The rags to riches story of the African is not a new one. People like to tell the story of a poor village African who all of a sudden has luxury and wealth in the West. It is not often that the true in between story is told. In ALEK, the supermodel takes us on her journey between her home country; a war torn Sudan and her current international supermodel global status.

Alek (the 7th of 9 children) was born into a family that was nowhere near wealthy in material things and not quite poor either. The Wek family was rich in the fact that they had a roof over their head, food on the table, and clothes on their back. These things, although basic were not available to many people. Alek’s father was an upright man who loved her mother, and worked hard to provide for his family.

Life in Wau, Sudan was picture perfect for Alek until the war broke and tore the country into shreds. Alek’s childhood life became a fight for her and her family. Wau no longer served as the beautiful home Alek once knew but a military zone with rebel soldiers on its outskirts, soldiers in green uniforms on the inside, and lawless militias everywhere robbing, raping, molesting, murdering, and destroying all the good things that once made Wau residents proud.

The next thing that could save the people was to find solace where ever possible as the radio announced a preparation to evacuate. Alek recounts walking away from her family; first to the counrty side in search of peace, and then to Khartoum. She eventually migrated to England with her sister. The rest of the family were able to join them later.

The journey to London was one with a sad departure but even Alek had no idea that the little black and skinny girl with psoriasis on her skin was heading to a world where her unapolegetic African features would become celebrated as beautiful. Since Alek did not speak English, one of her first tasks was to learn the language and get accustomed to life in London. She was teased and ridiculed for her complexion, her weight and height.

One day in 1995 at a fair, a model scout reached out to Alek because she looked peculiar and thought she ought to consider going into modeling. Even though her mother was a bit skeptical, Alek went ahead and pursued her dream. Through hard work, pain, and frustration, Alek has risen from the skinny black girl to far beyond her dreams and expectations as a supermodel.

Alek sheds light on the work involved in becoming a model in today’s industry - especially a black, working and sought-after model in an industry where this is not common. For Alek, it has been good and bad. It has been painful and pleasuring. To sum it up, Alek’s journey has been triumphant. ALEK takes you through the war that has riddled Sudan and the supermodel is working with different political and non-profit organizations in places of power to help restore peace. This is one of her ways of giving back to the country which will always be her home. ALEK will not only inspire but educate you about dreams, pain, love, glory, and dedication.

Alek Wek - From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel is available in all major bookstores.