Out of the 40 who had registered for Miss East Africa Beauty Pageant in Rwanda, 28 have been eliminated, leaving only 12 ladies to start residential training.

The training which starts today (Oct 26 Monday) in Kigali will cover cultures of East Africa , general knowledge about the region. They will also be trained in modeling, expression, behavior and answering questions.

The one week camp will culminate into selecting the best two belles on October 31. The beauties will be sent to participate in Miss East Africa finals in Dar es Salaam on December 19.

These finals which are usually judged on international standard will attract 28 contestants from 14 East Africa countries.

"Miss East Africa is similar in many ways to big international pageants with some criteria like Miss World and Miss Universe pageants," Christian Gakwaya, CEO Rwanda Events, a firm organizing the contest in Rwanda said on behalf of Rena Events said.

Those in the camp include Laetitia Umuzayire, Clarisse Ishimwe, Sabrina Livia Kaganza, Rita Uwera and Cynthia Akazuba.

Others are Clarisse Nshuti Vivian Umulisa Annet Mahoro, Sonia Uwimbabazi, Margaret Uwera and Pamela Ngabire.

It in the camp, participants must exhibit good manners and habits as the winner will traverse the world, meet head of states and dignitaries as East Africa 's cultural ambassador. She will also participate charity and social events.Kenya's Binyavanga in a new book How Not to Write About Africa.