The Beauty with a Purpose Project is one of the most pivotal categories of the Miss Barbados and by extension, the Miss World Pageants. The concept of beauty with a purpose was developed by  the President of the Miss World Organisation, Julia Morley, and over the past twenty-five years, the project has garnered over  four hundred million (US) dollars for children's charities across the globe. To date, the BWAP Project has helped causes from Miss World’s direct involvement including "funding for Cleft Palate Teams in South America, Sri Lanka and Russia, working with Operation Hunger and the Nelson Mandela Trust in Africa, and teaming up with Jackie Chan and the Chinese Red Cross in bringing aid to those affected by the Asian tsunami five years ago  (Miss World Online)."

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             Over recent years, the Miss Barbados World Beauty with a Purpose Project has been devoted to raising the awareness of Barbadian citizens about those persons - specifically children - living with or infected by HIV/AIDS in Barbados. Through continued partnership with the The National HIV/AIDS Commission, Miss Barbados World delegates are greatly encouraged to conceptualise campaigns geared at sensitising the Barbadian public about the effect this epidemic has on our nation. In addition, past contestants have also participated in fundraising efforts for The Barbados Cancer Society - Children with Cancer, The Barbados Council for the Disabled - Children with Disabilities, The Learning Centre, The Caribbean Dyslexia Association and Centre - Children with Dyslexia and The HOPE Foundation - Children with Sickle Cell Anemia and Lupus.

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​Barbados' Most Phenomenal Beauty With A Purpose Winners
Leah Marville              
               After winning the Beauty With A Purpose title at the Miss Barbados World Pageant in her home country, Miss Barbados World 2009 Leah Marville, went on to place second in the Beauty With A Purpose competition at the 2009 Miss World Pageant. Leah was inspired to help families affected with HIV/AIDS, after a close friend & room mate lost a relative to the disease. She went on to establish The Love Campaign aimed at "Abandoning the Stigma" attached to the HIV/AIDS virus. The campaign helped to raise $50,000 with donations and celebrity endorsements including Wyclef Jean, Kelly Rowland, the late Prime Minister David Thompson and Tom Olsen the UNICEF representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

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         The campaign was hailed as a reminder to Barbadians to care for their own, while enhancing the country’s sense of community. Leah also visited several secondary schools and summer camps to educate children about the virus. She said, “the most fulfilling part is the success stories of the programme and knowing that you are helping families affected by the disease.” Thanks to The Love Campaign, the Barbados HIV food-bank reported for the first time in 2009, that it didn’t have to close its doors due to food shortage [Adapted: Miss World].

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Natalie Griffith
                Miss Barbados World 2008, Natalie Griffith, created an HIV/AIDS Awareness audio book which is used as a teaching tool across the twenty-one secondary school in Barbados. During her reign, she also attended and participated in numerous charity events including the Kiwanis Silver Dollar Fundraiser and the Barbados Cancer Society Tea Party.

 

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About HIV/AIDS in Barbados
              Statistics show that once every three days, someone dies as a result of an AIDS-related illness in Barbados. Our island is beginning to feel the impact of this disease as it has started to erode the developmental gain which we have accomplished over the past three decades. Acknowledging this important need for citizens to be more mindful of this deadly disease, The Miss Barbados World Organisation is continually dedicated to its association with the HIV/Aids Foundation and the HIV/AIDS Food Bank - which feeds a grave number of families whose lives have been significantly impacted by the disease.