Sonia Rolland

Sonia Rolland in 2009

Sonia Rolland (born 11 February 1981) is a French actress who was Miss France 2000. She was the first African-born winner of the Miss France pageant. Born in Kigali, Rwanda, to a Rwandan mother and a French father, Rolland and her family fled the country due to safety concerns from the Rwandan genocide, especially since her mother is Tutsi. In 1990 they moved to the neighboring country of Burundi. With the growing unrest that led to the Burundi Civil War, they moved to France in 1994.

Quotes

• I don't even wish it on my worst enemy, if I have one. It's horrible, dengue. It is something that strikes you down. You have thoughts of suicide, outright.
  • "Sonia Rolland touched by a terrible disease, she tells about her ordeal: Current Woman The MAG" (19 February 2021)

• We have become accustomed to the horror images of this country, but when I return I find that there is God everywhere all over Rwanda,
  • "a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea", The New Times (14 April 2021) ^{[dead link]}

• A country which is stable, unified, clean, at peace and resolutely turned towards economic development
  • "a-look-back-at-sonia-rollandas-documentary-arwanda-du-chaos-au-miraclea", The New Times (14 April 2021) ^{[dead link]}

• I’ve been inspired by the fact that I’m Rwandan. We left this country in bad conditions. This is my way of contributing towards national development.
  • "Miss France 2000 and founder of Maisha Africa Association, Sonia Rolland Uwitonze, is helping Gisimba Memorial Centre, a former orphanage in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, continue its initial mission of preserving child rights." (22 November 2017)

• I hope it’s going to help children to develop their inner talents, the idea was to turn this centre which used to serve as an orphanage into something useful for the children.
  • "Miss France 2000 and founder of Maisha Africa Association, Sonia Rolland Uwitonze, is helping Gisimba Memorial Centre, a former orphanage in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, continue its initial mission of preserving child rights." (22 November 2017)