The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 707

In the orphanage courtyard, dozens of black children sat on the ground, joyfully sharing the gifts the delegation had brought. It was as if they had been blessed with the greatest happiness in the world, and a smile graced every single face.

There could not have been a more perfect backdrop.

Matthew sat in a chair nearby, using the orphans on the lawn as his background while he gave an interview.

He wasn't the only one; just a few dozen meters away, Emma was engaged in a similar task.

Sitting there, occasionally glancing at the dark-skinned children, Matthew answered one of the reporters' questions and, for a fleeting moment, almost saw himself as a genuine philanthropist.

Jack and Alex were also among the crowd of reporters interviewing Matthew.

Seeing the two of them raise their hands, he signaled to a staff member standing nearby.

"Mr. Horner, hello." Jack was a traditional, old-school reporter who covered social and current events. "What do you believe is the root cause of the refugee crisis in Africa? What needs to be done to solve it?"

Matthew furrowed his brow. Wasn't that a question better suited for the UN Secretary-General or Guterres?

However, since the question had been asked, he didn't shy away. After a moment of thought, he replied, "African regions suffer from frequent wars and natural disasters, while religious conflicts and political struggles undermine national unity, leading to fractured countries and humanitarian catastrophes."Questions like these were still a bit of a challenge for him.

"Most African nations have long been plagued by the refugee problem. The international community must help Africa prevent conflict, resolve disputes peacefully, and support its poverty reduction and development efforts."

"Over the past year, my two foundations have intensified their emergency humanitarian aid, but we have faced severe shortages of funding and manpower."

Before Jack could even process that, Matthew added with conviction, "We must strengthen our unity, share the responsibility, and work together to address the refugee problem and the humanitarian crisis. The African region has long suffered from the gravest of humanitarian crises, compounded by poverty, the Ebola epidemic, AIDS, debt, climate change, and other issues. If the international community fails to pay attention to the refugee crisis in Africa, it will lead to an even greater humanitarian disaster."

"How do you think we should solve the problem?" Jack couldn't help but ask again.

After some deliberation, Matthew said, "I have four proposals. First, increase investment in addressing the African refugee crisis, with all parties fulfilling their aid commitments in a timely and complete manner. Second, enhance coordination and improve the efficiency of refugee relief operations. Third, we must adhere to the principles of objectivity, neutrality, and humanity, and avoid politicizing the refugee issue. Fourth, we must insist on the peaceful settlement of disputes, focus on conflict prevention, and address the root causes of the refugee problem."

Hearing this, Jack froze for a moment.

For the next question, Alex stood up. He belonged to a new generation of more pragmatic journalists compared to Jack and his traditional views. "Mr. Horner," he asked, "what do you believe is the most critical issue that needs to be addressed in the current refugee crisis?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Matthew answered, "The problems of women and children, especially the children."

"Take Kenya, where we are now. More than half of the refugees here are women and children, with children making up a full third of the total."

His tone grew serious. "The challenges faced by child refugees are severe. They lack resources like food and water, and the vast majority suffer from malnutrition or malaria, among other ailments. My two foundations have invested tens of millions of dollars to help children, but we can only reach a small percentage of them, giving them a chance at survival."

Hearing these words from Matthew, the reporters grew more somber. Regardless of his motives, the man before them had genuinely helped a great many people.

"The issue of the children cannot be delayed..." Matthew turned his head to look at the orphans playing on the lawn behind him and said,

"And their education is just as important."

Perhaps because her interview had just concluded, Emma walked over at that moment and stood directly opposite Matthew, behind the group of reporters.

Matthew glanced at Emma and continued, "The education of refugee children is of immense importance. Right now, more than ninety-five percent of the children in the Dadaab refugee camp are unable to receive an education."

He spread his hands. "And what does that mean?"

Emma watched Matthew, her expression slowly turning thoughtful. She was beginning to understand just how dire the situation was.

Matthew said gravely, "It means these people, and indeed their country, will remain on the brink of disaster for the foreseeable future."

An immediate silence fell over everyone present.

There were educational problems all over the world, but for illiterate people who never received a formal education, the odds of changing their destiny were incredibly slim.

They would inevitably continue to struggle along the poverty and hunger line, just as their parents had. And if the majority of a country's children were in this situation, one could easily imagine that nation's future.

In that instant, Matthew's stature grew in their eyes. This man was clearly deeply involved in his charitable work.

Emma gazed at Matthew, the corner of her mouth, which she habitually kept raised, slowly fell. Compared to Matthew, she was truly too young.

In terms of charity, and the issues facing women and children, she still had a very long way to go. It was fortunate she had an example like Matthew to learn from.

In fact, her entire team was inferior to Matthew's. Coming to Africa this time to put on a show, she realized she had been far too poorly prepared.

Another reporter stood up and asked, "Mr. Horner, what you've said is indeed relevant. May I ask if you have any practical solutions?"

Hearing this pre-arranged question, Matthew glanced at the reporter—he was one of the people Helen had hired.

He had long since prepared his answer and began to speak slowly.

"My two charitable foundations are raising funds to develop targeted programs and have already established close cooperation with the UNHCR and the Foundation for Women and Children. Starting next month, we are preparing to open schools in the refugee camps so that children can receive the most basic education."

Everyone listened intently, because what Matthew was saying wasn't just empty talk.

"Due to various conditions, only primary education can be provided in the short term." Matthew was telling the truth. These reporters had been to the refugee camps, and if he had made some sensational claim, no one would have believed him. "I also hope that all of you can convey through your media platforms that we need a large number of volunteers. We need compassionate people to come and help these children."

Once again, everyone fell silent, and only Matthew's words hung in the air.

Matthew's voice wasn't high, but it was unusually resonant. "The power of one person is limited. To completely solve these problems, we need more people to participate."

Emma watched Matthew in silence and couldn't help but shake her head. She had spoken with him before coming to the refugee camp, so she didn't believe for a second that he was unaware of the real situation.

Though she was young, she understood perfectly well that trying to change the fundamental nature of some people was exceedingly difficult.

In the end, Matthew was simply using the African refugee crisis to build momentum, but his methods were so clever that even if others understood he had other motives, they couldn't say a thing.

Opportunities like this were rare. At this moment, all the world's major media outlets and news agencies were gathered here, ensuring the news would have an impact far beyond the entertainment sphere.

Matthew said a great deal, gradually shifting the topic to the most essential part of promoting his project. "To raise more funds, before coming here, I made an agreement with my friend and partner, Mr. David Ellison of Skydance Pictures."

Because of his previous words, all the reporters leaned in to listen, believing that Matthew was about to extend a helping hand once more.

Matthew raised his voice slightly and announced, "The film 'Fast & Furious 4,' a joint investment by David Ellison and myself, will be released in the middle of next month. We will donate the profits to improve the educational conditions for African children."

Although it sounded shocking, the statement offered plenty of room to maneuver.

Neither Matthew nor David Ellison were fools, and they certainly wouldn't engage in a losing deal.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted. All the reporters, including old Jack and Alex, began to clap.

Emma applauded as well.

Because compared to her own petty schemes, what Matthew had just done was truly brilliant.