Face of Kenya UK pageant: A chance to brand Kenya

There is more to Lissa Marang’a than just looks, and an afternoon chat with the beauty queen-cum-banker quickly reveals that good looks and wits do go hand in hand.

Lissa is no doubt stunning. To cap it all, she has a bubbly personality, is down to earth and easy to talk to.

She is a contestant in this year’s beauty pageant with a difference, dubbed ‘Face of Kenya UK’, which is scheduled to take place next Saturday in the UK.

At 34, the oldest contestant among other 14 younger ladies who will be battling out for the coveted title, she did not allow her age to impede her vision.

Oldest contestant

“I may be the oldest contestant but that doesn’t scare me,” says Lissa. “I was a bit hesitant to take part in the pageant but after careful thought and encouragement from friends, I decided to participate with the sole goal of branding Kenya to the standing within the world it rightly deserves,” says Lissa who currently works as a banking consultant for Lloyds Banking Group in the UK.

Born in Malindi, Lissa grew up in Kenya as the fourth born of five children — two boys and three girls. Her parents were police officers.

“My siblings and I grew up in police line institutions. We lived a sheltered life. Our parents were strict and they only loosened up a bit on us when we became teenagers,” she says.

Lissa is quick to say her life has not been smooth all the way.

“Life hasn’t been plain sailing for me. I have had my share of personal struggles and painful moments. However, it’s learning how to take the rough with the smooth that has moulded me into who I am now,” she says. In 2010, Lissa went through a divorce, which she describes as devastating.

“We had been together for six years — dated for three years and married for another three years. Just like any other couple, we were excited at the thought of spending the rest of our lives together. We loved each other.  But that was short lived,” she says.

“The divorce was heartbreaking. It was difficult to cope with it, and as painful as it was, I had no choice but to start afresh. Though it has not been easy, I thank God for seeing me through,” she adds.

And to add to that, she still had weight issues to struggle with.

“I was once a size 16 and this affected me. In this image-obsessed society, I was not happy with my plus-size figure and this lowered my self-esteem,” she says.

But after gathering some courage, Lissa started working out to improve her appearance.

Patriotism

“I made the decision to start working out. I frequented the gym and I am proud to say I lost much of the weight and I am now happy with the way I look,” she says. “I now range between size eight and ten, and weigh 65kgs.”

Lissa says the reason she joined Face of Kenya UK 2014, is because she is passionate about Kenya and, especially how it is perceived by the world.

“The thought of me carrying the mantle of representing my country has awakened a fierce sense of patriotism that I now realise was dormant. I have got this renewed proud sense of belonging; to this beautiful country called Kenya. It’s about being an ambassador for your country and giving back to the community,” she says.

The pageant aims to promote cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment, community cohesion, charitable initiatives and branding of Kenyan products in the UK.

Charity call

“I lived and breathed the Kenyan experience for more than 20 years before relocating to the coastal town of Bournemouth in the UK. Every year, I visit my parents in Nakuru, where they have retired. By holding a solid understanding of the two very different worlds, I confidently feel that Kenya has a lot to offer the world,” says Lissa.

The primary purpose of the pageant is to support, highlight and fundraise for Kenyan charities as well as provide an opportunity for me to act as an ambassador for our country.

Contestants get to personally work with a charity of their choice both in the form of raising donations, and increasing awareness of the needs of those supported by the cause.

Lissa will be supporting Nyumbani Children’s Home as her charity of choice.

Inspiration

She offers: “In 2001 as a young journalist working for the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, an American senate gave me an assignment to cover Nyumbani Children’s Home for the channel’s weekend feature. It was during this time that I got the opportunity to meet the founder of the home, the late Fr D Agostino, and spent the day with the children. My experience there was one of the most humbling and memorable. Dr Agostino’s dedication to the orphaned children deeply touched my heart. I later compiled a touching news feature, which I still keep a copy of. For me and millions of other families who have been affected by HIV, it really is no surprise why Nyumbani is a natural choice for me. I am yet to meet a Kenyan who hasn’t lost a relative, friend or neighbour to the disease, or any Kenyan who doesn’t appreciate the impact HIV has had on families, the labour market and inevitably the economy. Whether I win or lose the pageant, I will still work with Nyumbani Children’s Home.”

Between now and the pageant day, Lissa is seeking donations from numerous sources to reach her target of Sh740,000 to  support the home. She is participating in a skydiving event today in the UK to raise funds for the cause.

Lissa looks forward to representing the true image of Kenya in the UK.

“From the offset, I will roll up my sleeves and assist Brand Kenya to the standing within the world it rightly deserves. I believe the Face of Kenya UK 2014, will provide me an opportunity to correct any false perceptions and positively push forward the Kenyan brand,” she says.

Tracing Lissa’s roots

With a background in Journalism, Lissa has experienced the power of the media in moulding opinions the world over.

As part of her Master’s degree in Multi Media Journalism, she wrote a thesis on the negative reporting of Africa by the Western Press.  According to her, one of the conclusions confirmed that we need to protect our name/reputation/brand. She did her placement at CNN.

She attended Nyandarua Boarding Primary School from 1990-1993, and later joined Nyakiambi Girls High School in Nyandarua County in 1994 for her high school education. In 1999, she enrolled at Flamingo Beauty School in Nakuru for a beauty course.

She then joined the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication for a course in Video Production.

She holds a Masters in Multi-media journalism from Bournemouth University in the UK.

Lissa has a passion to assist vulnerable people in the community and this came as a result of taking care of ex-convicts, the elderly and people with disabilities while she was studying in the UK.

She is a staunch believer and says God has continued to see her through in every step she makes in life.

Her message to other women is for them to believe in themselves, and have a role model and mentor in life.

“My mother is my greatest mentor and I always look up to her. She showed me that as a woman, anything is possible. She retired as a top cop and continues to make a difference in the community, by leading.” Photo: www.faceofkenyauk.org