DR Congo Archives

Hip-hop star and actress Eve Jeffers-Cooper has been announced as a Goodwill Ambassador for Malaika. The announcement follows Eve’s visit to the Central African country with Malaika founder, Noella Coursaris Musunka, to inaugurate the very first library in the village of Kalebuka on International Women’s Day. The e-library is the newest addition to the Malaika School, a free, accredited school that provides a comprehensive and high quality education to 230 girls. The e-library has both print and e-books on Android tablets, giving the girls access to the broad world surrounding them.

The relationship began with an inquiry on social media, and mutual friends in fashion and music. The Grammy Award-winning musician and actress, who is currently starring in box office hit Barbershop 3, will advocate for Malaika in an official capacity and endorses the mission of the grassroots organization. Eve said, “My trip to the DRC to visit Malaika’s projects exceeded my expectations. I knew it would be a great environment for the girls, but Malaika goes above and beyond. You can feel the excitement from the girls when they take their seats in class. The library will be an incredible addition to the Malaika School and to their curriculum.” Eve met with the young students in Kalebuka and together they created a poem about the power of education.

Eve also performed her hit single “Who’s That Girl” for the thrilled villagers and students.

Evesingingatschool

Despite the endowment of natural resources and potential hydroelectric capacity, less than 10% of the Democratic Republic of Congo has access to electricity. Such was true until recently in the village of Kalebuka, home to the Malaika School and Kalebuka Football for Hope Center.

Solar panels were initially installed at KFFH, a community center that offers education, health, entrepreneurship and sports programs to youths and adults in the village. Thanks to a project jointly funded by Segal Family Foundation, Global Citizen Foundation, Voss Foundation, and individual contributions, the Malaika School will soon be powered by solar energy too, using radiant light and heat from the sun. This will reduce the School’s dependence on unreliable electricity and the expense of running a generator. A steady, renewable source of electricity will allow for expansion and completion of a computer room.

The company doing the work is EnerQi Solution International, led by its Director, Abdoul Diawara, along with two of his team members, Boubacar Mall and Papa Masseye Seye. The team was warmly welcomed by family and members of the staff. Excitement is radiating throughout Malaika! Imagine the possibilities…

Malaria is a deadly disease in D.R. Congo. Malaika warmly welcomed Joe Downes of Grassroots Soccer (GRS) to Kalebuka to continue into phase 2 of the Drop Malaria Project which took place in classrooms and on the ball field.

Joe Downes

The Drop Malaria Workshop is based on the Drop Malaria Project which works to raise awareness about the prevention of Malaria in the community of Kalebuka through sensitization sessions, distribution of nets and workshops.The main objective of the project is to reduce the prevalence of Malaria in the community.

Grassroot Soccer (GRS) is among one of the organizations that has an elaborated curriculum (SKILLZ Malaria) in different countries that uses football (soccer) to teach about the prevention of malaria.

We brought together coaches from around Kalebuka to participate in the workshops as they will teach the youth that they train what they learned. In the group, we also have local leaders and women that will also participate in raising awareness. Members learned about the importance of teamwork, respecting leaders and how to seek medical assistance if necessary.

Malaria affects both the young, the old, and the pregnant women of Democratic Republic of Congo. We’re hoping through awareness education and mosquito net distribution it is the beginning of the end of this preventable disease. To find out more about Malaika’s mission to empower through education initiatives, visit our web site www.malaika.org

Malaika Names Eve As Goodwill Ambassador