“I’m passionate about helping others,” Miss Guyana Universe 2011 contestant

It was Marc Anthony, who once said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Just ask 28-year-old Madonna Ghanie, whose passion for helping people has led her into a blossoming women’s group and a wonderful life. 

Madonna Ghanie

Ghanie was born on the 24th of November 1992 at the Skeldon Hospital to parents Genita Hemraj and William Ghanie. She grew up with her sister in Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD). 

She attended the Turkyne Nursery School, then the Grahams Hall Primary School, before concluding her secondary education at the Laser Edge Academic College. After completing the Laser Edge Academic College, Ghanie began her tertiary education at Computer World. 

Madonna described her childhood as a very “challenging” one. She revealed that she had to be a mother for her younger sister. 

Some of the factors I faced was being the eldest sibling. I had to become a mom at a very young age for my smaller sibling. My parents were always in the interior, working hard to provide for us. I had to ensure the house chores were completed, prepare meals, get myself and my siblings prepared for school. I never got to play dolly house or play much with kids in the neighborhood. Despite these challenges, I’m still grateful for it because it has taught me how to be independent and self-driven in my adulthood.

However, in 2011, Madonna unleashed her potential, believed in herself, and signed up for the Miss Guyana Universe 2011 pageant. She explained that being involved in many pageants inspired her to enter the competition.  

It was a bittersweet moment for me. I met some amazing individuals who helped me discover that friendship can be built by just a 5 minutes conversation and also individuals that taught me that self-confidence could be stolen within those same 5 minutes. I’m grateful for every lesson learnt because it has molded me into a woman of substance.

When asked what are some things she is passionate about, the Miss Guyana Universe 2011 contestant replied;

You can say I’m passionate about helping others. I have always been someone who looked after others and wanted to help people, rather than just helping myself. It is one of the gems I have taken from my childhood. That Gem is the reason I created Mommy’s Corner. I also love to model and dance cultural Indian songs.

The passion for helping people led to Madonna creating “Mommy’s Corner” – a support system for mothers of all ages and ethnicity. 

“We do social activities for the kids once per month and social activity for mothers once per month. We also have charitable events where we give back to our communities with the help of everyone in Guyana and around the world. Charitable events are not only for mothers but anyone that seeks assistance.” 

She added, “It’s a place where moms can get together and feel safe and at peace despite what they are going true. We are our sister’s keeper. Mommy’s Corner knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly, through the actions of our initiatives, so our aim is to help as many persons that we can. Over the year, we have helped approximately 2000 people, and that includes both adults and kids.” 

When asked if there is anything she would like to change about herself, this is what the beauty queen had to say;

My struggles are imprints that created a canvas of art so unique it has molded me into the person I am today, and with that being, there is nothing I would change about my life’s journey so far.

Nevertheless, the Miss Guyana Universe 2011 contestant credited her success to God and Oprah Winfrey. 

“She has taught me that despite our challenges, we can still be strong and unique in our own special way.” 

Madonna aspires to become an outstanding individual that her kids can admire and be proud of. She said that she aims to become a person of peace and hope, which will ultimately help her assist her fellow Guyanese people in creating a livelihood of happiness.