'Corner Gas' star Gabrielle Miller goes to Africa

[Mikado]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew...1206/20071206/

Instead of shopping for Christmas gifts this year, Gabrielle Miller is headed to Mali, Africa with World Vision.


Miller stars in CTV's "Corner Gas" and "Robson Arms."


In an interview with eTalk, Miller says the trip is an "incredible opportunity to go and meet people and see what World Vision is doing in Mali."


World Vision is a well-respected relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to helping communities overcome poverty and injustice.


According to Miller, Mali alone has 17,000 children sponsored by Canadians, one of whom is sponsored by Miller herself. Part of her trip will involve meeting her child and her child's family.


"I think I'm going to witness poverty in a way that we here in North America don't," says Miller, who has never been to Africa before.


"I also know that I'll experience some incredible people and have this chance to connect and meet people that are living through things we can't even comprehend."


The actress says that she first became involved with World Vision because she's always had a passion for helping people.


"I felt like in my off-time this year, one of the things that bring me the most joy in my life is being able to be a part of things that I feel make a difference in the world."


In the last few months, as Miller has been planning her trip, she's found that her friends and family have begun fundraising and offering to help.


The local school in Nelson, B.C., where Miller's parents reside, has organized its own fundraiser to help the children in Mali.


"I think is a really cool connection for those children," says Miller.