REIGNING Miss World Guyana, Rafieya Husain, has presented a cheque to Help and Shelter to assist that charitable organisation in its fight against domestic violence.

In a handing over ceremony arranged on July 24, 2014, Ms. Margaret Kertzious, Coordinator of Help and Shelter, expressed gratitude for Ms. Husain’s donation and said it would help continue Help and Shelter’s efforts at eradicating domestic violence and giving support to victims. Kertzious also said that more young people with the passion of Ms. Husain are needed in this fight.

A press release said Ms. Rafieya Husain, whose platform at the local pageant was ‘Initial Signs of Domestic Violence’, noted that this cause is close to her heart, since she had been a victim of domestic violence herself.

She committed to the coordinator that while the donation may be small, it is only the beginning, as she is determined to use this platform to help people understand the seriousness of this social ill.

She also pointed out that she would continue to seek local and international help in the fight against domestic violence.

Ms. Husain is currently in Guyana for a number of outreach programmes as she prepares for the international pageant, set for later this year in London.

Miss World is the largest and longest running international beauty pageant in the world. Launched in 1951, it has become one of the world’s most watched annual events, with a viewing audience of over one billion people. It is the only pageant that has a Beauty with a Purpose competition — the name of a special annual awards programme that singles out and recognises the Miss World contestant who, through charitable works, has shown herself to have made a real difference to needy people in her country.

The Miss World Guyana organisation focuses on raising money for charity and mirroring the role and spirit of Miss World at a national level. Under new directorship since 2013, Miss World Guyana pageantry is held annually to identify young Guyanese women who exemplify beauty, talent, intelligence and compassion.

The organisation aims to create and empower role models who would serve as regional ambassadors, role models, charity representatives; enrich the perception of beauty; and enhance a new strength, energy and spirit for the advancement of women, while positively impacting their communities.

Miss World Guyana is not only the most holistic and aspiring assignment for any young woman to have, but it is also one of the most prestigious titles to achieve as an accomplishment. The winner of Miss World Guyana represents Guyana with over 130 other countries at the annual Miss World finals. Each year Miss World Guyana entrants and finalists raise money for either chosen charities or projects supported through donations to local charities in need of assistance.
Written By Michel Outridge