A heart for the homeless

ELÉSHIVA PHILLIPS, 21, always wanted to represent TT on an international stage but she never thought of doing it through the Miss World pageant until now.

She told Newsday for about three years people have been asking her why she did not participate in the pageant, but she did not truly consider it. However, this year a good friend saw the application, saw she fit the requirements, and persuaded her to try. He told her he would be there to coach and support her, and that she should just try and get a feel for it. And she was chosen to be the Miss San Fernando delegate for the local leg of the Miss World 2020 competition.

There are five main challenges including a social project called Beauty With a Purpose, physical fitness, social media, talent and interviews. She and 14 other young women are in training for the challenges which began on September 1. The points will then be tallied and the winner will be crowned Miss World TT 2020.

At the moment she is excited about it all.

“I am enthusiastic that I automatically got 14 other sisters. We are all driven, we are all focused, all trying to bring a change to our society. And that is what the Miss World platform is all about – moulding the minds of young women today to find their true essence and purpose while creating a positive change to societal issues plaguing the country.”

She said the fitness aspect of the competition has been easy for her because while attending San Fernando East Secondary School she participated in several sports including basketball, javelin, tennis, cycling, and track and field.

However, the Beauty With a Purpose segment, No Greater Time Than Now, is close to her heart as she intends to focus on trying to bridge the gap between the homeless and youths.

She said as a girl she was involved in community activities with the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. Between the church and her grandmother they imparted values in which she took care of her possessions, including items of clothing, so when they were outgrown, they would be good enough to be given away to the less fortunate.

“It was all about building that respect and level of sensitivity and care to give to others who are in need.”

Since then she has seen some of the places homeless people live, in TT and abroad, and it “never settled well” with her. C

“Youths are the present and future generation. As a youth myself I see there is a great disconnect with the level of respect and sensitivity shown towards homeless people. Many times I have seen youths treat homeless people with disregard, as if they don’t have any value and that lack of sensitivity bothers me.”

She said the homeless are human beings with feelings and should be given some attention and consideration. Therefore, she hopes to help them recover and find a purpose.

She admitted that it will not be an overnight transition, but she wants to at least start shedding light on the issue.

“The homeless community is growing rapidly. What are we willing to do as a people to help those who are in need?”

She visited Court Shamrock, a socially displaced rehabilitation centre in San Fernando and she said her heart broke because there were so many people and some were families. And many had no choice but to accept where they were.

She wants to expose them to more of life so she and her team are working on creating a rehabilitation programme that includes computer literacy and technology training, literacy training, and therapy because some have substance abuse and mental problems. She also wants to enhance their physical environment to help with their emotional state.

“My sustainable vision for this project is to continue to build on this initiative as a pathway to creating more holistic shelters globally, supported through my envisioned make-up brand and caregivers, volunteers, and donors from all walks of life.”

Phillips grew up in the village of Saint John in Golconda where she developed several loves including outdoor activities like camping and hiking, nature, make-up, the arts, and animals.

She is an only child but she has many cousins. She would run and play with her male cousins and then go inside and learn about make-up from her female cousins, some of whom were also make-up artists.

She also loved singing at her local SDA Church in St John Village, performing African and Indian dances at school, as well as spoken word and dramatic presentations.

Also, her love for animals is not limited to cats and dogs. “This abundant animal love, which is by no means a recent experience, has included the adoption of strays and abandoned animals of several types, for whom I have created loving homes since I was a young child. My family of pets has included hamsters, a caiman, a turtle, 12 cats, dogs, and a manicou.”

However, it was not always fun and games for Phillips. She said she was bullied in primary school and the same students who bullied her passed for the same secondary school.

“I was abused verbally, mentally, and physically. Students would steal my money. They would be envious of the length of my hair and decide to give me a trim. Students would test if I was financially stable at home by ripping my school shirts, making my life miserable.”

She tried to remain positive and found that art, dance, music, and sports could help her vent the negativity she was feeling. The activities helped tremendously so she continued throughout her secondary school career. Unfortunately, her experience with bullying continued in her first job.

“There’s a reason why we all experience things in school. It is just to prepare us for the world, to prepare us for the worst, and so I was already mentally strong to deal with it.”

Before covid19 she was a marketing assistant and a professional make-up artist with a certification in make-up artistry from UWI Open Campus. She also did some runway modelling training and modelled at San Fernando Fashion Week.

“It is my goal to one day own and operate a local-based, cruelty-free, eco-friendly, philanthropically engaging international make-up brand that caters to our world’s rainbow of races in their several shades and stages of smashing skin.”

Phillips said she felt confident in her chances of winning the TT crown but she was also confident in all the girls because the 15 of them were evaluated and chosen out of over 100 women.

She added that she truly feels proud to represent the 55,000 residents of San Fernando.