Tag Archives: Miss Universe

New NTD treatment program launches with some help from Miss Brazil

By: Jessica Stuart

Last week, I filmed the launch of an NTD treatment program in Recife, Brazil with the Global Network. Recife is Brazil’s fourth largest city with 1.5 million people, but one million of those people live in poverty.  Brazil has made incredible progress fighting neglected tropical diseases in many areas, but the poorest of the poor are still at risk for NTDs like Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), leprosy and intestinal worms.  As the country grows into a world superpower, cities like Recife are working with partners like the Global Network, PAHO, and Miss Universe to help eliminate the unnecessary pain and suffering caused by NTDs.

Current Miss Brazil Debora Lyra and former Miss Brazil and BAND TV presenter Renata Fan joined the fight last week with a very special visit to the Jose Cordeiro School in Cohab, Recife.

The children were curious about our visit, and when we told them that Miss Brazil was coming, they were excited. They had so many questions. Why is this happening at their school? Why are they special? Why now?

The school is part of an important outreach effort taking place. Teachers are working to educate the children about NTDs. Most of all, they are there to let the children know that these diseases are PREVENTABLE.   And elimination is possible, especially when you start with a child.  If you can teach a child, a child can bring the knowledge home to a family.

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Behind the Scenes with the Beauty Queens

As a Policy Associate for the Global Network, my days are usually filled with politicians, suits, memos and briefings–hardly the stuff of glitz and glamour.  So when I was tasked Wednesday with training a handful of Miss Universe Contestants on neglected tropical diseases, I took the train up to New York City with great curiosity and admitted skepticism.  Coming from the world of DC realpolitik, I had my doubts that the Misses could become articulate Global Network spokeswomen ahead of our cocktail reception less than 12 hours later.

Thankfully, the women shattered my cynicism and quickly engaged enthusiastically in learning about these diseases, their treatments, and how they could personally get involved.  Although each woman’s background was different, they were alike in their beauty and, more importantly, in their desire to give back to their countries and to make a difference.  My ‘trainees’ included:

  • Larissa Costa, Brazil–Miss Brazil 2009 (who graciously braved a language barrier AND a broken toe to headline our event)
  • Nayla Micherif, Brazil–Miss Brazil 1997, Current National Director
  • Justine Pasek, Panama–Miss Universe 2002
  • Crystle Stewart, Texas–Miss USA 2008
  • Amelia Vega, Dominican Republic–Miss Universe 2003
Justine Pasek, Amelia Vega, Kari Stoever (GN), Crystle Stewart, Paula Shugart (MUO), Stormi Henley, Kristen Dalton, Larissa Costa, Nayla Micherif, missing, Erin Hohlfelder. Photograph by Evan Wilder

Justine Pasek, Amelia Vega, Kari Stoever (GN), Crystle Stewart, Paula Shugart (MUO), Stormi Henley, Kristen Dalton, Larissa Costa, Nayla Micherif, Natalia Anderle, Erin Hohlfelder (GN). Photograph by Evan Wilder

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