I FELT the mud squeezing through my toes and it reminded me of the fun times as a kid growing up in beautiful Bartica. The first half of June has exceeded my expectations but not without challenges. I AM GRATEFUL!
Grateful for many things but on top of that list is contributing positively to lives. One of the things on my vision board for this year is investing more time in my hometown and contributing more to the people.

Earlier this year, I visited Mora Camp for the first time, distributing bread from the Bread Basket project. The second time was the distribution of hampers. The kids are so precious and they stole part of my heart. I promised the moms that I would do something special for the kids before the end of the year. I was discussing my trip with my friend Orwin Miller who resides in the USA and he willingly said he would contribute. A few days later, he got his sister Bridgette De Souza interested also. In a couple of months, we had a barrel with clothing for over 100 kids. Thank your Orin and Bridgette for collaborating with the Sonia Noel Foundation to put a smile on the kids’ faces. Observing the expressions on their beautiful faces while trying on their footwear or looking at their outfits was priceless. Even a two-month-old baby received a blanket.

Thank you to Banks DIH for providing the Icecream. Thank you Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams for your support. Thank you to Chris Noel, Manuela Bell, Anesa, Estiva Blessings Lake, and her team for volunteering. This quote came to mind that afternoon. “If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.” — Kofi Annan.

My foundation also hosted Tea and Chat at Mary’s Sunset Resort. Mary Nicholas is my schoolmate, so that was a significant moment because that beautiful resort was a dream Mary had for years. I will certainly do a feature on her soon.

The ladies were dressed in all white, and someone was appointed to be the table leader and to select a word to discuss. Faith, hope and resilience were some of the words chosen. Each group also had to create a centrepiece and bring tea cups and teapots of their choice. It was an amazing evening with ladies from my hometown. We are planning to do some extraordinary things together, God’s willing.

In March, I visited the children in the ‘dorms’at the Three Miles Secondary, and the conversations were extensive; hence I did not get to interact with the other students. I made up for that on this trip, and I left the school very motivated. I challenged them to write a short essay on the importance of our well-being and wellness. I believe every community has brilliant young people with big, limitless imaginations. It enables them to see the world in a different light and dream about the person they would like to be, and know that it is possible.

They are anxiously anticipating the future and we need to create opportunities to enable them. I enjoy working with young people and I believe they also enjoy working with me.
I attended an event hosted by a young man I admire because of his drive to make things happen, and not just for him. Calvin Roberts was one of the entrepreneurs when we hosted the EXPO 50 at Giftland Mall. He recently won the Mr.Guyana Independence Pageant, and he invited me to an event at Dada’s Grill in Tushen, to celebrate his win. I admire his passion for his indigenous culture. He provides delicious indigenous cuisine and wines for sale. He is a budding entrepreneur aside from his day job. We must encourage and support young people like Calvin as he navigates his way through life. I am optimistic because I know a few people who are willing to contribute to these young people who are our future.

H. Jackson Brown Jr said, “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”
I desire to be in that group of happiest people as we continue this beautiful journey called life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.