Trisha aims to make a difference through Miss Earth

Trisha Rajkumar is aiming to make a difference in the world around her and is doing so through the Miss Earth pageant.
No stranger to the pageant world, Trisha is excited about the Miss Earth brand because it doesn’t focus on beauty and clothes like the others.

“Miss Earth is not like anything I have ever been a part of before. It is a leadership and empowerment programme aimed at helping young women by giving them a platform to make a sustainable difference in their community. I was inspired to enter because I wanted to know more about the world and I wanted to know how I could do my part to help create a sustainable difference.”

Currently a regional semi-finalist, Trisha is hoping to progress further in the pageant, thereby making more of a difference.
“I was so oblivious to the world around me. I took everything for granted without even knowing how it would affect the world around me. I have learned so much in such a short time and have been inspired by the programme. Now I want to inspire others.”

Signing up to be part of the programme was simple; each contestant had to fill out an application form on the website and from there, the top girls in each province were selected for the casting round.
After being selected for the casting rounds, the contestants attended workshops presented by Pikitup JHB, Beauty Without Cruelty, Ban Animal Trading and Venom Works. It was then onto the interview rounds before Trisha was selected as a semi regional finalist. As a regional semi-finalist, there are certain activities, projects and events that Trisha will be required to partake in.

These activities and projects help to promote the Miss Earth initiative around the area and help educate others on the importance of looking after the environment. These activities count towards her final Key Performance Assessment, which will determine whether she will be accepted to move on. One of the projects is the #WasteStopsWithMe. Trisha has been visiting local schools, educating Grade 3’s on the importance of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling and giving them little projects to do. The little ones made pen holders out of old tins and decorated them using scrap paper and some imagination.

“I strongly believe, like Nelson Mandela once said, ‘education is the greatest weapon with which we can use to make a difference.’

Trisha also has to do a community clean-up campaign and tree planting is part of her upcoming projects. She’s called on the community to assist her in her aim to plant trees around the area. Those willing to assist can either donate a tree to the cause or donate funds to purchase a tree. If you would like to assist contact Byron at the Northern Natal Courier or email Trisha on trish1.rajkumar@gmail.com.

With some of the projects behind her and a few more to come, Trisha is loving every moment of being part of the Miss Earth experience. “This experience has given me the opportunity to meet and work with such amazing young children. The two schools that I visited, Ethangeni and Dundee Junior School, I worked with the Grade 3 learners and we turned a used tin can into a pencil case holder.

My favourite part thus far has been able to interact with these children and teach them about the #WasteStopsWithMe initiative. Although I was required to only do one school assembly, I was so inspired by the initiative that I just had to spread the word.” At the end of June, the regional finalists will be selected. From there the national finalists will be selected and they will participate in the finals of Miss Earth SA.

Trisha thanked all those who have supported her through the journey so far, especially her parents, the Miss Earth pageant for the opportunity and the sponsors Pikitup, Tsogo Sun and Fry’s Family.

GALLERY – Trisha worked with Grade 3 learners, turning a used tin can into a pencil case:

Stay tuned to our website for photos of Trisha working with the Grade 3’s at Dundee Junior.