MORE Earth Angels. Joins the ranks! The ‘silent crime’ of women and child abuse with Natasha Sutherland, better known as the author motivational speaker of “Bitter Sweet”, is joining forces to create public awareness.
The ‘silent crime’ of women and child abuse with Natasha Sutherland, better known as the author motivational speaker of “Bitter Sweet”, is joining forces to create public awareness.
Natasha became involved FIVE years ago at Miss Garden Route when she paid a visit to all the involved shelters. She was totally overwhelmed by the work done by the volunteer ‘angels’ in very difficult circumstances and decided to link the awareness of the plight of these women to her Big HEART FOUNDATION. She also made an effort sending goods which was donated by the general public to the shelters involved.
Even if you are not a star, a public figure or a celeb, you and/or your organisation can become “angels behind the scenes” by getting involved in this very worthy cause which represents a large percentage of the women and children in our country.
The plight of battered women and children all over the country, but especially in the Southern Cape is highlighted by the annual Miss Garden Route & Klein Karoo project which initially started as a beauty pageant some years ago, but has grown into the celebration of women that have seen the darker side of abuse.
This project started in 2003 and has grown into a community effort. At present four shelters in the Southern Cape: Centre for Effective Families (CEF) in Mossel Bay, Malibongwe in Oudtshoorn and Phambile in George and Knysna’s shelter Lukhanyiso benefit from the proceeds.
YOU too can become involved in this project and make a difference not only to the lives of these women and children, but also to the community at large.
The Beauty with a Purpose Project is focused on granting a platform to our local community by means of the following four levels:
a) Beauty : Undiscovered beauties have the opportunity to enter the “tourism face” competition winning a magnitude of prizes.
b) Design : Local designers are invited to display their talents. Six local designers are chosen to design two garments each.
c) Tourism : Tourism role-players get the opportunity to market their businesses. The 12 finalists experience a tour of the region which includes the shelters.
d) Charity : All proceeds generated are donated to selected shelters for battered and abused women and children in the region. Malibongwe in Oudtshoorn, Phambili in George, Creating Effective Families in Mossel Bay and Lukhanyhiso shelter in Knysna.
Educational week (21 – 25 September)
In order to be true ambassadors of the region, all 12 finalists will this year be taken on a variety of tourism educationals. At this stage, tours will depart on 21 September for the first visit to Oudtshoorn area visiting other tourism attractions, culminating to the gala evening taking place on Friday, 25 September 2015.
