Miss Zambia UK:
http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=38295

PEOPLE AT THE PROMOTION - MISS MALAIKA UK 2007

Here are a selection of the many photographs taken by Ben Black at the recent Miss Malaika UK 2007 promotion. Hard copies and enlarged copies, and the full range of shots, can be obtained from Ben Black whose details are given on the Home Page of this journal and on the page Picture Gallery.

Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2007, 5th Anniversary

Press Release submitted by Carivog International

Carivog International, organisers of the Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK, are delighted to announce Miss Valenee Gosine has won the title of Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2007.  The primary school teacher, and resident of Kent, representing the area of San Francique-Penal has a BA (Honours) in Primary Education, 3 A’ Levels and 8 GCSE’s.  Her hobbies are travelling, playing the piano, singing, acting, dancing, drama,reading, and cultural activities.

With many thanks to Miss Chandani Persaud (Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2006) for being an excellent ambassador during her reign, we welcome and congratulate the 2007’s winner, Miss Gosine.  The next year can only be described as one that will be a life changing and character building experience; and congratulations to the runners’ up, Miss Jacqueline Baker (1st) and Miss Sarah Mahabir (2nd) who will need to be prepared to step into Ms Gosine’s shoes for the occasional situation when she may be unable to carryout her duties at the various guest appearances.  The winners of the other titles were:

Miss Website Queen:         Miss Valenee Gosine, Kent (Miss San Francique-Penal)

Miss Amity:          Miss Michelle Supersad, Hertfordshire (Miss Cunupia)

Miss Photogenic: Miss Sarah Mahabir, South London (Miss Santa Cruz)

Miss Elegance:     Miss Michelle Supersad, Hertfordshire (Miss Cunupia)

Miss Carivog International:               Miss Sophia Williams, Middlesex (Miss Tobago)

Miss Personality: Miss Stacey-Ann Reyes-Pile, North London (Miss Chaguanas)

Best Project:          Miss Asha Lushington, Kent (Miss D’Abadie)

Achievement Award           Miss Esther Ramthahal, South East London (Miss Siparia)

Less than two weeks have passed since Ms Gosine was crowned on Saturday 29 September 2007, and already, her duties have started.  In the early hours of Sunday 30 September, Ms Gosine was whisked away to be interviewed on BBC Radio 5’s Up All Night.  She has since appeared on BEN TV’s Lifestyle on BEN (broadcasted on Sky) accompanied by the runners’ up – Jacqueline Baker and Sarah Mahabir.  This was followed by the Yorkshire Trinidad & Tobago Race Handicap organised by fellow Trinidadian Mr Hugo Gunning, on Monday 8 October 2007.

The judges on the night were Professor Andrew Ramroop – owner and manager of Maurice Sedwell, the Savile Row tailors; Ms Barbara Campbell – owner of Barb Wire Enterprises which publishes Black Heritage Today, LIVE Listings Today; Mr Ken Chung – former national director of Miss Guyana and Miss Guyana World for the past six years; Ms June Daley – President of Miss Jamaica UK; Ms Crystal Laugier – Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2006.  The proceedings were overseen by Dr Kameel Khan as adjudicator, a lawyer who sits as a Judge in the Tax Court, UK and a former law lecturer at a number of universities including UWI.  They were assisted by Ms Dee Cummings, a director on the board of the Trinidad & Tobago Professionals Network UK.  The 2007 Committee extends their gratitude to the judges for their professionalism.

The show choreography was put together by Sheanna Alleyne, managing director of Carivog International.  The delegates’ presentation dance routine, “Soca Medicine”, was put together with the assistance of Josephine Learmond-Criqui.

Since Finals night, two members of the audience have offered additional prizes.  More information will be revealed shortly.  The 2007 Committee are very grateful to these persons for helping to make Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK 2007 even more special.

The Entertainment

Many thanks to the performers, who donated their time:  Lorilee & Lorenzo Nimblette (representing the children & youth of Trinidad & Tobago), Jahson – formerly with The Drifters, Soul Logic – 2006 MOBO New Comer of the Year Award, Ebony Steelband, "Brown Sugar" (UK Calypso Monarch 2007 & 2006), Iris De Brito, Damarys Farres, Cesar Pacheco, Jemima Douglas and Nikisha Reyes-Pile.

In keeping with the Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK’s motto of: Trinidad & Tobago, in conjunction with the other Caribbean islands and the world, Cuba featured prominently this year.  September 2007 saw Prime Minister Patrick Manning arriving in Havana to officially open the Trinidad & Tobago Trade Facilitation Office (TTFO).  The goodwill cultural contingent included, our very own Machel Montano, who has released a version of the popular Cuban song ‘La vida es un Carnaval’ (Life is a Carnival.  This song could have been written for Trinidad & Tobago!).  Additionally, both Trinidad & Tobago and Cuba have Yoruba traditions and the Orishas in common.  We were honoured to have Oshun, the Goddess of the Rivers, who represents beauty, joy of living and sensuality danced by the beautiful dancer, Damarys Farres.  This was complimented by the equally beautiful dancer, Iris De Brito, accompanied by Cesar Pacheco, dancing Obara, a dance fantasy on a mythological legend of the creation of the world and using movement of dance called Palo, from the original Bantu tribes taken to both Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago.  Jahson, of Jamaican background, performed his newly released single “Gimme Gimme”.  2006’s MOBO New Comer of the Year winner, Soul Logic is made of Sol and Simon, Nigerian and Guyanese lineage respectively.  Trinidad & Tobago nationals: Lorilee & Lorenzo Nimblette, Jemima Douglas and Nikisha Reyes-Pile sang various songs during the course of the evening, showcasing some of the ‘hidden’ talent of Trinidad & Tobago community here in London.

