New York based supermodel Ajuma Nasenyana is the Afya Kenya Foundation’s Goodwill Ambassador.
Ajuma was born in Lodwar, Turkana, Kenya. Her first foray into modeling was in the Miss Tourism Kenya competition in 2003, at which she was crowned Miss Nairobi. It is here that she came to the attention of Lyndsey McIntyre of Surazuri Modeling Agency.
Soon afterward, Gamma Photo Agency came to Kenya to do a story on McIntyre’s scouting work and were so taken with Nasenyana that she became the main feature of the story, which later ran in France’s Gala magazine. The pictures taken anchored Nasenyana’s portfolio, presented to international agency Ford Models, who entered her in Ford’s Supermodel of the World competition.
Nasenyana has participated in the New York Fashion Week alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek for designers such as Baby Phat and Carlos Mienes not to mention traveling to Milan to model for fashion houses such as Ungaro during the Italian Fashion Week. In 2003 in Paris, during the winter show season, British designer Vivienne Westwood made her the lead model in her show.
Since then, the stunning 5ft 10inch Nasenyana has shot several magazine editorials, a video for Lacoste, and a catalogue for Issey Miyake.
Ajuma has always had the plight of the medically underserved close to her heart and has been involved in several individual projects to cater to the wellbeing of the sick and lowly.
“Its heart breaking…To see so many people suffering here in Kenya. They are starving, sick…With no doctor in sight for miles!” She decries amid sobs. A stark contrast to the runways of New York. No matter how successful she has been, she describes as vivid her memories of home.
We at Afya Kenya Foundation are glad to have her on board as our Goodwill Ambassador. She jumped at the opportunity to be of assistance to the poorest of the poor in society especially due to the intense malady she encounters in her home district of Turkana. We look forward to a bright future working with her to make quality healthcare accessible to all.
