Rwandan travel and lifestyle content creator Marie-Solange Nishimwe, popularly known as Sol Solange, plans to elevate her content creation efforts to a professional level following her participation in the ‘China in My Camera’ international blogging campaign in July.
The campaign, organized under the auspices of the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC), aimed to showcase China's rich culture through the eyes of 30 influencers from 30 countries, with Solange ‘proudly’ representing Rwanda.
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Solange joined influencers from Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil, Costa Rica, Malaysia, India, Kenya, Egypt, Philippine, among others, to capture the essence of China. The opportunity allowed her to engage deeply with diverse cultures and to present China&039;s spirit through her unique lens, sharing her experiences globally via social media platforms.
"I was approached by CIPCC with this opportunity and, after undergoing interviews, I was selected to represent Rwanda. They had specific criteria for selection, but I am not aware of all the details,” she told The New Times.
Despite content creation in Rwanda currently being more of a hobby, Solange expressed a strong desire to professionalise it. She acknowledges the need to move beyond a casual approach and aims to establish a more structured and professional content creation environment.
"Seeing all these prominent influencers who invest heavily in content creation, both financially and otherwise, truly motivated me to push myself even further,” she said.
"Many of these individuals are working professionally with dedicated teams and balancing their casual jobs. This experience has convinced me that it's the right time to take content creation seriously.”
During her month-long journey, Solange explored iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall of China and the Palace Museum. She also delved into the innovative world of Chinese media firms, savored culinary delights, and immersed herself in local customs.
"This rich tapestry of experiences provided me with ample material for my content, ‘Uko Nageze mu Bushinwa’(loosely translated as ‘How I got in China’), which I shared with my followers offering them a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse culture of China,” she said.
Solange also said that the diversity aspect of the campaign, with participants from various countries, added an exciting and enriching dimension to the trip.
"Engaging with influencers from different cultural backgrounds provided a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, perspectives, and experiences, making the journey even more memorable and impactful.”
The competitive aspect of the campaign where participants created various types of content, including photos, videos, lectures, and cooking demonstrations. These underscored the high standards of content creation and the importance of continuous learning and improvement.
Sol Solange’s journey in China not only showcased her talent and dedication but also served as a bridge connecting Rwandan and Chinese cultures.
As she continues to evolve her craft, her experiences and stories will undoubtedly inspire many more content creators to pursue their passions with the same fervor and professionalism.
"The trip was a good general experience. In such a big country, the schedule was tight, but it was never boring. We engaged in a lot of things,” she noted.