Tsunami-survivor and supermodel in Lanka

Supermodel Petra Nemcova on a brief visit to Sri Lanka this week visited projects funded by her Happy Hearts Fund.

Petra Nemcova was the breakout star of the 2002 Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue, a triumph which she followed up by making the cover of the famous magazine’s 2003 edition. Her extensive modelling career has included appearances in Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and Madame Figaro, along with modelling assignments for designers such as Armani and Valentino.

In December 2004, Petra and her boyfriend Simon Atlee (a British fashion photographer) were caught in the tsunami. Their hut on the Thai beach resort of Khao Lak was swept away by the tsunami, leaving Petra holding on to a tree for eight hours.

She was rescued and taken to a hospital to treat a broken pelvis and several internal injuries. Unfortunately, Simon Atlee is still considered as among the missing.

Petra considers herself “lucky to be alive,” and is determined to help those who were not as lucky. In 2005 she founded the Happy Hearts Fund which aids children adversely affected by economic, health-related, or natural disasters, including survivors of the tsunami and the Pakistan earthquake.

Since the end of 2004, the Fund and its donors have contributed more than $1.5 million in aid to 15 different locally run, charitable projects across Asia. The Happy Hearts Fund has helped rebuild schools in Thailand, create new homes for orphans in Sri Lanka, and delivered emergency relief for children in Pakistan.

The Fund also receives proceeds from Ms. Nemcova’s book, “Love Always, Petra”.