With just two days to the grand finale, it is an aura of anxiety for the contestants in the Miss Rwanda 2017.  As the contestants wrap up their stay at Golden Tulip in Nyamata, where they spent days in the boot camp, reality is setting in that only one of them can be crowned Miss Rwanda on Saturday.

The New Times spent time with the contestants in the boot camp which started on February 1.  According to the trainers, the girls are set for the grand finale. But what were the highlights in the camp.

Waking up as early as 5:30am to jog, and later on do small physical exercises is one aspect that contestants grumbled about.

 For Tracy Ford Umutoni, it was "perhaps the hardest part of the camp. I am not used to waking up so early, but it is something I have learned from here.”

 She added that, "meeting and living with new people is something that takes time for me to get acquainted with. I miss home, but I can’t trade this experience for anything; this is an experience I will cherish for a lifetime.”

Queen Kalimpinya has already made her name as one of the funniest contestants in the camp, according to fellow contestants. She says that her time in the camp has been an opportunity to "mix and learn from not just Miss Rwanda contestants, but girls from different backgrounds.

"I am from a very humble background and I am thrilled to meet people who I consider so different from me. Everything here is new; in fact it was my first time to sleep in a hotel, and get exposed to a table of different meal flavors for breakfast. Honestly, we eat locally backed cakes, commonly known as ‘amandazi’, at home so my dad has to get ready for a new person after this camp (laughs).

 But before then, I have to take the Suzuki Swift and the Miss Rwanda crown home. I am looking forward to the grand finale,” humorous Kalimpinya said.

 Laurette Mukunde enjoys the sense of self-drive in the camp. The passionate dancer noted that instructors have been helpful in making them discover their hidden talents and potential to change communities and the country.

 "I really enjoy the drive for self-discipline in this camp. Everyone is motivated to be the best they can be and to discover something unique about them. I didn’t know I am social until I met new people in this camp. I have learned to do things that I never thought were so important in life; for instance eating with a knife. I came here when I was weighing 70 kgs but I think I have lost a lot of weight. It has been transformational really,” Mukunde said.

 Carine Mukabagabo, says that even though they are in a competition, "contestants have become sisters and are committed to helping each other even after the contest especially in helping the eventual winner to implement her projects. But I can assure you, everyone is looking forward to the finals.”

 Ashimwe Fiona Doreen says she was excited to meet seasoned politicians, mentors and trainers who, she says, "gave them the opportunity to learn deeply about Rwandan core values and how to develop a project. But on a personal level, I got to know what Nyampinga is all about and how I can make a difference in society; it is about the brain, it is about representing your nation, your culture,” Ashimwe said.

 Kagame Ishimwe Dieudonne, one of the trainers at the camp hailed the girls and is optimistic that they will bring something "special” at the finale.

The grand finale for Miss Rwanda 2017 will be held on February 25, at Kigali Exhibition Village (Former Camp Kigali).

editorial@newtimes.co.rw