Newly crowned Miss Albinism Malawi Chikondi Kanjadza has pledged to use her platform to help to uplift lives of young persons with albinism in the country.
The first Mr and Miss Albinism and talent show 2019, which took place on Saturday and had 30 contestants, was organised by the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (Apam).
Kanjadza emerged winner of Miss Albinism while Bennet Phunyanya was crowned Mr Albinism.
In an interview, Kanjadza said as Miss Albinism she plans to engage government to allocate funds for loans to young people with albinism.
“Most young people with albinism have nothing to do as such they fail to be independent. So, the loans will help them start small businesses that will enable them to be independent,” she said.
The beauty queen said she would work with non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders so that they provide entrepreneurship skills to the young persons with albinism.
“All this will be done so as to ensure that young people with albinism are independent and are not left behind,” Kanjadza said.
She further said she will try to engage the head of State to ask him to consider constructing a factory for making sunscreen lotion for persons with albinism.
“There is a big problem in terms of accessing sunscreen lotion for persons with albinism, especially those that are in remote areas and this factory will help to make the lotion accessible to everyone,” Kanjadza said.
The Miss Albinism said she was excited to win the crown, as such she is going to use some of her prize money for charity.
She advised her fellow youths with albinism to believe in themselves and have confidence.
On his part, Phunyanya said with the money he has won he is going to boost his small graphics design firm.
“I will come up with a team so that persons with albinism should be engaged in sporting activities,” he said.
United Nations Representative, Maria Torres Jose commended Apam for the event saying it was human rights-centred.
Jose said through the contest, they have learnt that beauty is not only in the skin but it is in the way that one sees oneself.
“This beauty contest reminds us that we come in many colours but there is one planet and one person,” she said.
