Matt Damon with orphaned children at the Chongwe Center outside Lusaka, Zambia.
Photo: J. Tayloe Emery

by Beata Loyfman

We usually don't spill the beans about upcoming covers of Condé Nast Traveler. But there's nothing "usual" about the man gracing September's Power of Travel issue. Matt "Jason Bourne" Damon's work with charities such as OneXOne and DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) has established him as a serious activist--and one of our favorite celebrities.

In his recent interview with Deputy Editor Dorinda Elliott, Damon discussed his 2006 trip to Zambia, where he witnessed the dire need of clean water in communities near the Sahara. This trip led to his H2O Africa Foundation. In addition, Damon and some of his Ocean's Eleven buddies co-founded Not On Our Watch, which works to eradicate mass atrocities in Darfur and all over the world.

As you can see, Damon has his hands full. But even though he and his A-list friends rule the Hollywood roost, Damon maintains a down-to-earth humility that's pretty much unheard of among his peers. Now you understand why we're so fond of Matt? 

September's Power of Travel issue will be available on August 18. Meanwhile, check out this video about the making of our cover photo shoot in Morocco, and read the full Damon interview here.