue via Twitter (which is why I suspect others had her take down her tweets), I cannot help but applaud her for her herculean efforts. After the jump, check out the photo that Lindsay shared with her followers on Twitter …
I’m impressed … no matter what anyone thinks of her efforts here, I am quite impressed that she would throw herself into this kind of important work. Well done, Lindsay. This is a side of you that I would love to see more of.
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Not being snarky, but “third world” is a very insulting term. They’re developing countries.
What about the impoverished kids right here in America?
@F — personally, I think it’s bullshizz to discount philanthropy merely because it takes place outside of the US. charity is charity, it absolutely does NOT matter who is being helped. yes, there are impoverished people here in the US … but have you considered that they are aided by everyday people every single day and you just don’t hear about it?
@F
America isn’t exotic enough.
Awesome, good for her. I shall look out for the doc on TV.
If *anyone* has any sort of issue with her doing this, shame on them. Even if they want to take the usual ‘let’s bitch about this troubled actress’ route, at least she’s doing something, at least she’s actually there and experiencing something other than another premiere, another awards ceremony, another pointless perfume release party, another club opening etc etc.
I agree with wishinchick- there is no third world, only one world with developing countries
I agree with Trent. there are impoverished kids EVERYWHERE. not just in america F. charity is charity and you can’t penalize someone for blogging about one act of kindness and ridicule him of not mentioning the other impoverished kids around the world, which you obviously did not consider.
Also I think this could be good for Lindsay professionally and personaly, if she is indea she probably won’t be doing coke and getting trashed, hopefully this will give her the clarity she needs to go back to being the little Cady Heron we miss
I know there’s people who need help here, but the fact of the matter is, the United States has many MANY options for people to reach out and grab. We have FULL NETWORKS of welfare, housing, job searches, childcare, et cetera for anyone who needs it to find it. There’s no such networks for countries who aren’t even developed on the basic levels yet. Which is why presence from Americans is so essential and valuable to them. Because not only are they spotted out publicly like she is here, she’s probably taking time to address the nations leaders and help them find an answer for themselves. I believe in charity, no matter what border it may cross. I donate on a decently regular basis several local charities to me, while also sponsoring children in far away places.
I believe it is a developing country not third world … To me it looks like everything is being outsource to china or india these days , so I would hardly call them Third world …. and lindsay lohan would be better off is she helped kids in America first before she goes anywhere else ….
@AM — “lindsay lohan would be better off is she helped kids in America first before she goes anywhere else” Why, exactly, would she be “better off” ?
Aww, good for her! India seems to be a beautiful place in some ways, and tragic in others. I’d like to go there TOO someday…
While I agree that it’s probably good for Lindsay to get out of her bubble / comfort zone and see how other people live and struggle, I can’t help but feel that this is somehow more about changing the industry and public’s perception of her, than affecting real change. I guess what I don’t get from Lindsay is real sincerity.
I’m always interested in documentaries on human rights, developing countries, social welfare, etc. but for me, having Lindsay’s name and involvement attached to progams like these only serves to turn me off and make me less interested. If anything, I think having Lindsay involved in something like this would repel an audience more than draw them in.
“and lindsay lohan would be better off is she helped kids in America first…”
Um, what? That doesn’t make any sense.
Even if she’s doing it for the wrong reasons (salvage her dying career, good publicity, etc) for her to actually be in India is really impressive. I was over in South East Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) recently, but I didn’t get a chance this trip to head over to India. But the poverty in the places I did see (especially Cambodia) was unbelievable… it’s something you really have to witness in person to truly understand. I’ve heard India is an unbelievable culture shock, and really difficult to experience…
Way to go, Lindsay! You pleasantly surprised me.
India is NOT third world!
India and other developing countries receive millions of dollars worth of foreign aid every year, so it’s not like no one knows about their problems. I know it seems ‘noble’ for her to go over there and drum up attention to the fact that there are poor people in India but really, is that a big of a shock??? I just think Americans should help Americans in times of need and should come first. Only after that do you share the wealth and help other countries.
India really can’t be classified as a third world country since its economy is fast on the rise. It’s been growing rapidly this past decade.
If anything, I would say it’s a second world country.
Well, the United States helps a lot of countries. I mean, sure, our priorities aren’t exactly straight but we do help. However, when we’re in distress, does anyone else do the same? I think not. I realize the United States is the most powerful and richest country in the world but at the same time we don’t distribute ourselves into categorical problems. It’s kind of comical, really.
Oh, and human trafficking does happen to the U.S., too. In a way, she’s helping the United States. A lot of women here get kidnapped and then get transferred “somehow” into different countries, etc. Even if you visit another country you’re not even guaranteed to return safely and the same can happen here as well for anyone visiting the U.S. This happens more than we give it attention. It even happens in the U.S. with prostitution and pimps.
Yes, it’s true. Human Trafficking happens in all corners of the globe and it most certainly is an issue worth much exploration and attention in all areas that it takes place.
However, going back to Lindsay here, you know what? People saying things like “oh good for her, even if she is doing it to ressurect her careeer at least she’s doing something!” – I’m sorry but that is just pathetic. I’m sure I could think of a ton of people that would be more than willing if not purely passionate about bein in a documentary about human trafficking, but just because she’s “Lindsay coked out whore Lohan” she’s the right one for the job? Puhhhhleeeas.
The fac t that we as a society think that just because “someone is doing something” it MUST equal GOOD – is just pathetic. It’s like the flavour of the month! Wake up people!
@ Chase…
By the way, you say, “Well, the United States helps a lot of countries. I mean, sure, our priorities aren’t exactly straight but we do help. However, when we’re in distress, does anyone else do the same? I think not. ”
That’s a pretty broad statement. Just as a small example for you, I am a Canadian. When I learned of the tragedy that was Hurricane Katrina – I donnated money to the American Red Cross because I believe that humans helping humans has nothing to do with borders but the basic need and desire to help our fellow man who is suffering.
I know I was not alone in helping or making donnations to this situation or any other sort of disater. When I made my donnation and told certain people, I found myself up against people like you who said to me, “Susie, why are you helping the Americans, when we need help in our own country! It’s the Bush administration’s problem – they’re the one’s not helping them and it’s the American people who elected them! They’re the one’s not doing their job, so don’t you go and do it for them!”
So yeah, I heard from people like you basically telling me to not bother with donnating cross the border, but you know what? I don’t give a damn what border or what government is in place because that’s irrelevant. We are all just people who need the help other people and that’s the bottom line. Borders and goverments and political parties and the like should never prevent us from reaching out and helping our fellow mankind.
Susie, what on Earth are you talking about? How about you relish the fact that she is doing something positive for the world instead of ridiculing all of the negatives she has done in your eyes. What have YOU done for the world lately?
Third World, Second World, etc.. are Geographic Development terms for separating civilization advancements.