In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, she expressed her desire to use her influence to help as many children as possible access medical care to prevent blindness, with support from Light for the World, an international disability and development NGO dedicated to promoting an inclusive society.
She also spoke about her success at the pageant and future plans to participate in Miss Universe in October, her mixed heritage, love for Rwanda, popular tourist destinations and hobbies, as well as the country's music and fashion industries.
Here is the transcript of the full interview:
Q: What inspired you to contest for Miss Belgium 2024, and what helped you win?
How I think I won is by having a very clear vision of what I wanted to achieve. What inspired me to contest for Miss Belgium 2024 is that, when you become Miss Belgium, you get a platform. You gain the ability to change a lot of things in your own country and other countries as well. You become a spokesperson for your country, and you can change a lot by just speaking out.
Before this, I was just a student with great ideas, but as a student, you can't achieve the same impact as Miss Belgium. I wanted to become Miss Belgium to make a change and talk about issues like children's mental health and the importance of education.
That was my goal, and I even shared this during the final stage of the competition. I was so happy when the judges appreciated that, and that's how I became Miss Belgium.
Q: What does this victory mean to you on a personal level?
This victory is important because I didn't aspire to be Miss Belgium just for fame or media attentionâ€"I wanted to make a change. As a kid, I was fortunate to have access to school and university, but I know many children in Rwanda, especially those who are blind, don't have the same opportunities.
I found Light for the World through a friend in Belgium, and they help thousands of babies every year at Kabgayi to get the surgeries they need to prevent blindness caused by cataracts. This is very important to me. My goal as Miss Belgium is to make a difference by supporting these children.
Q: What inspired you to choose a good charity for Rwanda?
I wanted to focus on children who needed my help the most. I thought about how I could make a big difference in a short time because I'm only Miss Belgium for one year.
After that, I lose the title. When I visited Rwanda as a child, I saw how difficult life was for blind childrenâ€"going to school or finding a job was almost impossible. I want to help more than a thousand babies a year get the surgery they need, giving them a brighter future.
Vision is the foundation of a bright future here in Rwanda because they need to see to go to school and work. If I can raise money in Belgium or Rwanda to help these kids, I'll do everything I can.
We're planning benefit events in Belgium where companies can donate, and all the money will go to Light for the World, so the Rwandan doctors get everything they need.
Q: Tell us more about your upbringing and Rwandan heritage.
My connection with Rwanda is very special because my mom is Rwandan, and my whole family is from here. Every year, we would come to Rwanda to visit my grandparents.
Sadly, they've passed away, but I spent every summer in Rwandaâ€"first in Gikondo, then Nyarutarama. I'm very close to my roots, and Rwanda is as important to me as Belgium.
The only downside is I don't speak Kinyarwanda fluently, but I understand almost everything. My mom would speak Kinyarwanda with her sisters, and I got frustrated that I couldn't understand, so I taught myself a bit. I can't make full sentences, but I find it very important to at least understand the people from my country.
Q: What is one thing you like the most about Rwanda and how have the Rwandan roots influenced your identity?
What I love most about Rwanda is how important family is. Everyone takes care of each other, even neighbors and friends are considered family. When I come to Rwanda, even if I don't know you, I feel like you are family.
My Rwandan roots have influenced my identity, especially because I was very close to my mom. She showed me that in Rwanda, you have to care for others, especially those in need, whether they lack money or need medical help.
Q: How often do you visit Rwanda, and what places or experiences stand out to you the most?
Although I live in Belgium, I visit Rwanda almost every year. As a child, I was always in Kigali, but now that I'm an adult, I'm exploring other parts of the country.
Last year, I travelled by car and saw the whole country. I visited Kibuye, Gisenyi, Mount Bisoke, and Akagera [Akagera Forest] in just one week! What stood out most to me were the fishermen in Kibuye. Their story was so powerful, and they believed in creating positive vibes while fishing. I spent a day with them, and it was magical. Kibuye is definitely my favourite spot in Rwanda.
Q: How do you think the creative industries (music, film, and fashion) in Rwanda are evolving, and would you like to contribute?
The music scene in Rwanda is evolving quickly, and there are some amazing artists. I've seen concerts and videos on YouTube, and international artists are also taking notice.
For example, Stromae [Belgian singer and rapper Paul Van Haver] is of Rwandan descent, and I believe we have incredible talent. I think Rwanda will grow even faster in the future.
Miss Rwanda is also a great way to showcase the country on an international stage. With the world cycling championship happening next year, Rwanda will gain more recognition through sports, but I also think strong women can help show the world what Rwanda has to offer. If I can help in that, I'd love to contribute.
Q: Are there any Rwandan musicians or fashion figures you admire?
I admire Meddy. When I was younger, I often rode in cabs in Kigali, and I always heard his song 'Igipimo'. I've loved that song ever since, so Meddy is one of my favourite artists.
I also admire Naomi, Miss Rwanda 2020. She's done amazing things for the country, and I'm so proud of her. I want to congratulate her on her upcoming wedding. These two are people I look up to in Rwanda. Naomi is a great role model, and I think she's an excellent spokesperson for Rwandan women.
Q: Have you faced any challenges related to your mixed heritage in the pageantry industry, and how have you overcome them?
Being mixed can attract comments from both sides. Some say, 'You're not fully Rwandan,' while others say, 'You're not fully Belgian.' But I find it amusing because being mixed is a beautiful thing, and I'm proud of it.
I've learned to ignore the hateful comments and focus on my purpose and goals. That's what matters most. I also hope to change how people in the media view African countries by showing the beauty of Rwandaâ€"places like Kibuye, Akagera, and Mount Bisoke. I think more people need to see how beautiful our country and nature are.
Q: Outside of pageantry, what are some of your hobbies and interests?
My hobby is modelling but I also enjoy sports, and I love going on walks. I also volunteer at animal shelters. I adopted my dog from a shelter, and I enjoy helping out there.
Another passion of mine is learning languages. I'm currently studying in English, but I usually speak Flemish. My mom spoke to me in French, and I also learned German in school. I understand Kinyarwanda, but I'm working on speaking it fluently. My main hobby is learning as many languages as I can.
Q: What are your long-term goals after your reign as Miss Belgium ends?
My long-term plan is to continue helping people, possibly living in Rwanda and making a difference here. I want to keep modeling, but also combine it with helping others.
At the end of the day, I want to look back and feel proud of myself for the impact I made. I want to inspire women from all backgrounds, whether they're Black, white, mixed, or Asian.
Every woman deserves to achieve her dreamsâ€"whether that's getting a degree, landing a job, or being a mother. Being a mom is so powerful because we give life, and it's our time to shine.
Q: What advice would you give to young women who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
I believe every woman is beautiful in her own way, whether she's blonde, brunette, or anything else. What makes someone truly beautiful is her storyâ€"what she wants to achieve and how she goes about it.
My advice is stay true to who you are and show the world your goals and how you plan to achieve them. If you're determined, people will choose you for who you are.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
