Ljepota sa svrhom - Beauty with a Purpose
Humanitarni projekt Beauty with a Purpose osmislila je i pokrenula Julia Morley 1972. i on je zahvaljujući njenom nesebičnom angažmanu s vremenom postao „srce“ izbora. Stotine mijuna funti prikupljeno je i podijeljeno lokalnim i međunarodnim organizacijama za pomoć nezbrinutoj i siromašnoj djeci po cijelom svijetu. „Ljepota sa svrhom“ danas obuhvaća sve humanitarne akcije koje poduzimaju organizatori izbora diljem svijeta, a u kojima misice koriste svoju titulu i popularnost kako bi skrenule pozornost javnosti na različite osjetljive teme i kako bi postigle maksimalan učinak akcije u kojoj sudjeluju. Svake godine natjecateljice iz cijelog svijeta ponosno prezentiraju svoja postignuća u zastupanju prava djece i zlostavljanih žena, u skupljanju donacija za gradnju škola, domova, sigurnih kuća i u pomaganju svima koji su potrebiti.
2025. Beauty With a Purpose - Benin
In 2010, after storms and devastation left many families homeless, an orphanage emerged in Benin - a sanctuary where children without homes found safety, education, and endless hugs. Despite the challenging conditions, the orphanage became an oasis of hope and a fresh start for many little ones.
When I arrived, I felt something indescribable - an immediate connection, a genuine warmth, and the realization that we were part of something greater than ourselves.
This is a place where love and life follow a special rhythm, where happiness isn’t measured by money but by smiles and heartfelt embraces. The children won us over with their openness, curiosity, and pure joy in life’s simplest moments. We bonded quickly through dance, learning, beauty… We made beaded jewelry together, each new design filling them with excitement. Their energy and creativity were infectious. We even organized a small sports camp where they competed without limits—despite having so little, in those moments, they felt no barriers. Each day brought something new, and while we taught them, we also learned from them. We realized how little it takes to brighten someone’s day, to become part of their story, their happiness.
One moment that remains deeply stuck in my memory was our visit to „The Slave Route,“ a historical site carrying the weight of a painful past. This journey was not just physical but emotional—a powerful reminder of the tragedy that shaped so many lives. Standing there, I reflected on how, in modern life, we often become slaves ourselves—slaves to modern life. Constant rush, societal pressure, and material aspirations make us lose sight of true values, and yet, in the orphanage, these children, with so little, lived so fully. They reminded me daily that true wealth isn’t found in what we own, but in what we carry within our hearts and share with others. You realize that history can shape us, but in a positive way. By looking back to negativity we spoil future generations and our peace. True freedom comes through inner peace.
Volunteering in Africa came with unique challenges, but in many ways, it wasn’t so different from volunteering at home. People everywhere need love, attention, and support. We often think that the greatest need exists somewhere far away, but the truth is, similar struggles like in Africa can be found in our own neighborhoods—among those who are lonely, longing for love and warmth.
The local community for helping the poor, where I volunteer in my hometown, has shown me the importance of supporting those in greatest need, no matter where we are. We may not have the power to change the whole world, but we can change someone’s world. Sometimes, it takes just a smile, a conversation, an outstretched hand—small gestures that can mean everything to someone in need. This is, in fact, the motivation behind my volunteering.
Today, poverty affects millions, depriving them of basic needs like food, water, and education. Emotional support is crucial, but material support also plays a role in helping those who haven’t had the opportunity to progress in life. Realistically, money makes life easier, but we must know that the true value of money disappears the moment we allow it to determine our happiness, relationships, and the meaning of our existence. True value isn’t found in material things, and we must be mindful of how we relate to money.
Still, as individuals, we cannot solve global problems on our own. But with a little understanding and compassion, we can create peace in our own lives. By choosing not to judge others—because we never truly know what lies behind their story—we bring light into our own world. In doing so, no matter what happens on a global scale, our inner world will be better.
In the end, the most important lesson I carry with me is that true beauty isn’t in what we see in the mirror, but in the impact we leave behind. It’s about how we walk through life. With humility, empathy, and gratitude, we may walk small under the stars, but our souls will rise above them. Because every act of kindness, love and attention, no matter how small, resonates through eternity. Let’s not simply be human beings who pass through the world—let’s be people who leave traces of love and make the world a more beautiful place.
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