Businessman Lachu Ramchandani will donate the entire proceeds of his Ms Global International beauty contest to early childhood education this year. At the launch of the sixth staging of the contest at the Grand Palladium Resort and Spa in Hanover Friday night, Ramchandani said that while the primary aim of the competition has been to support tourism through its theme of “Uniting the World trough Beauty and Tourism,” this year the contest is to benefit the Early Childhood Foundation, chaired by Prime Minister Bruce Golding’s wife, Lorna.

Elimination for Ms Global Jamaica takes place on May 2 followed by the coronation on May 29 at the Grand Palladium while the Ms Global International takes place in September at The Hilton resort in Kingston. So far, there are 26 entrants for the Ms Global Jamaica but more are expected.

Ramchandani said the Early Childhood Foundation was chosen as the beneficiary charity because he saw the need.

Mrs Golding endorsed the contest and expressed appreciation for the support.

Ramchandani said the international contest already had support from several African, Latin American and Caribbean countries and he suggested that “Once we are able to make this show big in Jamaica, I can assure you that we will be bringing tourists from countries that Jamaica has never experienced. “

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett also endorsed the contest.

“This particular year seems to be taking on a new life; the number of contestants seem to be more than ever before and the girls are fabulous. I think that out of this contest will come a great opportunity for more tourism linkages and the kind of ambassadorial work that we believe will be helpful n our marketing activities,” he said.

The contest is also endorsed by president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Lloyd B. Smith who described it as “the type of contest that enables our young women to become ladies and in a society where very often because of the dancehall mentality women are often demeaned, they’re seen merely as sex objects.”

The Ms Global contest is also endorsed by Mayor of Lucea, Lloyd Hill and General Manager of Grand Palladium Dimitris Kosvogianis.