Meet Poonam Singh: Newly Crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2016

The famous author, poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou once said that “success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it”. As a young child growing up, always guiltily eavesdropping on elders kitchen-conversations, I often heard them say “Oh my goodness, work is so exhausting. I hate my job”. After hearing this on countless occasions, I decided that when I get older I will never pursue something that I don’t love. Hence, I ensure Maya’s famous quote was deeply registered in my head.

To define myself is an extremely hard task. I’ve had numerable experiences and priceless moments that contributes to the person I am today. On the 19th February, 1995, I was born in a beautiful country, Guyana. I grew up on the West Bank of Demerara in a little house among big hearts.

Up until the GT&T Jingle & Song Competition (2011/12) I was just a normal girl, going about a normal day unnoticeable to anyone. At 16, after I placed 2nd in the competition, I ventured off to commence my tertiary education. I successfully graduated with a diploma in Communication Studies at the University of Guyana and at present, I’m pursuing my bachelor of laws from the University of London through (Nations University of Law). Apart from my academic life, I enjoy doing other things such as posting videos of myself singing popular song on social media, and also interacting with people worldwide, in order to broaden my knowledge about various subjects.

If you had told me in 2015 I was going to be the next Miss Global International- Guyana, I would’ve stared at you until you changed your statement! Mainly because, I always thought, “oh pageants are for tall beautiful girls with perfectly light skin and an exquisite body”. But now that I’m the new Queen of MGIG I realize that it is REALLY AND TRULY not about a perfect body or a perfect face. When I was selected through a screening process by the directing manager, Mr. Hashim Ali, I was very happy because I thought it would’ve been a perfect way to get my voice out there when it comes to reinforcing something that I am/was sincerely worried about (Suicide in Guyana).

Now that I have this title, I can proudly say that the people I want to help me in my drive to eradicate suicide in Guyana will definitely come on board, so we can all make Guyana a better place.

Suicide is not funny, it is not something that should be taken for granted or ignored. I believe as the new Queen and also someone who has been through that stage where I was overpowered by sadness, I will be able to reach out to people who are depressed. I mean, you can give a suicide victim an advice that may/may not cheer them up but can you GENUINELY UNDERSTAND what they are going through if you’ve never walked a mile in their shoes?

My aim is to create a group where people who were once victims could reach out to others. I will attend various schools where I can talk to children and ensure at the end of the day, they can at least see that life is precious gift that should be valued. People will forget what you say to them but they will never forget how you made them feel. So if I can make them feel better, then my mission will definitely be accomplished.

My mother told me the first thing I did after I cried hysterically in Medical Arts Hospital when the doctors slapped my butt -was smile. Twenty-one years later, I’m now realizing why I smiled. It’s because I’m so happy that I was born into this world, into this beautiful country among wonderful, charming and endearing souls. And this will forever be something that I will always remain humble about, no matter where I go, what I do or what title I do.

The best part of conquering this Pageant is knowing that I have my people, my nation, my Guyana fully loving and supporting me towards one destiny- bringing the international crown home.

In life no matter how many bricks are thrown at you, the famous singer Taylor Swift, always say, you take those bricks and build castles with them.

Always remember to stay good, be good and do good. Nothing can stop you from shining once you are steadfast, focused and DETERMINED.