CANADA-based beauty queen, Ritha Laurence Ngarambe, last weekend made Rwanda proud after emerging first runner-up at the just concluded Miss Face of Humanity 2022, during a grand finale held April 2, in Toronto, Canada.

The Miss Face of Humanity, which was in its second edition, is a global platform for women who believe in the power of humanity to change the world.

The pageant’s goal is to present and showcase the most amazing and inspirational women from across the world, who are on a mission to spread love, uplift humanity and inspire the world towards peace and unity.

Besides being first runner-up to Indonesian crown winner Nadia Tjoa, Ngarambe, who was competing at a beauty pageant for the very first time, also took home ‘The World Peace’ accolade, a milestone she describes as ‘incredible’.

Ngarambe represented an organisation thatshe created two years ago called ‘United for Humanity’. Net photos

The 24-year-old spoke to The New Times about her motivation to participate in the beauty contest, what the crowns mean to her and what her future holds. Excerpts:

How does it feel to win two crowns at such a beauty pageant?

It feels wonderful to have won. I feel proud of my community, family, and friends that have supported me, including so many strangers who came to support as well.

What pushed/motivated you to participate?

To win and be able to put Rwanda on the map is beyond amazing. I am so excited for this milestone.

What do you think helped you achieve these milestones during the beauty contest?

Mostly God of course, preparation, but it also took a lot of self-belief that I could do it.

Seeing as there were a lot of other girls who come from all over the world to thrive and have the crown, I had to believe that I was meant to be there, and that I was there to win it as well.

What do you think the crowns will help you achieve moving forward?

First, I thank God for the crowns. Also, to know that there were thousands of people who believe and support my ideas gives hope for our future generations.

I believe that, with these crowns, many people will pay attention to what it is that our organisation does as well as open doors for new opportunities of working together with different institutions around the world, to help amplify the voices of the people and to help unite humanity for love.

You said the pageant’s mission is to spread love, uplift humanity and inspire the world towards peace and unity. What package did you present during the contest?

I represented an organisation that I created two years ago called ‘United for Humanity’ to bring people together for common causes, to raise awareness and convert possible solutions into actions to address humanity’s pressing issues through the creation and establishment of safe spaces.

The vision for this organisation is to create global solidarity movements by developing a local culture of inclusiveness and equity through safe spaces, establishing a foundation to work through humanity’s most pressing issues; resolving injustice through cross-cultural dialogue.