A group of Belizeans are hoping that some world-class beauties will help to raise some dollars for charities. They are the ‘Encore Foundation,’ a charity group led by Miss Belize 2003 runner-up Delilah Vanzie. The aim is to raise funds for three charities and for the effort Dalilah has solicited the help of friends she met at the Miss World pageant to join her at a gala dinner to be held in October at the Maruba Resort. Miss Jamaica World Jade Fulford arrived in Belize this week for the first round of promotion and she told us why she is more than just a pretty face.
Dalilah Vanzie, Miss Belize World
“We’re beginning a fund, the Encore Foundation, and this money will go towards the Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly, the Octavia Waight Center, and a small portion will be going to the HIV/AIDS society. But the whole idea also is to bring across intelligence, also beauty, and the whole notion of beauty with a purpose.”
Jade Fulford, Miss Jamaica World
“This is the perception we are really trying to change because the modern day 21st beauty pageant is not just about the physical beauty. It is about having something inside and having sense. It is about having intelligence and all the girls that I have met in the individual pageants were girls with degrees and we are all intelligent girls and we have a purpose and we want to fulfill that.”
Keith Swift,
Will your beauty help the effort?
Dalilah Vanzie,
“Like I said it is beauty but also being able to socialize. You can talk about country because the girls are representing their countries as ambassadors so they will bring concepts of their country to the people that will be at the event. So it is not only about looks but about what they can give intellectually.”
Jade Fulford,
“The thing is that we are all public figures. She is a public figure in her country and I am one in my country. Each girl is one in her country so us being public figures we are able to draw the crowd and the population will come and see us because we are like celebrities. So what better event to come and see these different celebrities from different countries to share their culture and experience than this one.”
The other Miss World candidates who have pledged to participate are Miss Switzerland, Miss Venezuela, Miss Puerto Rico, Miss Dominican Republic, and Miss Canada World. For more on Encore Foundation: http://www.dalilavanzie.com