PHOENIX
On October 13, 20 bikers made their final trek to Brooklyn as part of the #bikeforafrica campaign, created by Brussels Airlines and b.foundation. They started at Niagara Falls and arrived in New York City after 6 days, biking a total of 400 miles and raising funds for Malaika and the Georgie Badiel Foundation. They completed the journey on Friday when they biked from Central Park to Brooklyn. We are very grateful for Bike for Africa and all of the sponsors who made this possible. We couldn’t provide our community programs without you!
We had the wonderful opportunity for Khaliah Ali to speak at Malaika10. She has been with us since she placed the first stone of the Malaika School in Kalebuka. Below is an excerpt from her speech at the event.
“When I watch the most incredible, resilient example of beauty, oneness, courage – Ali’s fight? They obviously never met Noella! Ali, Bomaye, Noella, Bomaye!
“My family and I were so incredibly privileged to travel with Noella. Eleven years ago, Noella was this teeny tiny, powerful woman that I could not say no to. She came to me at the time of the 30th anniversary of the Rumble in the Jungle, when my father fought there. No one from the family had been back since and to have been there with Noella, in the embryonic stages of this creation, is humbling beyond mention.
“Noella is tireless, I don’t think she sleeps! Every single thing that pulls this incredible organization together is right out of her own two loving hands. The one thing that Noella emphasized greatly is that she wanted me to see the beauty, the culture, the richness. To know the Congo more than what you see on the news, that there is so much pride in its people and its culture. I discovered that, but at the same time, I also discovered what a battle she was up against to do what she has done. It is vital that we support her for the next 10 years and beyond. I hope we all collectively come together and join Noella to fulfill the rest of her dream.”
Last month, Raffaele Scognamiglio, a coach from the UK, spent two weeks in Kalebuka teaching sports to the girls and community.
He commented, “I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to volunteer at Malaika. I went to Kalebuka to teach, however, what I learned whilst there will stay with me forever. The passion and enthusiasm of the children, parents, and staff is something that I aspire to bring to my own life and work in the UK. Words really don’t do justice to the positive effect that Malaika is having, not only on these young people’s lives but on the community as a whole. I just feel so lucky to have seen this firsthand.”
We are very grateful for the time and passion that Raffaele gave.
