A lift for the less privileged

BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
FORMER beauty queen, Sandra Iwu, recently led a gathering of children between three and 15 years old, on a charity walk to orphanages. They also took time to cater for those with physical challenges. Facilitated by her NGO, Weep Not Child Foundation, the walk is a child right project that seeks to extend love and affection to the under privileged. She started the foundation during her reign with the aim of giving back to the society. A day after the charity walk, Iwu also partnered with Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Lagos, to organise a beauty pageant. The contest, which produced Mr. and Miss CYON (Catholic Youth Organisation of Nigeria), was the 10th in the series. It had four winners in different categories such as King, Queen, Prince and Princess. She said, “winners would be a part of my NGO, and we’ll be working together, helping the poor and visiting orphanages, to mention a few.” “I have been working on this project for a very long time; it’s just time to roll the tape. These aids are characterised by passion for the helpless kids, loving them, caring for their needs and making provisions for those needs, no matter how little or small they seem to be. Moreso, this project will affect lives in Africa, Europe, Asia, America, and the uttermost part of the world.” She adds, “it’s an avenue for me to take people off the street. I have board of directors who are supervising the project.” IWU says, “we will also help develop the innate talent abilities of these children through the Foundation’s conceptualised programmes.” The Foundation hopes to get aids from international organisations such as UNICEF, WHO, USAID, ECOWAS and the British Council in the no-too-distant future with supports from NACA, SACA and well-spirited individuals. The tall, pretty damsel, who was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in LASU in 2006, was also one of the top 10 finishers at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 2007. She was Miss Galaxy International (2007) — a West African pageant with Nigerian and Ghanaian models, which saw her as the winner in 2007. Over the years, Iwu has participated in a lot of photography modeling jobs with top advertising agencies and also won the 2005 Catwalk Model of the Year in Lagos. The professional runway model has graced fashion shows such as NTFS, This Day Fashion Festival with Alek Wek, Oluchi Onweagba, amongst others. Iwu has modeled for top international designers such as Ade Bakare, Tiffany Amber, Ravvi Saint Mode, JD7, Deola Sagoe, DAKOVA, Modela, Mon-Ami and Xuly Beth both in Nigeria and Paris with over 30 fashion shows. On her modeling career, she says, “I have passion for modeling. I started in 2004. It’s not been easy combining, events, shows and my projects. When I started modeling, the money was not really encouraging but it’s better now. The industry is growing; our designer are doing fantastic job. I have been on the runway with Oluchi, Alek Wek to mention a few.” Apart from being a model, the damsel is also a dancer and make-up artiste. She discloses, “I went to a grooming school, where I learnt how to dance and make-up.” To her, fashion is simply wearing anything that suits you. She added, “My favourite piece of clothing is African fabric, however, I won’t be caught dead wearing anything that is not presentable.” She also cherishes her perfumes a lot.