WHILE travelling to Suriname, I was thinking: what do I share today from Beyond the Runway…?
After having such a hectic week as March came to a close, people were asking how tired I was.

Of course a bit of tiredness is stepping in but when you love what you do, your reserve energy kicks in automatically.
The INSPIRE YOU event was truly inspirational. The speakers were all dynamic and very diverse.
Although Anna McKoy did a virtual presentation her energy was so high, it was as if she was in the room, with us.

She shared a very profound meaning of inspire defining the meaning of every letter.
Her message was about finding who you are and giving the best version of you.
Pamela Robinson who came to Guyana for the first time spoke about finding your purpose and she shared her story about her early pregnancy and hitting rock bottom and how she recovered and why it is important to share your story.
My friend Linda Wallace shared the message of hope from Aruba.

All the way from London, Sherry Dixon’s message was about the importance of branding yourself. She had so much humor in her presentation and the audience received her well.
Kerrensa Gravesande spoke about her career in a male-dominated industry and how she copes daily with staying relevant; from sometimes the only woman in the boardroom to being mistaken for the person making the coffee.
Hilda Bournes shared her very emotional story of abuse from her grandfather from an early age which continued into her adult life. She wrote a book called Nell’s Nightmare which has details that it’s truly heart rendering and will jerk a few tears. That book was released that same day and went to number one in two categories.

The Hon. Minister of Public Telecommunication, Cathy Hughes, Hon. Minister Valarie Lowe, Mrs. Sita Nagamottoo, wife of the Hon. Prime Minister Moses Nagamottoo, were all in high praises of the event and so were the other patrons.
Some of the comments include:
“I am so charged up after this event that I feel I can take on the world. I am ready to make the changes to live my full potential”
“I had challenges coming here today and would have been so mad if I had missed this because this was food for my soul.”

“I will be a pursuing a career in the oil sector and it was great to hear Ms Kerri”
“It was great to see so many young women at the event because listening to these great women can assist them to shape their future”
Last Tuesday was very emotional but one of the best days for the month of March.
I visited Shondel from Berbice who is the young lady that was burnt with acid recently. She is so strong and very forgiving and we plan to assist her to raise some funds for her surgery.
Then on to the women’s prison with Hilda and Niketa. The women were happy to see us.
We shared stories, laughed and cried. Every life has a story and it is always great to share them because your story does not belong to you. Your stories are meant to be shared to inspire others.

We distributed Expo T-shirts sponsored by Impression’s and expo booklets which has the listing with all exhibitors. I told them in the future their names may be in that booklet if they pursue their dreams and stick to it.
One of the ladies was very excited and shared with us her future plans of starting a boutique when she is released and making it to participate in the Women in Business Expo 2018.
I had promised them a copy of Women’s Code and I also presented them with one of my favourites: Abundance Now by Lisa Nichols.

I told them to be there for each other and think about how they can collaborate to make each other’s lives better in and out of prison. I fell in love with one of the inmate’s baby girl; I met her mom last year while visiting them and told her if she has a daughter she will have many dresses from me; she will be wearing Sonia Noel Designs before the end of the month.
Our next stop was Vrymans Ervin Secondary School, New Amsterdam Berbice.
Although I may not be here when we celebration 100 years of independence it is important to me for us to be much better off than the first 50 years.

The youth population will play a very integral part in that, so it is important that we mould them well.
Going to schools across Guyana is top on the list to my foundation and we will continue to do with the limited resources we have.
We all as citizens of Guyana pledge to do more to make this land of ours what it could be.
They say pictures tell a thousand words so an am leaving you on this super Sunday with a few pics.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Charles R. Swindoll
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