Natalie Portman Gives Loan for the Poors

Mon, 30 April 2007 12:00:00 ET

Natalie Portman is endorsing "life-changing" micro-loans for the world's poorest women. The 'V for Vendetta' actress has been working with FINCA International, an organization which gives small loans to impoverished people in developing countries, and is fully behind the project.

Natalie, 25, told US TV show 'This Week': "I have met mothers younger than I am who were forced to work in poor conditions for low pay because that was the only job they could get. Getting this loan enables them to start their own business out of their own house and be with their children. It changes the whole system. If a woman can't tell her child, 'I can feed you tomorrow, I can pay for your school', then what happens? What do they do? What do they choose? It's really trying to reach the poorest of the poor and offering banking services to them."

The 'Star Wars' actress is returning to the big screen this year as a blonde in 'My Blueberry Nights' alongside Jude Law and Rachel Weisz.