I had jobs from the age of 14, when I arrived in London as a refugee. Aged 17, I'd get up at 4 A.M. to work as a cleaner before school. It wasn't pleasant.

Everything has to do with education: If you educate the girls, you educate the family, the community, and society, in general.

When I first started working with World Vision, I would sit down and talk with them about issues that concern any part of the world. MSF told me about what was going on in North Korea. I also support AIDS and breast cancer charities.

Going on safari in South Africa was hardcore but a lot of fun - though my friend Maura was absolutely freaking out about all the bugs in her hair and having to pee in the sand.

I would love to continue to model but also have a family.

There was no concept of fashion and catwalk shows where I came from.

I use Johnson & Johnson! I use their baby oil gel.

I have eight brothers and sisters, so I'd like to have a few children.

It's an awful feeling, being hungry.

The fact that designers like Lagerfeld, Gaultier, Galliano and Dior could believe in Alek made me believe in myself, too.