What all beauty queens

should be doing…

I hardly see it happening, in the scene here – beauty pageant winners devoting some of their time to charity and social work.

When they return, after an international contest, most of them head straight for the ramp – modelling being their priority.

Abroad, quite a few pageant winners have got themselves involved, in helping the needy.

Believe me, I was quite happy, and pleased, when I was told that Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World 2021, Pushpika de Silva, has embarked on a campaign, connected with social work and community contribution. And, she is doing the needful through her creation ‘Lend a Helping Hand.’

Yes, a number of social service projects are planned for her year of resign as Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World 2021.

The following are some of the projects that Pushpika is involved in, despite her busy schedule as Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World 2021, and her family commitments…

* Building a house, for a family, in the district of Kalutara. The foundation stone was laid on 2nd October, 2021, and the house, she says, will be completed in five months.

* Renovating and completing a house for a mother and daughter, in the Kalutara district. The daughter was only two years old when she lost her father. Work on the house commenced on 2nd October, 2021, and this project is to be completed within three/four months.

* 65 pregnant mothers, in Boralesgamuwa, were gifted with essential items. This project was done with the total expenses being born by Pushpika herself.

* During the lockdown, 200 families, in the Colombo district, were given vegetables, sufficient for a week.

* 200 individuals (homeless people), in Boralesgamuwa, Bellanvilla and Wellawatte, were given lunch packets.

* An orphanage, in Moratuwa, was given study material, toys, and food, and various other items, for the children housed there.

* Kids of 25 families, in Kolonnawa, were gifted study material.

* 50 pregnant mothers, in Boralesgamuwa, were provided with packages of dry rations, during the lockdown.

* 53 families were gifted with dry ration packs, at the Divulapitiya Bhodhirajarama Viharasthanaya Temple, in Boralesgamuwa.

* 25 families, with children, in Dehiwela, were gifted goody bags of sweets, on World Children’s Day.

* 50 individuals, in Peliyagoda, were provided with lunch packets.

* 50 families, in Vavuniya, were given 5 Kg packs of rice and Rs. 1000, each.

Pushpika leaves for the States, in January, 2022, to represent Sri Lanka at the prestigious Mrs. World beauty pageant, to be held, in Las Vegas, from January 9th to 15th.