Mariatu Kargbo, the 59th Miss Sierra Leone, plans to contribute all her life to charity. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

As long as she has the ability to walk, she's going to use it to help those in need. That's the pledge made by 24-year-old model and dancer Mariatu Kargbo.

The tall, bright-eyed entertainer has used her celebrity status as a nationally known dancer in Sierra Leone and as the 59th Miss Sierra Leone contestant for the Miss World competition to donate thousands to those in need, back in her home country.

Kargbo first came to China in 2006 to compete in the Miss Kite competition in Hangzhou, where she came in fourth. She used the money won from her first Chinese competition to produce an album in China.

"The first money I made in China was used to make an album, because we were having a war in Sierra Leone. Lots of people have hurt hands and feet," she said. "So I told myself I need to use my talent to support these people."

She took her Chinese-produced album, Mama Africa, and returned home to Sierra Leone where she performed concerts in four major cities across the West African nation.

"All the money and all the gifts I received went to the people," she said. "When it was time for me to return to China, I didn't have enough money so I had to borrow some from a friend."

Recently, Kargbo brought her charitable efforts a step forward after receiving official certification for her self-titled Mariatu Kargbo Foundation last January.

Kargbo's initiation into modeling and dancing came when she was only 8. While attending primary school in Sierra Leone, her stepmother enrolled her into Sierra Leone's National Dancing Troupe where she excelled as a performer.

"There I learned everything, such as posing, singing, acting and of course, dancing," Kargbo said.

Learning the ins and outs of the industry on the streets of Sierra Leone, Kargbo established herself as a minor celebrity after touring through her teens with the dancing troupe.

Since moving to China she has continued to grow in recognition, having starred as the hostess for several television shows and competing Beijing-based shows.

Her most recent project has been Di Zhen, a movie based on her experiences volunteering during the Sichuan earthquake.

Q & A

Q: Other than for raising money, how have you used your talents to help?

A: In 2008 I visited the Sichuan earthquake area, where I visited hospitals. I would go from room to room all day; singing to people wouldn't take their medicine. The music helped a lot.

Q: Would you choose acting or singing?

A: I think I would choose both, but if I had to choose only one, I would select acting. If I want to explain something without words, my face will help you understand. It's the same thing with music.

Q: You've been in several beauty contests, so is there a ritual you go through before hitting the stage?

A: No ritual, I just exercise and pray.

Q: Do you pray to win?

A: I pray for God to protect me and so I can do my best. If you do your best, winning doesn't matter.

Q: What drew you to China?

A: The heart of the people and the culture. When I was in Sichuan it was a very emotional time for me. I saw the nature of Chinese people - everyone was fighting to help each other.

Q: Is it difficult to navigate through the movie scene here?

A: It is, because in China they don't use a lot of black actors. I don't know why but I think they will in time. It's even more difficult in the modeling industry.

Q: Is this a form of racism?

A: No, I don't think it's racism. I just think maybe it's the times.