Founder AMOR Association (Aide Mondiale Orphelins Réconfort)
Supermodel and actress
Ambassador of the Pasteur Institute

Africa in her heart

Tasha de Vasconcelos was born in Beira, in Mozambique, the daughter of engineer, Fernando João de Vasconcelos Mota e Cunha, a descendant of King Alfonso III de Leäo, member of one of Portugal’s oldest families, and her British mother, Jacqueline, a descendant of a King of Scotland of the XI century, and of a family from the north of France. Grand-daughter of a former Governor of Angola, Tasha and her sister Pamela – two years her junior – enjoyed a idyllic life by the side of the ocean, in one of Portugal’s oldest colonies. They grew up amongst the animals of her grandfather’s farm: not least the horses - a particular passion of this highly accomplished horsewoman.

However at only 8 years old, Tasha had to face the cruelty of the civil war and revolution, which tore her country apart, followed just five years later by that of Rhodesia – now Zimbabwe – where they had fled. At 13 she and her family moved first to Portugal, and then on to Canada.

There she embarked on a new life. She joined the University of British Columbia where she studied international relations. She was spotted at 19 and quickly signed up by Elite Models, and subsequently joined the Marilyn agency in Paris.

A humanitarian to the core

With a natural generosity, Tasha has always had a heart for helping and supporting others. She has been to many charity galas, but it is on the ground that she finds her true calling, her raison d’être. Born herself in Africa she has always been involved in supporting children, and has a ten-year record in humanitarian work. Like her inspiration, Audrey Hepburn, Tasha knows how to use her contacts and reputation in the cause of humanitarian concerns. Alongside her physical resemblance to this 50’s icon, she shares her altruism and generosity of heart, especially for children for whom she has a particular affection.

In 1996 she decide to reacquaint herself with her roots, by going back to the land of her birth, and found herself in South Africa working for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, followed by a further visit the following year.

1999 saw her working as a UNICEF Goodwill Volunteer supporting children suffering from malnutrition in Bolivia. This was followed by a further mission in 2001 to Algeria helping childhood victims of war.

As Special Campaigner for Children she worked in 2005 in Mozambique with UNAIDS, campaigning against HIV/AIDS in Africa, and in recognition of her humanitarian work that same year she received a special UNESCO award.

In 2006, she created her own organisation AMOR – Aide Mondiale Orphelins Réconfort supported by Prince Albert II de Monaco. She received particular support from the American actor Paul Newman.

The AMOR Association is comprised of five permanent members of the Board of Director AMOR has no paid staff members and all projects are decided by a council of administration to be agreed by the board.

AMOR’s aim is to see significant reductions in global infant and maternal mortality rates, through working both with trusted local agencies and international partners. In achieving this AMOR has two particular goals: to provide medical services to mothers at risk, and appropriate care for orphans across the world.

On the 15th April 2009 Tasha opened AMOR’s first project, a maternity unit in Malawi, financed, built and equipped entirely by AMOR.