Mischa Barton for In My Name

Mischa Barton has been quite active with her charity work of late. Her work as ambassador for Save the Children has been pulled into the In My Name campaign. In My Name is part of a massive 50 Days of Action for the month of September by the Global Call to Action against Poverty.

The campaign is to aimed to encourage people to act against poverty and inequality, with the GCAP motivating activists to hold hearings and tribunals and to mobilize the public for a day of action. Stand Up and Take Action is the culmination of the 50 days of action and will be held on October 17th – 19th around the world.

Mischa Barton’s profile for In My Name says that she wants to help save the 10 million children who die each year from poverty and need. After visiting a school in Africa, Mischa said:

“It was really sad to see the living conditions of these children. I realised that there are simple things that you can do to make a difference in their lives.”

Mischa talked to Times Online more about her charity work, as well as balancing the paparazzi in her life – the need for privacy balanced with the need to maintain her star status. On her charity work, Mischa says her trip to South Africa was life changing and that charity is now a “calling.”

“I went to see this little boy, Tembinkosi,” she tells me. “He was so sweet and shy. He was only eight . . . He has no toys. He sleeps on the floor in a room full of dirt and he only gets one meal a day. It was terrible. But if I can raise money, that will make a difference.”

Mischa says she doesn’t think much of celebrities who don’t take the time to help out – she asks “what’s the point of celebrity” if it’s not put to good use?

Photo GCAP/Per-Anders Petterson/Reportage by Getty Images for Save the Children