Representatives from The Lean on Me Foundation and Miss Universe Cayman Islands Organisation visit the HMP Fairbanks prison

Derri Lee said that “this has been an initiative by the Lean of Me Foundation since 2008.  Over the past 9 years they have included contestants and titleholders from the Miss Universe Cayman pageant as many of them are inspiring motivational speakers that have touching backstories and endless aspirations.”

Derri Lee added that “as we aim to champion women with a purpose in Cayman we feel that visiting the prisons with messages of hope will somehow change the inmates mindsets and their lives which may ultimately help them to encourage others not to make the decisions that led them to be incarcerated.  We all have a purpose in life and we as women have to rise above our adversities”

Theresa Pitcairn was one of the guest speakers. Theresa was Miss Cayman Islands 1982 and Cayman’s most successful contestant ever, having placed in the top 15 of the 1982 Miss World contest and taking the Miss Congeniality crown at the Miss Universe pageant in the same year. Theresa is a lawyer, she has served on many Government boards and associations, writing some of our legislations but more importantly she is an advocate for Caymanians in particular Caymanian women. Theresa expressed that “No matter what happens to us, no matter how ugly and awful, no matter how hurtful, it’s what you do about it that counts. 

“We should not judge anyone”

“You have to dream of a life better than the one you know”

Ileann Powery Miss Universe Cayman Islands 2023 was also a guest speaker.  Ileann is an entrepreneur and advocate for all things Cayman.  Ileann shared “Our recent visit to the Northward Prison was one of the most memorable experiences for me thus far in this role, and now I can add my visit to Fairbanks as well. During this visit, I reminded the ladies that I am no better than them, but instead, my life story was just written differently and we all serve a different purpose. I briefly shared the different life experiences I’ve had up to this point of my life and how I maneuvered through them in a way that allowed me to be a better person instead of a bitter person. I also reassured them that their current circumstances does not mean it is the end because their story is still unfolding, so they must keep going and keep striving for better. I am truly grateful for these opportunities and I trust that God has used me to plant the necessary seeds into these ladies lives so that they can be reminded and act on the fact that this is not the end of their story.”

Also joining the team was Diane Chung and Belinda Augustine of the Lean On Me Foundation. Both ladies have been heavily involved in community service over the years.

The Lean on Me Foundation and the Miss Universe Cayman Islands Organization would like to thank Melesia Adderley of the Women’s Haven for their donation of female products to inmates at Fairbanks.

Thanks to Pastor Bentley and the prison staff for giving us this opportunity.

 Contributor