One on One With Miss Tourism 2014

We were privileged to be part of Miss Tourism Nairobi from the launch to the finals and now e can introduce you to the winner of Miss Tourism Nairobi. She is tall, smart and beautiful  girl named Sylvia Karanja  and we got to interview her in an exclusive interview.

Tell us about yourself?

I am a 24 year old who is passionate about the environment. I am also a lover of fashion, however to be specific when it comes to varies types of styles, I am a very proud and patriotic Kenyan. I believe I am chilled out and an easy going individual.

What did you do in school?

I did a Diploma in Nursing then a Bachelors in Environmental management.

Tell us about your family…

I come from a family of five; I am the only girl with two brothers. My dad is a business man and my mum is an engineer.

What made you contest for Miss Tourism Nairobi, while there are so many pageants in Kenya? True there are so many. One, because most of them of them don’t lie in my area of interest. Secondly it’s much easier to incorporate more than just one interest with tourism.

There is Business tourism, Agro-tourism, eco-tourism, sports tourism; the list can go on and on.
However, Initially I got into this so that I could find a link to the tourism industry but as we proceed on, it all changed, I got to understand more about Nairobi , what is has to offer in terms of both local and international tourism,  and it’s history absolutely fascinated me. My mindset then shifted to promoting ‘city Tourism’. Now I am convinced beyond doubt that Nairobi can be a major tourist destination not only for the international market but also the local market.

Have you ever contested before?

I have. I contested and won Miss Africa Perth 2013 in Western Australia.

What did you do with the title?

 I started a small Organization under the umbrella of the African Women’s Council. We mainly focused on women and children from the African community.  We provided those who didn’t have the basic needs like clothes and food. It’s still going on even with my absence. I’m very proud of my team.

Secondly I held a fundraiser that helped the Westgate victims Together with the Kenyan high commission in Canberra and then acting high commissioner Mrs. Yvonne Wamalwa.
The money collected covered some of the victim’s medical bills.

Together with Miss Africa Perth 2014 contestants, we visited schools and gave talks about our countries to show them what Africa has and just how privileged most of them are compared to most children/ girls in Africa. We dint forget to shoe the good side of Africa.

How was the competition from Auditions to finals?

The competition was great, this peagent was one of a kind with lots of activities.

How was it interacting with the other girls from all over Nairobi?

It was very interesting actually, and a positive challenge for me. I respected the fact that we all came from different backgrounds, upbringing and that we all were individual entities with different opinions and beliefs. I best interacted with then by being true with who I am with them and being sensitive with my speech and actions

Are you dating?

(Laughing)I would rather not talk about my personal life.

What’s in your bucket list?

To visit Addis Ababa ‘Old town…with so much history…I hear it’s very serene’ and Climb Mt Kilimanjaro…

What is your most embarrassing moment?

My most embarrassing moment was when I was 5 years old; I peed on myself at my aunties wedding.

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?

(She Laughs)Well this might not be so crazy… but I used to watch a lot of Jonny Bravo when I was a kid. And when I grew older I decided to by myself pepper spray… so this night I had gone out with my girlfriends and this guy kept bothering us. I decided to get rid of him using the spray. His face got so red I ended up feeling sorry for him I thought he was going to go blind. .. threw it away the next day…

What is next after winning Miss Tourism Nairobi.

I have worked with disabled persons for 3 years. I will use the experience I got as a platform to push for the tourism sector to cater for the disabled persons. I think it’s about time we had tours for the disabled in this country and make the surroundings conducive for them. I would like to see taxis that can accommodate wheel chairs, sidewalks that can be used by those on wheel chairs hotels that have facilities that cater for the disabled. You would be surprised how many disabled groups can make a trip to Nairobi if such facilities can be made accessible to them.
‘Disability is not inability’ this may would like a cliché however it is so true. Being a lover of fashion  it would be awesome to have artisans from the disabled community this will empower then economically. We should not discriminate or isolate them as they can play a major role to improve the economy of the country.

Your take on stripping women in public…‘first and foremost I think it’s very absurd inhumane, lessens dignity of a person…they should be imprisoned. Taking away somebody’s freedom whether female or male is wrong