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Rachel is a 21 year old Kenyan woman with an ambition to become a successful marketing
entrepreneur. The multi-lingual Kenyan beauty who speaks English, Swahili and German
among other languages also holds the prestigious title of Miss Kenya Universe 2005 and
with that she has been involved in various humanitarian activities around the world and
one she held very close to heart in 2006 is a goodwill ambassador for the association for the
Physically Disabled of Kenya.
UGPulse Promo
Rachel Marete.
From www.missafricaunitedstates.com
Below is Rachel Marete's UGPulse interview with UGPulse Beauty Editor, Pauline Long.
Rachel Marete.
The 2007-2008 Miss Africa Scholarship Pageant Awards
Hi Rachel, please share with me and UGPulse readers one or two things about yourself...
I am a proud 21 year old African woman, born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya. I was raised solely
by my mother who is my greatest role model..
My aim is to become a successful marketing entrepreneur, I hold an associate's degree in
Business Information Technology (Dip BIT) from Strathmore University, a Kenyan University,
and I am now pursuing a degree in International Business Administration at the Miami Dade
College. I love learning new languages and I speak four of them, English, Swahili, Kamba and
German. I am also currently learning Chinese and since I live in Miami, I am also immensely
interested in Spanish which I am beginning to learn as well.
At 19 years old I became Miss Kenya Universe 2005, representing Kenya at the annual Miss
Universe Pageant, and I was fortunate enough to gain support to take part in many humanitarian
activities, something that I hold dear to my heart. In giving back to the community, I got the
humbling opportunity to work on issues surrounding the girl child, women and children and in
2006 I was honored by being given the role of goodwill ambassador for the Association for the
Physically Disabled of Kenya, one of Africa's largest organizations for people living with
disabilities.
Miss Africa USA is one of the most prestigious beauty pageants in America, what was your
reason for entering this contest?
My drive behind entering the prestigious Miss Africa USA pageant had a lot to do with the fact
that it aims to bring out beautiful, young, and ambitious African women who will subsequently
shape the way for others by having bright futures. It is also a great opportunity to showcase to
America and the rest of the world the beauty and greatness of Africa by helping to conquer the
stereotype created by media that Africa is a continent full of grief. I cannot wait to meet the rest
of the contestants from all different parts of our majestic continent!
What do you love most about Kenya?
Someone once said that home is where the heart is. That home for me is Kenya and indeed I am
very passionate about my country for so many reasons. Not only is this the place where some of
my best memories growing up are; it is also an amazingly beautiful country that would win
anyone's heart. From the beautiful wildlife that we boast of which includes the big five (lion,
elephant, buffalo, leopard and Rhino) to the breathtaking beauty of the Rift Valley and other
natural features all over the country and to the sunny and sandy beaches of our Islands at the
coast, Kenya is a place where anyone who has visited and plans to visit forever reminisces about
and holds dear memories of. However what I love most about my country is something that we
are well known for and that is the people of Kenya. We are a most joyous hospitable people,
which is not surprising because everyone knows that the premise Kenyans live by is Hakuna
Matata!
What book are you currently reading?
I am currently reading a couple of books. The first one is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People by Steven R. Covey and the second is Love in the Time of Cholera by Garcia Marquez a
beautiful story from the 1800s about an endearing love between two people that lasts a lifetime.
Most people would never do without an item or something in their life, what's the one thing
you would never do without?
The one thing I would never do without is the love and support of my family that is my mother
and sister. Wherever in the world they may be I wake every day ready to face a new day with
zeal just because I know that these two love me unconditionally and it feels great to know that I
belong to them and they belong to me no matter what!
What are your favourite spots in Africa?
My absolute favourite spot in Africa is the Maasai Mara, a national park in my country recently
named one of the Seven Wonders of the World, followed by the Islands of Mombasa (in Kenya)
and Zanzibar (in Tanzania).
We all come in different shapes, sizes, personalities and colour, how would you describe
beauty in the eyes of an African woman?
Being an African woman I would describe beauty as not only the physical attributes of a person
but what lies within the person being beheld. By this I mean the culture, principle and how well
grounded this person is, for depending on this one can either magnify their beauty or completely
diminish it.
Rachel Marete.
How would you sell Africa as an ambassador to USA and the rest of the world?
The first step that I would take in selling Africa to the USA and the rest of the world is by being
a worthy ambassador. I would ensure that by looking at me as a representation of Africa, one is
able to see a difference in what they perceive to be African if it was not already positive by being
myself and displaying all the good qualities that I have been raised with as an African. Once I
have achieved this then of course I will go ahead and use any means I can in my power to let
everyone I come in contact with know that my continent is one full of beauty and amazement.
As a young beautiful woman what are your inspirations and what do you aspire to be?
I aspire to become a successful Marketing Entrepreneur in the Entertainment and Real Estate
industries which is why I already hold a diploma in Business Information Technology and I am
currently pursuing a degree in International Business Administration. These industries appeal to
me because they are very exciting requiring constant innovation as everyone strives to be on top
and I have always loved challenges so this would be more than ideal for me!
Rachel why do you think you should be crowned Miss Africa United States?
Not only would it be a great honor to have the title of Miss Africa bestowed upon me, the
exposure that I would get as a winner would put me on a better platform that would enable me
better myself and others as well. For instance, I would love to be a part of the fight to change
what media portrays Africa as and be able to show the world that there is a lot more beauty and
positively in my great continent.
Have you got any beauty tips you would like to share with UGPulse readers?
Yes I do have a beauty tip. I realized that when one mixes moisturizer and loose powder it forms
a kind of foundation only it is much lighter and more comfortable than usual foundation. That
way one keeps from having to apply makeup that is too heavy, especially in the daytime!
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