Brave, bold and beautiful

Buzz:Just where did it all begin for you?

Emmah: I was in Kapsabet Girls Secondary where we had a good environmental club and it is here where I learnt and got interested in the state of our environment and how man we are ruining what is precious to us. That is where I got my urge to play my small part.

What about the modeling side?

With my height and maybe my chocolate complexion (giggles), people always said I could do well as a model. When I finished my secondary school, I decided to try it with Vera Beauty College and Versatile. I liked it but just did it for fun until one day an opportunity came up.

What was the opportunity?

It was October of 2006 and they advertised for the Miss Earth Kenya. For me, Miss Earth pointed out to the environment so naturally I was very interested so I enrolled. The requirement was that you have to have initiated and taken part in some conservation projects of your own before. That eliminated many joy riders and in the end, there were 30 models in the finals.

Just why do you think you won?

I think my passion for the environment and the projects that I had been a part of made me stand out.

Tell us about the projects

I believe having a green environment is the first major step in trying to restore so many problems that results in environmental degradation. I had done a project that brought a few of my friends to plant trees along Langata Road and in a village in Eldama Ravine. I was also a key participant in a beautification project for Kenyatta Avenue organized by Vera Beauty College. 

What did you get for your win?

Black Opal promised me a one-year supply of beauty products and Magic Hair but I only got three months of that supply. That is the world of modeling for you. What was important for me was the chance to represent Kenya at the global contest in Manila, Philippines.

We already know you did not win there but what was the experience?

The experience was invaluable. For three weeks, I spent time with 80 beautiful women and I made great friends and networked. The organizers arranged for very informative workshops on the environment.

What happened on your return to Kenya?

There were few things lined up by the pageants Kenyan chapter but I knew for sure that it was up to me to live up to the title. I came across the Billion Tree Campaign that is being organized by UNEP. I also learnt about UNEP’s Tunza Environmental Club, which I also joined. Through UNEP, I found like-minded people and an opportunity to further my ambition.

Just what exactly have you done?

I have participated in insightful continental conferences and seminars. As a student at the University, I applied for Internship at UNEP offices in Gigiri Nairobi and I was lucky to get a place in February.

I was part of the organizing team for the Tunza International Children’s Conference on the environment, which took place in Norway in June. About 800 children from all over the world attended it.

It was a great opportunity to engage the children in environmental issues from a younger age. I also took part in the ‘Plant and Play for the Environment’ and the ‘Sports for Peace’ initiatives in Nairobi.

I am told you have just added another title.

Yes, I am now a Bayer Young Environmental Envoy. There are only four hundred of us in the world and we are chosen because of our commitment to environmental conservation. I have just returned from Germany where 40 selected young people took part in a field trip organized by the giant pharmaceutical and crop science company, Bayer.

What is the future for you?

I am just about to graduate from university and get in to the job market but environmental issues will still be top of my agenda.

The Miss Earth Organisation has collaborated with Ecotat, the company that is building the environmental friendly ‘Iko Toilets’ in Nairobi.

I am in the team that is helping raise awareness and fundraising to build more such toilets in the country. I did that in Europe and was featured in newspapers there. I am hopeful that we will be able to complete the mission.

So not all models are 'blondes' after all?

(Laughs) No, Well It depends on why they are getting in to modeling. You need to have a purpose and not be there to make money because people will just use you. I would not enter another pageant though. I got my chance and it propelled me to be an environmentalist. I am content with that.

FACT FILE

Name: Emma Madegwa

Age: 23

Studies: BA Communication & Psychology (UON)

Accolades:

1. Bayer Young Environmental Envoy (Germany, 2008)

2. Organising team – Children Conference on Environment (Norway, 2008)

3. Miss. Millennium Tourism – Heritage Category Winner (Ethiopia, 2007)

4. Miss Earth Kenya (Kenya, 2006)