Miss Rwanda makes it to top 10

Photo courtesy of Navarro College Hadidja Uwimana will compete this weekend in the Miss Africa USA beauty pageant in Washington D.C. The native of Rwanda, Uwimana was orphaned at five by that country's genocide. She's currently a sophomore at Navarro College.

Corsicana — Hadidja Uwimana, 21, called “Kay” by her Navarro College friends, made it to the top 10 finalists before being overcome in the Miss Africa USA competition this past weekend. Fifi Souma, Miss Republic of Guinea Conakry, won the top title.

The Navarro College sophomore competed in Maryland for the title in a beauty contest specifically for immigrants from Africa. Most competitors are college students.

Uwimana’s parents were killed in the Rwandan genocide in 1994, and she moved to the U.S. with her aunt after years of living alone, and then ending up in an orphanage.

Even though she didn’t win first, Uwimana still had a wonderful time, she said Monday.

“It was a fun experience,” she said. “It was scary. I had to figure out how to get to a hotel, to travel. I learned something.”

On Friday, she gave a speech about her background and her desire to raise money for orphanages in Rwanda.

“It was interesting to hear the other girls, the love they have for Africa in general,” Uwimana said. “People who came to watch, people who came to listen to the speeches said it was very emotional.”

Many people approached her with offers to help set up Web sites, or help with a profile or fundraising, moved by her story.

“I made friends with almost everybody,” Uwimana said.


credit of corsicanadailysun