Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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Miami Herald - November 10, 2004
The trip was organized by DATA, a Washington-based lobby group co-founded by U2 frontman Bono that campaigns on Third World trade, debt and HIV/AIDS. Pitt began his first visit to Ethiopia Friday and left late Monday night.
"It was a listening and learning visit," DATA spokesman Jamie Drummond said Tuesday. He declined requests for comment from Pitt, star of the film Troy.
While in Ethiopia, Pitt visited local projects fighting the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The 40-year-old actor also met with eight top Ethiopian singers who have collaborated on songs to educate people about HIV and to raise money for AIDS programs.
Tsedenia Gebremarkos, who has just released a hit album in Ethiopia, said Pitt was keen to know how AIDS had affected the nation, where the average annual income is $100.
"He was very humble and really interested in the situation here," Tsedenia said. "We hope his popularity can raise awareness in the same way we are trying to. We need the support of people like him."
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