angelina jolie puts a smile on the faces of refugee children on mercy mission to ecuador

As far as celebrities helping out underprivileged people Angelina Jolie pretty much takes the cake. As someone who donates so much of her time to global issues as well as a good sum from her movie earnings to those who need it more than she does, the woman is a saint on Earth.

Angelina Jolie left Brad Pitt at home with their brood in LA to spend time with refugee children in northern Ecuador this week. The UN Goodwill Ambassador, who was dressed in a white vest and jeans, visited a local daycare centre where she shared a laugh with little ones while playing with a toy set.

The Wanted actress is drawing attention to the plight of thousands who fled the conflict in Colombia to start a new life on the other side of the Ecuadorian-Colombian border.

This woman just gives, gives, gives... If every celeb gave even a tenth of she gives I could only imagine the vast difference it would make. Even us ordinary folks could give a little more right? Despite how us students may feel at times there are ultimately people who are way poorer and worse off than we are. Read more about Ang's mission after the jump.

Jolie, who turned 35 on June 4, was reunited with a Columbian mother she first met eight years ago during her first visit to Lago Agrio, the capital of Sucumbios province. The actress said: 'At that time she had a lot of hope for her future. She was recently treated for cancer. She still holds on to hope.'

The Salt star heard stories of savage beatings, incest and rape, but she says there has been some progress.

'It's been eight years since I was last here and UNHCR's presence has grown considerably,' Jolie told Ecuadorian reporters. 'They are going into the thickest parts of the jungle to reach the refugees, who are living in very remote locations and in desperate conditions,' she added.

'I wanted to come back and meet with vulnerable people and focus on violence against women and unaccompanied minors. I am so happy to be able to reconnect with some familiar faces, refugees I had met with during my 2002 trip,' she concluded.

It is the latest of many mercy missions for the mother-of-six, who has visited Syria, Bosnia and Haiti in the last few months alone.