A queen in our midst
‘If I can help those children who truly suffer, I will be more than happy’
While other married women may pursue the dream of having children or making money in a career, Adele de Beer, Mrs Africa finalist said her dreams reach into the core of helping the children of Africa.
To her children hold the key to creating a better future for the country. “But what happens if those who hold the key to the country miss over 60 days of school every year?” she asked.
She was referring to female school pupils in Africa who miss school because they do not have access to sanitary wear.
Some may think this is an exaggeration, but recent studies have shown that many female children in Africa don’t even have underwear. In South Africa alone there are seven million girls in this category.
“In the process of choosing a winner, the Mrs Africa pageant helps hundreds of children stay in school. This is why I am part of this campaign and proud of it,” Adele said.
An extraordinary company, Dignity Dreams promotes a range of washable, reusable sanitary wear to distribute in disadvantage communities. The Mrs Africa pageant requires participants to raise enough funds to pay for the sanitary wear, which will be distributed during the competition. The sanitary wear is beautifully packed into a bag made of recycled sunflower-print bandannas.
“I don’t want girls to miss school or feel that their dignity has been taken away from them,” Adele said.
This is not the only project Mrs Africa finalists have to complete before being eligible to win. They estimate that two thirds of Africa’s school population don’t have desks. A charitable company has been manufacturing a backpack-desk combination using recycled material to give to school pupils in disadvantaged communities.
She said she still feels that something is missing from her life and believes she will find a filler for the void in her heart if she can help children across Africa stay in school.
“I don’t care so much about winning, but if I can help those children who truly suffer, I will be more than happy,” Adele said.
The finals will take place in the Protea Hotel at the OR Tambo International Airport on 16 December.
