UNDER the directorship of Missosology Guyana, Divya Yabindranauth was appointed Miss United Continents Guyana 2017 and will travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador to compete in the 2017 edition of Miss United Continents, organisers said in a release.

This will be the second time a Guyanese beauty will be competing in this pageant, which will see the participation of different countries from all over the world battling it out in evening gown, swimsuit, national costume and interview segments. The finals of Miss United Continents are scheduled for September 23rd, 2017.

According to organisers at 21, Yabindranauth is an aspiring model, humanitarian, individualist, and dreamer, who is eager to represent Guyana on the international platform. She is no stranger to the world of pageantry, having competed in Miss World Guyana 2016 as Miss Barima Waini, representing the people of Region One and copped the Multimedia Award along with the People’s Choice Award. She also placed in the top three for the Beauty with a Purpose (BWP) segment of the competition for her outstanding charitable contribution to the people of her region and Guyana.

Raised in Tucshen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, Divya lived with her grandmother in a quiet and humble setting. She attended Vergenoegen Nursery School after which she attended Philadelphia Primary School and later transferred to Professional Primary School (PLC) in Meten-Meer-Zorg. She spent a few years there before moving to Comprehensive College in Tucshen. Divya migrated to the United States of America at the young age of 13. Presently, she resides in Houston, Texas with her parents and two younger brothers, where she attended middle and high schools. During her time in high school, her determination and focus was to finish in three years, as she desired to syndicate her junior and senior year in one, in order to graduate early.

By studying meticulously, keeping up with good grades and remaining on path; Divya achieved much success by graduating a year early from high school. During her time in high school, she participated in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), a programme established to promote healthcare initiatives and to aid in the development of medical skills for students. She also partook in community service and volunteer work for her school, which helped her to communicate with others and work in group settings. These experiences have expanded her knowledge and allowed her to see the need in society for helping those who cannot help themselves; no doubt a seedbed for the charitable platform that she is committed to. Divya currently works at W-Industries as an Administrative Assistant, while she simultaneously pursues her degree in Business Management. In her free time, she makes frequent visits to children at local area hospitals, and engages in outreach programmes through her church.

Divya has been seeing the struggle that some of her fellow Guyanese are facing when it comes to healthcare and finding adequate treatment. From a very young age, she vowed to one day make a measurable difference. Three years ago, she joined forces with Saving Hands Emergency Aid, Inc., (SHEA), a non-profit organisation aimed at providing financial medical assistance, coupled with pro-bono or subsidised medical treatment for families in need. As the Regional Director for Guyana, she assisted with finding treatment services, raising funds, meeting with patients (especially children), and interactions on a one-on-one basis. Divya plans to continue developing herself throughout life, learning and growing in influence and compassion towards others. In collaborating with the SHEA Foundation, it gives her the opportunity to help those that are struggling with providing adequate financial aid and medical treatment for individuals in dire need of medical care.

Divya is truly honoured to be selected as Guyana’s representative to the 2017 edition of Miss United Continents. She believes that winning the pageant would provide a platform for uniting people with a common cause and to promote the importance of selflessly giving back to society. Winning the title would create visibility on a greater scale that will propel the cause that she envisions. She believes that holding the title would allow her to be a face of the people; not a face of vanity but a face of hope for those who cannot.