Last week young people from all walks of life strode down the impromptu catwalk at Wesley Methodist Church in aid of children an ocean away.

The show, featuring youth fashions from six local stores, and emceed by Judith Welch, was a fundraiser for orphans at Rafiki Village in Nyamata, Rwanda and day students from the surrounding community. The $1,000 raised from ticket sales and donations will be used to provide adequate housing, education and health care for the youngsters, some of the 687,000 orphans in country.

Thirteen members of the church Sunday School, ranging in age from six to 19, revealed an array of outfits from beach gear to formal ware available at the English Sports Shop, Gibbons Co., Sail On, Kolours, Diva and Revelation.

Fashions suitable for a day at the beach, Harbour Nights, a garden party and prom night, were presented to an enthusiastic audience of friends and family numbering about 100.

An unfortunate clash with the opening of Wesley Square and the unveiling of Chesley Trott's "When Voices Rise" statue meant a lower turnout than might otherwise be expected.

Light refreshments served at the conclusion of the fashion show allowed the audience and models to interact in an informal way.

Anyone interested in supporting the fundraising efforts on behalf of Rafiki Village can send cheques made out to Wesley Methodist Church to the church at P.O. Box HM 346, Hamilton HM BX. Please be sure to mark the envelope "Rafiki Village".