The presenters for the evening were Avni-Joy Bell, Colin Bell and Alafair Celestine.  Avni-Joy was dressed by Yemi Osunkoya, Kosibah Creations – a fashion designer originally from the West African People's Republic of Benin;  Colin Bell was suited up by Trinidadian Professor Andrew Ramroop, of Maurice Sedwell, the Savile Row tailors.  The DJ for the night was the “Soca Professor”.

Amongst our distinguished guests were, our patron, Mrs Glenda Morean Phillip, Mr Phillip, their Excellencies, the High Commissioners of Grenada, and Dominica, Mr Clayton Goodwin, and various beauty queens, including former Miss Trinidad & Tobago UK title holders.

Sponsors and Supporters

Once again, Carivog International and 2007 Committee would like to say “Thank You very much” to the persons and companies who, by their kind sponsorship/or support, helped to make the event possible:  Sponsors - Western Union and Pamela Price - Wessex House; Supporters:  Angostura Ltd, Angus Thompson photography, Arif Ali Hansib Publishing, Atara Fashion of Clapham Junction, BEN TV, Black Beauty & Hair Magazine, British Association of Steelbands, Caribben Beat London, Champneys Health Resort, Ebony Steelband Trust, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, French Kiss, Grenstars, Hummingbird Entertainments Ltd, Inn Collection Trinidad, International Women’s Month Magazine, Juliette’s, K-bell cosmetics, V Promotions Trinidad, Kosibah Creations, Kyles Collection, Luster Products, New Nation, Palmer’s Coco Butter, Gary Moore, Poison UK, Reiga’s Salon, SKW Graphics, Sleek, So Esteem, Soca News, Supermalt, Tobago House of Assembly, Trinidad & Tobago High Commission London, Trinidad & Tobago Professional Network UK, Trinidad & Tobago Tourist Information Office, 24K Records and Xpozure.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to those who sponsored the finalists, making their participation in the event that much easier and less financially challenging.

Maureen Nyakaira 

Maureen Nyakaira named as Miss East Africa UK 2007
“I will remember the night for the rest of my life”

Miss East Africa UK 2007 took place on 1^st September at Conway Hall, London. Ugandan medical physics student Maureen Nyakaira won the crown under a very stiff competition from contestants from Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Maureen, who is a student at Cardiff University in Wales, expressed a mixed reaction to winning the crown. “I will remember this night for the rest of my life, at first I was shocked, Is it me really? But then that was my number they called,” she said. Meanwhile the crowd cheered as the humble beauty claimed the prestigious title. However the Head judge of the night Rachel Ritfeld described Maureen as humble, graceful and very natural and she would go along way in raising awareness for East African under privileged children.

Miss East Africa UK was attended by guests not only from East African community but other parts of Africa and Europe with special guests of the night ex-war child Emmanuel Jal and Cindy of the famous Ugandan girl band Blu*3. The highlight of the night was the performance by the Sudanese ex-war child soldier Emmanuel Jalnwith his unique style of gospel rap with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his experiences as a child soldier in Sudan. Emmanuel who grew up in Kenya after being smuggled out of war torn country Sudan had kind words to say to the founder and CEO of Miss East Africa UK; Pauline Long. “I am honoured to be here to support a good cause and I commend Pauline for standing up for vulnerable children, children orphaned through HIV/AIDS and Genocide,” he said. Pauline Long who is also a Kenyan, established the beauty pageant in 2006 in order to sensitize and highlight on issues affecting the East African child. On the other hand, Emmanuel Jal is also the founder of GUA Africa; a charity that works with individuals, families and communities to enable then overcome effects of war. He expressed interest in working with the newly crowned Miss East Africa UK.

Maureen Nyakaira who is now officially the 2^nd title winner of Miss East Africa UK is expected to emulate Brenda Akot’s accomplishments and achievements. Brenda, who is Miss East Africa UK 2006, carried out charitable duties not only in the UK but also in East Africa where she worked with Nyumbani Children’s home and Rafiki’s children home of Kenya. While handing the crown to Maureen, Brenda said, “I wish you all the best and I trust you will be a brilliant ambassador for the East African children.” The newly crowned queen is already planning her first trip in October; she will travel to Tanzania to volunteer at Forever Angels Baby Home. She will also deliver nappies, wipes, baby food, toys and generally items required for baby care. The home is situated in Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. This Baby Home provides a stable, loving home for up to 23 orphaned and abandoned babies and infants who are severely disadvantaged. The home provides nutrition, love, health care, physical and emotional support until the child is either fostered, adopted or reunited with their family. However, the Ugandan beauty is not a new recruit when it comes to doing charity work and helping needy children. In 2006 she travelled back to her village in her home country Uganda with friends where they built a school for the children. Her passion already lies with bringing a smile to a child’s face. After the Tanzania trip, Maureen will again head to Uganda in January to visit pearl children care Home in Jinja. In the meantime she will continue to do campaigns for Nyumbani children’s home situated in Nairobi, Kenya, Rafiki Children’s home Kenya, orphans of Rwanda and Edukaid of Tanzania.

Apart from her charity work Maureen has won a one year Modelling contract with UK’s top modelling agency Mahogany Models, an exclusive dress costume made for her by designer Moyo by BB designs, she will also get to model for Grace Shannan designs during her reign and will appear in various leading UK magazine spread. The pageant would like to thank all the sponsors and partners listed below for making this event happen: Tumukunde.com, UGPulse.com, Grace Shannans designs, Moyo by BB designs, Mahogany Model management, Shades of Ebony, Kosibah Creations, Godson pictures, Screen nation awards, Karama Umuntu Magazine, Diamond Touch Magazine and (la maison d’Issey )- Mikolo collection