“Ms. Hussien was chosen out of several Ethiopian
candidates,” Lady Kate Njeuma, CEO and Founder of Miss Africa USA, said. “She
stood out because of her confidence level and her passion for humanitarian
work.”
Lady Kate added that each contestant was required to present
a social cause that she intends to focus on if selected as a winner.
“We were impressed by Ms. Hussien’s platform,” Lady Kate
said. “She wants to use the stage to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.”
“I know people that are affected by HIV/AIDS.” Tsige Hussien
told Tadias Magazine. “That’s why I have decided to make it my platform.” She
added: “Based on my own experience, the problem with HIV/AIDS is lack of
awareness on how to prevent it.”
Tsige said she has done volunteer work with the Mary Joy
Foundation, an NGO based in Ethiopia that works in communities impacted by
HIV/AIDS as well as to improve the health and living conditions of children and
seniors. Last year she participated in a fashion show to help raise funds for
the NGO. She said she learned about the Mary Joy Foundation through her work
with Konjo Models.
“Tsige is one of our girls,” said Markos Huluka, Founder of
Konjo Models & Fashion Group. ” We work with about 25 models and we service
runway shows at various expos and events in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia
areas.” Markos, who also goes by the name “Mark”, says he is Tsige’s agent.
“She’s been working with us since we started a few years ago.”
At 29, Tsige is also one the of older participants in the
upcoming pageant. “The requirements is that you have to be 18 to 30 years of
age and unmarried, we have one 19 year-old, most are between 25 and 27, and we
have two 29-year olds and Ms. Hussien is one of them,” says Lady Kate.
Tsige arrived in the United States from Ethiopia in 2002
after attending Bole High School in Addis Ababa, and graduated from a boarding
school in West Virginia.
“When I was younger people used to tell me that I should be
a model,” Tsige said. “I would reply ‘no’ I want to be a nurse. I am eager to
show that beauty is more than a pretty face.”
“Yes, it’s true that we emphasize the essence of the women
in this pageant,” Lady Kate admits. “But we still need a pretty face to
represent Africa.”
Tsige was drawn to participate in Miss Africa USA pageant
because “they focus on the woman as a whole and not only on physical
appearance.”
As part of their pageant performance, the contestants must
also present a musical celebration of their native country. “I am still
searching for the right music,” Tsige said. “I have posted on Facebook asking
people to helping me select the song.”
“I would like the music to reflect the diversity of
Ethiopia,” she said. “Because I have a little bit of everything: Oromo, Gurage,
Wolo, Tigre.” She adds: “My childhood memories of Ethiopia include the feeling
of love. We spent a lot of time outdoors playing eqaqa (house), sēnyo/maksenyo
( hopscotch), soccer. I want the song to reflect that too.”
tadias.com
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