Snit Habteab Tewoldemedhin called the votes that carried her through Miss World “love letters,” thanking supporters around the world and the Eritrean people who saw their country represented in her on the international stage.
“I believe that these votes are not just numbers,” she said during the September 5 final in Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Eritrea's first Miss World campaign ended with a Top 6 finish and the People's Choice victory, following sustained support throughout the public voting rounds.
Asked what people around the world had seen in her when they voted, and what she wanted to say to them, Snit spoke about the lives and hopes behind that support.
She described people recognising themselves in her experience as a caregiver for a child with Down syndrome. She also spoke of “a young nation of very few people” seeing itself represented on the world stage.
“And these are love letters that are encouraging me and supporting me to this day,” she said.
Her answer connected the two central parts of her campaign: representing Eritrea and advocating for children with disabilities and their families.
Through Designing for Diversity, Snit promotes inclusive education and support for families, work inspired by her sister. According to Miss World's profile of her initiative, that includes adapted Montessori learning materials, guidance from developmental professionals and educational seminars within the Eritrean community to challenge stigma surrounding disability.
Public support also had a direct role in her progress through the competition. Snit won the African People's Choice round to enter the Top 40. Although she was absent from the Top 20 announced earlier in the final, she and Nigeria advanced into the Top 12 as the two global voting leaders.
Eritrea then finished the final People's Choice round with 13,946,027 points, ahead of Nigeria's 8,033,084, securing Snit's place in the Top 6. The totals are recorded in Mesob Journal's completed event coverage.
Joheirry Mola Domínguez of the Dominican Republic won the overall crown, with Spain first runner-up and Malaysia second runner-up. Snit's overall placement remains Top 6 finalist.
When she addressed the supporters who had helped bring her there, Snit returned to the trust they had placed in her.
“Thank you so much for trusting me, for believing in me,” she said. “And I would like to appreciate them for giving me this opportunity to represent them.”
