Hey Guys,

I had such an exciting week last week. On Sunday I flew over to London and on Monday I began a week’s worth of acting lessons! We had a really great director and there were only three of us in the classes so it was really intimate and we got some real quality teaching time. It was great fun, especially as I also had a former Miss Malaysia in my group who knew some of the girls from my 2004 Miss Universe competition, so we had a great laugh.

It was not all fun and games though. I took up the class because I really wanted to test myself and find out whether I could really have a career in acting. On Thursday as the course came to an end, we produced a show reel each which included different video clips to show off our different acting skills. I felt quite confident, thanks to all my modeling experience, so being in front of the camera as well as a big group of people and bright lights for hours was not intimidating at all!

I did however learn a lot, especially from the very experienced director, Brian Deacon, who taught me that acting comes from with-in and you have to be yourself and be honest with the camera. He gave me loads of homework to be getting on with when I am back in Milan including a list of books to read as well as a couple of pointers for the future.

It was a really great week and I am so glad I took part in the course, but I am so glad to be back in Milan not only as I got to see my Sulley after he played such a great game on Saturday, but because it was absolutely freezing in London!

Love Menaye xxx

So the last two weeks for me, were all about giving back to the community and I want to say thanks to everyone who helped raise awareness for HIV/AIDS around World AIDS Day. I really hope we helped to make a difference but don’t forgot it’s not just for one day, this is a cause that we always need to remember and work together to support.

Secondly I just wanted to tell you about this amazing charity event I attended last week in support of the Pangea charity in a beautiful theatre in Milan. The charity helps to empower women and provides support for women in abusive relationships and marriages around the world. I have worked with the charity for a few years now and actually provided a testimonial for the organization a couple of years ago as I have always felt strongly that no man women or child should have to live in fear.

This year in support of the cause, myself and a load of my friends including Georgette Eto, Susana Werner (wife of Inter Milan goalie Julio Cesar) and Houssine Kharja’s wife bought a table at the event and then I bid for a prize in the auction where the proceeds went to support an inspirational women in Afghanistan who wants to set up her own bread factory. I bid for a one-off designer bag donated by some of the world’s top fashion designers including Louis Vuitton and Moschino who joined together to create bespoke pieces for the charity. I am so excited to pick up the bag and so delighted to have been able to contribute to help this amazing woman fulfill her ambitions.

Check out the pictures, it was a truly amazing night and for a really great cause!

Sulley took this picture of me before I went to the event

With the girls before the event

The Pangea charity logo designed in sand

Me with the girls at the event

Sharifa – The amazing woman from Afghanistan and the bag I bid for to raise money to support her ambitions

Love Menaye xxx

Hey everyone,

I wanted to take some time today on World AIDS day to talk to you about why AIDS awareness is something I feel so passionate about.

Firstly, some pretty shocking statistics. At the end of 2010 there were 34 million people in the world living with HIV or AIDS. In my home country of Ghana, over a quarter of a million people are infected with the disease, and whilst education and medical provision is improving all the time, the condition continues to devastate lives and families. Hundreds of thousands of children in Ghana have lost at least one parent to the disease and many more have been left as orphans.

The numbers are truly staggering, but behind each statistic is a personal story of tragedy. Hearing these stories first hand from orphans that I have met in Ghana are both heart-breaking and incredibly moving.

My charity, the Menaye Charity Organisation, has, over the years, provided financial support to a number of orphanages across Ghana. A few years ago, when I was visiting one of the orphanages, I met a little boy who was infected with HIV after his mother passed it down to him. His mother and father had both already died of the disease and so the little boy was left to fight each day without the support of his family. The orphanages in Ghana do incredible work, literally saving lives every day, but they are no substitute for a healthy, happy family life. The fact that the possibility to grow up with these basics of human life had been taken away from this little boy before he was even out of the womb, is truly devastating.

What is worse, is that it is so unnecessary. With better education, screening, and medical care, so many more lives could be saved.

One of the major problems in Ghana, and again something that I have witnessed firsthand, is the lack of knowledge about prevention of the infection spreading. In some areas the use of contraceptives as a solution is not only not known about, it is sometimes actively discouraged. There is also a lack of awareness about the way HIV and AIDS is spread to unborn children.

What is needed is more education, easier access to protection and better medication. It is not an easy task, but together, we can improve the situation.

No child should be born in to this world without hope. Spare a thought for the millions of children across the world who suffer every day at the hands of this disease and do what you can to help raise awareness wherever you are in the world.

God bless you all,

Menaye xxx