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In the years to come, I will look back at my year as Miss Jamaica and feel satisfied that I have done as my predecessor had urged, “Give of yourself and make a difference.”
The experiences I have gained proves that this is an event I would never have wanted to forego. This year has seen the beginning of new relationships, enterprises and has served as a launching pad for future career moves. It has brought me closer to my country and its people and has given me an opportunity to become even more enlightened about the country in which I live.
A few months after being crowned Miss Jamaica, I journeyed to India to represent my beloved Jamaica in the Miss World Competition. My experience in India was quite an interesting one. Several feminist groups were opposed to the staging of the competition in the country and as such there were bomb scares and a series of protests. Members of one group even threatened to burn themselves alive. So you can imagine how high the tension was.
The organizers were taking no chances so each contestant was assigned a body guard! Guards were posted at every window and exit…
We all felt threatened by the bomb scares, especially when they ‘rushed’ the hotel one night. I only learnt of it through CNN TV. As a result of the tension and controversy, we did not see much of India and the only time we left the hotel was when they had the Festival of Lights, called Duvali, and they cordoned off an entire block for us.
I had decided that I would focus on the under-privileged and would seek to get involved with some local charities. Unfortunately my reign allowed me to get involved in only three. They are the St. Patrick’s Foundation, the Glenhope Place of Safety and the Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica.
My experience with St. Patrick’s Foundation was humbling to say the least. While families were getting together under the warmth of the Christmas lights, there were hundreds of homeless and despondent persons on the streets of Kingston who, had it not been for the benevolence of a few, would have gone without even a Christmas dinner. Thus, I was happy to assist the St. Patrick’s team in going out on the streets and getting meals to these people.
My next major project was with the Women’s Centre Foundation of Jamaica. A project of the Centre, Knowledge and Education for Youth (KEY), held a peer counseling seminar and workshop to which I was invited to participate in the opening ceremony and two days later to deliver a talk on Values and Attitudes. The few hours I spent there were some of the most gratifying in my life.
The seminar had as its participants, high school students in the Corporate Area. I was more than happy to deliver a one-hour motivational talk to the students. My presentation focused on the issues of self-esteem, choosing a career, spirituality and setting goals.
The programme KEY was established to assist children, teenagers and young adults in Kingston and St. Andrew with their emotional, psychological, sexual, and medical problems. Since the inception of the programme in 1990, over 8,000 teenagers and young adults have been assisted with problems such as teenager pregnancy, rape, bed-wetting, low self-esteem, personal hygiene and familial relationships.
As many of us know, the Centre was set up to deal with the problems associated with teenage pregnancies, interrupted education and low employment potential amongst young girls who fall in this trap.
Each centre operates a nursery where the babies of teenage mothers are cared for. Breast feeding is facilitated and good parenting habits are encouraged. The programme has been so successful, that it has garnered international recognition, not only in the publication of papers in leading international media, but most importantly, its model has been adopted by other Caribbean territories and by some African States.
I learnt that impressive successes include a low world record rate of second pregnancy; many centre graduates are now at tertiary institutions or working; to date 8,000 young mothers have been assisted, and there is a decrease in the percentage of births to teenage mothers in comparison to total deliveries at all main maternity hospitals.
I sincerely believe that organizations such as these which are serving such a noble and worthy purpose should be given all the assistance they need as they face severe challenges namely dwindling resources. It is my fervent wish that my successor will see it fit to get involved in this organization in whatever way she can.
My second major project was organizing a book and clothes drive for the girls at the Glenhope Place of Safety. With the assistance of friends and members of Spartan Health Club, I was able to collect several carton boxes of clothes, books and shoes which I handed over to the home. The home which is really a place of Safety situated at 89 Maxfield Avenue houses approximately 94 girls who are brought there for reasons such as rape, child abuse, and behavioral problems.
I was touched by the warmth of the reception I received at Glenhope, but concerned about the living conditions and the future of the young women living there. Listening to some of them expressing their ambitions, I thought to myself they are not unlike myself, my sisters my peers. I only wish that something could be done to give them the fullest opportunities in life.
In interacting with the girls, I discovered that there was a prevalent problem with scabies caused by sheets that weren’t sanitized. I discovered that the home was in need of a washing machine. I called some of my friends and family and was able to procure an almost new General Electric washing machine, which I handed over to the home on my third visit. I was also successful in getting Homelectrics to donate a total of six standing fans to the home.
Much more still needs to be done though. The dormitories and other areas of the home are badly in need of painting, there is also the need for sheets and other linens. The home also faces many problems such as dwindling resources, lack of very basic items and inadequate security.
At the time of writing, I am currently in the process of establishing a counseling and health care programme for the children of the home. This is being done in conjunction with Food for the Poor. I am being assisted in this quest by Mrs. Pearl Barrett, Manager for Housing and Community Development at Food for the Poor. It is my hope that this programme will be continued by my successor who will be chosen tonight.
It was an honour and privilege to travel to New York under the auspices of the Jamaica Tourist Board to participate in Jamaica Jamboree-a celebration of our 35th year of independence in the Big Apple. I used that opportunity to further inform Americans about the charms of our island. I also was careful to point out our triumphs as a small country. The icing on the cake was appearing on ABC’s Today! And being asking asked a few questions by Matt Lowery. I also used that opportunity to tell the world that Jamaica was celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Like my predecessors I hope I have made my mark as the 39th Miss Jamaica. To the next Miss Jamaica I say “be yourself during your reign. Please ignore negative statements and work at making your reign a positive one.
Source: 1997 Miss Jamaica World Souvenir Magazine
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