At this point, the world should not only know Rwanda because of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide against the Tutsi, but for the beauty and talent carried by its people.

Solange Tuyishime is among the 62 beauty contestants and the second Rwandan after Divine Uwikirezi competing for the Miss Universe Canada 2010 Beauty Crown.

The beauty contest will take place from June 2-4, 2010, at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre’s John Bassett Theatre. 

This Rwandan beauty is fluent in French, English, Kinyarwanda and Swahili and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Arts in Journalism and a Masters in Public Administration. She currently resides in Ottawa and works in Executive Leadership Development.

Tuyishime, 26, is from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and was raised in Rwanda until she escaped from Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

At age 11, along with millions of other people, Tuyishime and her family became refugees due to the Genocide in Rwanda. Living in tents and surviving with minimum resources, Tuyishime had to mature fast, and being the eldest child, she had the responsibility of taking care of her siblings.

Her refugee experience, dealing with the effects of war and poverty, has allowed her to appreciate every opportunity and be even more proud to be Canadian.

Tuyishime has been nominated UNICEF’s 2010 Official Spokes Person for ‘Walk for Water’. In hope to become Miss Universe Canada, Tuyishime would like to continue sharing her life experience with the objective to encourage fundraising efforts, to educate and engage Canadians in missions seeking to give every child change and opportunity in life to survive and thrive.

In the future Tuyishime hopes to be UN’s Goodwill Ambassador for children’s wellbeing and education.

In hope to represent Canada at the Miss Universe Pageant, Tuyishime brings her modeling and pageant experience into this competition. She was chosen to represent Canada at the Miss International pageant in the US, she won the title of Miss Canada International 2006, and she was the LUSH Model winner during the 2009 UJENA JAM swimwear competition in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Tuyishime enjoys music, playing soccer, cooking and modeling. Her philosophy in life is to never be afraid of dreaming, even when it feels and appears impossible.

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