Rachel Uwineza

"I have good memories of growing up with four brothers. I only knew how to play boy games, like climbing and gymnastics, and I was in our school parade. I loved wearing clothes with pockets, like jumpsuits, skirts, dresses or shorts—anything with pockets, which I still like."

"The Genocide left a sad stain on our country’s history, and I remember growing up, at school and everywhere else, there were so many kids who were orphans. It was very rare to find a child with both parents."

"Modelling wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do. I was never the most beautiful girl in the neighborhood, but a lanky, tall, dark girl with curly hair."

"I model because I love fashion and art. Modeling is the best way I have to communicate to the society that I want to inspire."

"Modeling is like acting. When I am on the runway, I am more confident, and I feel like I’m on top of the world. I just focus on the photographer, not the crowd—that’s the attitude. When in photo shoots, I’m always conscious about the outcome that the client expects, so I give it my all. But mostly I have fun."