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Wiandri shares her life-changing experience

Wiandri shares her Lady Gracious experience.

“I have learnt so much and had my eyes and heart opened through this amazing experience,” said Primrose East’s Wiandri van Vuuren (16).

Wiandri is talking about her experiences in this year’s Lady Gracious SA competition.

The competition has three categories, namely Miss/Mrs Lady Gracious, Miss Lady Gracious Teen and Sir Gracious (man of God), and aims to inspire women and men to live out their full potential and fulfil their dreams.

The competition’s organiser, Suret Ströh, has been involved in Lady Gracious SA for six years.

“Lady Gracious SA is not about a beautiful face and thin body, it is about appreciating what is inside someone and what they give back to charity,” Suret said.

“We are invested in everyone who is involved in the competition and aim to build up their self-esteem, so that they know they can reach their dreams.

“We are saying you can do anything you set your mind to.”

Wiandri first heard about the competition from a friend and thought it would be a normal pageant.

“I was wrong though.

“It’s like nothing I have ever experienced before,” Wiandri said.

One of the most memorable moments in Lady Gracious SA was the team building weekend.

“I arrived knowing no one and left feeling so close to everyone.

“I also feel closer to God,” she said.

Bianca Birnie, 2014 Lady Gracious winner, was one of the speakers at the team building weekend and explained how moving some of the sessions became.

“You come away having felt a lot of emotions you didn’t expect to feel, as well as feeling closer to God.

“I think it also taught the girls to just enjoy who they are, which I believe is very important for teenagers,” Bianca said.

Bianca entered Lady Gracious SA to do something for herself and is very glad she did.

“The charity work has been amazing.

“Giving back has evoked so many powerful emotions,” she explained.

“I will be sad to give up my crown.

“But I will still continue my charity work.”

As part of the Lady Gracious SA, the finalists are asked to raise funds for a single cause chosen at the start of the competition.

“We want to encourage the girls to get out of their comfort zone and raise the money on their own, not just ask their parents,” explained Suret.

This year finalists will be raising funds to donate to Arthur Gough (15) who has cerebral palsy.

“Donations will not just go to Arthur but to his family as well.

“I think sometimes we forget that the family also needs support,” Suret said.

Wiandri has enjoyed the hands-on approach that the charity project has offered and has raised funds in various ways including a Mother and Daughter Day, and an evening icing and decorating cupcakes.

When asked what winning the title would mean to her, Wiandri said, “The title is not the most important, the experience I had is, but if I do win, I will be honoured to use the opportunity given to me to help people and share my experience.”

Winners will be announced at the Lady Gracious SA gala dinner held at Summer Place in Boksburg on October 31.

The finalist’a dresses for the evening will be sponsored by Denise Lloyd and Linda Broodruk from Exclusive Designs.

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