Reigning 2017 Miss World, Manushi Chhillar of India, 2016 Miss World Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico, Chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation Julia Morley, five continental queens, and other senior management of the Miss World organization will be travelling to the Virgin Islands (VI) this month to participate in the recovery efforts. Photo: Internet Source

The visit is part of the organization’s ‘Beauty With A Purpose’ tour and is aimed at raising funds for the rebuilding of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Center, and to add support to the Territory’s post Irma recovery by using the prestigious Miss World brand to promote the VI’s tourism product.

The delegation will be in the Territory from February 25 to March 1, 2018. This will be the world renowned body’s first visit to the Eastern Caribbean, making it a historic feat for the VI. The main purpose of the visit is to join Miss World BVI 2017-2018 Helena A. Hewlett in her ‘Beauty with A Purpose’ (BWAP) philanthropic quest of re-building the territory’s lone institution of the differently abled, the Eslyn Henley Richiez School, which was totally demolished by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017.

The Ministry of Education estimates that the cost to construct a new full-service school is in the region of $1.4M. In contributing to the rebuilding effort, the Miss World organization is pledging the first $10,000 to the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Center’s rebuilding fund; while our local organization invites pledges that match or surpass that amount as we strive to meet the estimated budget.

Chair of the Miss World BVI Committee, Damian C. Grange stated, “We regard the rebuilding of the Eslyn Henley Richiez School as a timely, and important undertaking. As the VI representative of the Miss World brand we are happy that Mrs. Morley and Miss Chhillar chose the VI as one of the stops for the 'Beauty With A Purpose tour'."

Mr. Grange also mentioned that the Miss World Organization is travelling with a film crew. This he noted means additional international promotion for the Territory. “We are even more excited that Miss World, and the accompanying queens will participate in photoshoots at the Baths wearing designs of local BVI designers as a means of further promoting the Territory,” he added.

The delegation will arrive to a grand welcome at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on February 25, 2018 and will be escorted to a welcome reception at the Moorings Conference Room at 12:00 P.M. This event will also double as a media briefing.

They will later be the guests at a gala dinner at the Moorings Mariner Inn scheduled to start at 6:00 P.M. The dinner and auction is the main fundraiser for the school rebuilding fund. It will also feature the Miss World BVI’s second annual ‘Beauty with A Purpose’ (BWAP) philanthropic award.

‘Beauty with A Purpose’ (BWAP) philanthropic awardees for 2018 are Mr. Arlington “Gumption” Creque and Ms Denise Gardner in the Outstanding philanthropist category, Outstanding Philanthropic Organisation, the BVI Red Cross, for the Lifetime Philanthropic Award Dr. Ronald McAnaney and 'Beauty with A Purpose’ (BWAP) special Award Mr Stacy 'Buddha' Mather and Bishop John I. Cline.

Additional features of the elegant night are: -

1.         A cocktail reception followed by dinner

2.         Blind and open auctions

3.         A live fund-raiser telethon and

4.         A fashion show by BCBG in collaboration with UMI Fashion

5.         Live musical entertainment

6.         Photo opportunities with the delegation

On Monday, February 26, 2018 following a courtesy call on Premier Smith, the delegation will be lead by the Ministry of Education to the Eslyn Henley Richiez School to meet and greet the students at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School.

They will then head over to the destroyed Eslyn Henley Richiez School and commence clearing and cleaning exercises. Several other volunteer organizations including All Hands and Heart are expected to be on site to assist in this process. Additionally, all the local queens and interested persons are invited to participate.