Solange Tuyishime
[1] Solange Tuyishime is from Fredericton New Brunswick. She was born and raised in East Africa and at the age of 13 she escaped from the war and genocide and moved to Canada.
She continued her education at École Sainte-Anne where she played various sports and was captain of the girls’ soccer team during her graduating year. Through those years, she received numerous awards such as: most improved player, and the sportsmanship award. Solange graduated from École Sainte-Anne with a scholarship from the Knights of Columbus.
Solange continued her education at St-Thomas University where she received a $6000 ATV Media Scholarship, awarded to a third year student who demonstrates an interest in broadcast journalism. In 2005, she graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism (Honours) in French.
Solange continuously supports community development. Her volunteering work with Multicultural Associations, allowed her to work in summer camps which held orientation activities for newcomers and youth. Solange also volunteered at the YMCA as a soccer coach for Grade 5 and 6 children.
Remembering her roots and taking a role in the community, Solange was a member of the African Student Union for numerous years, during which she became Vice President. Through this Union, they organized activities for the African community.
In 2004 she was crowned Miss New Brunswick Int’l 2004. This was an opportunity that gave her the chance to participate at the Miss Canada pageant. On August 27, 2005, Solange Tuyishime was crowned as Miss Canada Int’l 2006.
Making history; Solange became the first title holder from New Brunswick to win a national title and the first Black woman to hold such a title amongst all others pageants in Canada.
With the pageant scholarship, Solange decided to further her education, and graduated with a Master’s in Public Administrations from the University of Moncton in May 2008.
In 2010, Solange was nominated United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s 2010 Official Spokesperson for Walk for Water. For three consecutive years, 2010–12, Solange became the Spokesperson for UNICEF Canada National Campaign where she hosts a UNICEF Canada DVD distributed in over 3000 schools. Today, Solange has the honour of being UNICEF Canada’s Ambassador, with the objective to encourage fundraising efforts, to educate and engage many in missions seeking to give every child change and opportunity in life to survive and thrive.
During her pastime, Solange continues her passion for sports and fitness; she also bilingually hosts events and keeps on her passion for public speaking and writing.
With two national pageant titles on her resume, Solange’s perseverance gave her four consecutive opportunities to represent Canada Internationally. With worldwide titles, Solange plans to continue growing as a public and motivational speaker. More importantly continue helping those who are less fortunate, especially children.
Solange is now a new mom, allowing her to be greatly passionate and involved in UNICEF’s work on Maternal and Newborn Health. In addition, Solange and her husband created a foundation in memory of their daughter NAYLAH, raising funds for Neonatal Intensive Care Units in our communities.