Miss Malawi First Princess Ireen Navicha says she will continue with her Beauty With a Purpose project which focuses on encouraging young girls, including those who have dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancies to return to school.
She was speaking at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on Tuesday after returning from Vietnam, where she represented Malawi at the Miss World competition.
Navicha on arrival. | Wantwa Mwamlima
Navicha’s project, When a Mother is a Child, was also presented the Miss World competition in Vietnam and got her in Africa’s Top 6 in the Beauty With a Purpose category
She said she now wants to build on the project by supporting more girls in the country.
“I do what I do not because I want to be seen wearing a crown, but because I am passionate about educating young girls in my country. I want to show them that, despite the challenges they face, they can still achieve their dreams,” said Navicha.
As part of the initiative, Navicha said she will construct a girls’ hostel in Lilongwe to provide accommodation for girls who are considering returning to school .
At the global pageant, she made it to the Top 40 of the competition but did not progress to the Top 20.
Her return was marked by a reception organised by various well-wishers, including Maranatha Academy, where she completed her secondary school education.
She was welcomed by traditional dances by the Malawi Dance Troupe as well as cheers from individuals who wore T-shirts with her name printed with balloons in their hands.
Upon arrival Maranatha Academy awarded Navicha a Master’s degree scholarship to Sharda University in India, with the package valued at more than K20 million.
Maranatha Academy director Ernest Kaonga said the school decided to support Navicha because of the pride she has brought to the institution and the country through her participation in the international competition.
“Irene has made us very much proud and I have seen a very good heart in her. She is thinking very much of others and she has Malawi in her heart,” he said.
He described Navicha’s character as exceptional, saying her courage and ability to withstand pressure during the competition had impressed him.
“She is going to have a quality Master’s of her choice. We are interested in her courage and her character. We want to build her education further,” said Kaonga.
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