AWF in October 2009 named model Veronica Verakova a Goodwill Ambassador.
A Model Ambassador
Veronica Varekova, an international supermodel who’s been featured in many campaigns and magazines, including Sports Illustrated, has pursued her role as AWF Goodwill Ambassador with a passion equal to her beauty.
On joining the AWF team, Varekova traveled to Rwanda accompanied by another AWF Goodwill Ambassador, Ben Stein. While there, the pair helped to conclude AWF’s celebration of the Year of the Gorilla and spent several days tracking three different mountain gorilla groups, learning about AWF’s successful mountain gorilla conservation work and raising awareness about the plight of these highly endangered great apes.
Also on the itinerary was a stay at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, located on the flanks of the Virunga volcano. The lodge was built two years ago with the help of AWF, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners.
During her stay at Sabyinyo, Varekova met with community members, who showed her a new road and water wells that have been constructed with income from the lodge. In a meeting with Rosette Chantal Rugamba, Head of the National Office for Tourism and National Parks, she discussed the lives of the mountain gorillas and the positive impact of gorilla tourism on the Rwandan economy. She also met the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda,
W. Stuart Symington who, on behalf of both Rwanda and the United States, thanked Varekova and Stein for their work.
An AWF Goodwill Ambassador is a friend of AWF with a prominent position in the public eye and a demonstrated commitment to ensuring that the wildlife and wild lands of Africa endure for the benefit of people throughout the world. An AWF Goodwill Ambassador is charged with promoting AWF’s principles, values, and programs and aids AWF in its efforts to raise awareness and funds to support conservation initiatives throughout the
African Heartlands.In a New York Minute
On returning home from Rwanda, the supermodel quickly began working on a project of her own design: a fundraising event on behalf of AWF held in the Hall of African Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Guests included Russell Simmons, Molly Sims, Stavros Niarchos, Chelsea Clinton, Governor David Paterson, and Lapo Elkann. Two exquisite Hublot watches, a safari to Rwanda, and other donated items auctioned off at the event generated substantial support for AWF’s work. Verakova’s support of Africa’s wildlife also featured in a February 2010 ad campaign by Hublot featuring the supermodel.
A True Difference
In the months and years ahead, Verakova has no intention of easing her pace to raise awareness and funds to support AWF initiatives that focus on conserving large landscapes, protecting endangered species, and empowering local communities in the nine African Heartlands.
“I made frequent trips to Africa when I was growing up and fell in love with the continent,” the model explains. “On my last trip to Tanzania I experienced AWF’s work and accomplishments firsthand and knew I had to raise awareness about its work. AWF’s mission, philosophy, and impact are truly making a difference.”
“We could not be more thrilled to have Veronica involved with AWF,” says Craig
Sholley, Vice President for Philanthropy and Marketing. “She shares our belief that
protecting Africa’s wildlife and landscapes is the key to the future economic prosperity
of Africa and its people. We are confident that her passion for our mission will create additional awareness of our work.”
