When Ava Vanderstarren competed in and won the Miss BC pageant in 2013, she was inspired to establish her own charity. Six years later, she continues working on the rehabilitation of former child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
害羞草研究所淥n that weekend, I decided what are the most important things to me, for my platform, which were women害羞草研究所檚 rights and rehabilitation of child soldiers,害羞草研究所� the Chilliwack native said.
Her partner, Fazineh Keita, is a former child soldier from the Sierra Leone civil war and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. The two decided to found the Innocence Lost Foundation in 2013.
害羞草研究所淲e thought that, later on in our lives when our careers were established, we would do humanitarian work. Miss BC gave me the push to start it in then instead of waiting,害羞草研究所� Vanderstarren said.
The couple is raising funds to build a healing centre that will offer education, skills training, and therapy programs for former child soldiers.
They have so far raised $115,000 of their $200,000 goal for phase one, which includes the land purchase, a well, and a medical clinic. The 3.5-acre site will later include a library, computer lab, classrooms, soccer field, and outdoor teaching areas.
| Photo by M3 Architecture |
The art therapy programs were inspired by Keita害羞草研究所檚 experience in overcoming trauma.
害羞草研究所淯sually, people don害羞草研究所檛 want to talk about things,害羞草研究所� Vanderstarren said. 害羞草研究所淸But] if you害羞草研究所檙e working through an acting piece, writing, painting, drawing, doing activities 害羞草研究所� there is natural healing that starts to occur.害羞草研究所�
She recommends that Miss BC contestants volunteer with local organizations and only start a charity if they are ready for a lifelong commitment.
害羞草研究所淐hoose a platform that is personal to you and something you would dedicate yourself to.害羞草研究所�
This year害羞草研究所檚 Miss BC pageant will be held June 29 - July 1 at Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley.
baneet.braich@bpdigital.ca
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