THE poverty-stricken streets of Africa are a far cry from the glamorous international catwalks that 19-year-old Perth model Gemma Ward normally struts.
A recent trip to Malawi brought Ward face to face with the hardship that confronts many locals every day.
Speaking for the first time about the journey, Ward said it was a life-changing experience.
The young model now wants to raise more than $500,000 in the next four years to do her bit to fight poverty in Africa.
"One of the most touching experiences I had in Malawi was meeting a 17-year-old girl who lived with her 1-year-old son in a one-by-three-metre straw hut,'' Ward said. ``She left her husband from her first arranged marriage because she did not want to be one of his many wives.
"She told me she would never marry again. She had nothing to eat for dinner that night.''
Ward and her father, Nedlands GP Gary Ward, visited Malawi with the charity organisation The Hunger Project.
They decided that after their trip they would raise money to build an epicentre, or community house, to help the Malawi locals.
The epicentre will cost about $450,000. .
"Visiting Malawi was one of the most inspiring and truly awesome experiences of my life,'' Ward, an aspiring actor and former Shenton College student, said.
"The people of Malawi touched and moved me with their strength, grace and pride.
"I was moved by the gratitude they have even in the most dire of situations.''
One of the main functions of the epicentre will be to provide locals with better hybrid grain so they yield better crops.
The grain will be on loan, like money from a bank, and locals will be expected to give a percentage back to go into a community food bank.
Eighty per cent of households in rural areas run out of food three months before the next harvest.
"One of the most important things I saw in Malawi was the difference between The Hunger Project and other organisations,'' Ward said.
"THP really teaches the people how to change their mind-set from being resigned and saying,
"No, we can't change our situation', and relying on handouts, to the belief that with the community and a vision and empowerment, that they themselves can make a difference.''
Epicentres also act as micro banks, health centres and promote gender equality through female literacy programs.
Ward is planning a celebrity event and auction in New York, where she lives, early next year to raise money for the epicentre.
She said the auction would most likely include tickets to a rock concert with a supermodel escort, a cruise to the Antarctic and lessons from a celebrity golfer.
Dr Ward will also be raising money by giving lectures around Perth on poverty in Africa.
"The people Gemma and I met had a dignity and courage and resourcefulness and creativity that we did not realise,'' he said.
"People think those in poverty are just helpless, but they aren't _ they just need an opportunity.
"Once they are given that opportunity, there is an amazing spirit that is released.''
Dr Ward will talk on The Hunger Project at the Tresillian Community Centre in Nedlands on Thursday from 6-7.30pm.
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