Olivia Smikle, the reigning Mrs Universe Jamaica 2022, is more than just a pretty face.

With a passion for philanthropy, she aims to improve the lives of others through her foundation.

Having worked with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Smikle shared how that experience helped to shape her into the woman that she is today.

“I served in the Jamaica Constabulary Force for nine years. I started at the age of 19. Growing up I knew I wanted a career in something that required physical abilities and also my curiosity and passion for forensic and criminal psychology, I chose the JCF as my first step. I then went further to start my studies in psychology,” Smikle shared.

She said her journey has helped to reveal to her the full purpose of her life.

“I left the JCF as a corporal of police and, while serving, it was bittersweet. I loved my job, I loved going out on operations, I loved the community development, that I got involved in. But there were a lot of challenges I had to deal with within the institution as a whole. Overall, it was an amazing journey and those challenges helped me to gain mental and physical strength; a part of my drive to motivate others on mental strength and self-confidence is because of these challenges. It was through serving that I found my purpose. My purpose was to serve.”

Smikle explained that the Olivia Smikle Foundation came into being as a labour of love.

“After leaving the JCF I lost touch of my community involvement. Not being able to have that sense of fulfilment I felt empty. After nine years of emptiness I decided that I needed to take action. That’s how the Olivia Smikle Foundation was formed.

“We are doing a sanitary pad initiative in collaboration with Mrs Universe Africa and the NGO Heal the World Foundation, where we raised funds to purchase and donate reusable pads to schools in rural areas of South Africa, where young girls have limited access to sanitary pads. We also built a perimeter fence, set up a computer lab, and an infant department for the Cumberland Primary and Infant School in Clarendon. We also implemented a school vitamin programme by supplying early childhood institutions with vitamins and minerals for the children,” said Smikle.

She also shared some of her plans for the foundation.

“We want to set up a skills training centre. Our goal is to raise funds to have this done in Banana Ground, Manchester. This will train and certify members of the community and surrounding communities by providing them with the competencies they need for the workforce. Also, a scholarship programme and an annual road race in Manchester [are proposed], where the proceeds will go towards tertiary tuition fees for top 3 winners. This will include participants from schools in Canada and Jamaica,” said Smikle.

A few months ago, she competed in the Mrs Universe pageant, which was held in Bulgaria. She described the experience.

“My journey to Sofia, Bulgaria, and my experience there was a moment to treasure. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I made good use of it. I have built partnerships with other sister queens from countries around the world to work together on initiatives supporting communities, health, and educational programmes. The first collaboration was the period poverty with Mrs Africa. The love I received from the Bulgarian people was a pleasant surprise. There were 100 contestants and children as young as nine years old would spot me in the crowd and shout, ‘Jamaica! Jamaica!’,” shared Smikle.

Her reign as Mrs Universe Jamaica 2022 comes to an end in early July when a new titleholder will be crowned.

Smikle is committed to continue the work of her foundation in helping to provide financial, educational and material resources to support youth in need.

Mrs Universe is an annual international event for “the most honourable married woman”. The event is open to married, divorced, and widowed women from nations on all continents around the world who are between the ages of 18 and 55, have a family and career, and are involved in a significant cause.

It is based in Sofia, Bulgaria.