Priscilla Boateng, a Ghanaian based in Virginia, USA is currently on a fight to win the Miss Africa USA crown to help contribute more to the poor and needy in Ghana. Many enter beauty pageants for several reasons; it could be an in-born passion, fame and money but 24-year-old Priscilla who has been in the US for the past 16 years told Myjoyonline.com in an interview that she is entering Miss Africa USA for the exposure and the money to help her charity, Reaching Ghana International. “I just decided to take part in the pageant because I am always into NGOs and charity work since I was a child. I started this organisation called Reaching Ghana International so I said to myself I must as well take part in this pageant to help promote my charity work.” Priscilla and her friend, Gloria established the non-profit organisation in November 2009 to help contribute her quota to society especially deprived communities in Ghana. “We founded the organisation to reduce poverty in Ghana through education and economic development”. The organisation has so far adopted Gomoa Dampase Primary School in the Central Region. Asked why she chose Miss Africa USA pageant and not any other beauty pageant, Priscilla said, “I chose Miss Africa USA (Scholarship) pageant because the main focus is charity work. In the opening sentence on the information about the pageant, they said the pageant showcases African women charitable work in their communities.” “When I saw that, it clicked into my head because that’s what I am about; charity work, NGOs, helping those who are less fortunate. I asked myself; why don’t I use my education and knowledge to help other people so that they can also be as I am.” Priscilla who describes herself as a crazy, sexy, funny and cool lady, says she hopes her charity organisation will increase her chances of winning the crown come July 24 in Washington DC where the finals will take place. She had aspired to be a lawyer; she subsequently perused Psychology and Criminal Justice but surprisingly changed her career path to peruse an MBA at the Virginia Commonwealth University. Story by Ernest Dela Aglanu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana