New Africa Daily

Malaika’s staff consists of individuals who are passionate about education and about teaching and supporting the next group of leaders emerging from our student body. Therese Mabaka Angelani, kindergarten teacher, has been working for 10 years at Malaika, ever since the school opened its doors.⠀

“It is really great to see a school that emerges day to day, year by year, in which children who come in without a notion of education go out with an impressive intellectual, moral and physical training. My dream is to see some of the girls continuing the work that Malaika does by giving back to their communities and leading the school so that other children will be able to benefit from this education.”

In parts of Democratic Republic of Congo, attending school is not a given. Cost, distance, and family obligations can prohibit students from gaining an education. Malaika’s Kalebuka Football For Hope Center, built in collaboration with FIFA and streetfootballworld, gives area youth and adults an opportunity they otherwise might not have to not only learn to read and write and take vocational courses and learn about healthy and equality through football and other sports programming- all for free.

The young men and women featured in this video now have hope for their own futures and their communities’ collective growth.

Almost five years into the fifteen-year commitment towards the Global Goal, the UN estimates that over 265 million children are still out of school. In 2020, COVID-19 has all but stopped daily life around the globe, which means schools and learning centers, such as Malaika, were forced to close. The impact on education during this pandemic cannot yet be measured, but it will surely be widespread. On Thursday, May 7 at 2 p.m. GMT, Noella will take part in a webinar with World Humanitarian Forum as part of their digital ‘Education in Times of Crisis’ Series.

Join in this forum to learn about how education worldwide will be impacted as Noella joins Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, chair, UNICEF UK and Yasmine Sherif, director, Education Cannot Wait and Session Moderator Dr. Jon-Hans Coetzer from UNITARHQ. Register now at https://forms.gle/qEZXiowCE6LpxEf3A

It was such an honor to be featured in Congo Excellence Magazine’s inaugural issue last month.

This magazine aims to “be a facilitative platform for collaboration and unity in youth collectives that will elevate the national economic growth and living experience, whilst simultaneously sustaining this growth for future generations to come.”

We’re excited for this publication, which is highlighting the amazing people and work in Congo and the positive impact they’re  making on the country’s future. We were so glad to be highlighted alongside fellow Congolese change makers, who are building a vibrant future for our communities. The path forward for our girls is bright. Find the full article here. 

Vanleles Diamonds, an African fine jewelry house with a mission to make an impact, is currently donating 100% of sales of white gold and diamonds in the Nile Collection to Malaika.

Noella serves as an inspiration for Vanleles’ gorgeous pieces, and we are beyond grateful to Vania Leles for her generosity. Vania visited our school a few years ago and since then she has remained a huge Malaika supporter in various ways. We love her line and her philanthropic efforts. See Noella’s campaign with Vanleles and shop the collection here.