Page 11 - IB AUG 2017

Tourism

Miss World Fiji to use global pageant to spread divine word

Beauty ‘ appearance as an
... my physical

i-taukei woman.
with and carry myself.
How I embody

purpose How I approach

people and how
I’m able to show
what Fiji is all

about and that’s
the people ... ‘

holiday getaways.
By Joe Yaya But Nanise plans to tell the world about
her Fijian community in a different way,
FULL-TIME missionary and university sci-
ence graduate Nanise Rainima will repre- and it will all depend on how well she
sent Fiji at this year’s Miss World Pageant presents herself as an ambassador.
“My physical appearance as an i-taukei
to be staged in China in November. woman. How I embody and carry myself.
There are three things on her mind: to
spread the word about her faith, to pro- How I approach people and how I’m able
mote her culture, and to create awareness to show people what Fiji is all about and
about climate change. that’s the people.”
A major focus at this year’s pageant is
The 25-year old lass from Nakelo,
Tailevu has a distinguishing feature that climate change. Contestants will be ex-
makes her stand out. The “buiniga” or pected to advocate, share their thoughts,
traditional Fijian afro hairstyle that she and describe some of the effects it’s having
wears with pride. in their countries, regions and the world.
Nanise will be in the limelight since Fiji
“It’s the true epitome of Fijian beauty,”
she says. will be presiding over the presidency of
Nanise will be the first indigenous COP 23 about the same time the pageant
woman to represent Fiji at the global starts in November.
Her love for science as a science gradu-
event. Previous contestants have either Melanesian mission ... Nanise Rainima takes what ate and the visible impacts she sees cli-
was once forbidden into China. Photo: Invictus
been part-European or Indian with long mate change having on the environment
straight hair. tering the Miss World Pageant. “I thought
She calls it a blessing having the about the platform Miss World Fiji would will give her confidence to say the right
“buiniga” but reaction on social media have and my calling as a missionary and things that should earn her points with
from outside Fiji has not been receptive. so I thought why not give it a try.” the judges. “We in Fiji may not experience
climate change as bad as Tuvalu or Kiribati
However, she is determined to fully experi- Her parents, who are in full time minis- but we have to be able to advocate for their
ence what the pageant has to offer, both try pastoring a church in Suva supported
the negative and positive. the idea and affirmed her decision to enter sake, on their behalf.
“I’m fully aware of what I’m getting the contest. “That could be us in the near future and
myself into and I’m ready.” Every Miss World contestant has to it’s a good opportunity to use this platform
for that as we come from the islands.”
It’s not usual for a missionary with a engage themselves in a project to raise
strong evangelical church background to money for disadvantaged children. The Miss World Fiji title has given Na-
be entering pageants. But this is nothing So Nanise has begun working with the nise more opportunities to influence young
new to Nanise. Foundation for the Education of Needy people and impart eternal investments in
She first won the Miss Hibiscus contest Children (FENC) Fiji and WOWS for Kids to their lives. And she still sees herself do-
ing missionary work in the next 25 years.
in 2014, the same year she joined the Fiji in their campaigns for under-privileged The Miss World 2017 final will be held
Campus Crusade for Christ ministry. With children and kids suffering from cancer.
her popularity, she used that to witness Her picture is also plastered on the Digi- on Saturday, November 18 in Shenzhen,
and share with university students about cel and Fiji Airways billboards. China.
her faith. Fiji has always been marketed strongly r yayajoe@gmail.com
And that was the motivation behind en- overseas for its pristine locations and

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