I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When my father tragically died when I was only 5 years old, my mother sent me to live with relatives in Europe, as she did not have the means to take care of me. It was a very hard time for me, but I turned to education and poured myself into learning and growing, and preparing myself to be able to give back one day.
These were hugely impactful life circumstances. They lit a fire within me to devote my life to fighting for education for all girls everywhere. When I returned to Congo at the age of 18, I saw so many girls who could have been me, hungry to go to school to learn and better their world, but they simply did not have the opportunity. This was when the dream for Malaika was planted in my heart, and I have not stopped working toward providing self-empowerment opportunities for the community of Kalebuka and girls everywhere.
Nearly everything we have done at Malaika has challenged the status quo! In the geographical area where we work, many people struggle to support their families, and there is little running water, electricity, or access to technology in most of the homes. Insisting that girls not only deserve an education, but a top-notch, world-class education, is definitely disruptive, but in such an important and good way.
I have been told “NO” so many times, but I have had to learn not to be deterred in my determination to support these girls in their community. I think I am a Disruptor in a positive way. I see how hopeful the future can be, and how much change there is when you empower a girl, and I am willing to take anyone on in order to actively build that future.
So many people have challenged my dream with Malaika and told me my vision was unnecessary, or simply would not work. I have faced constraints from various entities—finances, individuals and groups. I have navigated them by surrounding myself with an incredible team and support system, both on the ground and around the globe. It is so crucial to have a community of individuals contributing to various experiences and strengths, and working together. I think certain challenges simply take time and an open mind.
Insisting that girls not only deserve an education, but a top-notch, world-class education, is definitely disruptive, but in such an important and good way.
Seeing a young woman learn how to be a mechanic, a student building a robot, or hearing updates from our girls thriving at university is endless and incredible motivation. Every single day at Malaika, I see hope, determination, and a hunger to grow and learn in the girls, boys, mothers, and fathers who come to our centre. They are eager to better themselves, their families, and their communities. Additionally, four of our students have progressed to the national football team. These examples are so encouraging and overshadow any setbacks we face.
I think it is very true that women empower women. Other women see the strides we are making with Malaika, and it influences them to be trailblazers in their own right. It is so exciting to see these young girls walking in my footsteps, so driven to lead change.
As an international model, I have encouraged others in my field to take advantage of the platform and the influence they have to use fashion for good and use their position to positively influence others. From my children in the UK, who donate their time and money to Malaika, to the charities and fundraisers around the world dedicated to supporting our cause, and to the Kalebuka community, filled with so much beautiful change, I am humbled to see how the work I started has grown so far beyond me.
I lead Malaika as a passionate volunteer, and I also sit on the boards of several other organizations, as I believe it is so crucial to give back. We want to put Africa on the world map and give Africa its voice and narrative. As Africans, we give back to our home continent and to the world in which our diaspora has spread. So I support my Congo, but I donate to causes in the UK as well, the country where I now live.
I am endlessly proud of what Malaika has become. It is truly the heart of the community. It is impacting the entire community and giving so many thousands of individuals the opportunity to raise themselves and each other. It is hard to put into words how fulfilling it was seeing Malaika’s first class graduate in 2023 and having so many of these incredible young women continue to universities in Congo and internationally.
We created Malaika in 2007, and now we are approaching our third graduation! International singer/songwriter/rapper, Eve Cooper, oversaw our first graduation, and then we had Dr. Makaziwe Mandela (daughter of Nelson Mandela) at the second.
Malaika is a true ecosystem. In addition to our school, Malaika comprises a community centre with programs for 5,000 youth and adults, including sports for peace and social impact, technical classes certifying future electricians and mechanics, a clean water program with 31 wells serving over 35,000 people each year and a sustainable agriculture program. We have even added carpentry, dwelling, art and technology classes. All programs are free and work together as a replicable model, called the Malaika Model Toolkit. In a country where there has been serious conflict for more than 30 years, this is no easy feat. We are all advocating for true peace in Congo.
My amazing, aware, eager-to-change-the-world children are also a huge achievement, and I am so proud of them every day!
I hope to leave a legacy of girls having access to all the rights they deserve! Access to education and health, and everything they need to pursue their dreams.
Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, a Congolese/Cypriot philanthropist, international model, and passionate advocate for education, is the Founder & CEO of Malaika, a grassroots nonprofit that empowers girls and communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Founded in 2007, Malaika offers its education and health programs free of charge, impacting thousands of lives and serving as a replicable model for similar initiatives globally.
In recognition of her transformative work, Noëlla was recently honoured with the prestigious Agent of Change Award by the United Nations.
Beyond her advocacy, Noëlla plays a key role in shaping global conversations on social impact, serving on advisory boards for Concordia, the L’Oréal Fund for Women, and Princess Caroline’s AMADE Foundation.
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