Isaiah Washington has found solace in his charity work with the African nation of Sierra Leone, despite all the negativity swirling around his departure from Grey's Anatomy in June.
"This is the thing that kept me sane," Washington told USA Today. "While all the negative stuff was happening [on Grey's Anatomy], I had all this support over there."
To soothe any bad feelings he had from the on-set altercation with co-star Patrick Dempsey, during which it was alleged that Washington uttered a homophobic slur (the context of which has been widely debated and disputed) the actor says that he immersed himself in his children's charity - the Gondobay Manga Foundation.
Isaiah Washington also tells the newspaper that he and his wife, Jenisa, are considering adoption since making their latest trip.
"There is one boy, about eight years old, who I fell in love with [in Sierra Leone]," he says. "But I'm not interested in stripping him of his culture. My wife and I have three kids already, but we have talked about adoption, and we're not ruling it out."
The actor's foundation is building a school in the Njala Kendema village in Sierra Leone, with 350 students due to start there this September.
Says Washington, who is currently shooting five episodes as part of a guest role he will play on NBC's new drama, Bionic Woman:
"I feel safer in Sierra Leone than I do in L.A., because they're my people and they are not trying to hurt you. If anything, they're going to try to get money out of you to survive."
Once Isaiah Washington found that he had a genetic connection to people of that African nation, it has helped keep him going on a regular basis.
"When I get to the point when I'm very frustrated, I go to my Web site to check e-mails from [people] all over the world who want to help out."
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12 Comments
August 3rd, 2007 4:01 AM
I love Isaiah Washington. I love how he cares so much about other people. I admire his charity work, and I hope I can someday go to Africa & help.
August 3rd, 2007 8:55 AM
Way to go, Isaiah! I really admire him for all the charity work he does, it is great to know that there are people like him!
August 3rd, 2007 3:18 PM
He is a moving force, there are people of stature and credibility who vouch for his character and esteem his dedication to his craft and to his advocacy. These are the people I listen to, not the words of Isaiah but those who speak about their knowledge of him.
August 3rd, 2007 4:44 PM
does anyone know how to get in touch with him, through email or personal fansite,somewhere he personally checks on?
August 3rd, 2007 5:08 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISAIAH!
August 9th, 2007 8:45 PM
I commend Isaiah for his charity work, and wish him a happy belated birthday and for all good things to come his way!
August 29th, 2007 2:49 PM
This guy is a revolting racist, sexist piece of trash. He deserves to never work in this industry again. I hope everyone sees through the PR "charity" work, and realizes that he is just trying to salvage his mediocre career. I want him to go away and never come back, maybe to Liberia.
November 2nd, 2007 1:52 PM
I don't like this man, I think he got his black ass kicked by dempsey.
November 11th, 2007 4:25 PM
msg 4 cary.you are obviously a damn hypocrite, your post about isaiah says you are a revolting piece of shit, u were not even there relying on the negative things u hear from the media.love dont hate,its much easier.
January 7th, 2008 7:45 AM
am african thnx Isaiahfor loving the african child... God bless you.