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Upon returning to the country last week, Quiin Abenakyo, former Miss Uganda 2018/2019 and Miss World Africa 2018, has embarked on charity work under Quiin Abenakyo Foundation (QAF).

The beauty queen has been away on further studies. She recently graduated with a master’s degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea.

Abenakyo now traverses slums, schools and institutions while mentoring young people. She also supports and empowers teenage mothers. She spent last Friday, April 12 with over 300 pupils of Shiperoy Primary School in Makindye Lusaka, Kampala. 

Based on her life story of how she rose from grass to grace, Abenakyo advised children to prioritize God in whatever they do.

“I almost pulled out of Miss Uganda during the auditions. I couldn’t compare myself to those beautiful girls,” she shared adding; “When I called my mother, she assured me that I am also beautiful and that I should put my trust in God. This boosted my confidence.”

The same happened when she went for Miss World. She competed with over 120 beautiful girls from all over the world but she believed in herself and prayed, telling God her challenges and He saw her through to the finals.

Abenakyo with school leaders and Shiperoy Nursery and Primary School director Mabel Ssemujju. (All Photos by Ritah Mukasa)

Abenakyo also implored the children to love, respect and be grateful for their families and guardians including teachers. She shared how her family, mostly her mother, who is also her role model has always supported her to achieve her aspirations. 

When it comes to leadership, she encouraged the pupils to contest for positions and be good leaders who are humble, hardworking, resilient and exemplary in whatever they do.

Most importantly, she urged the children to take their studies seriously and also have mentors who can be people close to them like their parents, siblings and teachers. They will support and guide them along the right path.

Later, she allowed the children to ask questions and responded to all of them. They rotated around her background and what it takes to become famous and rich.

Meanwhile, Abenakyo is passionate about fighting teenage pregnancies, child abuse and child marriages.  Through her foundation, she advocates for women's and girls' rights and equality to create a self-reliant generation. 

She provides holistic interventions to meet the needs of vulnerable women and girls, especially those from rural areas and disadvantaged groups. Her team works with students and out-of-school girls living in slums like Namuwongo, Kampala.