Gisele is model campaigner for Rugby charity

SUPERMODEL Gisele Bundchen paid a visit to slums in Kenya to see the work being done there by Rugby charity Practical Action.

The Brazilian model and actress is a dedicated green campaigner and visited the African country as part of a trip organised by the Bourton-based charity.

On the trip, Gisele visited the charity's energy access projects where people are given the technology to help them work their way out of poverty.

Practical Action director Margaret Gardner said: "Everyone needs energy to cook food, to heat the home, to earn a living, to benefit from good health and education services. Energy poverty denies people a basic standard of living, which should be available to all.

"Gisele recognises no issue is more relevant to the future of the global economy, the prosperity and well-being of the world’s poorest people, and the preservation of our planet, than sustainable energy. Her passion, credibility and commitment to energy access will draw significant attention to this pressing development issue."

While in Kenya, Gisele saw how people were transforming their lives through the use of small scale hydro systems for clean water.

She also took part in a traditional dawn firewood collection with communities who still cook on traditional fires that fill homes with toxic smoke.

Discussing the experiences on her blog, Gisele - recently named the 'world's greenest celebrity' - wrote: "The people living there had to use charcoal or wood to cook their food because there is no electricity. The charcoal creates a lot of heavy black smoke that’s toxic to breathe.

"Another problem with charcoal is the cost - it is too expensive for most people to buy. We also learned if there is no street light near your home at night you are plunged into complete darkness when the sun goes down."

Buy photos» Gisele meets the locals on her trip to Kenya with Practical Action. (s)