(Seychelles News Agency) - Catching up with Elmina Savy on a working day, it was impossible for one not to notice how natural she chose to look.

Eyeliner around her bright eyes, a little mascara to enhance the volume of her eyelashes and translucent shinning lip gloss was all the young woman had as make-up.

The life of the twenty one year can somehow be compared to childhood favourite story tale - Little Red Riding Hood in the sense of her rushing home every evening to see her 79-year old grandmother after a hectic shift in the restaurant of “Augerine” a small hotel at Beau Vallon, northern district of the main island of Mahé. But there is of course no big bad wolf!

The young waitress who holds an advanced certificate in bar and restaurant work, following her studies at the Seychelles Tourism Academy, aspires to become a successful business woman with a solid family seeing herself as the future mother of two children.

During her spare time, Savy loves spending time on the islands’ white beaches; going out with friends and on other days enjoys a good day indoors watching TV documentaries.

Contestant number 11 in this year’s Miss Seychelles Beauty Pageant has not always had it easy in life, the resident of La Retraite in the north of Mahe has faced a few tragedies at a very young age.  

“Right at the beginning of my teenage years, when I was 14, I lost my mother in a car accident…. only a few years later, at the age of 19, I lost another important person in my life, my father, who passed away after a battle with cancer.”

Left in the caring hands of her grandmother and her older brother who lives nearby, Elmina grew up to become a determined, positive and fair young woman.

The greatest gift she says her years of sorrows has brought her is faith. Elmina is very active in her local church and for her God is the person she talks to during her down moments aside of her grandmother.

“I’m a faint hearted person who gets hurt easily…crying out my pain is sometimes my only option...” she confided in SNA.

One of her main concern is the issue of young girls who are involved in prostitution.

“..Instead of turning to prostitution, these lovely ladies should get a job, earn a clean living and they shall experience a positive change in their lives…”

An uncle who constantly encourages her and the late Diana, Princess of Wales whom she believes reflected the theme “Beauty with a Purpose” have been her inspiration to participate in the “Miss Seychelles…Another world 2014 Beauty Pageant”.

She describes her journey these last few months along with the other 11 contestants as a real challenge but said their willingness to work as a team has meant that nothing has been impossible. Her best moments during the training is the choreography rehearsals for pageant night, as she is someone who enjoys dancing.

A very confident Elmina Savy told SNA she believes that she has the potential and ability to be crowned Miss Seychelles adding that she can be a very good ambassador for her country.

If crowned Miss Seychelles….Another World 2014, she has promised to work hard to be an example for other youths and to help to raise their level of spirituality and faith.

But Elmina will not only be targeting the youth, through her Beauty with a purpose project, she is aiming to promote the elderly in the community describing them as a precious part of the society who deserve great respect and care.