KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna finalist in the Miss Earth SA (Mesa) pageant, Bianca dos Santos, has handed Epilepsy SA Southern Cape/Karoo a welcome boost by donating fruit trees and seeds to the organisation's food garden. Dos Santos (25) is the only remaining Garden Route representative in the Mesa competition, which is currently in its top 20-semifinalist stage.
The 20 contestants were handed a project as part of their campaign and were tasked with obtaining 10 trees to be donated to a charitable organisation or school or any area that would benefit from the sponsorship of trees.
"I was in contact with the Miss Earth organisation and we changed the task slightly, so I was able to donate trees as well as seedlings and seeds for Epilepsy SA's veggie garden," she said.
According to the organisation's spokesperson, Ashleigh Smith, the food garden provides welcome relief – both financially and physically. "The fresh produce serves as good, healthy food for our residents, and we have recently started selling our surplus veggies to the community to create a sustainable source of income for our charity," Ashleigh said.
Bianca dos Santos inside the vegetable garden to which she donated seeds and seedlings. Photos: Blake Linder
Granddad's passion
Dos Santos was able to source help from her family as well as from Gouna Gardens, Penhill Nursery and Media Hype 3D to make the donations possible. For this contestant, choosing Epilepsy SA as the beneficiary of her project was a no-brainer.
"I just knew I had to join in. My grandpa volunteered at Epilepsy with any opportunity there was to help, and recently one of my very close family members was diagnosed with epilepsy, so this was a very personal choice for me," she said.
Born and raised in Knysna, Dos Santos is a Knysna Primary and High School alumnus. She has been on the Mesa semifinalist path for three months now, and entered the competition with the hopes of raising awareness of change among those she crosses paths with.
"It is my stepping stone to creating awareness, hope, and understanding for our community, that we need to change," Dos Santos said. "I want to help and educate as many people as I can on the journey and even after this journey comes to an end."
The competition has also been a blessing in disguise for Dos Santos. "I have learnt more about women empowerment, and social and environmental issues that we as South Africans face every day. I have met such incredible women that are on this journey with me, which I feel so blessed for."
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