The Miss Rwanda 2020 contestants on Sunday headed to La Palisse Hotel Nyamata for a two-week boot camp as the race for the beauty contest enters a decisive stage.
The 20 contestants won tickets to the boot camp after overcoming a tightly-contested pre-selection held on February 1, at the PSF Expo Grounds in Gikondo, during which 34 contestants out of 54 picked from countrywide auditions had their hopes of winning the crown cut after they failed through the phase.
Accompanied by their parents, the contestants gathered at Intare Conference Arena for briefing before heading to the boot camp.
Contestants with their belongings head to La Palisse Hotel Nyamata ahead of a challenge and elimination process. Courtesy.
During the briefing, Dieudonne Ishimwe, the head of the organising team, thanked the parents for supporting and motivating the girls through their journey in the contest so far, urging them to continue supporting them until the finale.
He urged contestants to make the best out of in boot camp and to stay focused on whatever can help them progress to the next phase of the competition.
"The purpose of Miss Rwanda is to empower young girls to achieve their dreams but most importantly we make sure as contestants you play your part by coming up with projects of importance to the Rwandan society,”
"We want you to be who you are. You don’t need to change your attitude or character because you are in a national contest. Be ‘you’, be social and live the life you are used to. What will set you apart from others is what you will deliver to the Society,” he told contestants.
Ishimwe reminded contestants that the winner of Miss Rwanda will be based on merit and how they will perform, not favours or any other means as many have been alleging.
"One of you will win the crown not by anyone’s influence but on merit. Miss Rwanda has particular rules and regulations it follows to determine the winner. No one will hand you the crown and only your performance and how focused you are will determine your results,” he said, adding that each one of them stands a chance to win the crown.
Miss Rwanda 2019 Meghan Nimwiza was also available to share a piece of advice on what to expect, life in the boot camp and other tips for them to make the most of their time.
"At the boot camp, you need to be friends and do everything in the same spirit. You are like siblings and you share the same interests. Work together as a team. I wish you the best,” Nimwiza said.
Before the boot camp ends, parents will be given time to visit contestants. They were also given a telephone number through which they can reach them in case they want to talk to them, while they are at the camp.
Contestants were accompanied by their parents. Courtesy.
During the boot camp, contestants will spend ample time concentrating on their projects as well as participating in different sessions of civic education.
They will also participate in a series of challenges, including sports, talent shows, multimedia and beauty with purpose among other instrumental challenges that can help contestants at international beauty contests.
The top ten performing girls will progress to the grand finale slated for February 22 at Intare Conference Arena. They include nine who will be decided through prejudgments and one contestant with the highest number of votes.
Meanwhile, voting will resume on the same channels of voting from February 11 to 22 at 7pm.
The winner of Miss Rwanda will walk away with a brand-new Suzuki Swift courtesy of Rwanda Motors and a monthly salary of Rwf800, 000 from Africa Improved Food alongside other prizes from other sponsors.
She will also represent Rwanda at the 70th edition of Miss World beauty contest to be held in Thailand.
The girls and their parents during a briefing before departure. Courtesy.