A 22-year-old girl who is HIV-positive won the 2017 edition of the Miss Congo UK beauty pageant, which took place at the Stratford Town Hall on April 1. This gala strives to “celebrate Congolese beauty and empower Congo women.”
Horcelie Sinda Wa Mbongo was born with the virus, but was 11 years old when when found out about her condition.
Huge congratulations to return @ICS_UK volunteer & inspiring @Youth_StopAIDS campaigner, Horcelie, for winning #MissCongoUK2017! pic.twitter.com/MtcfCJ5quC
— Restless Development (@RestlessDev) April 4, 2017
“I’m happy I’ve won at least something in my life. My story has warmed people’s hearts and that’s the most important thing,” she said, hoping her story will be able to serve as a motivation for many.
The new beauty queen is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, but is presently studying for in London, pursuing a Fine Arts degree.
Nevertheless, she has plans to return to Congo, where she has been active in helping to promote campaigns on HIV and AIDS, with a youth-led group called Youth Stop AIDS, which campaigns “for a world without AIDS.”
Check out her emotional reaction right after she was crowned Miss Congo UK 2017:
"BEAUTY QUEEN WITH HIV"@MissCongoUK 2017, This year, the winning act highlighted the plight of millions of Africans who suffer with #HIV. pic.twitter.com/W0vgy6YH3d
— Miss Congo UK (@MissCongoUK) April 4, 2017
