Testimonials

MY GREATEST MOMENTS AS MISS CANADA INTERNATIONAL 2006

Although I have decided to write my memorial in English I would like to start with by giving a short greeting to my French community. Mesdames et monsieur bonjours, tout d’abord j’aimerai vous remercie â l’avance pour votre support. Je vous encourage fortement de lire mes aventures les plus glorieux auxquels j’ai vécu étant que Mademoiselle Canada International 2006. 

Greetings ladies and gentlemen! First, I would like to thank you in advance for supporting Miss Canada International, and I welcome you to read my testimonial. I hope you enjoy it a much as I enjoyed writing it for you.  For so long I asked myself how I will describe my journey as Miss Canada International 2006, this wonderful journey that has changed who I am, what I want and how I would like to be a leader in this world. 

As a delegate representing New Brunswick during Pageant week in Toronto I had a great time with 40 girls from across the country. I made lifetime friends, and I traveled all over Ontario visiting different tourists sites. Not knowing what to expect, I had originally came to pageant week as a delegate mostly for the experience, a chance to learn about my country, meet other young, talented and intelligent women who have high hopes for the futures and to also share my dreams with other and learn from them. Sometimes I look back and realize that I was able to perform my best not only because I didn’t give myself any pressure but also because of the wonderful girls who created a fun and comfortable environment. 

During my journey as Miss Canada International many people always asked me what encouraged me to enter this pageant. This was the only pageant in Canada was interest in for who I am and not what I look like. I knew that I’ve had great experience in life that I wanted to share these experiences with the rest of Canada. I was also certain that I would be more than happy to represent this wonderful country that has adopted me and gave me a life I would have never expected to have.  

I was born and raised in central Africa; I spent most of my childhood in Rwanda, where I left because of the war and Genocide. I saw horrible things at young age. I’ve seen humanity, at its worst, where people hate and kill each other just because of the difference of an ethnic. It was only when I was 11 years old, that I left home, and lived a refugee, where we lost everything, lived in tents, had little to eat, traveled miles to seeking for water, and watched other children go to schools without me. I came to Canada when I was 13 years old, with very little knowledge of English and French, but with hard work and determination I was able to graduate with my age mates, go to university with a scholarship and now I am doing my masters in Public administration. 

My journey as Miss Canada International 2006 started on august 27^th 2005. This journey has changed me in a way that I could have never imagined. I’ve changed as a woman, I am now much stronger, and I have even bigger and better dreams.  I have been able to travel across the country, using all methods of transportation to participate in different events. From the many long and fun drives I shared with Sylvia, the 5 O’clock in the morning flights from Moncton to Toronto, my first time in a train to Ottawa, my all nights bus ride to Quebec, my crazy journey with Marc in the Atlantics and many more.  As miss Canada International, I had the privilege and the honor to see Canada at it’s best; where the community of Fredericton gathered to welcome and celebrate my title, and where I received many honorary wards from the city and different communities. Now I am convinced that no matter I do, or where I decide to go I will always have a home and a family to support me.  

I cannot permit myself to forget a couple of months after winning my title Hurricane Katrina hit.  I could never forget such a tragedy, and I hope they know that until today wherever they are our prayers are with them and we still wish them great recovery. My journey began in Grand-Falls New Brunswick where I spent time with student union members from all francophone schools in New Brunswick. Then it was time for my first trip away from home, where attended the Turkey and Toys Grand Gala, raising money for the lees fortunate in the community of Keswick, Ontario.  

As the ball started rolling; I went to New York to attend the Buffalo Bills game that was dedicated to Canadian fans, which was a great trip because it was my first time to travel with Miss Teen Canada Kimberly. From the there, I had the pleasure of attending the Lancôme fashion event in Toronto; participate in many Christmas Parades and The CIBC World Markets Children’s Miracle Day. I will never forget my Journey in New Glasgow Nova Scotia, where I spent three days and everyday I had more than 9 appearances to make in schools, senior homes and city events. I came back to Toronto for the Car Show, and the British Isles Show in Canada, where I was exposed to a new culture and great sense of humor. 

