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The much anticipated Miss East Africa UK 2007 finally took place on 1st
September at the prestigious Conway Hall, London. The event saw 21 year
old Ugandan medical physics student Maureen Nyakaira steal the crown
under a very stiff competition from contestants from Tanzania, Malawi,
Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
 Maureen, who is a student at
Cardiff University in Wales, expressed a mixed reaction to winning the
crown. “I will remember this night for the rest of my life, at first I
was shocked, Is it me really? But then that was my number they called,”
she said. Meanwhile the crowd cheered as the humble beauty claimed the
prestigious title. However the Head judge of the night Actress Rachel
Ritfeld described Maureen as humble, graceful and very natural and she
would go along way in raising awareness for East African under
privileged children.
Miss East Africa UK was attended by guests not only from East African
community but other parts of Africa and Europe with special guests of
the night ex-war child Emmanuel Jal and Cindy of the famous Ugandan
girl band Blu*3. The highlight of the night was the performance by the
Sudanese ex-war child soldier Emmanuel Jal. He wooed the crowd with his
unique style of gospel rap with its message of peace and reconciliation
born out of his experiences as a child soldier in Sudan. Emmanuel who
grew up in Kenya after being smuggled out of war torn country Sudan had
kind words to say to the founder and CEO of Miss East Africa UK;
Pauline Long.
“I am honoured to be here to support a good cause and I
commend Pauline for standing up for vulnerable children, children
orphaned through HIV/AIDS and Genocide,” he said. Pauline Long who is
also a Kenyan, established the beauty pageant in 2006 in order to
sensitize and highlight on issues affecting the East African child. On
the other hand, Emmanuel Jal is the founder of GUA Africa; a charity
that works with individuals, families and communities to enable then
overcome effects of war. He expressed interest in working with the
newly crowned Miss East Africa UK.
Maureen Nyakaira who is now officially the 2nd title winner of Miss
East Africa UK is expected to emulate Brenda Akot’s accomplishments and
achievements. Brenda Akot, Miss East Africa UK 2006, did a tremendous
job carrying out charitable duties not only in the UK but also in East
Africa where she worked with Nyumbani Children’s home and Rafiki’s
children home of Kenya. While handing the crown to Maureen, Brenda
said, “I wish you all the best and I trust you will be a brilliant
ambassador for the East African children.”
The newly crowned queen is
already planning her first trip in October; she will travel to Tanzania
to volunteer at Forever Angels Baby Home. She will also deliver
nappies, wipes, baby food, toys and generally items required for baby
care. The home is situated in Mwanza on the shores of Lake Victoria in
Tanzania. This Baby Home provides a stable, loving home for up to 23
orphaned and abandoned babies and infants who are severely
disadvantaged. The home provides nutrition, love, health care, physical
and emotional support until the child is either fostered, adopted or
reunited with their family.
However, the Ugandan beauty is not a new
recruit when it comes to doing charity work and helping needy children.
In 2006 she travelled back to her village in her home country Uganda
with friends where they built a school for the children. Her passion
already lies with bringing a smile to a child’s face. After the
Tanzania trip, Maureen will again head to Uganda in January to visit
pearl children care Home in Jinja. In the meantime she will continue to
do campaigns for Nyumbani children’s home situated in Nairobi, Kenya,
Rafiki Children’s home Kenya, orphans of Rwanda and Edukaid of
Tanzania.
Apart from her charity work Maureen has won a one year Modelling
contract with UK’s top modelling agency Mahogany Models, an exclusive
dress custom made for her by top elite designer Moyo by BB designs, she
will also get to model for Grace Shannan designs during her reign and
will appear in various leading UK magazine spread. The pageant would
like to thank all the sponsors and partners listed below for making
this event happen: Tumukunde.com, UGPulse.com, Grace Shannans designs,
Moyo by BB designs, Mahogany Model management, Shades of Ebony, Kosibah
Creations, Godson pictures, Screen nation awards, Karama Umuntu
Magazine, Diamond Touch Magazine and (la maison d’Issey )- Mikolo
collection
Source: Miss East Africa UK
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