As the Miss Rwanda 2021 contest enters a decisive stage, each of the 20 contestants is hoping to win the crown at the grand finale slated for March 20, live on Rwanda Television. The highly anticipated beauty pageant will also be streamed on YouTube where viewers will be charged US$3 to access the online stream. All 20 finalists have been in a boot camp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata since March 7. Kigali has the highest representation at the boot camp with 11 contestants while the Southern province is not represented at all. Below is what you need to know about each of the finalists: Amanda Akaliza Age: 24 Province: City of Kigali Education: University graduate in International Relations Project: Linking people dealing with mental health issues to mental health services. Hobbies: Singing, modelling Favourite meal: Ethiopian dishes Esther Ingabire Age: 19 Province: Western Education: High School graduate Project: Addressing dropout rates in Rwanda’s education. What is the bubble environment like? We are more focused on working on our projects, no distractions from outside. Hobbies: Reading stories, listening to music Sonia Ishimwe Age: 18 Province: Western Education: High School graduate Project: Reducing antenatal care complications. Why did you join Miss Rwanda? Since I was eight, I knew I would one day make it to Miss Rwanda and I couldn’t wait to turn 18. So it’s a dream come true. Hobbies: Movies, reading, listening to music. Evelyne Gaju Age: 21 Province: City of Kigali Education: Student in Business Management, UTB Project: Awareness in job-creation for youth Hobbies: Music, playing musical instruments Laila Kabagema Age: 19 Province: City of Kigali Education: University student in Medicine, Poland Project: Establishing retirement homes for elderly people. What do you think keeps you at the top of the voting in Miss Rwanda? I have family and friends who support me because they have faith and confidence in me. Hobbies: Reading books. Marie-Paul Kayirebwa Age: 24 Province: City of Kigali Education: High school graduate Project: Raising awareness, funds to support dropouts to go back to school. Would you stop appearing in artistes’ music videos if you won the crown? That’s a job that makes money like any other. But, if I win the crown, I would stop it and concentrate on my project. Hobbies: Acting Grace Ingabire Age: 25 Province: City of Kigali Education: University graduate in Dance Occupation: Works at Ikiringo Project (promotes local dance) Project: Strengthening education to create competent people through dance as a medium. Hobbies: Learning new things Hope Akaliza Age: 21 Province: Eastern Education: S.6 finalist Hobbies: Travelling, making new friends This is your second time contesting for Miss Rwanda, what motivated you to come back? This is my passion. When you love something, you keep fighting for it. Chryssie Karera Age: 23 Province: City of Kigali Education: University student in Environmental Planning. How do you intend to serve the community if you win the crown? I would find solutions for the pandemic by manufacturing new products out of used or recycled face masks. Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/ Soda. Lorita Benita Isaro Age: 21 Province: Northern Education: University student pursuing Applied Economics Project: Raising awareness to help street children be raised in families. Hobbies: Poetry, reading, traditional dance. Hense Teta Musana Age: 21 Province: City of Kigali Education: High School graduate What makes your day worthwhile? When I am having fun with my friends. Hobbies: Reading books, playing piano, making new friends. Favourite meal/drink: Pizza/yoghurt. Nathalie Musangwa Age: 22 Province: City of Kigali Education: Business Management student at Akilah Institute Project: Advocating for women whose children were born with disability. Hobbies: Have fun with friends. Larissa Keza Teta Age: 21 Province: Northern Education: University student in Public Administration and Local Governance What contribution do you intend to give to the community if crowned Miss Rwanda? Raising awareness among people to embrace Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Rwanda is targeting a service-based economy, and we need more people venturing in TVET so the country can hit its target by 2035. Hobbies: Reading books. Morela Kayitare Isheja Age: 19 Province: City of Kigali Education: High school graduate in Mathematics-Physics-Computer Science Project: Advocating for career guidance in line with Vision 2050. Hobbies: Reading, dancing, fashion. Sandrine Umutoniwase Age: 20 Province: Western Education: High school graduate Project: Promoting Rwandan culture through plastic arts. Favourite meal/drink: Banana, ugali/ milK, Linda Nkusi Uwankusi Age: 21 Province: Eastern Education: High school graduate Project: Encouraging youth to venture into agri-business. Favourite meal/drink: Biscuits/ soda Sonia Kagame Uwase Age: 20 Province: Western Education: University student in Marketing Project: Digital farming Hobby: Creative arts Favorite meal/drink: Cassava / smoothies, tea Lea Umutesi Age: 22 Province: Northern Education: Student in Tourism at UBT Project: Encouraging youth to venture in agriculture. Hobbies: singing, modelling. Favourite meal/drink: Chips/ passion fruit juice Phiona Uwase Age: 21 Province: City of Kigali Education: University student in Business Marketing Project: Facilitating capacity building for youth preparing to pursue their careers. Hobbies: Watching movies, cooking Favourite meal/drink: Pilau/ soda Witness Umutoni Age: 20 Province: City of Kigali Education: High school graduate in Customs and Tax operations Project: Empowering girls with digital skills. Favourite meal/drink: Fish/ soda