Finally one of my dreams came true on my trip to Quebec City, where I had the honor or performing with Le Groupe Inkindi. A troupe created by people who originate from Rwanda, who united to show the rest of Canada the Rwandan culture through music and dance. As person who was raised in Rwanda I was more than happy to share a special moment with the Group. Then I went back home in Fredericton, together with the international students from both universities we organized a show called Cultural explosion-Spices of the Island to help the Fredericton Food Back. A very surprised moment was when I meet Tony Lasorda, at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame where I also hosted the show and played golf with many famous baseball players who have broken records in the Baseball History.  

My best trip of all times was with the Scaddan’s family in Leamington, who took care of me for a week during the Tomato festival. But nothing beats my trip to Montreal to the Shriners Hospital! As I arrived there, the children where ready and excited to see me; they had made a big banner welcoming me, and they were all wearing a sash of the area they come from. Until today, those children are the ones who have asked me the most difficult questions. They were so full of life that at some point I forgot that we were in a hospital, and they were all there for health reasons. That place is truly a miracle place.  

The most important lesson of all is that Canada is truly a beautiful place, where people are very kind, hard working and they would do anything to make a different in help those who are less fortunate or those who are being affected by different causes. I shall forever be grateful for everyone who had made me feel at home in every city I have visited I always felt like I wanted to stay longer.   

All this would have never been possible if it wasn’t for the sponsors and the chaperons. Thank you for making sure I was safe, and happy. Nothing would have been possible without Sylvia Stark: the woman who works day and night to give us these life-changing experiences. I know you fight hard battles, and I am grateful for everything you have done for me. I wish you great success and you have my full support. I would also like to thank Kimberly Hooper, Miss Teen Canada International for sharing the journey of 2006 with me! I can’t allow myself to forget other member of this family, such as Lorenza Sammarelli (MCI 2003) and Amanda Klyn (MTCI 2005) who have been true sisters to me over the years. I wish you all the best of luck in the future; remember that you can achieve anything you want in life as long as you put your heart and soul into it.   

I would like to congratulate everyone who have been contestants before, during and after I was Miss Canada International. You’ve shown courage, confidence, pride and the honor to represent your community. To the next titleholders, Congratulations! Welcome to the Family! I wish the best of luck and a wonderful journey as Miss Canada International and Miss Teen Canada International. As for the rest of the girls, walk with your head high, and be proud of yourself, because it was an amazing experience, you survived and you will remember it for the rest of your lives. 

Finally, I would like to thank my family, my Mom, Dad, and my two brothers Adolphe and Audace who have been there for me from day one. Because of your support and love I am living a happy life: where I have no fear of starting new journeys because I know they will always be there for me through thick and thin. Dear Mom and Dad, you have raised me right, and you have given me the values and morals that will take me in great places for the rest of my life. Adolphe and Audace, Gisèle and Gérardine, you have been my best friends and I couldn’t have asked for better support. To my aunts and uncles, you bring joy, thank you for looking after me, for encouraging me in hardest moment and for celebrating with me in best moments.

Last but not least, to the one who is very close to my heart! Oumar, you mean the world to me! Thank you for your love, time, support and patience. Thank you for cheering me up when I was home sick, and for reminding me that everything that doesn’t break me will only make me stronger.  

My message to everyone is this: Be happy and grateful for having a safe home and a family that loves you. Remember that there are millions of children who are living in the streets, with no food, shelter or education. That there are people who are suffering from diseases and wars they don’t understand. Help, as much as you can, what you think is little means the world to someone else. Make sure that everything you do, you do it from your heart and not for the money, don’t love money and make it the center of your life, because you will be miserable and you will never understand the beauty of living. As for the young generation: keep working hard, fight and believe in yourself. Ignore those who will try to bring you down because they don’t know any better and they will realize it when you have succeeded. Make sure that everything you do is not just for your own interest but also for the better of the majority. 

Even though I am no longer the current title holder, I am still involved in the community; I am often invited as guest-speaker during many special occasions, an opportunity that allowed me to be a guest speaker with Margaret Trudeau at the 17^th annual nurturing ourselves 2006 conference. Since my crowning, I have been hosting many shows (both in French and English) such as the International Night at the University of Moncton, and many more. With my scholarship from Miss Canada International, I am currently doing my masters in Public Administration at the University of Moncton and thanks to my experience I have been able to work for various organizations such as the Multicultural Association of the greater Moncton, and now currently employed with the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA).

Thank you for reading my journal! Best wishes,

Sincerely yours,
Solange Tuyishime
Miss Canada International 2006-2007