The process of selecting finalists to tussle it out for the forthcoming Miss Rwanda pageant is on. The annual contest provides young Rwandese women from all over the country with the opportunity to enrich their own lives, and also the lives of others.The Miss Rwanda 2012 project is a joint venture between the Ministry of sports and culture and Mashirika Creative and Performing Arts Group. It is running under the theme "Beauty with a purpose” which is meant to Unify Rwandan Beauty and Culture.A representative from Mashirika Creative and Performing Arts Group who did not want to be identified as she is not officially allowed to speak on behalf of the organizers, says this year’s selection process has seen many contestants showing up."This is a good sign and rather encouraging therefore our aim is to make it an annual event that is recurrent. We also have a road map that outlines a post-plan. Hopefully we look forward to guiding the Winner in her year of reign,” she said.The long awaited selection process started with a lot of pomp and excitement and has had hundreds applying to represent their provinces.According to a representative from Mashirika Creative and Performing Art Group, for a person to be part of the contestants, she should have the following qualities:1. Must have completed 6 years of secondary education2. Must be a Rwandese citizen3. Should be aged between 18-25 years4. Should have a minimum height of 1m 70cm5 .Must be fluent in Kinyarwanda and English or French6. Should be ready to be based in Rwanda during the period of her reign in case she wins the title of Miss Rwanda7. Must not be married, have no children and not expectant at the time of the competition8. Should have no criminal record9. Should have a recommendation letter of good conduct from the "Umudugudu”And winners are judged on the following: intelligence, eloquence, confidence, elegance, and the catwalk where intelligence has more marks.So far, four Provinces have presented 12 contestants having three from each. "The winners are currently getting ready to get into boot camp. The boot camp will have the 15 finalists who will be housed in a specific location where they will undergo extensive training in Etiquette, good grooming, physical exercise etc. They will also be educated in History, social, economic matters of Rwanda so they can represent the country in any forum they would require to in an enlightened manner,” she said.Despite the vibrancy in the Miss Rwanda 2012, there have been some challenges."The major challenge we have faced is inadequate funding. Further more Mashirika has had to double role play - as Organisers  and Sponsors as well since we have had to offer our skills/services and time as well in exchange for the success of the project because we believe in the cause,” said an insider famialiar with the ongoing preparations.

The Miss Northern Province finalists Francine Uwase :Miss Eastern Province  Age : 19yrs Occupation : University Student Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili Francoise Ingabire: 1st runner up Age : 21yrs Occupation : University Student Languages  : Kinyarwanda, English, French Ange Uwamahoro: 2nd runner up Age: 20yrs Occupation: Completed High School Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, Swahili

The Miss Southern Province Finalists

Lilian Umutesi Mubera  Age : 20yrs Occupation : University Student Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French Fidelis Karangwa Tega: 1st runner up Age : 20yrs Occupation : University Student Languages  : Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili Carmen Akineza: 2nd runner up Age: 20yrs Occupation: University Student Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French

 Miss Western Province Finalists

Esther Uwingabire: Miss Western Province  Age : 23yrs Occupation : University Student Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French Natacha Uwamahoro: 1st runner up Age : 20yrs Occupation : University Student Languages  : Kinyarwanda, English, French Annick Umwamikazi : 2nd runner up Age: 21yrs Occupation: University Student Languages : English, French, Swahili Kayibanda Mutesi Aurore:Miss Southern Province  Age : 20yrs Occupation : University Student - 1st Year Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French, Swahili,  Kirundi Deborah Isimbi  Abiella: 1st runner up Age : 20yrs Occupation : University Student -1st Year Languages  : Kinyarwanda, English, French Ariane Murerwa: 2nd runner up Age: 20yrs Occupation: University Student - 1st Year Languages : Kinyarwanda, English, French