Demi Lovato got this tattoo of Africa on the inside of her right elbow to commemorate a trip that she went on to Kenya.

She takes her sobriety seriously, but also wanted to do something big for her twenty-first birthday.  Rather than throwing a party she went on a volunteer trip to the Maasai Mara Region of Kenya with the charity WE (formerly known as Free The Children) and helped to build a school. “Birthdays are all about celebrating life and people are very blessed to even make it to 21. So the last thing I think anyone should be doing on their birthday is poisoning themselves,” she said. “I am just going to do a bunch of charity stuff and I feel like the best way to celebrate anyone’s birthday is just giving back and helping others.”

Not only did Demi’s trip help the local community, but she got a lot out of the experience herself. She tweeted “This trip has been such an amazing experience. Yesterday was the best birthday of my entire life!!!” The August 2013 trip was so impactful that she decided to create a permanent reminder with this tattoo, revealed in December 2013. She chose the shape of the the continent of Africa rather than the country of Kenya so that it would be more recognizable.

“I went [to Africa] for my 21^st birthday. I went to Kenya and it was just a very, very inspirational journey that I feel like really had a huge impact on my life,” she told iHeartRadio. “And, I would’ve gotten Kenya but then people would have been like, ‘What’s that?’ So Africa’s a little more distinct.”

@Enrique305, thank you so much for having me!! Loved watching your show.. And Europe, you were a BLAST!!! Thank you for being so incredible… I'll be back very soon.. ???? #sexandlovetour

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Nov 30, 2014 at 5:03pm PST

Dear @ddlovato do you have a tattoo in shape of africa ?? #lovatics really want to now pic.twitter.com/EbnT7FAEUx

— suus (@Suzanne_Rozalie) January 29, 2014

#Confident pre-order available on @AmazonMusic now!!!! http://t.co/Y9F302HW5q pic.twitter.com/exXn12K1Pz

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) September 10, 2015

What is this tattoo and what it means for you if you have?@ddlovato #CrazyGoodSummer pic.twitter.com/fxopMQNP5F

— ?Bÿē-Byę ? (@babiesharmonys) July 10, 2014

On #GMA this morning talking about @devonnebydemi!!! Always a blast doing this show!! ☀️?✨ www.devonnebydemi.com

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Mar 12, 2015 at 6:55am PDT

@ddlovato that tattoo tho pic.twitter.com/RzKeGboDzi

— WÅ$tED ŸØūTH? (@alrenslaurinah) May 12, 2014

So, I’m insecure about my legs in this picture but I’m posting it because I look so happy and this year I’ve decided I’m letting go of my perfectionism and embracing freedom from self criticism. Learning to love my body the way it is is challenging but life changing. Giving up my eating disorder has been the most challenging journey of my life but I work every day towards solid recovery even if I mess up sometimes. Today I’m feeling strong. You all can do it too. It IS possible. Thank you God for this new chapter in my life. #EDrecovery #happyAF

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Jan 4, 2018 at 5:16am PST

Demi is that another tattoo @ddlovato ???? pic.twitter.com/9DlU93LoHE

— adriangomez_ (@zombiewalker36) June 5, 2014

Feeling my #Demi4Fabletics Painted Camo print top today ? Get the @Fabletics collection at Fabletics.com! @fableticseu

A post shared by Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) on Aug 29, 2017 at 10:00am PDT

Celebrity: Demi Lovato

Subject:Africa Map

Placement:Elbow

Theme:Accomplishment Remember

Style:Outline

posted by Linda on October 22, 2016

2 Comments

1. Love the tattoo you got of my country…just want to say you look beautiful as always and I love you so much. Keep on smiling and having fun. Thank you for being such an awesome insperation to me and many others.

   Xxx

   Reply

2. That is a beautiful tat!! Well done Demi !!

   Reply