Into Africa on mission, after a fashion

Fashion designer Mala Brajkovic in her Auckland studio. She says she is not trying to be a celebrity voice for Africa. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Seated at a formica table amid piles of glossy magazines and haute couture, fashion designer Mala Brajkovic is worlds away from the poverty-stricken African children she has pledged to help.

She will travel to Kenya and Tanzania in two weeks with the non-profit educational trust Hope Foundation New Zealand to visit children orphaned by Aids and poverty. A documentary of the trip will be shown at film festivals and on television.

The trips are a result of the Hope Foundation's fashion shows, which raise money to help set up schools and orphanages for disadvantaged children. At least 90 per cent of the funds go to those who need it.

In the wake of Madonna joining the ranks of celebrities with adopted African children, the issue of African children's struggle for survival is more prominent than ever. However, Miss Brajkovic said she was not trying to be a celebrity voice for the continent. "It's bordering embarrassing to think anything I have got to say on the issue is important."

She is not trying to save the world, only to raise public awareness of the struggles the children face. "I am pretty insignificant in the scheme of things. If there is anything I can do to help, I will."

The trip includes a night in the slums of Kibera, visiting the rural home towns of some of the orphans, and a traditional African safari - all of which will be filmed by two camera operators.

For Miss Brajkovic, who does not like her photo being taken, the trip will be full of personal challenges. "I think I am going to feel unbelievably grateful for everything I have here."

Denise L'Estrange-Corbet from fashion label World is the designer who went to Africa last year, and agrees with Miss Brajkovic.

"It's very humbling, especially being from a fashion background where people are only worried about money; over there they're worried about survival.

"Maybe more fashion designers should go, it'd bring them back down to earth." She plans to visit Africa again soon to see the school which was built with the funds she raised.