For a girl who lived in a convent, thought she would become a nun, and never wore heels or make-up to have been crowned the 61st Miss World, IVIAN SARCOS, 22, has come a long way. With the help of a Spanish-English translator, she spoke to Matilda Nzioki
How would you describe yourself?
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| IVIAN SARCOS |
I like to work, I’m jovial; being happy is good for the soul. I’m also into helping people, I’m glad for the opportunity to do that with Miss World.
That indeed is beauty with a purpose. Tell us about your foundation Belleza con Proposito (Beauty with a purpose).
It targets people in need. Regrettably, it has been difficult for me to be hands on as much as I would like since it’s based back home in Venezuela and I’ve been living in London since being crowned (the winner lives in London during their reign). I’m, however, in touch with the people running it and once I relinquish my role as Miss World, I will focus on it. I will also take up other charity-based offers that I have gotten from churches back home. Charity is my passion.
Talk a bit about being given...
I’m the youngest of 13 children, and I was just eight when my mother Maria was accidentally electrocuted at home in my presence. Shortly after, my father died in a car crash. I was then sent to a convent in San Carlos city where I was raised by nuns at The Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Sorry about that. How was it like living in the convent?
It is one of the most beautiful moments of my life. The sisters helped me a lot. I got the love and education that I unfortunately could not have afforded after losing my parents.
While growing up what did you want to become?
I always played a teacher. You know with a chalk and black board, big spectacles and a cane in front of students. I’d also considered becoming a nun after the Mother Superior at the convent spoke to me about it. At times, I would have second thoughts and I decided I couldn’t get into it with doubt in my mind. I lived there for five years then left to start working.
At what point did modelling come in?
