Miss World Guyana launches “Sweet Vigour” campaign

As the recently crowned Miss World Guyana gears up to represent her country on the international stage, Vena Mookram on Friday launched her Beauty with a Purpose Campaign, which she titled “Sweet Vigour.”

With that, the local beauty queen has embarked on a mission aimed at educating

the public on the prevalence and dangers of diabetes while advocating for diet and exercise as preventative measures of this illness.

While addressing the gathering at the launch of her service project, Mookram outlined what her campaign entails. In doing so, the 18-year-old went on to say what turned her attention to this issue, as she sets her eyes on the international crown.

Miss World Guyana 2017 regretfully relayed that “My family has a history of diabetes and so I have seen first-hand how persons suffer as a result of this disease.” She further indicated that “Based on my personal observation, the majority of the Guyanese population are not knowledgeable about what diabetes really is and I want to bring more awareness to this and I see this as a major problem. Most importantly, based on the International Diabetes Federation of 2014, it was reported that 61,800 (persons) are affected by diabetes in Guyana.”

As such, she now takes the challenge of enlightening the public of this life threatening condition and by promoting diet and exercise; she provides a solution to those already caught up with the illness.

Also speaking at the event hosted at Cara Lodge was Keziah Nestor, a representative from the Young Leaders in Diabetes organisation.

The youth advocate took the opportunity to highlight the prevalence of the chronic illness, especially in Guyana, and pointed out the accomplishments made in tackling this serious medical threat.

Nestor underlined, “Our country as well as other parts of the Caribbean suffers from a severe case of incomprehension with respect to Type One diabetes and what it is. We have lost many young lives as a result of this.”

With that being said, she continued, “We haven’t found the cure for Type One diabetes but we have found the cure for lack of knowledge. We understand that Type One diabetes can never be eradicated but it can be controlled. The only way we can control Type One diabetes is through education.”

Echoing the sentiments of Nestor was local activist Glynis Beaton who is attached to the Guyana Diabetic Association. Beaton in her address emphasised the need for actions to be taken to prevent the possible devastating outcomes of diabetes.

“While diabetes is not the leading cause of death, it is the contributing factor for the top four deaths in Guyana,” conveyed the expert.

On that note, Beaton explained that living with this illness no longer simply entails taking medication, practicing a healthy diet and regular excise but she pointed that it requires a comprehensive lifestyle adjustment, part of which is addressed in the “Sweet Vigour” campaign.

After establishing the severity of the matter at hand, the ambassadors of both organizations pledged support to the Miss World Guyana as she goes on to tackle the concerns of diabetes in Guyana.

The reigning Miss World Guyana in collaboration with her partners will be hosting a series of events in the coming months which will provide the necessary education on the issue and more so, medical assistance to those suffering from the illness. The local beauty queen also announced the impending commissioning of a public park in Diamond, East Coast Demerara, providing the necessary facilities to citizens to stay fit with continuous exercise.

Given that the Beauty with a Purpose Campaign carries the most weight at the Miss World Pageant, Vena’s ‘Sweet Vigour’ diabetes prevention campaign will aid in her mission as she competes along scores of beauties from across the world.

Mookram is set to take the international stage on November 18 as she vies for this year’s Miss World crown in China.