Miss Rwanda Bootcamp: Contestants get tips on Public Speaking, COVID-19 prevention
Self-confidence and affirmation that you can be anything you want to be and achieve your life goals are some of the key tips Miss Rwanda top 20 contestants currently in the bootcamp at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata were given on Monday on the second day.
The 20 girls who emerged out of 37 are in a bubble at the Nyamata-based hotel where they will be equipped with necessary skills and prepare them for the March 20 finale where the winner will be crowned Miss Rwanda 2021.
On Monday, the Director General of Nyamata Hospital, Dr. William Rutagengwa, held an interactive session with the girls on the current state of COVID-19 in Rwanda, its impact and the role they can play, using their already attained public figure status to contribute to Rwanda’s fight against the pandemic.
“We discussed pandemics, particularly COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on our country, both socially and economically. We also brainstormed on different ways they can use their personalities to contribute to the fight against the New Coronavirus,”
“They seemed very informed about COVID-19 and shared different ideas of what they intend to do when they are back home. Some said they will do advocacy to support children who dropped out of school due to COVID-19 and also to promote the cashless economy,” Dr. Rutagengwa said.
She said that among other ideas, the girls expressed their determination to contribute in the fight against the challenges our communities face, which were exacerbated by COVID-19, such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and others which they will use their voice to fight.
“They were very attentive throughout the session and I was impressed by their thinking, vision and purpose to become a solution to the problems we face as a country,” he added.
Dr. Rutagengwa hailed the Miss Rwanda organisation team for ensuring that all COVID-19 protocols are strictly adhered to during the Miss Rwanda bubble, promising to continue offering support to ensure safety of the contestants and all the people in the bootcamp.
Public speaking
For anyone participating in a beauty contest, public speaking and communication skills are key particularly as the finale approaches and for that to be possible one has to be confident and strong to stand before a panel of Judges and eloquently outline your goals and vision.
Such schools become even more important when the winner has to represent Rwanda at the international stage, such as at Miss World.
It is for that reason that for this whole week, Miss Rwanda contestants in the bootcamp will be equipped with public speaking and communication skills as well as other aspects that boost self-confidence and esteem.
“It starts with me, I affirm it and it will happen” the girls vowed during the afternoon session on public speaking and building self-confidence, which was hybrid in nature (both physical and virtual).
Prof. Harald von Korflesch, the project director of StArfrica and professor for Entrepreneurship at University of Koblenz, virtually briefed the girls about entrepreneurship, conceiving ideas and bringing them to reality.
The Project manager of StArfrica in Rwanda, Katharina Hartwig, together with Sylvia Makario, a space technology engineer and female entrepreneur and Natacha Karangwa, an actress, spoken word artist and project coordinator Generation Rise Rwanda, took the girls through an interesting session.
Among other skills, the contestants were tipped on self-affirmation, discovering their inner passion and confidence to believe in themselves that they can do whatever they set out to do in order to achieve their goals in life.
They were also trained on standing tall, being able to express their ideas while speaking firmly as well as skills to identify their weaknesses and inefficiencies and be able to work on them.
The interactive session featured some mind games and exercise to keep their brains sharp and alert, as well as other interpersonal skills that will make them excel in whatever they do.
Day 2 was concluded with a session introducing the girls to the Rwandan traditional dance as culture is one of the key themes of Miss Rwanda.
The session was facilitated by Françoise Contente Icakanzu, one of the best traditional dancers in Rwanda. She is a member of the Rwanda National Ballet Urukerereza and a member of Inganzo Ngali Troupe.
