By John Oroni
Gloria Victoria Juma made Kenya proud by winning a silver medal during the Teen Miss United World competitions held in Dubai.
The 14 year old, who hails from Trans Nzoia County, came second after a Tanzanian. During the competition, she won gold in the animal costume category.
She expressed gratitude at having won the award and added that it’s her wish to keep nurturing her talent even as she hopes to join Pangani Girls High School and thereafter pursue a course in Highway Engineering.
“I did my KCPE at Kitale School and scored 358 marks. I ventured into modeling when I was in Class three and my mother supported me in perfecting my performance,” she said during an interview with Education News via phone.
She further revealed that she lost many competitions but never lost hope.
“I kept on practicing and taking part in all competitions both within and outside school until I managed to win the national title,” she said.
She adds that she almost missed going for the competitions in Dubai owing to financial constraints but the county government of Trans Nzoia’s department of Sports, Gender and Social Services intervened by issuing out more than half a million to finance the trip.
She also received help from other well-wishers.
Mrs Sylvia Juma, Gloria’s mother, thanked all who supported Gloria’s journey.
“Your support means a lot to our daughter who is determined to achieve greater accomplishments in the modeling sector. The next competitions will be held in the United States of America in August,” said Mrs. Juma.
Mrs Juma also asked well-wishers to help the family finance Gloria’s secondary education.
Gloria’s neighbours at home called on the government to keep supporting such talents and argued that it’s one way of promoting the Competence Based Curriculum which focuses on talent development.
“The government should keep supporting such talents. Every talent is very relevant.” Said Ms Eyleen Chelagat, a neighbour.
Other winners during the competitions were: Queen Moncaro, Alice Njeri and Adeyami Adeyeloja who were crowned Little Miss United World Top Model, Mini Miss United World Top Model and Mini Miss United World Cat Walk Model respectively.
