Zimbabwean beauty queen Yollanda Chimbarami has credited the Hallelujah Challenge for her success at Miss International 2025. Chimbarami, who finished as first runner-up and Miss International Africa, combined her preparations with 21 days of fasting and prayer.
Zimbabwean beauty queen says 21 days of fasting and prayer strengthened her faith before making history at the international pageant.
Zimbabwean beauty queen Yollanda Chimbarami has credited the Hallelujah Challenge with strengthening her faith during preparations for Miss International 2025, where she finished first runner-up and secured the Miss International Africa title.
Chimbarami says the Christian prayer movement became an important part of her journey to the international stage, as she combined her pageant preparations with 21 days of fasting and prayer.
The beauty queen, who represented Zimbabwe at the competition in Japan, recently reflected on how faith, perseverance and personal conviction helped her navigate the uncertainty surrounding her international campaign.
The Hallelujah Challenge is a Christian prayer movement founded by Nigerian gospel minister Nathaniel Bassey. It attracts participants from different countries who come together for prayer, worship and testimonies.
During her preparations last October, Chimbarami took part in the challenge, including a session known as “Dress Like Your Miracle”.
The exercise encouraged participants to dress in a way that symbolised what they were praying and believing God for.
For Chimbarami, the moment carried special meaning. She wore her Miss International sash as a symbol of the achievement she hoped to attain.
“Last October, I fasted and prayed for 21 days for Miss International and honestly, it wasn’t an easy journey.
“There were moments of uncertainty, moments when my faith was tested, but through it all, I kept believing and pushing forward,” she said.
Despite the challenges, she remained confident about her ambition to return from Japan with a crown.
“Every single day, I declared that I was not leaving Japan without a crown and just like that, God did what only He could do,” she said.
Her campaign ended with a historic result for Zimbabwe. She finished as first runner-up at Miss International 2025, while also being named Miss International Africa 2025.
The competition attracted 82 contestants, with Colombia’s Catalina Duque taking the main crown. Duque succeeded Vietnam’s Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy.
Chimbarami’s performance marked Zimbabwe’s highest-ever placement at the international pageant, giving the country greater recognition on the global beauty competition stage.
However, the beauty queen says her experience was not limited to the competition itself. She also prayed for opportunities to travel to places she had always hoped to visit.
During the Hallelujah Challenge, she recalled holding her passport while praying about the destinations she wanted to explore.
Looking back over the past year, Chimbarami said she had travelled more than at any other time in her life, viewing the opportunities as a reminder of the prayers she had made.
“The places I prayed about, the doors that opened, and the opportunities I have experienced are a constant reminder that God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine,” she said.
Her connection to the prayer movement has continued beyond the pageant.
Chimbarami recently participated in another Hallelujah Challenge session featuring the “Dress Like Your Miracle” exercise. This time, she approached the moment with the experience of having achieved some of the goals she had previously prayed for.
She is also looking forward to sharing her testimony during a future edition of the prayer challenge, hoping her experience will encourage people pursuing dreams that may seem difficult to achieve.
Her message to those facing uncertainty was to remain committed to prayer and continue working towards their ambitions.
“To anyone believing God for something right now, please don’t give up. Keep praying. Keep showing up.
“Keep declaring His promises, even when you cannot see how it will happen.
“Your faith doesn’t have to feel big; even faith as small as a mustard seed, can move mountains,” she said.
Zimbabwe is now preparing to be represented by Ruvimbo Tafadzwa Njomboro at the upcoming Miss International pageant.
As the country looks towards another edition of the competition, Chimbarami’s achievement remains an important milestone for Zimbabwean pageantry.
For Chimbarami, however, the significance of her journey extends beyond the international recognition, titles and sash.
She believes the experience demonstrated the importance of holding on to a dream, remaining focused through difficult moments and drawing strength from her faith.
“My story is proof that the prayers you whisper today can become the testimony you share tomorrow. Keep believing.
“Your miracle is worth the wait,” she said.
