“I thought it would be really depressing, but it was the best travelling I’ve ever done.”

Celina Comninos has enjoyed several stints of globe-trotting, but it was a trip to Tanzania five years ago which changed her life.

She stayed with the family of the man who set up not-for-profit organisation Tamiha, which provides education and skills for widows who either have or have been affected by HIV, as well as running an orphanage and a centre for teenagers.

Celina was so affected by the visit that she desperately wanted to find a way to help and has now set up socially responsible clothing line Loup & Co, which does just that.

The 30-year-old orders sustainable wool from Peru, which is then delivered to Tanzania, where she has taught the women to make infinity scarves.

Finished garments are then sent back to Celina, who sells them online, before a percentage of the profits is returned to the women in Tanzania.

“I’ve always wanted to do something with travelling and philanthropy,” said Celina, who lives in Parkstone.

“I’m really creative anyway.

“I started a jewellery business for myself and it wasn’t quite right, there was something missing, so I decided to bring the two things together and it really works.

“We are a normal clothing company, except they’re not getting paid a horrendous wage. It’s putting money back into their community.”

There are currently 150 widows at the project in Tanzania, which teaches the women basic education and skills such as how to open a bank account and which crops to grow for food.

“In Tanzania men are usually the ones that make the money,” explained Celina. “When the guy has gone, the women have got no skills, they don’t have their own bank account.

“There’s a lot of stigma around women having AIDS or HIV, people don’t want to know them.”

Celina, who is planning to visit the project in October, may only employ two women to start with, but will teach them skills such as how to use a sewing machine, and how to “hand-knit” the scarves.

They will then be equipped with skills if they wish to go onto start their own business. Plus, the money they earn will be spent in the community, which will help the economy of the area.

“They’re spending that money which has come from the west back into their community,” said Celina.

“So they can buy produce, so those people then have money. It’s not just giving money, they will be learning new skills.

“We make less profit, but that’s how I want to do it. I can be proud of this.”

Celina uses only 100 per cent merino wool for the scarves, which are priced at £29.95, but is hoping to branch out into other accessories, as well as a deluxe edition of the scarf, once the project takes off.

“It’s daunting and it’s a challenge, but it will be worth it,” said Celina, who has also set up a corporate donation scheme with Indiegogo.

“I’ve just got to go for it. Even if it doesn’t work for me, it’s working for them.”

  • To find out more about Loup & Co, visit loupandco.org