Beauty with a Purpose

2010 - Adriana Vasini - VENEZUELA

Social work and outreach programs

Volunteering - Children’s Orthopaedic Hospital

Private non-profit organization, founded in 1945 with the mission to provide healthcare for cjildren and youth with limited economic resources and with musculoskeletal problems. •    3,769,607 patients seen in 66 years. •    2009: -Patients treated: 224,119 -Surgical procedures: 6,970 15 volunteer hours in rehabilitation, physiotherapy, trauma and imperfect osteogenesis areas and assistance to medical staff in consultations.

Partnership with UNICEF Venezuela

Fundraising campaign to benefit Haitian children and adolescents

•    Nearly 1.5 million children affected by the earthquake. •    40%of the population is under 14 years. •    During the first three weeks of air time, there were more than 12,000 new text messages. •    The funds raised by Unicef increased 51% during the time that the campaign was broadcast.

Communications campaign to promote breastfeeding in Venezuela

•    Only 27.8% of mothers in Venezuela breastfeed exclusively in the first six months, according to the National Institute of Statistics (2006-2008). •    Breastfeeding campaign of Venezuela was awarded with the ‘Huellas’ award for ‘Best Integrated Campaign’ given by the Regional Office of UNICEF in Latin America to the UNICEF communication campaign able to generate greater visibility on the issues and the rights of children, which will achieve a change in behaviour and encourage social mobilization. •    The union of more than 70 partners from all sectors was achieved, including government agencies, NGO’s, the private sector, media, celebrities and personalities.

Awareness Day aimed at promoting breastfeeding amongst health workers and women at the ‘Children’s Hospital JM de los Rios’: the best gift for your baby’s mother”

Attendance: 111 people (medical personnel, pregnant women and mothers). The ‘Children’s Hospital JM de los Rios’ was founded in 1935 and its creation represents a moment in the history of modern paediatric activity in Venezuela.

Attendance: 93 people (medical personnel, pregnant women and mothers). The ‘Hospital Clinicas Caracas’ is a private health institution which was founded in 1985 and has 400 medical professionals and more than 1,200 employees.

Attendance: 60 people (pregnant adolescents and mothers). The ‘Hospital Universitario de Caracas’ has 54 years of history and is a referral center for obstetrics, paediatrics and neonatology in the country.

Walk 3 miles for the celebration of Breastfeeding World Week

Attendance: 650 people (mothers, fathers and babies). Tour organized by the ‘International Baby Food Action Network’ (IBFAN Venezuela), which supports and coordinates the efforts of groups and individuals working in the areas of health, nutrition, proper nutrition and human development, defending the public and social interest.

Recognition of the University of Zulia

On the celebration of Youth Day, the Academic Vice Chancellor of the University of Zulia proudly recognized Adriana Vasini as an outstanding medical student, whose dedication to cultural affairs, responsibility and excellence in the performance of her duties are an example for young Venezuelans. Founded in 1891, the University of Zulia is a public university located in Venezuela’s Zulia state. It counts with approximately 65,000 undergraduate and graduate students, 27 schools that offer 56 degrees and 100 graduate programs.

Friends of Children with Cancer Foundation – Zulia (FUNDANICA)

Fundraising for the children center ‘My Refuge’

Private non-profit organization founded in 1984 as a response to the collective concern about the alarming growth of cancer in children. The office in the Zulia state was founded in 1987. •    3,000 people collected money at cross signs on the streets of Maracaibo, the second largest city in the country. •    In two days, they raised Bs. F 1.4 million (over $232,500). ‘My Refuge’ is a center that houses children with cancer who are receiving treatment as well those who are in the terminal phase.

Personal Project ‘Adriana Vasini’s Magic and vision rooms’

Signing of agreement of the ‘Adriana Vasini’s Magic and Vision Rooms’ project with the Eye Clinic, CA., an ophthalmology center, for the referral of cases and training workshops for teachers of the ethnic group Añü to promote eye health and healthy habits. •    The eye clinic was founded in 1966; it focuses on eye diseases, and it is pioneer in ophthalmology in the country. •    Dr. Jorge Galuè Urrutia, Founder and President of the Eye Clinic. The Añü people, one of the poorest native communities located in the area of the Sinamaica lagoon is an ethnic group that still retains much of its culture alive; its language and customs of hunting, fishing and crafts. Children of school age who have received their glasses have recovered their eye health, which has improved their performance in school, transforming an opaque view into one full of light and colour. One in four Paraujano (“inhabitants of the coast”) children suffer from visual problems, limiting their full development. The goal of ‘Magic and Vision Rooms’ is to improve the visual capabilities of the Añü children through mobile eye screening units to carry out visual assessments and the subsequent provision of free eyeglasses and medicines.

As Miss Venezuela Mundo 2009, Adriana Vasini has assisted many underprivileged children in our country through different social initiatives. So far, her work and sympathy for these children is making a positive change.
Adriana has a deep sense of commitment towards helping others and has focused her efforts on the well-being of children in general and in particular on the impact that their health has on their education and quality of life.