You wouldn't catch Home and Away's tough tomboy Denny Miller wearing pretty beads and bangles, but Jessica Grace Smith is a little more girlie than her on-screen character. And more importantly, these are baubles for a cause.
Smith is the newest ambassador for the organisation So They Can, which works to educate and empower impoverished African communities. The jewellery is handmade by women in Kenya as part of the not-for-profit's Sew Women Can project. Single mums are trained to make jewellery and handicrafts, then encouraged to use the new skills to generate their own income and start businesses.
Smith says the charity attracted her due to its focus on women and children. "They're the most vulnerable people. And by educating children, you're helping the whole community."
Adds the Kiwi-born actress: "So They Can also has strong links to New Zealand, so it connects me to home." Among her fellow ambassadors are New Zealand music luminaries Kimbra and Neil Finn. Patriotic Smith also admires the work of former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark, who is doing much to help Africa in her current role as head of the United Nations Development Program.
Smith also loves being a walking billboard for the beads. "I wear them as much as I can. They're beautiful. And they appeal to the audience I connect with – young girls. I'm planning on featuring the pieces in an Instagram competition to help push sales and raise more funds."
Despite a demanding schedule of 16-hour filming days on Home and Away, Smith hopes to travel to Africa this year to see firsthand the difference So They Can is making.
Meanwhile, she's enjoying the hard work in the soapie gig. "As an actor you often seem to be looking ahead to something," she says. "But I just want to enjoy this job for now and really make the most of the experience. I've been on air for a year as Denny and she's getting great storylines."
Smith's built strong friendships on set, too. Recently engaged Tai Hara (AKA Andy Barrett) is a good mate and Smith is planning a trip with him and singer fiancee Fely Irvine – as well as her own beau, Underbelly actor and fellow Kiwi Benedict Wall. The pair have been together for 4½ years. If Wall is planning to pop the question like their pal, he knows where to shop for the jewellery: Kenya.
